U.S. patent application number 13/341183 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-10 for user impression media analytics platform methods.
Invention is credited to Manish Bhatia, Pyeush Gurha, Nigel Stephen Pratt, Michael Scott Saxon.
Application Number | 20130014144 13/341183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47439451 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130014144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhatia; Manish ; et
al. |
January 10, 2013 |
USER IMPRESSION MEDIA ANALYTICS PLATFORM METHODS
Abstract
The USER IMPRESSION MEDIA ANALYTICS PLATFORM METHODS
("MR-Control") transforms TV program schedule listing information
and user channel selection via MR-Control components, into TV
audience viewing data and ad effects data. A method is disclosed,
comprising: obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing
the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile
device; receiving an indication of user channel selection;
determining a media program associated with the received indication
of user channel selection; determining an ad associated with the
determined media program; providing a survey question related to
the determined ad to the user mobile device; and receiving a user
response to the survey question.
Inventors: |
Bhatia; Manish; (US)
; Saxon; Michael Scott; (US) ; Pratt; Nigel
Stephen; (Los Altos, CA) ; Gurha; Pyeush;
(Mountain View, CA) |
Family ID: |
47439451 |
Appl. No.: |
13/341183 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61504913 |
Jul 6, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/8586 20130101;
H04N 21/252 20130101; H04N 21/8545 20130101; H04N 21/2541 20130101;
H04N 21/25891 20130101; H04H 60/31 20130101; G06Q 30/0241 20130101;
G06Q 30/0201 20130101; H04N 21/4222 20130101; G06Q 30/0267
20130101; H04N 21/42221 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; H04N
21/482 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04N 21/44222 20130101; H04N
21/42203 20130101; G06Q 30/0245 20130101; H04N 21/4821 20130101;
H04N 21/4826 20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/44204
20130101; H04N 21/4126 20130101; H04N 21/4758 20130101; H04N
21/2668 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101; H04N 21/6334 20130101;
H04N 21/251 20130101; H04N 21/25808 20130101; H04N 21/437 20130101;
H04N 21/44218 20130101; H04N 21/47815 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/13 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/23 20110101
H04N021/23 |
Claims
1. A TV mobile control processor-implemented method, comprising:
obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing the obtained
TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device
communicatively coupled to an infrared communication component;
receiving a user media program selection message from the user
mobile device, wherein the user mobile device transmits a TV remote
channel selection indication to a TV set via the infrared
communication component, wherein the user media program selection
message and the TV remote channel selection indication comprise the
same user selected channel; determining whether the received user
media program selection message indicates a user watching event;
determining a user watching time length associated with the user
selected channel when the received user media program selection
message is determined to indicate the user watching event; and
generating and storing a user watching event log file including the
user selected channel and the determined user watching time
length.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: filtering the
received user media program selection message when the received
user media program selection message is determined not to indicate
a user watching event.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user mobile device comprises
any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a cellular phone, a
laptop, a tablet computer, and a standalone table unit.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the TV program schedule listing
data is transmitted via a wireless network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user mobile device transmits
a TV remote channel selection indication to a TV set-top box via
the infrared plug-in component.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the TV remote channel selection
message comprises a non-live media program selection message.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-live media program
selection message comprises any of a DVD control message, a DVR
control message and an on-demand media control message.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether the
received user media program selection message indicates a user
watching event comprises: calculating a time lapse between two
consecutively received program selection messages; and determining
whether the time lapse is sufficiently long to indicate a user
watching event.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a user watching
time length comprises determining whether a time lapse between two
consecutively received program selection messages exceeds a capping
threshold.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a user watching
time length comprises applying watching time caps based on any of
TV on/off events, set-top box on/off events and heuristics.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising feeding the user
watching event log file for user viewing data record associated
with the selected media program.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user mobile device is
configured to operate any of the following: automatically scan on a
communication stack for a physical address of a TV set; and
connecting to a TV set based on user configured physical
address.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user mobile device receives
user submitted TV parameters to scan for a TV set.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining an
atmospherics data artifact from the atmospherics data package.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: extracting user
instant activities information based on analysis of the
atmospherics data artifact.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: generating a user
viewing status indication based on the user instant activities
information; and incorporating the user viewing status indication
into viewer measurement data of the user selected channel
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the received TV program schedule
listing data is received at a server and comprises a plurality of
ad tags.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: retrieving an ad
tag associated with the user selected media program from the TV
program schedule listing data.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: retrieving an ad tag
associated with the user selected media program from the TV program
schedule listing data; and generating a product survey question
based on the ad tag.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving audience
monitoring atmospherics data from the user mobile device; and
determining audience watching status indicia from the received
audience monitoring atmospherics data.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Applicant hereby claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.119 for
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/504,913 (attorney
docket no. 21261-002PV2), filed Jul. 6, 2011, entitled "Mobile
Remote Media Control Platform Apparatuses, Methods And
Systems."
