U.S. patent application number 12/263350 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for systems and methods providing distributed collection and centralized processing of physiological responses from viewers.
Invention is credited to Timmie T. Hong, Hans C. Lee, Juan C. Munoz.
Application Number | 20090133047 12/263350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40591506 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133047 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hans C. ; et
al. |
May 21, 2009 |
Systems and Methods Providing Distributed Collection and
Centralized Processing of Physiological Responses from Viewers
Abstract
A novel approach enables a new type of sensing--"in persona"
sensing, for large scale testing of a media instance via
distributed collection and centralized processing of physiological
data from each of a large number of viewers in his/her own setting.
The physiological data can first be collected from each of the
viewers fitted with one or more physiological sensors locally at
the place where he/she is watching the media instance. The data
collected from the viewers at these distributed locations can then
all be transmitted to a centralized location for processing,
aggregation, storage, and analysis.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hans C.; (Carmel,
CA) ; Hong; Timmie T.; (San Diego, CA) ;
Munoz; Juan C.; (San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COURTNEY STANIFORD & GREGORY LLP
P.O. BOX 9686
SAN JOSE
CA
95157
US
|
Family ID: |
40591506 |
Appl. No.: |
12/263350 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60984260 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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|
60984268 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/10 ;
345/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0205 20130101;
H04N 7/16 20130101; H04N 21/44218 20130101; A61B 5/6803 20130101;
A61B 5/377 20210101; A61B 5/11 20130101; A61B 5/6814 20130101; H04N
21/25866 20130101; H04N 21/42201 20130101; G06Q 30/0204 20130101;
A61B 5/16 20130101; H04H 60/33 20130101; H04N 21/4758 20130101;
A61B 5/165 20130101; G06Q 30/0201 20130101; A61B 5/0006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/10 ;
345/8 |
International
Class: |
H04H 60/33 20080101
H04H060/33; G09G 5/00 20060101 G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, each headset
including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the
plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each
headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;
a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal
collection device receives the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of
viewers; and a processing module that receives the physiological
data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the
processing module derives from the physiological data a plurality
of physiological responses of the plurality of viewers to the media
instance.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module
synchronizes the physiological data from the plurality of
viewers.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module
synchronizes the media instance and the physiological data from the
plurality of viewers.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein each signal collection device
removes data from the corresponding physiological data for a time
period during which the corresponding viewer is not paying
attention to the media instance before transferring the data to the
processing module.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processing module
interpolates physiological data from the time period when the
viewer is paying attention to cover the data that has been
removed.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological data is at
least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate,
breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response, and a
response correlated with change in emotion.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the processing module removes
artifacts of the physiological data.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein each signal collection device
analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received
from the corresponding set of viewers and, in response, generates
feedback to the corresponding set of viewers regarding action to be
taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological
data.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the anomaly is detected using at
least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate,
breathing, motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin response.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
a physiological sensor.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
an electroencephalogram.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
an accelerometer.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
a blood oxygen sensor.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
a galvanometer.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes
an electromygraph.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least
one dry EEG electrode.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least
one heart rate sensor.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least
one accelerometer.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least
one processor.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the headset includes at least
one wireless communication device.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes liking.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes thought.
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes adrenaline.
24. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes engagement.
25. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes stress.
26. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes frustration.
27. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes immersion in the media instance.
28. The system of claim 1, comprising a rating module that rates
the media instance based on the plurality of physiological
responses from the plurality of viewers.
29. The system of claim 1, comprising a reaction database that
stores at least one of the physiological data, the plurality of
physiological responses, and analysis results of the physiological
responses.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the reaction database stores at
least one of data of the media instance, and results of surveys
presented to the plurality of viewers and corresponding to the
media instance.
31. The system of claim 1, wherein the media instance is at least
one of a television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed
media, a website, computer application, a video game, and a live
performance.
32. The system of claim 1, wherein the media instance is at least
one of a product, product information, product content, media
relating to product development.
33. The system of claim 1, wherein each set of viewers is located
in a different area of a location, the location hosting the
plurality of signal collection devices.
34. The system of claim 1, wherein each set of viewers is located
at a different venue of a plurality of venues.
35. The system of claim 1, comprising a tutorial, wherein a
computer coupled to the processing module automatically receives
and installs the tutorial, wherein the tutorial comprises
information relating to watching of the media instance and data
collection during the watching.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the tutorial automatically
instructs the plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.
37. The system of claim 35, wherein the tutorial automatically
determines the data quality.
38. A system comprising: a headset including at least one sensor
and a transmitter, the headset attached to a viewer watching a
media instance at a venue, wherein the headset receives
physiological data from the viewer and transmits the physiological
data; a signal collection device that receives the physiological
data transmitted by the headset, wherein the signal collection
device analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is
received from the viewer and, in response, generates feedback to
the viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy non-optimal data
quality, wherein the signal collection device transmits the
physiological data; and a processing module that receives the
physiological data from the signal collection device, wherein the
processing module derives from the physiological data a plurality
of physiological responses of the viewer to the media instance.
39. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each
viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues,
each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter,
wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance,
wherein each headset receives physiological data from the
corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein each signal collection device is located at a different
venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device
receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding
headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device
analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received
from the corresponding viewer and, in response, generates feedback
to the corresponding viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy
an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and a processing
module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
aggregated data by aggregating the physiological data of the
plurality of viewers, wherein the processing module provides
controlled access to the aggregated data and the media
instance.
40. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each
viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues,
each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter,
wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance,
wherein each headset receives physiological data from the
corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein each signal collection device is located at a different
venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device
receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding
headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device
analyzes data quality of the physiological data as it is received
from the corresponding viewer and, in response, generates feedback
to the corresponding viewer regarding action to be taken to remedy
an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and a processing
module that receives the physiological data from the plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
synchronized data by synchronizing the aggregated data with the
media instance.
41. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, each headset
including at least one sensor and a transmitter, wherein the
plurality of viewers is watching a media instance, wherein each
headset receives physiological data from the corresponding viewer;
a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each signal
collection device receives the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of
viewers; and a processing module that receives the physiological
data from the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the
processing module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the
physiological data from the plurality of viewers, and synchronizing
the synchronized data with the media instance.
42. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each
viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues,
each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter,
wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance,
wherein each headset receives physiological data from the
corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein each signal collection device is located at a different
venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device
receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding
headset at that venue; and a processing module that receives the
physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein the processing module generates synchronized data by
synchronizing the physiological data from the plurality of viewers,
and synchronizing the synchronized data with the media
instance.
43. A system comprising: a plurality of headsets, wherein each
headset is worn by a viewer of a plurality of viewers, and each
viewer is located at a different venue of a plurality of venues,
each headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter,
wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a media instance,
wherein each headset receives physiological data from the
corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein each signal collection device is located at a different
venue of the plurality of venues, the signal collection device
receiving the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding
headset at that venue, wherein each signal collection device
removes data from the corresponding physiological data for a time
period during which the corresponding viewer is not paying
attention to the media instance; and a processing module that
receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal
collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the
plurality of viewers with the media instance.
44. A method comprising: receiving physiological data from a
plurality of viewers via a plurality of headsets worn by each of
the plurality of viewers, the plurality of viewers watching a media
instance; receiving the physiological data from the plurality of
headsets at a plurality of signal collection devices, wherein each
signal collection device receives the physiological data
transmitted by the corresponding headset of a set of viewers of the
plurality of viewers; analyzing data quality of the physiological
data as it is received from the corresponding set of viewers and,
in response, generating feedback to the corresponding set of
viewers regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in
quality of the physiological data; and receiving the physiological
data from the plurality of signal collection devices at a
processing module and deriving from the physiological data a
plurality of physiological responses of the plurality of viewers to
the media instance.
45. The method of claim 44, comprising synchronizing the
physiological data from the plurality of viewers.
46. The method of claim 44, comprising synchronizing the media
instance and the physiological data from the plurality of
viewers.
47. The method of claim 44, comprising removing data from the
corresponding physiological data for a time period during which the
corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media instance
before transferring the data to the processing module.
48. The method of claim 47, comprising interpolating physiological
data from the time period when the viewer is paying attention to
cover the data that has been removed.
49. The method of claim 44, comprising detecting the anomaly using
at least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate,
breathing, motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin response.
50. The method of claim 44, comprising removing artifacts of the
physiological data.
51. The method of claim 44, comprising rating the media instance
based on the plurality of physiological responses from the
plurality of viewers.
52. The method of claim 44, comprising storing at least one of the
physiological data, the plurality of physiological responses, and
analysis results of the physiological responses.
53. The method of claim 52, comprising storing at least one of data
of the media instance, and results of surveys presented to the
plurality of viewers and corresponding to the media instance.
54. The method of claim 44, wherein the physiological data is at
least one of heart rate, brain waves, electroencephalogram (EEG)
signals, blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic
skin response, and a response correlated with change in
emotion.
55. The method of claim 44, wherein receiving physiological data
comprises sensing the physiological data using at least one of a
physiological sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG), an
accelerometer, a blood oxygen sensor, a galvanometer, an
electromygraph, a dry EEG electrode, and a heart rate sensor.
56. The method of claim 44, wherein the plurality of physiological
responses includes at least one of liking, thought, adrenaline,
engagement, and immersion in the media instance.
57. The method of claim 44, wherein the media instance is at least
one of a television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed
media, a website, computer application, a video game, live
performance, a product, product information, product content, media
relating to product development.
58. The method of claim 44, wherein each set of viewers is located
in a different area of a location, the location hosting the
plurality of signal collection devices.
59. The method of claim 44, wherein each set of viewers is located
at a different venue of a plurality of venues.
60. The method of claim 44, comprising automatically providing a
tutorial to the plurality of viewers via a computer, wherein the
computer automatically receives and installs the tutorial, wherein
the tutorial comprises information relating to watching of the
media instance and data collection during the watching.
61. The method of claim 60, comprising automatically instructing
the plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.
62. The method of claim 60, comprising automatically determining
the data quality.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States (US)
Patent Application No. 60/984,260, filed Oct. 31, 2007.
[0002] This application claims the benefit of United States (US)
Patent Application No. 60/984,268, filed Oct. 31, 2007.
[0003] This application is related to the following U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 11/804,517, 11/804,555, 11/779,814,
11/500,678, 11/845,993, 11/835,634, 11/846,068, 12/180,510,
12/206,676, 12/206,700, 12/206,702, 12/244,737, 12/244,748,
12/244,751, 12/244,752, 11/430,555, 11/681,265, 11/852,189, and
11/959,399.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] This invention relates to the field of collection and
analysis of physiological responses from viewers of media
instances.
BACKGROUND
[0005] A key to making a high performing media instance is to make
sure that every event in the media elicits the desired responses
from viewers, not responses very different from what the creator of
the media expected. Herein, the media instance can be but is not
limited to, a video game, an advertisement clip, a movie, a
computer application, a printed media (e.g., a magazine), a
website, an online advertisement, a recorded video, a live
performance of media, products, and other types of media relating
to products and product development.
[0006] Physiological data, which includes but is not limited to
heart rate, brain waves, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, blink
rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response
and any other response correlated with changes in emotion or
cognitive function of a viewer of a media instance, can give a
trace (e.g., a line drawn by a recording instrument) of the
viewer's responses while he/she is watching the media instance. The
physiological data can be measured by one or more physiological
sensors, each of which can be but is not limited to, an
electroencephalogram, an accelerometer, a blood oxygen sensor, a
galvanometer, an electromygraph, skin temperature sensor, breathing
sensor, and any other physiological sensor.
[0007] It is well established that physiological data in the human
body of a viewer has been shown to correlate with the viewer's
change in emotions. Thus, from the measured "low level"
physiological data, "high level" (i.e., easier to understand,
intuitive to look at) physiological responses from the viewers of
the media instance can be created. An effective media instance that
connects with its audience/viewers is able to elicit the desired
emotional response. Here, the high level physiological responses
include, but are not limited to, liking (valence)-positive/negative
responses to events in the media instance, intent to purchase or
recall, emotional engagement in the media instance,
thinking--amount of thoughts and/or immersion in the experience of
the media instance, adrenaline--anger, distraction, frustration,
cognition, stress, and other emotional experiences to events in the
media instance.
[0008] Collecting physiological responses to a media instance from
the viewers typically requires bringing the viewers/testers to a
testing facility, fitting them with multiple physiological sensors,
and recording the physiological data from the viewers via various
testing equipment while they are watching the media instance. One
problem with such testing process is that only a small number of
people can be tested for a specific media instance due to the
limited capacity and/or availability of the testing facilities as
well as the professionals required to administer the testing. The
cost for such testing can also be quite expensive and the results
may be less than accurate due to the limited scope of the testing.
Furthermore, most conventional testing is performed in sterile and
unrealistic environments that can lead to results that are less
than ideal.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0009] Each patent, patent application, and/or publication
mentioned in this specification is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to the same extent as if each individual patent,
patent application, and/or publication was specifically and
individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary system to support
large scale media testing, under an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process to
support large scale media testing, under an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary integrated headset that uses dry
EEG electrodes and adopts wireless communication for data
transmission, under an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of self-administering testing,
under an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a system to support remote access and analysis of
media and reactions from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for remote access and analysis of
media and reactions from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows one or more exemplary physiological responses
aggregated from the viewers and presented in the response panel of
the interactive browser, under an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows exemplary verbatim comments and feedbacks
collected from the viewers and presented in the response panel of
the interactive browser, under an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 9 shows exemplary answers to one or more survey
questions collected from the viewers and presented as a pie chart
in the response panel of the interactive browser, under an
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a system to support providing actionable insights
based on in-depth analysis of reactions from viewers, under an
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a flow chart for providing actionable insights
based on in-depth analysis of reactions from viewers, under an
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows exemplary highlights and arrows representing
trends in the physiological responses from the viewers as well as
verbal explanation of such markings, under an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a system to support synchronization of media with
physiological responses from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for synchronization of media with
physiological responses from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a system to support graphical presentation of
verbatim comments from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for graphical presentation of
verbatim comments from viewers, under an embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a system which uses a sensor headset which
measures electrical activity to determine a present time emotional
state of a user, under an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the sensor headset, under
an embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the sensor headset and a
computer, under an embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of an amplifier of the sensor
headset, under an embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram of a filter stage of the sensor
headset, under an embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram of a resistor-capacitor RC
filter of the sensor headset, under an embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a circuit diagram of the amplifier, three filter
stages and the RC filter of the sensor headset, under an
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a digital processor of the
sensor headset, under an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Embodiments described herein enable "in persona" sensing for
large scale testing of a media instance via distributed collection
and centralized processing of physiological data from each of
multiple viewers in his/her own setting. Viewers may also be
referred to herein as participants and/or users. The physiological
data can first be collected from each of the viewers fitted with
one or more physiological sensors locally at a location where
he/she is watching the media instance. The data collected from the
viewers at these distributed locations can then all be transmitted
to a centralized location for processing, aggregation, storage, and
analysis.