[0002] The instant application is related to PCT international
application no. PCT/IL2010/000918, publication no. WO/2011/055365,
filed Nov. 7, 2010, entitled "System And Method For Mobile
Computing Transmission On A Network Of Data Associated With A
Television Display."
[0003] The instant application is further related to U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/341,400 (attorney docket no. 21261-002US1),
filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Mobile Remote Media Control Platform
Methods"; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/340,857 (attorney docket no.
21261-002US2), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Mobile Remote Media
Control Platform Apparatuses and Systems"; U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/340,933 (attorney docket no. 21261-003US1), filed Dec. 30,
2011, entitled "Audience Atmospherics Monitoring Platform Methods";
U.S. application serial No. 13/340,953 (attorney docket no.
21261-003US2), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Audience Atmospherics
Monitoring Platform Apparatuses and Systems"; U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/341,036 (attorney docket no. 21261-004US1), filed Dec. 30,
2011, entitled "Media Content Based Advertising Survey Platform
Methods"; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/341,076 (attorney docket no.
21261-004US2), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Media Content Based
Advertising Survey Platform Apparatuses and Systems"; U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/341,096 (attorney docket no. 21261-005US1),
filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Media Content Synchronized
Advertising Platform Methods"; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/341,118
(attorney docket no. 21261-005US2), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled
"Media Content Synchronized Advertising Platform Apparatuses and
Systems"; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/341,137 (attorney docket no.
21261-006US1), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Social Content
Monitoring Platform Methods"; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/341,165
(attorney docket no. 21261-006US2), filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled
"Social Content Monitoring Platform Apparatuses and Systems"; U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/341,199 (attorney docket no. 21261-007US2),
filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "User Impression Media Analytics
Platform Apparatuses and Systems"; U.S. application Ser. No.
13/341,217 (attorney docket no. 21261-008US1), filed Dec. 30, 2011,
entitled "Mobile Content Tracking Platform Methods"; and U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/341,254 (attorney docket no. 21261-008US2),
filed Dec. 30, 2011, entitled "Mobile Content Tracking Platform
Apparatuses and Systems."
[0004] The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are
herein expressly incorporated by reference.
[0005] This application for letters patent disclosure document
describes inventive aspects directed at various novel innovations
(hereinafter "disclosure") and contains material that is subject to
copyright, mask work, and/or other intellectual property
protection. The respective owners of such intellectual property
have no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the disclosure
by anyone as it appears in published Patent Office file/records,
but otherwise reserve all rights.
FIELD
[0006] The present innovations are directed generally to media
control, and more particularly, to USER IMPRESSION MEDIA ANALYTICS
PLATFORM METHODS.