[0035] In the following description, numerous specific details are
introduced to provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling
description for, the embodiments described herein. One skilled in
the relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments
can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or
with other components, systems, etc. In other instances, well-known
structures or operations are not shown, or are not described in
detail, to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed
embodiments.
[0036] The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by
way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted
that references to "an" or "one" or "some" embodiment(s) in this
disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such
references mean at least one.
[0037] Advertisers, media producers, educators and other relevant
parties have long desired to have greater understanding of viewers'
reactions to their media products from their targets, customers,
clients and pupils in order to tailor their information or media
instances to better suit the needs of end users and/or to increase
the effectiveness of the media instance created. Under the proposed
approach, the viewers no longer need to attend a testing session at
a specific location where a testing facility is located and/or at a
specific time when the testing facility or the person administering
the testing session is available. On the contrary, physiological
data can be collected from viewers everywhere, for a non-limiting
example, in the comfort of their own homes. Due to greatly reduced
barriers, testing of the media instance can now be conducted on a
broader scale all over the country and around the world as more
viewers than ever can now participate, making the evaluation of the
media instance more objective and accurate.
[0038] The embodiments described herein, generally, automatically
distribute media or a media instance for testing to each venue or
site using, for example, a network coupling or connection (e.g.,
internet, local area network, wide area network, etc.). The media
is tested on all participants or viewers, regardless of location at
or in one or more venues; the testing may be autonomous without an
administrator or, in some cases, may use a human administrator.
During testing, physiological data is collected from the
participants using one or more sensors and a signal collection
device. The data is synchronized and packaged for transmission
(e.g., packetized, encrypted, compressed, filtered, etc.), and
transmitted from the signal collection device to a processing
device using a network coupling or connection (e.g., internet,
local area network, wide area network, etc.). The processing device
derives one or more physiological responses of the viewers based on
the physiological data, aggregates and analyzes the derived
responses to the media instance from the viewers, and stores the
physiological data, the derived physiological responses and/or the
analysis results of the aggregated responses. These operations are
described in detail below.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system to support large scale
media testing, under an embodiment. Although this diagram depicts
components as functionally separate, such depiction is merely for
illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the components portrayed in this figure can be arbitrarily
combined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or
hardware components. Furthermore, it will also be apparent to those
skilled in the art that such components, regardless of how they are
combined or divided, can execute on the same computing device or
multiple computing devices, and wherein the multiple computing
devices can be connected by one or more networks.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, each of a plurality of viewers 103 may
watch the same media instance 101 individually and separately at a
venue 102 of his/her own choosing. Here, the venue can be the scene
or locale of viewing of the media instance, for example, a home or
any other place where the viewer can watch the media instance in
private (e.g., watching online using a personal computer, etc.),
and a public place such as a sport bar where the viewer may watch
TV commercials during game breaks. Generally, the venue can include
any of disparate physical locations, disparate physical structures,
disparate geographical locations, disparate geographical
structures, and disparate rooms, areas or regions within a common
structure. The media instance can be but is not limited to, a
television program, an advertisement clip, a movie, a printed media
(e.g., a magazine), a website, a video game, a computer
application, and any type of media instance suitable for an
individual viewing experience, an online advertisement, a recorded
video, a live performance of media, and other types of media; as it
relates to product analysis, the media instance can include a
product, product content, content, product information, and media
relating to consumer interaction with products or other objects.
Each of the plurality of viewers 103 may wear one or more sensors
104 to receive, measure and record physiological data from the
viewer who is watching and/or interacting with the media instance.
Each of the one or more sensors can be one of an
electroencephalogram, an accelerometer, a blood oxygen sensor, a
heart sensor, a galvanometer, and an electromygraph, to name a few.
While these sensors are provided as examples, the sensors 104 can
include any other physiological sensor.
[0041] Once the physiological data is measured, the one or more
sensors attached to the viewer may transmit the physiological data
via communication with a signal collection device 105. The signal
collection device 105 is located at or near the same venue in which
the viewer 103 is watching the media instance, but is not so
limited. Here, the wireless communication covering the short range
at the venue can be but is not limited to, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,
wireless LAN, radio frequency (RF) transmission, and any other form
of short range wireless communication, for example. Upon receiving
or accepting the physiological data from the one or more sensors
104 attached to the viewer, the signal collection device 105 is
operable to pre-process, organize, and/or package the data into a
form suitable for transmission, and then transmit the data over a
network 106 to a centralized processing module 107 for further
processing, storage, and analysis at a location separate and maybe
remote from the distributed venues 102 where the data are
collected. Here, the network can be but is not limited to,
internet, intranet, wide area network (WAN), local area network
(LAN), wireless network, and mobile communication network. The
identity of the viewer is protected in an embodiment by stripping
viewer identification information (e.g., name, address, etc.) from
the data.
[0042] The processing module 107 accepts the physiological data
from each of the plurality of viewers at distributed venues,
derives one or more physiological responses based on the
physiological data, aggregates and analyzes the derived responses
to the media instance from the viewers, and stores the
physiological data, the derived physiological responses and/or the
analysis results of the aggregated responses in a reaction database
108. Optionally, a rating module 109 is operable to rate the media
instance based on the physiological responses from the plurality of
viewers.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary process to support
large scale media testing, under an embodiment. Although this
figure depicts functional operations in a particular order for
purposes of illustration, the process is not limited to any
particular order or arrangement of operations. One skilled in the
art will appreciate that the various operations portrayed in this
figure could be omitted, rearranged, combined and/or adapted in
various ways.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, physiological data can be collected
from a viewer watching a media instance individually and separately
at his/her venue at 201. At 202, the collected physiological data
from the viewer is transmitted wirelessly to a signal collection
device at or near the venue he/she is watching the media instance.
The physiological data is then pre-processed, packaged in proper
form for transmission at 203, and transmitted over a network for
centralized processing at a separate location at 204. At 205, the
physiological data from each of a plurality of viewers at
distributed venues are accepted, and one or more physiological
responses are derived from the physiological data. The
physiological data and/or the derived responses to the media
instance can then be aggregated and/or analyzed at 206. Finally,
the physiological data, the derived physiological responses, and
the analysis results of the responses can be stored in a database
at 207.
[0045] The embodiments described herein enable self-administering
testing such that a participant can test themselves in numerous
ways with little or no outside human intervention or assistance.
This self-administering testing is made possible through the use of
the integrated sensor headset, described herein, along with a
sensor headset tutorial and automatic data quality detection, in an
embodiment.
[0046] The sensor headset, or headset, integrates sensors into a
housing which can be placed on a portion of the human body (e.g.,
human head, hand, arm, leg, etc.) for measurement of physiological
data, as described in detail herein. The device includes at least
one sensor and a reference electrode connected to the housing. A
processor coupled to the sensor and the reference electrode
receives signals that represent electrical activity in tissue of a
user. The device includes a wireless transmitter that transmits the
output signal to a remote device. The device therefore processes
the physiological data to create the output signal that correspond
to a person's mental and emotional state (response).
[0047] The integrated headset is shown in FIG. 3 and uses dry EEG
electrodes and adopts wireless communication for data transmission.
The integrated headset can be placed on the viewer's head for
measurement of his/her physiological data while the viewer is
watching the media instance. Referring to FIG. 3, the integrated
headset may include at least one or more of the following
components: a processing unit 301, a motion detection unit 302, a
stabilizing component 303, a set of EEG electrodes, a heart rate
sensor 305, power handling and transmission circuitry 307, and an
adjustable strap 308. Note that although motion detection unit, EEG
electrodes, and heart rate sensor are used here as non-limiting
examples of sensors, other types of sensors can also be integrated
into the headset, wherein these types of sensors can be but are not
limited to, electroencephalograms, blood oxygen sensors,
galvanometers, electromygraphs, skin temperature sensors, breathing
sensors, and any other types of physiological sensors. The headset
is described in detail below.
[0048] In some embodiments, the headset operates under the
specifications for a suite of high level communication protocols,
such as ZigBee. ZigBee uses small, low-power digital radios based
on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area network
(WPAN). ZigBee is targeted at radio-frequency (RF) applications
which require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure
networking. ZigBee protocols are intended for use in embedded
applications, such as the integrated headset, requiring low data
rates and low power consumption.
[0049] In some embodiments, the integrated headsets on the viewers
are operable to form a WPAN based on ZigBee, wherein such network
is a general-purpose, inexpensive, self-organizing, mesh network
that can be used for embedded sensing, data collection, etc. The
resulting network among the integrated headsets uses relatively
small amounts of power so each integrated headset might run for a
year or two using the originally installed battery. Due to the
limited wireless transmission range of each of the integrated
headsets and the physical dimensions of the venue where a large
number of viewers are gathering, not every integrated headset has
the power to transmit data to the signal collection device directly
due to the physical distance between them. Under the WPAN formed
among the integrated headsets, an integrated headset far away from
the signal collection device may first transmit the data to other
integrated headsets nearby. The data will then be routed through
the network to headsets that are physically close to the signal
collection device, and finally transmitted to the signal collection
device from those headsets.
[0050] In some embodiments, the signal collection device at the
venue and the processing module at a separate location can
communicate with each other over a network. Here, the network can
be but is not limited to, internet, intranet, wide area network
(WAN), local area network (LAN), wireless network, and mobile
communication network. The signal collection device refers to any
combination of software, firmware, hardware, or other component
that is used to effectuate a purpose.
[0051] Data transmission from the headset can be handled wirelessly
through a computer interface to which the headset links. No skin
preparation or gels are needed on the tester to obtain an accurate
measurement, and the headset can be removed from the tester easily
and be instantly used by another person. No degradation of the
headset occurs during use and the headset can be reused thousands
of times, allowing measurement to be done on many participants in a
short amount of time and at low cost.
[0052] To assist the user in fitting and wearing the headset, an
embodiment automatically presents a tutorial to a participant. The
tutorial describes how to a participant how to fit the headset to
his/her head and how to wear the headset during the testing. The
tutorial may also describe the presentation of feedback
corresponding to the detected quality of data received from the
participant, as described below. The tutorial can be automatically
downloaded to a computer belonging to the participant, where the
computer is to be used as a component of media instance viewing
and/or for collection of physiological data during media instance
viewing.
[0053] The tutorial of an embodiment, for example, is automatically
downloaded to the participant's computer, and upon being received,
automatically loads and configures or sets up the participant's
computer for media instance viewing and/or collection of
physiological data during media instance viewing. The tutorial
automatically steps through each of the things that a trained
technician would do (if he/she were present) and checks the quality
of the connections and placement while giving the user a very
simple interface that makes them relax and be able to be in a
natural environment. As an example, the tutorial instructs the
participant to do one or more of the following during fitting of
the headset and preparation for viewing of a media instance: check
wireless signal strength from the headset, check contact of
sensors, check participant's state to make sure their heart isn't
racing too much and they are relaxed. If anything relating to the
headset or the participant is discovered during the tutorial as not
being appropriate for testing to begin, the tutorial instructs the
participant in how to fix the deficiency.
[0054] Self-administering testing is further enabled through the
user of automatic data quality detection. With reference to FIG. 1,
the signal collection device 105 of an embodiment automatically
detects data quality and provides to the participant, via a
feedback display, one or more suggested remedies that correspond to
any data anomaly detected in the participant's data. In providing
feedback of data quality to a participant, the system automatically
measures in realtime the quality of received data and provides
feedback to the participant as to what actions to take if received
data is less than optimal. The quality of the data is automatically
determined using parameters of the data received from the sensors
of the headset, and applying thresholds to these parameters.
[0055] As one example, the system can automatically detect a
problem in a participant's data as indicated by the participant's
blink rate exceeding a prespecified threshold. As another example,
the system can automatically detect a problem in a participant's
data as indicated by the participant's EEG, which is determined
using the energy and size of the EEG, artifacts in the EEG.
Further, the system can automatically detect problems in a
participant's data using information of cardiac activity. In
response to detected problems with a participant's data, the system
automatically presents one or more remedies to the participant in
response to the excessive blink rate. The suggested remedies
presented can include any number and/or type of remedies that might
reduce the blink rate to a nominal value. The participant is
expected to follow the remedies and, in so doing, should eliminate
the reception of any data that is less than optimal.
[0056] In addition to the automatic detection of problems with data
received from a participant, the data can be use to determine if a
potential participant is able or in appropriate condition to be
tested. So, for example, if a participant's heart is racing or
his/her eyes are blinking crazily and jittery, as indicated in the
received data, the participant is not in a state to be tested and
can be removed as a potential participant.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of self-administering testing 402,
under an embodiment. The participant or user activates the system
and, in response, is presented 402 with a headset tutorial that
describes how to fit and wear the headset during testing. As the
participant is viewing the media instance, data received from the
participant is analyzed 404 for optimal quality. The reception of
non-optimal data is detected 406 and, in response, data quality
feedback is presented 408 to the participant. The data quality
feedback includes one or more suggested remedies that correspond to
the detected anomaly in the participant's data, as described
above.
[0058] In some embodiments, the signal collection device can be a
stand-alone data collection and transmitting device, such as a
set-top box for a non-limiting example, with communication or
network interfaces to communicate with both the sensors and the
centralized processing module. Alternatively, the signal collection
device can be embedded in or integrated with another piece of
hardware, such as a TV, a monitor, or a DVD player that presents
the media instance to the viewer for a non-limiting example. Here,
the signal collection device refers to any combination of software,
firmware, hardware, or other component that is used to effectuate a
purpose.
[0059] In some embodiments, the signal collection device is
operable to transmit only "meaningful" data to the centralized
processing module in order to alleviate the burden on the network
and/or the processing module by pre-processing the data collected
from each viewer before transmission. In real application, it is
inevitable that certain viewer(s) may not be paying attention to
the media instance for its entire duration. For the purpose of
evaluating the media instance, the data collected from a viewer
during the time he/she was not looking or focusing on the
screen/monitor displaying the media instance is irrelevant and
should be removed. In an alternative embodiment, pre-processing can
be performed by the processing module 107. In another alternative
embodiment, pre-processing can be shared between the signal
collection device 105 and the processing module 107
[0060] Pre-processing of the data collected includes, but is not
limited to, filtering out "noise" in the physiological data
collected from each viewer. The "noise" includes data for any
statistically non-pertinent period of time when he/she was not
paying attention to the media instance, so that only statistically
pertinent moments and/or moments related to events in the media
instance are transmitted. The processing module may convert the
physiological data from time domain to frequency domain via Fourier
Transform or any other type of transform commonly used for digital
signal processing known to one skilled in the art. Once transformed
into frequency domain, part of the section in the data that
corresponds to a viewer's talking, head orientation, nodding off,
sleeping, or any other types of motion causing the viewer not to
pay attention to the media instance can be identified via pattern
recognition and other matching methods based on known models on
human behaviors.