BACKGROUND
[0007] A home TV user may view TV programs from a plurality of
channels. The user may operate a handheld remote TV controller sold
with the TV set to select TV channels. For example, the user may
push buttons on the remote controller to switch channels, turn
up/down audio volume, power on/off the TV. Merchants advertise
their products to attract consumers. Thus the TV audiences may
interact with the TV and select a desired channel without
physically touching it via operating the remote TV controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying appendices and/or drawings illustrate
various non-limiting, example, innovative aspects in accordance
with the present descriptions:
[0009] FIGS. 1A-1E show block diagrams illustrating example
embodiments of MR-Control;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2B provide data flow diagrams illustrating data
flows of TV remote monitoring within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0011] FIGS. 2C-2I provide logic flow diagrams illustrating logic
flows of TV remote monitoring within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0012] FIG. 3A provides a data flow diagram illustrating data flows
of media content based advertising within embodiments of
MR-Control;
[0013] FIGS. 3B-3E provide logic flow diagrams illustrating media
content based advertising within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0014] FIG. 4A provides a block diagram illustrating a client
mobile component within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0015] FIG. 4B provides a combined data flow and logic flow diagram
illustrating client-server interaction within embodiments of
MR-Control;
[0016] FIG. 4C provides a block diagram illustrating MR-Control
table top unit infrastructure within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0017] FIG. 5A provides a data flow diagram illustrating data
downloading from social media within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0018] FIG. 5B provides a block diagram illustrating infrastructure
of a media measurement portal within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0019] FIGS. 5C-5D provide logic flow diagrams illustrating
obtaining social media content within embodiments of
MR-Control;
[0020] FIGS. 5E-5F provide example data records illustrating data
structures of social media data within embodiments of
MR-Control;
[0021] FIGS. 6A-6F provide logic flow diagrams illustrating social
media content taxonomy within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0022] FIGS. 7A-7F provide example data flow and logic flow
diagrams illustrating cross-channel data collection of media
analytics within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0023] FIGS. 8A-8K provide screen shots illustrating user
interfaces of a mobile client component within embodiments of
MR-Control;
[0024] FIGS. 9A-9E provide example screen shots illustrating user
interfaces of media analytics within embodiments of MR-Control;
[0025] FIGS. 10A-10H provide example block diagrams and exemplary
screen shots illustrating cross-channel media analytics within
embodiments of MR-Control; and
[0026] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a
MR-Control controller;
[0027] The leading number of each reference number within the
drawings indicates the figure in which that reference number is
introduced and/or detailed. As such, a detailed discussion of
reference number 101 would be found and/or introduced in FIG. 1.
Reference number 201 is introduced in FIG. 2, etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The USER IMPRESSION MEDIA ANALYTICS PLATFORM METHODS
provides a client-server interactive platform whereby a user may
operate a general purpose personal mobile device (e.g., a smart
phone, etc.) to receive a list of TV programs schedules and submit
a selection of TV channel via the personal mobile device. In one
implementation, the user may operate the personal mobile device as
a TV remote controller. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
receive the user's selection of a channel and determine what media
contents the user has elected to watch. In one implementation, the
user's channel selection and viewing status may be populated to a
social media platform, and the MR-Control may obtain user response
with regard to a TV program from the social media to perform
analytics for TV program feedback review.
[0029] For example, in one implementation, a user may plug a
MR-Control accessory (e.g., 120 in FIG. 1) into his mobile device,
such as a smartphone (e.g., an Apple iPhone, BlackBerry, Google
Android, Palm, HTC Evo, Samsung Galaxy, etc.), laptop, personal
digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer (e.g., Apple iTouch, iPad,
etc.), and/or the like, to facilitate communication between the
mobile device and a home TV set. In an alternative implementation,
the MR-Control accessory may be a standalone table top unit which
may not need to be attached to a user mobile device. For example,
the table top unit may communicate with a desktop computer, a
laptop computer, a cell phone or mobile device and/or the like via
wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.). In
further implementations, the table top unit may monitor audience
activities as further illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2E-2H. Further
implementations of the table top unit are illustrated in FIG. 4C.
Within implementations, a MR-Control server may obtain real-time TV
program listing, including the TV program schedule, advertisement
schedule, and/or the like, from a TV network. The user may then
obtain the list of TV program schedules from the MR-Control, e.g.,
as shown at 115 in FIG. 1. The user may then submit a channel
selection, e.g., tap on the touch screen of the mobile device as
shown at 105 in FIG. 1. In one implementation, upon receiving the
user channel selection, the MR-Control server may retrieve data
record from a media content database and check program table to
determine what's the TV program on air. For example, if the user
selects the channel "CBS," the MR-Control may ascertain "CBS" has
"The Big Bang Theory" on air based on the timestamp when the user
submits the selection. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
further retrieve a program table to obtain information with regard
to the advertisement streamed during the intervals of the TV play
"The Big Bang Theory" and/or the product placement advertisements
tagged in the TV play "The Big Bang Theory" on "CBS."
[0030] In another implementation, the MR-Control may parse
commercial ad information retrieved at and generate prompt
questions, surveys, and/or the like 408. For example, if the
MR-Control determines the user is supposed to watch a series of
"Audi" commercial during the show "The Big Bang Theory," the
MR-Control may prompt a survey including questions with regard to
automobile purchasing. In another implementation, the MR-Control
may keep a record of advertisements that has played on channels the
user has recently selected (e.g., for a period of past 2 weeks,
etc.), and generate prompt questions based on such advertisements.
In one implementation, the user may submit responses to such
questions.