[0061] The system removes data that is less than optimal from the
cumulative data set. Data removal includes removing all data of a
user if the period for which the data is non-optimal exceeds a
threshold, and also includes removing only non-optimal portions of
data from the total data received from a participant. In removing
non-optimal data, the system automatically removes artifacts for
the various types of data collected (e.g., artifact removal for EEG
data based on participant blinking, eye movement, physical
movement, muscle noise, etc.). The artifacts used in assessing data
quality in an embodiment are based on models known in the art.
[0062] In an embodiment, the signal collection device 105
automatically performs data quality analysis on incoming data from
a sensor headset. The signal collection device 105 analyzes the
incoming signal for artifacts in the sensor data (e.g., EEG
sensors, heart sensors, etc.). The signal collection device 105
also uses the accelerometer data to measure movement of the
participant, and determine any periods of time during which the
participant has movement that exceeds a threshold. The data
collected for a participant during a time period in which the
participant was found to have "high" movement exceeding the
threshold is segmented out or removed as being non-optimal data not
suited for inclusion in the data set.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment, the processing module 107
automatically performs data quality analysis on incoming data from
a sensor headset. The processing module 107 analyzes the incoming
signal for artifacts in the sensor data (e.g., EEG sensors, heart
sensors, etc.). The processing module 107 also uses the
accelerometer data to measure movement of the participant, and
determine any periods of time during which the participant has
movement that exceeds a threshold. The data collected for a
participant during a time period in which the participant was found
to have "high" movement exceeding the threshold is segmented out or
removed as being non-optimal data not suited for inclusion in the
data set.
[0064] Pre-processing of the data collected includes, but is not
limited to, synchronizing the data. The system of an embodiment
synchronizes the data from each user to that of every other user to
form the cumulative data. Additionally, the system synchronizes the
cumulative data to the media instance with which it corresponds.
The signal collection device 105 of the system synchronizes the
time codes of all data being recorded, which then allows the
cumulative data to be synchronized to the media instance (e.g.,
video) on playback. In so doing, the system synchronizes the time
code of each portion or instance of data to every other portion or
instance of data so it is all comparable. The system then
synchronizes the cumulative data stream to the media instance.
[0065] In performing synchronization, the stimuli (e.g., media
instance) are recorded to generate a full record of the stimuli. A
tagging system aligns the key points in the stimuli and associates
these key points in the stimuli with the corresponding points in
time, or instances, in the recorded data. Using this technique,
offsets are determined and applied as appropriate to data received
from each participant.
[0066] In an alternative embodiment, participants can be prompted
to take, as a synchronizing event, some action (e.g., blink ten
times) that can be detected prior to or at the beginning of the
media instance. The data corresponding to each participant is then
synchronized or aligned using the evidence of the synchronizing
event in the data.
[0067] Pre-processing of the data collected additionally includes,
but is not limited to, compressing the physiological data collected
from each viewer. Sometimes, a viewer's reaction to events in a
media instance may go "flat" for a certain period of time without
much variation. Under such a scenario, the processing module may
skip the non-variant portion of the physiological data and transmit
only the portion of the physiological data showing variations in
the viewer's emotional reactions to the centralized processing
module.
[0068] Pre-processing of the data collected further includes, but
is not limited to, summarizing the physiological data collected
from each viewer. When physiological data are collected from a
large group of viewers, the bandwidth of the network and/or the
processing power of the processing module in real time can become a
problem. To this end, the processing module may summarize the
viewer's reactions to the media instance in conclusive terms and
transmit only such conclusions instead of the physiological data
over the entire duration of the media instance.
[0069] In some embodiments, the processing module is operable to
run on a computing device, a communication device, or any
electronic devices that are capable of running a software
component. For non-limiting examples, a computing device can be but
is not limited to, a laptop PC, a desktop PC, and a server
machine.
[0070] In some embodiments, the processing module is operable to
interpolate the "good" data of time period(s) when the viewer is
paying attention to "cover" the identified "noise" or non-variant
data that has been filtered out during pre-processing. The
interpolation can be done via incremental adjustment of data during
the "good" period adjacent in time to the "noise" period. The
physiological data from each viewer can be "smoothed" out over the
entire duration of the media instance before being aggregated to
derive the physiological responses of the viewers to evaluate the
media instance.
[0071] In some embodiments, the reaction database stores pertinent
data of the media instance the viewers were watching, in addition
to their physiological data and/or derived physiological responses
to the media instance. The pertinent data of each media instance
that is being stored includes, but is not limited to, one or more
of the actual media instance for testing (if applicable),
events/moments break down of the media instance, and metadata of
the media instance, which can include but is not limited to,
production company, brand, product name, category (for non-limiting
examples, alcoholic beverages, automobiles, etc), year produced,
target demographic (for non-limiting examples, age, gender, income,
etc) of the media instances.
[0072] In some embodiments, in addition to storing analysis results
of the physiological responses to the media instance from the
viewers, the reaction database may also include results of surveys
asked for each of the plurality of viewers before, during and or
after their viewing of the media instance.
[0073] In some embodiments, the rating module is operable to
calculate a score for the media instance based on the physiological
responses from the viewers. The score of the media instance is high
if majority of the viewers respond positively to the media
instance. On the other hand, the score of the media instance is low
if majority of the viewers respond negatively to the media
instance.
[0074] While physiological data is collected from participants
using the system to support large scale media testing, described
above, an embodiment enables remote and interactive access,
navigation, and analysis of reactions from one or more viewers to a
specific media instance. Here, the reactions include, but are not
limited to, physiological responses, survey results, verbatim
feedback, event-based metadata, and derived statistics for
indicators of success and failure from the viewers. Upon collection
of the physiological data from participating viewers, the reactions
from the viewers are aggregated and stored in a database and are
delivered to a user via a web-based graphical interface or
application, such as a web browser.
[0075] Through the web-based graphical interface, or other network
coupling, the user is able to remotely access and navigate the
specific media instance, together with one or more of: the
aggregated physiological responses that have been synchronized with
the media instance, the survey results, and the verbatim feedbacks
related to the specific media instance. Instead of being presented
with static data (such as a snapshot) of the viewers' reactions to
the media instance, the user is now able to interactively divide,
dissect, parse, and analysis the reactions in any way he/she
prefer. The embodiments described herein provide automation that
enables those who are not experts in the field of physiological
analysis to understand and use physiological data by enabling these
non-experts to organize the data and organize and improve
presentation or visualization of the data according to their
specific needs. In this manner, the embodiments herein provide an
automated process that enables non-experts to understand complex
data, and to organize the complex data in such a way as to present
conclusions as appropriate to the media instance.
[0076] Having multiple reactions from the viewers (e.g.,
physiological responses, survey results, verbatim feedback, events
tagged with metadata, etc.) available in one place and at a user's
fingertips, along with the automated methods for aggregating the
data provided herein, allows the user to view the reactions to
hundreds of media instances in one sitting by navigating through
them. For each of the media instances, the integration of multiple
reactions provides the user with more information than the sum of
each of the reactions to the media instance. For a non-limiting
example, if one survey says that an ad is bad, that is just
information; but if independent surveys, verbatim feedbacks and
physiological data across multiple viewers say the same, the
reactions to the media instance become more trustworthy. By
combining this before a user sees it, the correct result is
presented to the user.
[0077] A number of processing and pre-processing applications are
described above, but the components of embodiments described herein
are not limited to the applications described above. For example,
any application described above as processing, can be executed as
pre-processing. Further, any application described above as
pre-processing, can be executed as processing. Moreover, any
application requiring processing can be shared between processing
and pre-processing components or activities. Additionally, the
signal processing and other processing described in the Related
Applications can be executed as part of the processing and/or
pre-processing described herein.
[0078] Upon collection of the physiological data, as described
above, an embodiment enables remote and interactive access,
navigation, and analysis of reactions from one or more viewers to a
specific media instance. Here, the reactions include, but are not
limited to, physiological responses, survey results, verbatim
feedback, event-based metadata, and derived statistics for
indicators of success and failure from the viewers. The reactions
from the viewers are aggregated and stored in a database and are
delivered to a user via a web-based graphical interface or
application, such as a Web browser. Through the web-based graphical
interface, the user is able to remotely access and navigate the
specific media instance, together with one or more of: the
aggregated physiological responses that have been synchronized with
the media instance, the survey results, and the verbatim feedbacks
related to the specific media instance. Instead of being presented
with static data (such as a snapshot) of the viewers' reactions to
the media instance, the user is now able to interactively divide,
dissect, parse, and analysis the reactions in any way he/she
prefer. The embodiments herein provides automation that enables
those who are not experts in the field of physiological analysis to
understand and use physiological data by enabling these non-experts
to organize the data and organize and improve presentation or
visualization of the data according to their specific needs. In
this manner, the embodiments herein provide an automated process
that enables non-experts to understand complex data, and to
organize the complex data in such a way as to present conclusions
as appropriate to the media instance.
[0079] Having multiple reactions from the viewers (e.g.,
physiological responses, survey results, verbatim feedback, events
tagged with metadata, etc.) available in one place and at a user's
fingertips, along with the automated methods for aggregating the
data provided herein, allows the user to view the reactions to
hundreds of media instances in one sitting by navigating through
them. For each of the media instances, the integration of multiple
reactions provides the user with more information than the sum of
each of the reactions to the media instance. For a non-limiting
example, if one survey says that an ad is bad, that is just
information; but if independent surveys, verbatim feedbacks and
physiological data across multiple viewers say the same, the
reactions to the media instance become more trustworthy. By
combining this before a user sees it, the correct result is
presented to the user.
[0080] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary system to support
automated remote access and analysis of media and reactions from
viewers, under an embodiment. Although this diagram depicts
components as functionally separate, such depiction is merely for
illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the components portrayed in this figure can be arbitrarily
combined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or
hardware components. Furthermore, it will also be apparent to those
skilled in the art that such components, regardless of how they are
combined or divided, can execute on the same computing device or
multiple computing devices, and wherein the multiple computing
devices can be connected by one or more networks.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 5, an authentication module 5102 is
operable to authenticate identity of a user 5101 requesting access
to a media instance 5103 together with one or more reactions 5104
from a plurality of viewers of the media instance remotely over a
network 106. Here, the media instance and its pertinent data can be
stored in a media database 5105, and the one or more reactions from
the viewers can be stored in a reaction database 5106,
respectively. The network 106 can be, but is not limited to, one or
more of the internet, intranet, wide area network (WAN), local area
network (LAN), wireless network, Bluetooth, and mobile
communication networks. Once the user is authenticated, a
presentation module 5108 is operable to retrieve and present the
requested information (e.g., the media instance together with one
or more reactions from the plurality of viewers) to the user via an
interactive browser 5109. The interactive browser 5109 comprises at
least two panels including a media panel 5110, which is operable to
present, play, and pause the media instance, and a response panel
5111, which is operable to display the one or more reactions
corresponding to the media instance, and provide the user with a
plurality of features to interactively divide, dissect, parse, and
analysis the reactions.
[0082] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process to
support remote access and analysis of media and reactions from
viewers. Although this figure depicts functional operations in a
particular order for purposes of illustration, the process is not
limited to any particular order or arrangement of operations. One
skilled in the art will appreciate that the various operations
portrayed in this figure could be omitted, rearranged, combined
and/or adapted in various ways.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 6, a media instance and one or more
reactions to the instance from a plurality of viewers are stored
and managed in one or more databases at 601. Data or information of
the reactions to the media instance is obtained or gathered from
each user via a sensor headset, as described herein and in the
Related Applications. At 602, the identity of a user requesting
access to the media instance and the one or more reactions remotely
is authenticated. At 603, the requested media instance and the one
or more reactions are retrieved and delivered to the user remotely
over a network (e.g., the Web). At 604, the user may interactively
aggregate, divide, dissect, parse, and analyze the one or more
reactions to draw conclusions about the media instance.
[0084] In some embodiments, alternative forms of access to the one
or more reactions from the viewers other than over the network may
be adopted. For non-limiting examples, the reactions can be made
available to the user on a local server on a computer or on a
recordable media such as a DVD disc with all the information on the
media.
[0085] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 5, an optional
analysis module 5112 is operable to perform in-depth analysis on
the viewers' reactions to a media instance as well as the media
instance itself (e.g., dissecting the media instance into multiple
scenes/events/sections). Such analysis provides the user with
information on how the media instance created by the user is
perceived by the viewers. In addition, the analysis module is also
operable to categorize viewers' reactions into the plurality of
categories.
[0086] In some embodiments, user database 5113 stores information
of users who are allowed to access the media instances and the
reactions from the viewers, and the specific media instances and
the reactions each user is allowed to access. The access module
5106 may add or remove a user for access, and limit or expand the
list of media instances and/or reactions the user can access and/or
the analysis features the user can use by checking the user's login
name and password. Such authorization/limitation on a user's access
can be determined to based upon who the user is, e.g., different
amounts of information for different types of users. For a
non-limiting example, Company ABC can have access to certain ads
and survey results of viewers' reactions to the ads, which Company
XYZ can not or have only limited access to.
[0087] In some embodiments, one or more physiological responses
aggregated from the viewers can be presented in the response panel
7111 as lines or traces 7301 in a two-dimensional graph or plot as
shown in FIG. 7. Horizontal axis 7302 of the graph represents time,
and vertical axis 7303 of the graph represents the amplitude
(intensity) of the one or more physiological responses. Here, the
one or more physiological responses are aggregated over the viewers
via one or more of: max, min, average, deviation, or a higher
ordered approximation of the intensity of the physiological
responses from the viewers. The responses are synchronized with the
media instance at each and every moment over the entire duration of
the media instance, allowing the user to identify the second-by
second changes in viewers' emotions and their causes. A cutting
line 7304 marks the physiological responses from the viewers
corresponding to the current scene (event, section, or moment in
time) of the media instance. The cutting line moves in coordination
with the media instance being played.
[0088] In some embodiments, change (trend) in amplitude of the
aggregated responses is also a good measure of the quality of the
media instance. If the media instance is able to change viewers
emotions up and down in a strong manner (for a non-limiting
example, mathematical deviation of the response is large), such
strong change in amplitude corresponds to a good media instance
that puts the viewers into different emotional states. In contrast,
a poor performing media instance does not put the viewers into
different emotional states. The amplitudes and the trend of the
amplitudes of the responses are good measures of the quality of the
media instance. Such information can be used by media designers to
identify if the media instance is eliciting the desired response
and which key events/scenes/sections of the media instance need to
be changed in order to match the desired response. A good media
instance should contain multiple moments/scenes/events that are
intense and produce positive amplitude of response across viewers.
A media instance that failed to create such responses may not
achieve what the creators of the media instance have intended.
[0089] In some embodiments, other than providing a second by second
view for the user to see how specific events in the media instance
affect the viewers' emotions, the aggregated responses collected
and calculated can also be used for the compilation of aggregate
statistics, which are useful in ranking the overall affect of the
media instance. Such statistics include but are not limited to
Average Liking and Heart Rate Deviation.
[0090] In some embodiments, the viewers of the media instance are
free to write comments (e.g., what they like, what they dislike,
etc.) on the media instance, and the verbatim (free flowing text)
comments or feedbacks 501 from the viewers can be recorded and
presented in a response panel 7111 as shown in FIG. 8. Such
comments can be prompted, collected, and recorded from the viewers
while they are watching the specific media instance and the most
informative ones are put together and presented to the user. The
user may then analyze, and digest keywords in the comments to
obtain a more complete picture of the viewers' reactions. In
addition, the user can search for specific keywords he/she is
interested in about the media instance, and view only those
comments containing the specified keywords.
[0091] In some embodiments, the viewers' comments about the media
instance can be characterized as positive or negative in a
plurality of categories/topics/aspects related to the product,
wherein such categories include but are not limited to, product,
event, logo, song, spokesperson, jokes, narrative, key events,
storyline. These categories may not be predetermined, but instead
be extracted from the analysis of their comments.
[0092] In some embodiments, answers to one or more survey questions
503 aggregated from the viewers can be rendered graphically, for
example, by being presented in the response panel 7111 in a
graphical format 502 as shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, a graphical
format can be used to display the response distribution of viewers
asked to rate an advertisement. The graphical format can be but is
not limited to, a bar graph, a pie chart, a histogram, or any other
suitable graph type.
[0093] In some embodiments, the survey questions can be posed or
presented to the viewers while they are watching the specific media
instance and their answers to the questions are collected,
recorded, summed up by pre-defined categories via a surveying
module 5114 (FIG. 5). Once the survey results are made available to
the user (creator of the media instance), the user may pick any of
the questions, and be automatically presented with survey results
corresponding to the question visually to the user. The user may
then view and analyze how viewers respond to specific questions to
obtain a more complete picture of the viewers' reactions.
[0094] In some embodiments, many different facets of the one or
more reactions from the viewers described above can be blended into
a few simple metrics that the user can use to see how it is
currently positioned against the rest of their industry. For the
user, knowing where it ranks in its industry in comparison to its
competition is often the first step in getting to where it wants to
be. For a non-limiting example, in addition to the individual
survey results of a specific media instance, the surveying module
may also provide the user with a comparison of survey results and
statistics to multiple media instances. This automation allows the
user not only to see the feedback that the viewers provided with
respect to the specific media instance, but also to evaluate how
the specific media instance compares to other media instances
designed by the same user or its competitors. As an example, a
graph displaying the percentages of viewers who "liked" or "really
liked" a set of advertisements can help to determine if a new ad is
in the top quartile with respect to other ads.
[0095] An embodiment provides a user not only with tools for
accessing and obtaining a maximum amount of information out of
reactions from a plurality of viewers to a specific media instance,
but also with actionable insights on what changes the user can make
to improve the media instance based on in-depth analysis of the
viewers' reactions. Such analysis requires expert knowledge on the
viewers' physiological behavior and large amounts of analysis time,
which the user may not possess. Here, the reactions include but are
not limited to, physiological responses, survey results, and
verbatim feedbacks from the viewers, to name a few. The reactions
from the viewers are aggregated and stored in a database and
presented to the user via a graphical interface, as described
above. The embodiment includes predefined methods for extracting
information from the reactions and presenting that information so
that the user is not required to be an expert in physiological data
analysis to reach and understand conclusions supported by the
information. Making in-depth analysis of reactions to media
instances and actionable insights available to a user enables a
user who is not an expert in analyzing physiological data to obtain
critical information that can have significant commercial and
socially positive impacts.
[0096] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an exemplary system to support
providing actionable insights based on in-depth analysis of
reactions from viewers. Although this diagram depicts components as
functionally separate, such depiction is merely for illustrative
purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
components portrayed in this figure can be arbitrarily combined or
divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware
components. Furthermore, it will also be apparent to those skilled
in the art that such components, regardless of how they are
combined or divided, can execute on the same computing device or
multiple computing devices, and wherein the multiple computing
devices can be connected by one or more networks.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 10, a collection module 1803 is operable
to collect, record, store and manage one or more reactions 1802
from a plurality of viewers of a media instance 1801. The viewers
from whom reactions 1802 are collected can be in the same physical
location or different physical locations. Additionally, the viewers
can be viewing the media instance and the reactions collected at
the same time, or at different times (e.g., viewer 1 is viewing the
media instance at 9 AM while viewer 2 is viewing the media instance
at 3 PM). Data or information of the reactions to the media
instance is obtained or gathered from each user via a sensor
headset. The sensor headset of an embodiment integrates sensors
into a housing which can be placed on a human head for measurement
of physiological data. The device includes at least one sensor and
can include a reference electrode connected to the housing. A
processor coupled to the sensor and the reference electrode
receives signals that represent electrical activity in tissue of a
user. The processor generates an output signal including data of a
difference between an energy level in each of a first and second
frequency band of the signals. The difference between energy levels
is proportional to release level present time emotional state of
the user. The headset includes a wireless transmitter that
transmits the output signal to a remote device. The headset
therefore processes the physiological data to create the output
signal that correspond to a person's mental and emotional state
(reactions or reaction data). An example of a sensor headset is
described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/206,676, filed
Sep. 8, 2008, 11/804,517, filed May 17, 2007, and 11/681,265, filed
Mar. 2, 2007.
[0098] The media instance and its pertinent data can be stored in a
media database 1804, and the one or more reactions from the viewers
can be stored in a reaction database 1805, respectively. An
analysis module 1806 performs in-depth analysis on the viewers'
reactions and provides actionable insights on the viewers'
reactions to a user 1807 so that the user can draw its own
conclusion on how the media instance can/should be improved. A
presentation module 1808 is operable to retrieve and present the
media instance 1801 together with the one or more reactions 1802
from the viewers of the media instance via an interactive browser
1809. Here, the interactive browser includes at least two panels: a
media panel 1810, operable to present, play, and pause the media
instance; and a reaction panel 1811, operable to display the one or
more reactions corresponding to the media instance as well as the
key insights provided by the analysis module 1806.
[0099] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary automatic
process to support providing actionable insights based on in-depth
analysis of reactions from viewers. Although this figure depicts
functional operations in a particular order for purposes of
illustration, the process is not limited to any particular order or
arrangement of operations. One skilled in the art will appreciate
that the various operations portrayed in this figure could be
omitted, rearranged, combined and/or adapted in various ways.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 11, one or more reactions to a media
instance from a plurality of viewers are collected, stored and
managed in one or more databases at 1101. At 1102, in-depth
analysis is performed on the viewers' reactions using expert
knowledge, and actionable insights are generated based on the
viewers' reactions and provided to a user at 1103 so that the user
can draw its own conclusion on the media instance can/should be
improved. At 1104, the one or more reactions can be presented to
the user together with the actionable insights to enable the user
to draw its own conclusions about the media instance. The
configuration used to present the reactions and actionable insights
can be saved and tagged with corresponding information, allowing it
to be recalled and used for similar analysis in the future.
[0101] In some embodiments, the analysis module is operable to
provide insights or present data based in-depth analysis on the
viewers' reactions to the media instance on at least one question.
An example question is whether the media instance performs most
effectively across all demographic groups or especially on a
specific demographic group, e.g., older women? Another example
question is whether certain elements of the media instance, such as
loud noises, were very effective at engaging viewers in a positive,
challenging way? Yet another example question is whether thought
provoking elements in the media instance were much more engaging to
viewers than product shots? Also, an example question includes
whether certain characters, such as lead female characters,
appearing in the media instance were effective for male viewers
and/or across target audiences in the female demographic? Still
another example question includes whether physiological responses
to the media instance from the viewers were consistent with viewers
identifying or associating positively with the characters in the
media instance? A further question is whether the media instance
was universal--performed well at connecting across gender, age, and
income boundaries, or highly polarizing? The analysis module
therefore automates the analysis through use of one or more
questions, as described above. The questions provide a context for
analyzing and presenting the data or information received from
viewers in response to the media instance. The analysis module is
configured, using the received data, to answer some number of
questions, where answers to the questions provide or correspond to
the collected data. When a user desires results from the data for a
particular media instance, the user selects a question to which
they desire an answer for the media instance. In response to the
question selection, the results of the analysis are presented in
the form of an answer to the question, where the answer is derived
or generated using the data collected and corresponding to the
media instance. The results of the analysis can be presented using
textual and/or graphical outputs or presentations. The results of
the analysis can also be generated and presented using previous
knowledge of how to represent the data to answer the question, the
previous knowledge coming from similar data analyzed in the past.
Furthermore, presentation of data of the media instance can be
modified by the user through user or generation of other
questions.
[0102] The analysis module performs the operations described above
in conjunction with the presentation module, where the presentation
module includes numerous different renderings for data. In
operation, a rendering is specified or selected for a portion of
data of a media instance, and the rendering is then tagged with one
or more questions that apply to the data. This architecture allows
users to modify how data is represented using a set of tools. The
system remembers or stores information of how data was represented
and the question or question type that was being answered. This
information of prior system configurations allows the system, at a
subsequent time, to self-configure to answer the same or similar
questions for the same media instance or for different media
instances. Users thus continually improve the ability of the system
to answer questions and improve the quality of data provided in the
answers.
[0103] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 12, the
presentation module is operable to enable the user to pick a
certain section 1001 of the reactions to the media instance 1002,
such as the physiological responses 1003 from the viewers shown in
the reaction panel 1011 via, for a non-limiting example, "shading".
The analysis module 1006 may then perform the analysis requested on
the shaded section of media instance and/or physiological responses
automatically to illustrate the responses in a way that a lay
person can take advantage of expert knowledge in parsing the
viewers' reaction. The analyzed results can then be presented to
the user in real time and can be shared with other people.
[0104] In some embodiments, the analysis module is operable to
analyze the shaded section of the media instance and/or responses
by being preprogrammed either by an analyst or the user themselves.
Usually, a user is most often interested in a certain number of
attributes of the viewers' responses. The analysis module provides
the user with insights, conclusions, and findings that they can
review from the bottom up. Although the analysis result provides
inside and in-depth analysis of the data as well as various
possible interpretations of the shaded section of the media
instance, which often leaves a conclusion evident, such analysis,
however, is no substitute for reaching conclusion by the user.
Instead the user is left to draw his/her own conclusion about the
section based on the analysis provided.
[0105] In some embodiments, a user may pick a section and choose
one of the questions/tasks/requests 1004 that he/she is interested
in from a prepared list. The prepared list of questions may include
but is not limited to any number of questions. Some example
questions follow along with a response evoked in the analysis
module.
[0106] An example question is "Where were there intense responses
to the media instance?" In response the analysis module may
calculate the intensity of the responses automatically by looking
for high coherence areas of responses.
[0107] Another example question is "Does the media instance end on
a happy note?" or "Does the audience think the event (e.g., joke)
is funny?" In response the analysis module may check if the
physiological data shows that viewer acceptance or approval is
higher in the end than at the beginning of the media instance.
[0108] Yet another example question is "Where do people engage in
the spot?" In response to this question the analysis module may
check if there is a coherent change in viewers' emotions.
[0109] Still another example question is "What is the response to
the brand moment?" In response the analysis module may check if
thought goes up, but acceptance or approval goes down during the
shaded section of the media.
[0110] An additional example question is "Which audience does the
product introduction work on best?" In response the analysis module
analyzes the responses from various segments of the viewers, which
include but are not limited to, males, females, gamers,
republicans, engagement relative to an industry, etc.
[0111] In some embodiments, the presentation module (FIG. 10, 1807)
is operable to present the analysis results in response to the
questions raised together with the viewers' reactions to the user
graphically on the interactive browser. For non-limiting examples,
line highlights 1005 and arrows 1006 representing trends in the
physiological responses from the viewers can be utilized as shown
in FIG. 12, where highlights mark one or more specific
physiological responses to be analyzed and the up/down arrows
indicate rise/fall in the corresponding responses. In addition,
other graphic markings can also be used, which can be but are not
limited to, text boxes, viewing data from multiple groups at once
(comparing men to women) and any graphic tools that are commonly
used to mark anything important. For another non-limiting example,
a star, dot and/or other graphic element may be used to mark the
point where there is the first coherent change and a circle may be
used to mark the one with the strongest response.
[0112] In some embodiments, verbal explanation 1007 of the analysis
results in response to the questions raised can be provided to the
user together with graphical markings shown in FIG. 12. Such verbal
explanation describes the graphical markings (e.g., why an arrow
rises, details about the arrow, etc.). For the non-limiting example
of an advertisement video clip shown in FIG. 12, verbal explanation
1007 states that "Thought follows a very regular sinusoidal pattern
throughout this advertisement. This is often a result of
tension-resolution cycles that are used to engage viewers by
putting them in situations where they are forced to think intensely
about what they are seeing and then rewarding them with the
resolution of the situation." For another non-limiting example of a
joke about a man hit by a thrown rock, the verbal explanation may
resemble something like: "The falling of the man after being hit by
a rock creates the initial coherent, positive response in liking.
This shows that the actual rock throw is not funny, but the arc
that the person's body takes is. After the body hits the ground,
the response reverts to neutral and there are no further changes in
emotions during this section."
[0113] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 10, an optional
authentication module 1813 is operable to authenticate identity of
the user requesting access to the media instance and the verbatim
reactions remotely over a network 1812. Here, the network can be
but is not limited to, internet, intranet, wide area network (WAN),
local area network (LAN), wireless network, Bluetooth, and mobile
communication network.
[0114] In some embodiments, optional user database 1814 stores
information of users who are allowed to access the media instances
and the verbatim reactions from the viewers, and the specific media
instances and the reactions each user is allowed to access. The
access module 1810 may add or remove a user for access, and limit
or expand the list of media instances and/or reactions the user can
access and/or the analysis features the user can use by checking
the user's login name and password. Such authorization/limitation
on a user's access can be determined to based upon who the user is,
e.g., different amounts of information for different types of
users. For a non-limiting example, Company ABC can have access to
certain ads and feedbacks from viewers' reactions to the ads, to
which Company XYZ can not have access or can have only limited
access.
[0115] An embodiment synchronizes a specific media instance with
physiological responses to the media instance from a plurality of
viewers continuously over the entire time duration of the media
instance. Once the media instance and the physiological responses
are synchronized, an interactive browser enables a user to navigate
through the media instance (or the physiological responses) in one
panel while presenting the corresponding physiological responses
(or the section of the media instance) at the same point in time in
another panel.
[0116] The interactive browser allows the user to select a
section/scene from the media instance, correlate, present, and
compare the viewers' physiological responses to the particular
section. Alternatively, the user may monitor the viewers'
physiological responses continuously as the media instance is being
displayed. Being able to see the continuous (instead of static
snapshot of) changes in physiological responses and the media
instance side by side and compare aggregated physiological
responses from the viewers to a specific event of the media
instance in an interactive way enables the user to obtain better
understanding of the true reaction from the viewers to whatever
stimuli being presented to them.
[0117] FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exemplary system to support
synchronization of media with physiological responses from viewers
of the media. Although this diagram depicts components as
functionally separate, such depiction is merely for illustrative
purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
components portrayed in this figure can be arbitrarily combined or
divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware
components. Furthermore, it will also be apparent to those skilled
in the art that such components, regardless of how they are
combined or divided, can execute on the same computing device or
multiple computing devices, and wherein the multiple computing
devices can be connected by one or more networks.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 13, a synchronization module 1303 is
operable to synchronize and correlate a media instance 1301 with
one or more physiological responses 1302 aggregated from one or
more viewers of the media instance continuously at each and every
moment over the entire duration of the media instance. Here, the
media instance and its pertinent data can be stored in a media
database 1304, and the one or more physiological responses
aggregated from the viewers can be stored in a reaction database
1305, respectively. An interactive browser 1306 comprises at least
two panels including a media panel 1307, which is operable to
present, play, and pause the media instance, and a reaction panel
1308, which is operable to display and compare the one or more
physiological responses (e.g., Adrenaline, Liking, and Thought)
corresponding to the media instance as lines (traces) in a
two-dimensional line graph. A horizontal axis of the graph
represents time, and a vertical axis represents the amplitude
(intensity) of the one or more physiological responses. A cutting
line 1309 marks the physiological responses from the viewers to the
current scene (event, section, or moment in time) of the media
instance, wherein the cutting line can be chosen by the user and
move in coordination with the media instance being played. The
interactive browser enables the user to select an
event/section/scene/moment from the media instance presented in the
media panel 1307 and correlate, present, and compare the viewers'
physiological responses to the particular section in the reaction
panel 1308. Conversely, interactive browser also enables the user
to select the cutting line 1309 of physiological responses from the
viewers in the reaction panel 1308 at any specific moment, and the
corresponding media section or scene can be identified and
presented in the media panel 1307.
[0119] The synchronization module 1303 of an embodiment
synchronizes and correlates a media instance 1301 with one or more
physiological responses 1302 aggregated from a plurality of viewers
of the media instance by synchronizing each event of the media. The
physiological response data of a person includes but is not limited
to heart rate, brain waves, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals,
blink rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin
response, skin temperature, and any other physiological response of
the person. The physiological response data corresponding to each
event or point in time is then retrieved from the media database
1304. The data is offset to account for cognitive delays in the
human brain corresponding to the signal collected (e.g., the
cognitive delay of the brain associated with human vision is
different than the cognitive delay associated with auditory
information) and processing delays of the system, and then
synchronized with the media instance 1301. Optionally, an
additional offset may be applied to the physiological response data
1302 of each individual to account for time zone differences
between the view and reaction database 1305.
[0120] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process to
support synchronization of media with physiological responses from
viewers of the media. Although this figure depicts functional
operations in a particular order for purposes of illustration, the
process is not limited to any particular order or arrangement of
operations. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the various
operations portrayed in this figure could be omitted, rearranged,
combined and/or adapted in various ways.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 14, a media instance is synchronized with
one or more physiological responses aggregated from a plurality of
viewers of the media instance continuously at each and every moment
over the entire duration of the media instance at 1401. At 1402,
the synchronized media instance and the one or more physiological
responses from the viewers are presented side-by-side. An
event/section/scene/moment from the media instance can be selected
at 1403, and the viewers' physiological responses to the particular
section can be correlated, presented, and compared at 1404.
Alternatively, the viewers' physiological responses can be
monitored continuously as the media instance is being displayed at
1405.
[0122] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 13, an
aggregation module 1310 is operable to retrieve from the reaction
database 1305 and aggregate the physiological responses to the
media instance across the plurality of viewers and present each of
the aggregated responses as a function over the duration of the
media instance. The aggregated responses to the media instance can
be calculated via one or more of: max, min, average, deviation, or
a higher ordered approximation of the intensity of the
physiological responses from the viewers.
[0123] In some embodiments, change (trend) in amplitude of the
aggregated responses is a good measure of the quality of the media
instance. If the media instance is able to change viewers emotions
up and down in a strong manner (for a non-limiting example,
mathematical deviation of the response is large), such strong
change in amplitude corresponds to a good media instance that puts
the viewers into different emotional states. In contrast, a poor
performing media instance does not put the viewers into different
emotional states. Such information can be used by media designers
to identify if the media instance is eliciting the desired response
and which key events/scenes/sections of the media instance need to
be changed in order to match the desired response. A good media
instance should contain multiple moments/scenes/events that are
intense and produce positive amplitude of response across viewers.
A media instance failed to create such responses may not achieve
what the creators of the media instance have intended.
[0124] In some embodiments, the media instance can be divided up
into instances of key moments/events/scenes/segments/sections in
the profile, wherein such key events can be identified and/tagged
according to the type of the media instance. In the case of video
games, such key events include but are not limited to, elements of
a video game such as levels, cut scenes, major fights, battles,
conversations, etc. In the case of Web sites, such key events
include but are not limited to, progression of Web pages, key parts
of a Web page, advertisements shown, content, textual content,
video, animations, etc. In the case of an interactive
media/movie/ads, such key events can be but are not limited to,
chapters, scenes, scene types, character actions, events (for
non-limiting examples, car chases, explosions, kisses, deaths,
jokes) and key characters in the movie.
[0125] In some embodiments, an event module 1311 can be used to
quickly identify a numbers of
moments/events/scenes/segments/sections in the media instance
retrieved from the media database 1304 and then automatically
calculate the length of each event. The event module may enable
each user, or a trained administrator, to identify and tag the
important events in the media instance so that, once the "location"
(current event) in the media instance (relative to other pertinent
events in the media instance) is selected by the user, the selected
event may be better correlated with the aggregated responses from
the viewers.
[0126] In some embodiments, the events in the media instance can be
identified, automatically if possible, through one or more
applications that parse user actions in an environment (e.g.,
virtual environment, real environment, online environment, etc.)
either before the viewer's interaction with the media instance in
the case of non-interactive media such as a movie, or afterwards by
reviewing the viewer's interaction with the media instance through
recorded video, a log of actions or other means. In video games,
web sites and other electronic interactive media instance, the
program that administers the media can create this log and thus
automate the process.
[0127] An embodiment enables graphical presentation and analysis of
verbatim comments and feedbacks from a plurality of viewers to a
specific media instance. These verbatim comments are first
collected from the viewers and stored in a database before being
analyzed and categorized into various categories. Once categorized,
the comments can then be presented to a user in various graphical
formats, allowing the user to obtain an intuitive visual impression
of the positive/negative reactions to and/or the most impressive
characteristics of the specific media instance as perceived by the
viewers.
[0128] An embodiment enables graphical presentation and analysis of
verbatim comments and feedbacks from a plurality of viewers to a
specific media instance. These verbatim comments are first
collected from the viewers and stored in a database before being
analyzed and categorized into various categories. Once categorized,
the comments can then be presented to a user in various graphical
formats, allowing the user to obtain an intuitive visual impression
of the positive/negative reactions to and/or the most impressive
characteristics of the specific media instance, as perceived by the
viewers. Instead of parsing through and dissecting the comments and
feedbacks word by word, the user is now able to visually evaluate
how well the media instance is being received by the viewers at a
glance.
[0129] FIG. 15 is an illustration of an exemplary system to support
graphical presentation of verbatim comments from viewers. Although
this diagram depicts components as functionally separate, such
depiction is merely for illustrative purposes. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the components portrayed in this
figure can be arbitrarily combined or divided into separate
software, firmware and/or hardware components. Furthermore, it will
also be apparent to those skilled in the art that such components,
regardless of how they are combined or divided, can execute on the
same computing device or multiple computing devices, and wherein
the multiple computing devices can be connected by one or more
networks.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 15, a collection module 1503 is operable
to collect, record, store and manage verbatim reactions 1502
(comments and feedbacks) from a plurality of viewers of a media
instance 1501. Here, the media instance and its pertinent data can
be stored in a media database 1504, and the verbatim reactions from
the viewers can be stored in a reaction database 1505,
respectively. An analysis module 1506 is operable to analyze the
verbatim comments from the viewers and categorize them into the
plurality of categories. A presentation module 1507 is operable to
retrieve and categorize the verbatim reactions to the media
instance into various categories, and then present these verbatim
reactions to a user 1508 based on their categories in graphical
forms via an interactive browser 1509. The interactive browser
includes at least two panels: a media panel 1510, which is operable
to present, play, and pause the media instance; and a comments
panel 1511, which is operable to display not only the one or more
reactions corresponding to the media instance, but also one or more
graphical categorization and presentation of the verbatim reactions
to provide the user with both a verbal and/or a visual perception
and interpretation of the feedbacks from the viewers.
[0131] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process to
support graphical presentation of verbatim comments from viewers.
Although this figure depicts functional operations in a particular
order for purposes of illustration, the process is not limited to
any particular order or arrangement of operations. One skilled in
the art will appreciate that the various operations portrayed in
this figure could be omitted, rearranged, combined and/or adapted
in various ways.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 16, verbatim reactions to a media instance
from a plurality of viewers are collected, stored and managed at
1601. At 1602, the collected verbatim reactions are analyzed and
categorized into various categories. The categorized comments are
then retrieved and presented to a user in graphical forms based on
the categories at 1603, enabling the user to visually interpret the
reactions from the viewers at 1604.
[0133] In some embodiments, the viewers of the media instance are
free to write what they like and don't like about the media
instance, and the verbatim (free flowing text) comments or feedback
501 from the viewers can be recorded and presented in the comments
panel 7111 verbatim as shown in FIG. 9 described above. In some
embodiments, the analysis module is operable to further
characterize the comments in each of the plurality of categories
are as positive or negative based on the words used in each of the
comments. Once characterized, the number of positive or negative
comments in each of the categories can be summed up. For a
non-limiting example, comments from viewers on a certain type of
events, like combat, can be characterized and summed up as being
40% positive, while 60% negative. Such an approach avoids single
verbatim response from bias the responses from a group of viewers,
making it easy for the user to understand how viewers would react
to every aspect of the media instance.
[0134] In some embodiments, the analysis module is operable to
characterize the viewers' comments about the media instance as
positive or negative in a plurality of categories/topics/aspects
related to the product, wherein such categories include but are not
limited to, product, event, logo, song, spokesperson, jokes,
narrative, key events, storyline. These categories may not be
predetermined, but instead be extracted from the analysis of their
comments.
[0135] In some embodiments, the presentation module is operable to
present summation of the viewers' positive and negative comments to
various aspects/topics/events of the media instance to the user
(creator of the media instance) in a bubble graph for example. In
alternative embodiments, the verbatim comments from the viewers can
be analyzed, and key words and concepts (adjectives) can be
extracted and presented in a word cloud, rendering meaningful
information from the verbatim comments more accessible.
[0136] In some embodiments, the viewers may simply be asked to
answer a specific question, for example, "What are three adjectives
that best describe your response to this media." The adjectives in
the viewers' responses to the question can then be collected,
categorized, and summed up, and presented in a Word cloud.
Alternatively, the adjectives the viewers used to describe their
responses to the media instance may be extracted from collected
survey data.
[0137] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 15, an optional
authentication module 1513 is operable to authenticate identity of
the user requesting access to the media instance and the verbatim
reactions remotely over a network 1513. Here, the network can be
but is not limited to, internet, intranet, wide area network (WAN),
local area network (LAN), wireless network, Bluetooth, and mobile
communication network.
[0138] In some embodiments, optional user database 1514 stores
information of users who are allowed to access the media instances
and the verbatim reactions from the viewers, and the specific media
instances and the reactions each user is allowed to access. The
access module 1510 may add or remove a user for access, and limit
or expand the list of media instances and/or reactions the user can
access and/or the analysis features the user can use by checking
the user's login name and password. Such authorization/limitation
on a user's access can be determined to based upon who the user is,
e.g., different amounts of information for different types of
users. For a non-limiting example, Company ABC can have access to
certain ads and feedback from viewers' reactions to the ads, while
Company XYZ can not have access or can only have limited access to
the same ads and/or feedback.
[0139] The headset of an embodiment (also referred to herein as a
sensor headset and/or integrated headset) integrates sensors into a
housing which can be placed on a human head for measurement of
physiological data, as described above. The device includes at
least one sensor and a reference electrode connected to the
housing. A processor coupled to the sensor and the reference
electrode receives signals that represent electrical activity in
tissue of a user. The processor generates an output signal
including data of a difference between an energy level in each of a
first and second frequency band of the signals. The difference
between energy levels is proportional to release level present time
emotional state of the user. The device includes a wireless
transmitter that transmits the output signal to a remote device.
The device therefore processes the physiological data to create the
output signal that correspond to a person's mental and emotional
state or response.
[0140] A system 30 which includes the headset is shown in FIG. 17.
Exemplary system 30 includes a sensor device 32 which is connected
to a user 34 for sensing and isolating a signal of interest from
electrical activity in the user's pre-frontal lobe. The signal of
interest has a measurable characteristic of electrical activity, or
signal of interest, which relates to a present time emotional state
(PTES) of user 34. PTES relates to the emotional state of the user
at a given time. For instance, if the user is thinking about
something that causes the user emotional distress, then the PTES is
different than when the user is thinking about something which has
a calming affect on the emotions of the user. In another example,
when the user feels a limiting emotion regarding thoughts, then the
PTES is different than when the user feels a state of release
regarding those thoughts. Because of the relationship between the
signal of interest and PTES, system 30 is able to determine a level
of PTES experienced by user 34 by measuring the electrical activity
and isolating a signal of interest from other electrical activity
in the user's brain.
[0141] In the present example, sensor device 32 includes a sensor
electrode 36 which is positioned at a first point and a reference
electrode 38 which is positioned at a second point. The first and
second points are placed in a spaced apart relationship while
remaining in close proximity to one another. The points are
preferably within about 8 inches of one another, and in one
instance the points are about 4 inches apart. In the present
example, sensor electrode 36 is positioned on the skin of the
user's forehead and reference electrode 38 is connected to the
user's ear. The reference electrode can also be attached to the
user's forehead, which may include positioning the reference
electrode over the ear of the user.
[0142] Sensor electrode 36 and reference electrode 38 are connected
to an electronics module 40 of sensor device 32, which is
positioned near the reference electrode 38 to that they are located
substantially in the same noise environment. The electronics module
40 may be located at or above the temple of the user or in other
locations where the electronics module 40 is in close proximity to
the reference electrode 38. In the present example, a head band 42
or other mounting device holds sensor electrode 36 and electronics
module 40 in place near the temple while a clip 44 holds reference
electrode 38 to the user's ear. In one instance, the electronics
module and reference electrode are positioned relative to one
another such that they are capacitively coupled.
[0143] Sensor electrode 36 senses the electrical activity in the
user's pre-frontal lobe and electronics module 40 isolates the
signal of interest from the other electrical activity present and
detected by the sensor electrode. Electronics module 40 includes a
wireless transmitter 46, which transmits the signal of interest to
a wireless receiver 48 over a wireless link 50. Wireless receiver
48 receives the signal of interest from electronics module 40 and
connects to a port 52 of a computer 54, or other device having a
processor, with a port connector 53 to transfer the signal of
interest from wireless receiver 48 to computer 54. Electronics
module 40 includes an LED 55, and wireless receiver 48 includes an
LED 57 which both illuminate when the wireless transmitter and the
wireless receiver are powered.
[0144] Levels of PTES derived from the signal of interest can be
displayed on a computer screen 58 of computer 54 (e.g., in a meter
56). In this embodiment, the display meter 56 serves as an
indicator, but the embodiments are not so limited. Viewing meter 56
allows user 34 to determine their level of PTES at any particular
time in a manner which is objective. The objective feedback
obtained from meter 56 is used for guiding the user to improve
their PTES, to determine levels of PTES related to particular
memories or thoughts which can be brought up in the mind of user 34
when the user is exposed to certain stimuli, and/or to provide
feedback to the user as to the quality of data received from the
user's headset and, thus, the proper fit of the headset.
[0145] In system 30, media material or media instance 66 is used to
expose user 34 to stimuli designed to cause user 34 to bring up
particular thoughts or emotions which are related to a high level
of PTES in the user. In the present example, media material 66
includes any material presented or played to the user. The
particular thoughts or emotions are represented in the signal of
interest captured during play of the media instance.
[0146] The signal of interest which relates to the release level
PTES are brain waves or electrical activity in the pre-frontal lobe
of the user's brain in the range of 4-12 Hz. These characteristic
frequencies of electrical activity are in the Alpha and Theta
bands. Alpha band activity is in the 8 to 12 Hz range and Theta
band activity is in the 4 to 7 Hz range. A linear relationship
between amplitudes of the Alpha and Theta bands is an indication of
the release level. When user 34 is in a non-release state, the
activity is predominantly in the Theta band and the Alpha band is
diminished; and when user 34 is in a release state the activity is
predominantly in the Alpha band and the energy in the Theta band is
diminished.
[0147] One example of sensor device 32 that captures signals of
interest is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. Sensor device 32 includes
sensor electrode 36, reference electrode 38 and electronics module
40. The electronics module 40 amplifies the signal of interest by
1,000 to 100,000 times while at the same time insuring that 60 Hz
noise is not amplified at any point. Electronics module 40 isolates
the signal of interest from undesired electrical activity.
[0148] Sensor device 32 in the present example also includes
wireless receiver 48 which receives the signal of interest from the
electronics module over wireless link 50 and communicates the
signal of interest to computer 54. In the present example, wireless
link 50 uses radiofrequency energy; however other wireless
technologies may also be used, such as infrared. Using a wireless
connection eliminates the need for wires to be connected between
the sensor device 32 and computer 54 which electrically isolates
sensor device 32 from computer 54.
[0149] Reference electrode 38 is connected to a clip 148 which is
used for attaching reference electrode 38 to an ear 150 of user 34,
in the present example. Sensor electrode 36 includes a snap or
other spring loaded device for attaching sensor electrode 36 to
headband 42. Headband 42 also includes a pocket for housing
electronics module 40 at a position at the user's temple. Headband
42 is one example of an elastic band which is used for holding the
sensor electrode and/or the electronics module 40, another types of
elastic bands which provide the same function could also be used,
including having the elastic band form a portion of a hat.
[0150] Other types of mounting devices, in addition to the elastic
bands, can also be used for holding the sensor electrode against
the skin of the user. A holding force holding the sensor electrode
against the skin of the user can be in the range of 1 to 4 oz. The
holding force can be, for instance, 1.5 oz.
[0151] In another example of a mounting device involves a frame
that is similar to an eyeglass frame, which holds the sensor
electrode against the skin of the user. The frame can also be used
for supporting electronics module 40. The frame is worn by user 34
in a way which is supported by the ears and bridge of the nose of
the user, where the sensor electrode 36 contacts the skin of the
user.
[0152] Sensor electrode 36 and reference electrode 38 include
conductive surface 152 and 154, respectively, that are used for
placing in contact with the skin of the user at points where the
measurements are to be made. In the present example, the conductive
surfaces are composed of a non-reactive material, such as copper,
gold, conductive rubber or conductive plastic. Conductive surface
152 of sensor electrode 36 may have a surface area of approximately
1/2 square inch. The conductive surfaces 152 are used to directly
contact the skin of the user without having to specially prepare
the skin and without having to use a substance to reduce a contact
resistance found between the skin and the conductive surfaces.
[0153] Sensor device 32 works with contact resistances as high as
500,000 ohms which allows the device to work with conductive
surfaces in direct contact with skin that is not specially
prepared. In contrast, special skin preparation and conductive gels
or other substances are used with prior EEG electrodes to reduce
the contact resistances to around 20,000 ohms or less. One
consequence of dealing with higher contact resistance is that noise
may be coupled into the measurement. The noise comes from lights
and other equipment connected to 60 Hz power, and also from
friction of any object moving through the air which creates static
electricity. The amplitude of the noise is proportional to the
distance between the electronics module 40 and the reference
electrode 38. In the present example, by placing the electronics
module over the temple area, right above the ear and connecting the
reference electrode to the ear, the sensor device 32 does not pick
up the noise, or is substantially unaffected by the noise. By
positioning the electronics module in the same physical space with
the reference electrode and capacitively coupling the electronics
module with the reference electrode ensures that a local reference
potential 144 in the electronics module and the ear are practically
identical in potential. Reference electrode 38 is electrically
connected to local reference potential 144 used in a power source
158 for the sensor device 32.
[0154] Power source 158 provides power 146 to electronic components
in the module over power conductors. Power source 158 provides the
sensor device 32 with reference potential 144 at 0 volts as well as
positive and negative source voltages, -VCC and +VCC. Power source
158 makes use of a charge pump for generating the source voltages
at a level which is suitable for the electronics module.
[0155] Power source is connected to the other components in the
module 40 though a switch 156. Power source 158 can include a timer
circuit which causes electronics module 40 to be powered for a
certain time before power is disconnected. This feature conserves
power for instances where user 34 accidentally leaves the power to
electronics module 40 turned on. The power 146 is referenced
locally to measurements and does not have any reference connection
to an external ground system since sensor circuit 32 uses wireless
link 50.
[0156] Sensor electrode 36 is placed in contact with the skin of
the user at a point where the electrical activity in the brain is
to be sensed or measured. Reference electrode 38 is placed in
contact with the skin at a point a small distance away from the
point where the sensor electrode is placed. In the present example,
this distance is 4 inches, although the distance may be as much as
about 8 inches. Longer lengths may add noise to the system since
the amplitude of the noise is proportional to the distance between
the electronics module and the reference electrode. Electronics
module 40 is placed in close proximity to the reference electrode
38. This causes the electronics module 40 to be in the same of
electrical and magnetic environment is the reference electrode 38
and electronics module 40 is connected capacitively and through
mutual inductance to reference electrode 38. Reference electrode 38
and amplifier 168 are coupled together into the noise environment,
and sensor electrode 36 measures the signal of interest a short
distance away from the reference electrode to reduce or eliminate
the influence of noise on sensor device 32. Reference electrode 38
is connected to the 0V in the power source 158 with a conductor
166.
[0157] Sensor electrode 36 senses electrical activity in the user's
brain and generates a voltage signal 160 related thereto which is
the potential of the electrical activity at the point where the
sensor electrode 36 contacts the user's skin relative to the local
reference potential 144. Voltage signal 160 is communicated from
the electrode 36 to electronics module 40 over conductor 162.
Conductors 162 and 166 are connected to electrodes 36 and 38 in
such a way that there is no solder on conductive surfaces 152 and
154. Conductor 162 is as short as practical, and in the present
example is approximately 3 inches long. When sensor device 32 is
used, conductor 162 is held a distance away from user 34 so that
conductor 162 does not couple signals to or from user 34. In the
present example, conductor 162 is held at a distance of
approximately 1/2'' from user 34. No other wires, optical fibers or
other types of extensions extend from the electronics module 40,
other than the conductors 162 and 166 extending between module 40
and electrodes 36 and 38, since these types of structure tend to
pick up electronic noise.
[0158] The electronics module 40 measures or determines electrical
activity, which includes the signal of interest and other
electrical activity unrelated to the signal of interest which is
undesired. Electronics module 40 uses a single ended amplifier 168,
(FIGS. 19 and 20), which is closely coupled to noise in the
environment of the measurement with the reference electrode 38. The
single ended amplifier 168 provides a gain of 2 for frequencies up
to 12 Hz, which includes electrical activity in the Alpha and Theta
bands, and a gain of less than 1 for frequencies 60 Hz and above,
including harmonics of 60 Hz.
[0159] Amplifier 168 (FIGS. 20 and 23) receives the voltage signal
160 from electrode 36 and power 146 from power source 158. Single
ended amplifier 168 generates an output signal 174 which is
proportional to voltage signal 160. Output signal 174 contains the
signal of interest. In the present example, voltage signal 160 is
supplied on conductor 162 to a resistor 170 which is connected to
non-inverting input of high impedance, low power op amp 172. Output
signal 174 is used as feedback to the inverting input of op amp 172
through resistor 176 and capacitor 178 which are connected in
parallel. The inverting input of op amp 172 is also connected to
reference voltage 144 through a resistor 180.
[0160] Amplifier 168 is connected to a three-stage sensor filter
182 with an output conductor 184 which carries output signal 174.
The electrical activity or voltage signal 160 is amplified by each
of the stages 168 and 182 while undesired signals, such as those 60
Hz and above, are attenuated by each of the stages. Three-stage
sensor filter has three stages 2206a, 2206b and 2206c each having
the same design to provide a bandpass filter function which allows
signals between 1.2 and 12 Hz to pass with a gain of 5 while
attenuating signal lower and higher than these frequencies. The
bandpass filter function allows signals in the Alpha and Theta
bands to pass while attenuating noise such as 60 Hz and harmonics
of the 60 Hz. The three stage sensor filter 182 removes offsets in
the signal that are due to biases and offsets in the parts. Each of
the three stages is connected to source voltage 146 and reference
voltage 144. Each of the three stages generates an output signal
186a, 186b and 186c on an output conductor 188a, 186b and 188c,
respectively.
[0161] In the first stage 2206a, FIGS. 21 and 23, of three-stage
sensor filter 182, output signal 174 is supplied to a non-inverting
input of a first stage op-amp 190a through a resistor 192a and
capacitor 194a. A capacitor 196a and another resistor 198a are
connected between the non-inverting input and reference voltage
144. Feedback of the output signal 186a from the first stage is
connected to the inverting input of op amp 190a through a resistor
2200a and a capacitor 2202a which are connected in parallel. The
inverting input of op amp 190a is also connected to reference
voltage 144 through resistor 2204a.
[0162] Second and third stages 2206b and 2206c, respectively, are
arranged in series with first stage 2206a. First stage output
signal 186a is supplied to second stage 2206b through resistor 192b
and capacitor 194b to the non-inverting input of op-amp 190b.
Second stage output signal 186b is supplied to third stage 2206c
through resistor 192c and capacitor 194c. Resistor 198b and
capacitor 196b are connected between the non-inverting input of
op-amp 190b and reference potential 144, and resistor 198c and
capacitor 196c are connected between the non-inverting input of
op-amp 190c and reference potential 144. Feedback from output
conductor 188b to the inverting input of op-amp 190b is through
resistor 2200b and capacitor 2202b and the inverting input of
op-amp 190b is also connected to reference potential 144 with
resistor 204b. Feedback from output conductor 188c to the inverting
input of op-amp 190c is through resistor 2200c and capacitor 2202c
and the inverting input of op-amp 190c is also connected to
reference potential 144 with resistor 2204c.
[0163] Three stage sensor filter 182 is connected to an RC filter
2208, FIGS. 22 and 23, with the output conductor 188c which carries
the output signal 186c from third stage 2206c of three stage sensor
filter 182, FIG. 19. RC filter 2208 includes a resistor 2210 which
is connected in series to an output conductor 2216, and a capacitor
2212 which connects between reference potential 144 and output
conductor 2216. RC filter serves as a low pass filter to further
filter out frequencies above 12 Hz. RC filter 2208 produces a
filter signal 2214 on output conductor 2216. RC filter 2208 is
connected to an analog to digital (A/D) converter 2218, FIG.
19.
[0164] The A/D converter 118 converts the analog filter signal 2214
from the RC filter to a digital signal 220 by sampling the analog
filter signal 2214 at a sample rate that is a multiple of 60 Hz. In
the present example the sample rate is 9600 samples per second.
Digital signal 220 is carried to a digital processor 224 on an
output conductor 222.
[0165] Digital processor 224, FIGS. 19 and 24 provides additional
gain, removal of 60 Hz noise, and attenuation of high frequency
data. Digital processor 224 many be implemented in software
operating on a computing device. Digital processor 224 includes a
notch filter 230, FIG. 24 which sums 160 data points of digital
signal 220 at a time to produce a 60 Hz data stream that is free
from any information at 60 Hz. Following notch filter 230 is an
error checker 232. Error checker 232 removes data points that are
out of range from the 60 Hz data stream. These out of range data
points are either erroneous data or they are cause by some external
source other than brain activity.
[0166] After error checker 232, digital processor 224 transforms
the data stream using a discreet Fourier transformer 234. While
prior EEG systems use band pass filters to select out the Alpha and
Theta frequencies, among others, these filters are limited to
processing and selecting out continuous periodic functions. By
using a Fourier transform, digital processor 224 is able to
identify randomly spaced events. Each event has energy in all
frequencies, but shorter events will have more energy in higher
frequencies and longer events will have more energy in lower
frequencies. By looking at the difference between the energy in
Alpha and Theta frequencies, the system is able to identify the
predominance of longer or shorter events. The difference is then
scaled by the total energy in the bands. This causes the output to
be based on the type of energy and removes anything tied to amount
of energy.
[0167] The Fourier transformer 234 creates a spectrum signal that
separates the energy into bins 236a to 236o which each have a
different width of frequency. In one example, the spectrum signal
has 30 samples and separates the energy spectrum into 2 Hz wide
bins; in another example, the spectrum signal has 60 samples and
separates the bins into 1 Hz wide bins. Bins 236 are added to
create energy signals in certain bands. In the present example,
bins 236 between 4 and 8 Hz are passed to a summer 238 which sums
these bins to create a Theta band energy signal 240; and bins
between 8 and 12 Hz are passed to a summer 242 which sums these
bins to create an Alpha band energy signal 244.
[0168] In the present example, the Alpha and Theta band energy
signals 240 and 244 passed to a calculator 246 which calculates
(Theta-Alpha)/Theta+Alpha) and produces an output signal 226 on a
conductor 228 as a result.
[0169] Output signal 226, FIG. 19, is passed to wireless
transmitter 46 which transmits the output signal 226 to wireless
receiver 48 over wireless link 50. In the present example, output
signal 226 is the signal of interest which is passed to computer 54
through port 52 and which is used by the computer to produce the
PTES for display in meter 56.
[0170] Computer 54 may provide additional processing of output
signal 226 in some instances. In the example using the Release
Technique, the computer 54 manipulates output signal 226 to
determine relative amounts of Alpha and Theta band signals in the
output signal to determine levels of release experienced by user
34.
[0171] A sensor device utilizing the above described principles and
feature can be used for determining electrical activity in other
tissue of the user in addition to the brain tissue just described,
such as electrical activity in muscle and heart tissue. In these
instances, the sensor electrode is positioned on the skin at the
point where the electrical activity is to be measured and the
reference electrode and electronics module are positioned nearby
with the reference electrode attached to a point near the sensor
electrode. The electronics module, in these instances, includes
amplification and filtering to isolate the frequencies of the
muscle or heart electrical activity while filtering out other
frequencies.
[0172] There are many practical applications of physiological data
that could be enabled with a non-intrusive sensing device (sensor)
that allows a test subject to participate in normal activities with
a minimal amount of interference from the device, as described
above. The data quality of this device need not be as stringent as
a medical device as long as the device measures data accurately
enough to satisfy the needs of parties interested in such data,
making it possible to greatly simplify the use and collection of
physiological data when one is not concerned about treating any
disease or illness. There are various types of non-intrusive
sensors that are in existence. For a non-limiting example, modern
three axis accelerometer can exist on a single silicon chip and can
be included in many modern devices. The accelerometer allows for
tracking and recording the movement of whatever subject the
accelerometer is attached to. For another non-limiting example,
temperature sensors have also existed for a long time in many
forms, with either wired or wireless connections. All of these
sensors can provide useful feedback about a test subject's
responses to stimuli, but thus far, no single device has been able
to incorporate all of them seamlessly. Attaching each of these
sensors to an individual separately is timing consuming and
difficult, requiring a trained professional to insure correct
installation and use. In addition, each newly-added sensor
introduces an extra level of complexity, user confusion, and bulk
to the testing instrumentation.
[0173] As described above an integrated headset is introduced,
which integrates a plurality of sensors into one single piece and
can be placed on a person's head for measurement of his/her
physiological data. Such integrated headset is adaptive, which
allows adjustability to fit the specific shape and/or size of the
person's head. The integrated headset minimizes data artifacts
arising from at least one or more of: electronic interference among
the plurality of sensors, poor contacts between the plurality of
sensors and head movement of the person. In addition, combining
several types of physiological sensors into one piece renders the
measured physiological data more robust and accurate as a
whole.
[0174] The integrated headset of an embodiment integrates a
plurality of sensors into one single piece and can be placed on a
person's head for measurement of his/her physiological data. Such
integrated headset is easy to use, which measures the physiological
data from the person accurately without requiring any conductive
gel or skin preparation at contact points between the plurality of
sensors and the person's skin. In addition, combining several types
of physiological sensors into one piece renders the measured
physiological data more robust and accurate as a whole.
[0175] The integrated headset of an embodiment integrates a
plurality of sensors into one single piece and can be placed on a
person's head for measurement of his/her physiological data. Such
integrated headset is non-intrusive, which allows the person
wearing the headset to freely conduct a plurality of functions
without any substantial interference from the physiological sensors
integrated in the headset. In addition, combining several types of
physiological sensors into one piece renders the measured
physiological data more robust and accurate as a whole.
[0176] Having a single device that incorporates numerous sensors
also provides a huge value for advertisers, media producers,
educators and many other parties interested in physiological data.
These parties desire to understand the reactions and responses
people have to their particular stimulus in order to tailor their
information or media to better suit the needs of end users and/or
to increase the effectiveness of the media. By sensing these exact
changes instead of using focus groups, surveys, knobs or other
easily biased measures of response, the integrated sensor improves
both the data that is measured and recorded and the granularity of
such data, as physiological data can be recorded by a computer
program/device many times per second. The physiological data can
also be mathematically combined from the plurality of sensors to
create specific outputs that corresponds to a person's mental and
emotional state (response).
[0177] As described above, FIG. 3 shows another example embodiment
of the sensor headset described herein. Although the diagrams
depict components as functionally separate, such depiction is
merely for illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the components portrayed in this figure can
be arbitrarily combined or divided into separate software, firmware
and/or hardware components. Furthermore, it will also be apparent
to those skilled in the art that such components, regardless of how
they are combined or divided, can execute on the same computing
device or multiple computing devices, and wherein the multiple
computing devices can be connected by one or more networks.
[0178] Referring to FIG. 3, the integrated headset may include at
least one or more of the following components: a processing unit
301, which can be but is not limited to a microprocessor, functions
as a signal collection, processing and transmitting circuitry that
collects, digitizes, and processes the physiological data measured
from a person who wears the headset and transmits such data to a
separate/remote location. A motion detection unit 302, which can be
but is not limited to a three axis accelerometer, senses movement
of the head of the person. A stabilizing component 303, which can
be but is not limited to a silicon stabilization strip, stabilizes
and connects the various components of the headset together. Such
stabilizing component provides adhesion to the head by surface
tension created by a sweat layer under the strip to stabilize the
headset for more robust sensing through stabilization of the
headset that minimizes responses to head movement of the
person.
[0179] The headset includes a set of EEG electrodes, which can be
but is not limited to a right EEG electrode 304 and a left EEG
electrode 306 positioned symmetrically about the centerline of the
forehead of the person, can be utilized to sense/measure EEG
signals from the person. The electrodes may also have another
contact on one ear of the person for a ground reference. These EEG
electrodes can be prefrontal dry electrodes that do not need
conductive gel or skin preparation to be used, where contacts are
needed between the electrodes and the skin of the person but
without excessive pressure applied.
[0180] The headset includes a heart rate sensor 305, which is a
robust blood volume pulse sensor that can measure the person's
heart rate and the sensor can be positioned directly in the center
of the forehead of the person between the set of EEG electrodes.
Power handling and transmission circuitry 307, which includes a
rechargeable or replaceable battery module, provides operating
power to the components of the headset and can be located over an
ear of a wearer. An adjustable strap 308 positioned in the rear of
the person's head can be used to adjust the headset to a
comfortable tension setting for the shape and size of the person so
that the pressure applied to the plurality of sensors is adequate
for robust sensing without causing discomfort. Note that although
motion detection unit, EEG electrodes, and heart rate sensor are
used here as non-limiting examples of sensors, other types of
sensors can also be integrated into the headset, wherein these
types of sensors can be but are not limited to,
electroencephalograms, blood oxygen sensors, galvanometers,
electromygraphs, skin temperature sensors, breathing sensors, and
any other types of physiological sensors.
[0181] In some embodiments, the integrated headset can be turned on
with a push button and the test subject's physiological data can be
measured and recorded instantly. Data transmission from the headset
can be handled wirelessly through a computer interface to which the
headset links. No skin preparation or conductive gels are needed on
the tester to obtain an accurate measurement, and the headset can
be removed from the tester easily and be instantly used by another
person. No degradation of the headset occurs during use and the
headset can be reused thousands of times, allowing measurement to
be done on many participants in a short amount of time and at low
cost.
[0182] In some embodiments, the accelerometer 302 can be
incorporated into an electronic package in a manner that allows its
three axes to align closely to the regularly accepted axes
directions in a three-dimensional space. Such requirement is
necessary for the accelerometer to output data that can be easily
interpreted without the need for complex mathematical operations to
normalize the data to fit the standard three-axis system. Other
sensors such as temperature sensors have less stringent location
requirements and are more robust, which can be placed at various
locations on the headset.
[0183] The physiological signals emanating from a human being are
extremely small, especially in comparison to the general
environmental background noise that is always present. This
presents a challenge for creating an integrated headset that is
very stable and minimizes data artifacts, wherein the artifacts may
arise from at least one or more of: electronic interference, poor
contact points, head movement that creates static electricity.
[0184] One of the major problems in recording human physiological
signals is the issue of electrical interference, which may come
from either external environmental sources or the various sensors
that are incorporated into the single headset, or both. Combining
multiple sensors into a single integrated headset may cause
electrical interference to leak from one component (sensor) over
into another due to the very weak signals that are being detected.
For a non-limiting example, an EEG electrode is very sensitive to
interference and signals from other sensors can create artifacts in
the EEG reading.
[0185] In some embodiments, data transmission from the headset can
be handled wirelessly through a computer interface that the headset
links to. Since wireless communication happens at high frequencies,
the typical 50/60 Hz electrical noise that may, for a non-limiting
example, be coupled to a signal wire and interfere with the
measured data transferred by the wire can be minimized.
[0186] In some embodiments, power levels of one or more of the
sensors integrated in the integrated headset may be tuned as low as
possible to minimize the electrical interference. In addition,
specific distance between signal-carrying wires of the sensors can
also be set and enforced to reduce the (electronic) crosstalk
between the wires.
[0187] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 3, the power
handling and transmission circuitry 307 of the integrated headset
can be separated from the signal collection and processing
circuitry 301. Being a wireless device, the integrated headset uses
a battery and the noise generated by the battery may ruin the
measurement as the battery noise is far larger than the electrical
signals being measured. By physically separating the circuits and
only delivering power by means of minimum number of wires needed,
the integrated headset can cut down electrical interference
significantly.
[0188] In some embodiments, the power and signal processing
circuitry can be placed over opposite ears of the tester,
respectively. A flat cable can be used to transmit the power from
the battery module 307 over the left ear to the signal processing
circuitry 301 over the right ear. The data from the heart rate
sensor 305 can also be carried using a similar flat cable, which
allows greater control over wire placement and restricts the wires
from moving around during use as in the case with conventional
stranded wires. In addition, the EEG electrodes 304 and 306 can be
wired using conventional stranded copper wire to carry the signal
to the signal processing circuit 301. The wires from the EEG
electrodes can be placed at the extents of the plastic housing of
the headset at least 0.1'' away from the heart sensor cable, which
helps to reduce the possible electrical interference to an
acceptable level.
[0189] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors in the
integrated headset can have different types of contacts with the
test subject. Here, the contacts can be made of an electrically
conductive material, which for non-limiting examples can be but are
not limited to, nickel-coated copper or a conductive plastic
material. The integrated headset can minimize the noise entering
the measuring contact points of the sensors by adopting dry EEG
electrodes that work at acceptable noise levels without the use of
conductive gels or skin abrasion.
[0190] In some embodiments, a non-adhesive or rubber-like substance
can be applied against the skin to create a sweat layer between the
two that increases the friction between the skin and the headset,
normally in less than a minute. This sweating liquid provides
better conductivity between the skin and the contacts of the
plurality of sensors. In addition, this liquid creates a surface
tension that increases the friction and holding strength between
the skin and the headset, creating a natural stabilizer for the
headset without the use of gels, adhesives or extraneous attachment
mechanisms. The holding force increases significantly only in
parallel to the plane of the skin, keeping the headset from sliding
around on the skin, which is the major problem area in noise
generation. Such non-adhesive substance does not, however,
significantly increase the holding strength perpendicular to the
plane of the skin, so it is not uncomfortable to remove the headset
from the tester as it would be the case if an adhesive were applied
to hold the headset in place as with many medical sensing
devices.
[0191] In some embodiments, the headset is operable to promote
approximately even pressure distribution at front and back of the
person's head to improve comfort and/or produce better signals of
the measured physiological data. A foam pad can be used to create a
large contact area around the sensors (such as the heart rate
sensor 305) and to create a consistent height for the inside of the
headset. This result is increased user comfort since the foam
reduces pressure at contact points that would otherwise exist at
the raised EEG contacts. It also helps to create the correct amount
of pressure at the contact points on the forehead.
[0192] Human heads exist in many different shapes and sizes and any
headset that is easy to use must accommodate various shapes and
sizes of the testers' heads. It is impractical, however, to create
numerous different shapes and sizes for the integrated headset as
it would require a trained fitter to choose the correct one for
each different tester. In addition, the fitting process would be so
time-consuming that it defeats the main goal of making the headset
easy to use.
[0193] In some embodiments, the integrated headset is designed to
be adaptive, flexible and compliant, which can automatically adjust
to different head shapes and sizes of tester's heads. Since poor
contact or movement relative to the skin has the potential to
generate a greater amount of noise than the headset can handle, the
headset is designed in such a way to minimize movement and to
create compliance and fitting to varying head shapes and sizes. The
tester should be able to simply put on the headset, tighten the
adjustable strap 308 that allows the headset to be worn
comfortably, and be ready to work.
[0194] In some embodiments, the compliance in the adjustable strap
308 of the headset must be tuned so that it is not overly soft and
can support weight of the headset; otherwise the headset may result
in a situation where the noise from the moving headset would
override the measured signal from the sensors. On the other hand,
the compliance cannot be so little that it would necessitate
over-tightening of the headset, because the human head does not
cope well with high amount of pressure being applied directly to
the head, which may cause headaches and a sense of claustrophobia
on the test subject who wears a headset that is too tight.
[0195] In some embodiments, the headset itself surrounds and holds
these components on the brow of the head and passes over both ears
and around the back of the head. The body of the headset is made of
a thin, lightweight material such as plastic or fabric that allows
flexing for the headset to match different head shapes but is stiff
in the minor plane to not allow twisting, which may cause the
electrodes to move and create noise.
[0196] In some embodiments, the EEG electrodes and the heart rate
sensor both need contacts with the skin of the tester's head that
are near the center of the forehead and do not slide around.
However, too much contact pressure may create an uncomfortable
situation for the tester and is thus not acceptable. Therefore, the
integrated headset applies consistent pressure at multiple contact
points on different head shapes and sizes of testers, wherein such
pressure is both compliant enough to match different head
geometries and to create stickiness to the skin and help to
stabilize the headset. Here, the headset is operable to achieve
such pre-defined pressure by using various thicknesses, materials,
and/or geometries at the desired locations of the contact
points.
[0197] In some embodiments, one or more processing units (301) that
deal with data collection, signal processing, and information
transmission are located above the ears to give the unit, the
largest component on the headset, a stable base, as allowing the
units to hang unsupported would cause them to oscillate with any
type of head movement. A silicon stabilization strip 303 allows for
more robust sensing through stabilization of the headset by
minimizing movement.
[0198] In some embodiments, electronic wiring and/or circuitry
(electronic components) of the headset can be placed inside the
plastic housing of the headset with another layer of 0.015'' thick
ABS plastics in between the electronic components and the skin to
provide protection to the components and/or an aesthetic cover for
the headset. The inside plastic can be retained by a series of
clips and tabs to allow the plastic to slide relative to the outer
housing, which precludes the creation of a composite beam if the
two were attached together using glue or any other rigid attachment
mechanism, as a composite beam is much stiffer than two independent
pieces of material and would thus decrease the compliance of the
headset.
[0199] In some embodiments, the adjustable rubber strip 308 can be
attached to the inside plastic at the very bottom along the entire
length of the headset, which creates a large surface area over
which an increased friction force may keep the headset from moving.
Having consistent and repeatable contact is crucial to the quality
of the EEG data and friction increase from the rubber strip
facilitates that process. The strip also provides some cushioning
which increases user comfort.
[0200] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, each headset including at least one sensor
and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a
media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data
from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection
devices, wherein each signal collection device receives the
physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset of a
set of viewers of the plurality of viewers, wherein each signal
collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data
as it is received from the corresponding set of viewers and, in
response, generates feedback to the corresponding set of viewers
regarding action to be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the
physiological data; and a processing module that receives the
physiological data from the plurality of signal collection devices,
wherein the processing module derives from the physiological data a
plurality of physiological responses of the plurality of viewers to
the media instance.
[0201] The processing module of an embodiment synchronizes the
physiological data from the plurality of viewers.
[0202] The processing module of an embodiment synchronizes the
media instance and the physiological data from the plurality of
viewers.
[0203] Each signal collection device of an embodiment removes data
from the corresponding physiological data for a time period during
which the corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media
instance before transferring the data to the processing module.
[0204] The processing module of an embodiment interpolates
physiological data from the time period when the viewer is paying
attention to cover the data that has been removed.
[0205] The physiological data of an embodiment is at least one of
heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate, breathing,
motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response, and a response
correlated with change in emotion.
[0206] The processing module of an embodiment removes artifacts of
the physiological data.
[0207] The anomaly of an embodiment is detected using at least one
of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink rate, breathing,
motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin response.
[0208] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes a
physiological sensor.
[0209] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes an
electroencephalogram.
[0210] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes an
accelerometer.
[0211] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes a blood
oxygen sensor.
[0212] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes a
galvanometer.
[0213] The at least one sensor of an embodiment includes an
electromygraph.
[0214] The headset of an embodiment includes at least one dry EEG
electrode.
[0215] The headset of an embodiment includes at least one heart
rate sensor.
[0216] The headset of an embodiment includes at least one
accelerometer.
[0217] The headset of an embodiment includes at least one
processor.
[0218] The headset of an embodiment includes at least one wireless
communication device.
[0219] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes liking.
[0220] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes thought.
[0221] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes adrenaline.
[0222] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes engagement.
[0223] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes immersion in the media instance.
[0224] The system of an embodiment comprises a rating module that
rates the media instance based on the plurality of physiological
responses from the plurality of viewers.
[0225] The system of an embodiment comprises a reaction database
that stores at least one of the physiological data, the plurality
of physiological responses, and analysis results of the
physiological responses.
[0226] The reaction database of an embodiment stores at least one
of data of the media instance, and results of surveys presented to
the plurality of viewers and corresponding to the media
instance.
[0227] The media instance of an embodiment is at least one of a
television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed media, a
website, computer application, a video game, live performance,
product information, and product content.
[0228] Each set of viewers of an embodiment is located in a
different area of a location, the location hosting the plurality of
signal collection devices.
[0229] Each set of viewers of an embodiment is located at a
different venue of a plurality of venues.
[0230] The system of an embodiment comprises a tutorial, wherein a
computer coupled to the processing module automatically receives
and installs the tutorial, wherein the tutorial comprises
information relating to watching of the media instance and data
collection during the watching.
[0231] The tutorial of an embodiment automatically instructs the
plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.
[0232] The tutorial of an embodiment automatically determines the
data quality.
[0233] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
headset including at least one sensor and a transmitter, the
headset attached to a viewer watching a media instance at a venue,
wherein the headset receives physiological data from the viewer and
transmits the physiological data; a signal collection device that
receives the physiological data transmitted by the headset, wherein
the signal collection device analyzes data quality of the
physiological data as it is received from the viewer and, in
response, generates feedback to the viewer regarding action to be
taken to remedy non-optimal data quality, wherein the signal
collection device transmits the physiological data; and a
processing module that receives the physiological data from the
signal collection device, wherein the processing module derives
from the physiological data a plurality of physiological responses
of the viewer to the media instance.
[0234] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different
venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one
sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is
watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives
physiological data from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is
located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal
collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal
collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data
as it is received from the corresponding viewer and, in response,
generates feedback to the corresponding viewer regarding action to
be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data;
and a processing module that receives the physiological data from
the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing
module generates aggregated data by aggregating the physiological
data of the plurality of viewers, wherein the processing module
provides controlled access to the aggregated data and the media
instance.
[0235] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different
venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one
sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is
watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives
physiological data from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is
located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal
collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal
collection device analyzes data quality of the physiological data
as it is received from the corresponding viewer and, in response,
generates feedback to the corresponding viewer regarding action to
be taken to remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data;
and a processing module that receives the physiological data from
the plurality of signal collection devices, wherein the processing
module generates synchronized data by synchronizing the aggregated
data with the media instance.
[0236] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, each headset including at least one sensor
and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is watching a
media instance, wherein each headset receives physiological data
from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of signal collection
devices, wherein each signal collection device receives the
physiological data transmitted by the corresponding headset of a
set of viewers of the plurality of viewers; and a processing module
that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal
collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the
plurality of viewers, and synchronizing the synchronized data with
the media instance.
[0237] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different
venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one
sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is
watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives
physiological data from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is
located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal
collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset at that venue; and a processing module
that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal
collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the
plurality of viewers, and synchronizing the synchronized data with
the media instance.
[0238] Embodiments described herein include a system comprising: a
plurality of headsets, wherein each headset is worn by a viewer of
a plurality of viewers, and each viewer is located at a different
venue of a plurality of venues, each headset including at least one
sensor and a transmitter, wherein the plurality of viewers is
watching a media instance, wherein each headset receives
physiological data from the corresponding viewer; a plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device is
located at a different venue of the plurality of venues, the signal
collection device receiving the physiological data transmitted by
the corresponding headset at that venue, wherein each signal
collection device removes data from the corresponding physiological
data for a time period during which the corresponding viewer is not
paying attention to the media instance; and a processing module
that receives the physiological data from the plurality of signal
collection devices, wherein the processing module generates
synchronized data by synchronizing the physiological data from the
plurality of viewers with the media instance.
[0239] Embodiments described herein include a method comprising:
receiving physiological data from a plurality of viewers via a
plurality of headsets worn by each of the plurality of viewers, the
plurality of viewers watching a media instance; receiving the
physiological data from the plurality of headsets at a plurality of
signal collection devices, wherein each signal collection device
receives the physiological data transmitted by the corresponding
headset of a set of viewers of the plurality of viewers; analyzing
data quality of the physiological data as it is received from the
corresponding set of viewers and, in response, generating feedback
to the corresponding set of viewers regarding action to be taken to
remedy an anomaly in quality of the physiological data; and
receiving the physiological data from the plurality of signal
collection devices at a processing module and deriving from the
physiological data a plurality of physiological responses of the
plurality of viewers to the media instance.
[0240] The method of an embodiment comprises synchronizing the
physiological data from the plurality of viewers.
[0241] The method of an embodiment comprises synchronizing the
media instance and the physiological data from the plurality of
viewers.
[0242] The method of an embodiment comprises removing data from the
corresponding physiological data for a time period during which the
corresponding viewer is not paying attention to the media instance
before transferring the data to the processing module.
[0243] The method of an embodiment comprises interpolating
physiological data from the time period when the viewer is paying
attention to cover the data that has been removed.
[0244] The method of an embodiment comprises detecting the anomaly
using at least one of heart rate, brain waves, EEG signals, blink
rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, and galvanic skin
response.
[0245] The method of an embodiment comprises removing artifacts of
the physiological data.
[0246] The method of an embodiment comprises rating the media
instance based on the plurality of physiological responses from the
plurality of viewers.
[0247] The method of an embodiment comprises storing at least one
of the physiological data, the plurality of physiological
responses, and analysis results of the physiological responses.
[0248] The method of an embodiment comprises storing at least one
of data of the media instance, and results of surveys presented to
the plurality of viewers and corresponding to the media
instance.
[0249] The physiological data of an embodiment is at least one of
heart rate, brain waves, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, blink
rate, breathing, motion, muscle movement, galvanic skin response,
and a response correlated with change in emotion.
[0250] Receiving physiological data of an embodiment comprises
sensing the physiological data using at least one of a
physiological sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG), an
accelerometer, a blood oxygen sensor, a galvanometer, an
electromygraph, a dry EEG electrode, and a heart rate sensor.
[0251] The plurality of physiological responses of an embodiment
includes at least one of liking, thought, adrenaline, engagement,
and immersion in the media instance.
[0252] The media instance of an embodiment is at least one of a
television program, an advertisement, a movie, printed media, a
website, computer application, a video game, live performance,
product information, and product content.
[0253] Each set of viewers of an embodiment is located in a
different area of a location, the location hosting the plurality of
signal collection devices.
[0254] Each set of viewers of an embodiment is located at a
different venue of a plurality of venues.
[0255] The method of an embodiment comprises automatically
providing a tutorial to the plurality of viewers via a computer,
wherein the computer automatically receives and installs the
tutorial, wherein the tutorial comprises information relating to
watching of the media instance and data collection during the
watching.
[0256] The method of an embodiment comprises automatically
instructing the plurality of viewers in use of the headsets.
[0257] The method of an embodiment comprises automatically
determining the data quality.
[0258] The systems and methods described herein include and/or run
under and/or in association with a processing system. The
processing system includes any collection of processor-based
devices or computing devices operating together, or components of
processing systems or devices, as is known in the art. For example,
the processing system can include one or more of a portable
computer, portable communication device operating in a
communication network, and/or a network server. The portable
computer can be any of a number and/or combination of devices
selected from among personal computers, mobile telephones, personal
digital assistants, portable computing devices, and portable
communication devices, but is not so limited. The processing system
can include components within a larger computer system.
[0259] The processing system of an embodiment includes at least one
processor and at least one memory device or subsystem. The
processing system can also include or be coupled to at least one
database. The term "processor" as generally used herein refers to
any logic processing unit, such as one or more central processing
units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs),
application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. The processor
and memory can be monolithically integrated onto a single chip,
distributed among a number of chips or components, and/or provided
by some combination of algorithms. The methods described herein can
be implemented in one or more of software algorithm(s), programs,
firmware, hardware, components, circuitry, in any combination.
[0260] Components of the systems and methods described herein can
be located together or in separate locations. Communication paths
couple the components and include any medium for communicating or
transferring files among the components. The communication paths
include wireless connections, wired connections, and hybrid
wireless/wired connections. The communication paths also include
couplings or connections to networks including local area networks
(LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), WiMax networks, wide
area networks (WANs), proprietary networks, interoffice or backend
networks, and the Internet. Furthermore, the communication paths
include removable fixed mediums like floppy disks, hard disk
drives, and CD-ROM disks, as well as flash RAM, Universal Serial
Bus (USB) connections, RS-232 connections, telephone lines, buses,
and electronic mail messages.
[0261] One embodiment may be implemented using a conventional
general purpose or a specialized digital computer or
microprocessor(s) programmed according to the teachings of the
present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the
computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared
by skilled programmers based on the teachings of the present
disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software
art. The invention may also be implemented by the preparation of
integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of
conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0262] One embodiment includes a computer program product which is
a machine readable medium (media) having instructions stored
thereon/in which can be used to program one or more computing
devices to perform any of the features presented herein. The
machine readable medium can include, but is not limited to, one or
more types of disks including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD,
CD-ROMs, micro drive, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs,
EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or
optical cards, nanosystems (including molecular memory ICs), or any
type of media or device suitable for storing instructions and/or
data. Stored on any one of the computer readable medium (media),
the present invention includes software for controlling both the
hardware of the general purpose/specialized computer or
microprocessor, and for enabling the computer or microprocessor to
interact with a human viewer or other mechanism utilizing the
results of the present invention. Such software may include, but is
not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, execution
environments/containers, and applications.
[0263] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like
are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an
exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of
"including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural
number also include the plural or singular number respectively.
Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below,"
and words of similar import refer to this application as a whole
and not to any particular portions of this application. When the
word "or" is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that
word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any
of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any
combination of the items in the list.
[0264] The above description of embodiments of the systems and
methods described herein is not intended to be exhaustive or to
limit the systems and methods described to the precise form
disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the
systems and methods described herein are described herein for
illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of other systems and methods, as those
skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the
systems and methods described herein provided herein can be applied
to other processing systems and methods, not only for the systems
and methods described above.
[0265] The elements and acts of the various embodiments described
above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and
other changes can be made to the systems and methods described
herein in light of the above detailed description.
[0266] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should
not be construed to limit the embodiments to the specific
embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but
should be construed to include all systems that operate under the
claims. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited by the
disclosure, but instead the scope of the embodiments is to be
determined entirely by the claims.
[0267] While certain aspects of the embodiments are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various
aspects of the embodiments in any number of claim forms.
Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional
claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim
forms for other aspects of the embodiments described herein.
* * * * *