[0031] In a further implementation, when a user is provided a
question with regard to an embedded advertisement in the TV show
(e.g., "are you interested in the red bag the character is
carrying?" etc.), the user may submit a request to learn more
and/or purchase the product. In that case, the MR-Control may
provide a merchant URL to the user and/or redirect the user to the
merchant site.
[0032] In one implementation, MR-Control may monitor whether the
user is "actually" attending and watching the selected TV channel.
For example, the user's mobile device may capture, aggregate and
packetize atmospherics data (e.g., taking photos of the user,
recoding audio clips, obtaining GPS information, etc.) and submit
to the MR-Control, which may in turn decode the atmospherics data
to analyze ad effect and audience perception, as further
illustrated in FIGS. 2E-2G.
MR-Control
[0033] FIG. 1A shows a block diagram flow chart illustrating work
flows of MR-Control within embodiments of the MR-Control. Within
embodiments, the MR-Control platform 105 may facilitate clients,
such as merchants, brand name manufacturers, media producers,
and/or the like to plan 105a advertisement campaign program, track
advertisement targets to determine ad delivery 105c (e.g., whether
the ads are viewed by the audience, etc.) and performance 105b
(e.g., whether the advertisements meet a sales/brand image goal,
etc.).
[0034] Within implementations, the MR-Control platform 105 may
interact with user mobile devices, e.g., PDAs, smart phones, etc.,
for targeted mobile advertisement delivery 104. For example, in one
implementation, MR-Control platform may obtain a TV viewing status
information from a user's mobile device, and determine the TV
program content the user is/has been watching based on TV
schedules, as further discussed in FIG. 1B. When MR-Control
determines the user selected channel contains a TV ad of "Geico"
104b, MR-Control may deliver promotions, rewards, coupons,
questionnaires, etc., related to "Geico" as a targeted ad 104a to
the user mobile device.
[0035] In one implementation, MR-Control platform 105 may obtain
data related to user interactive activities with regard to mobile
ads, TV viewing, Internet 102 (including online browsing,
purchasing, etc.), social media, and/or the like to analyze ad
effects, TV rating so that to determine delivery 105c and
performance 105b of an advertisement campaign. Within
implementations, the ad campaign planning 105a, ad performance 105b
and ad delivery 105c, may be separately executed by the MR-Control
platform 105 for each media type, e.g., TV, print, Internet, social
media, etc.
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a block diagram illustrating a user engaging a
personal mobile device as a TV remote control within embodiments of
MR-Control. In one embodiment, a user may download a MR-Control
client component for instantiation on his general purpose personal
mobile device 115. For example, the user may obtain a MR-Control
application from the iTunes Store and download it to his Apple.RTM.
iPhone, iTouch, iPad, and/or the like. In one implementation, the
user may plug-in a MR-Control accessory 120 to the mobile device
115 so that the mobile device may communicate with a home TV set
130 as a remote controller.
[0037] In one implementation, upon instantiating the downloaded
MR-Control client component, the user may receive a schedule
listing of TV programs, and may select a channel that the user is
interested. For example, the user may tap on the listed item to
select "CH2: CBS The Big Bang Theory 105." In one implementation,
the MR-Control plug-in accessory 120 may receive the indication of
user channel selection and transmit such indication to the home TV
set 130, and the TV 130 may switch to the channel "CBS 110"
accordingly.
[0038] In a further implementation, the user's selection of channel
"CBS 105" may be transmitted to a MR-Control, which may in turn
automatically populate a message on social media, e.g., a Facebook
status update showing the user "is watching The Big Bang Theory on
CBS 135." In an alternative implementation, the user may elect to
manually enter and populate the social media feeds via the
MR-Control client component instantiated on his personal mobile
device.
[0039] For another example, the social message, e.g., a Tweet
message, may contextually tag the text on key terms to indicate
what the user is watching, e.g., the Tweet hashtags "#The Big Bang
Theory," "#CBS," etc. In one implementation, the hashtags may link
to profile information of a TV show, including its scheduled airing
time, crew information, description, and/or the like. In further
implementations, the Tweet hashtags may be employed for social
content data taxonomy engine, as further illustrated in FIGS.
6B-6E.
[0040] FIG. 1B shows a block diagram illustrating an example
embodiment of audience attendance monitoring within embodiments of
the MR-Control. Within implementations, MR-Control may monitor the
audience attendance of selected TV program. For example, upon a
user selecting a TV channel at his personal mobile device 115
(e.g., by tapping on the channel listing as shown at 105 in FIG.
1A), the user may or may not be present watching the TV program
broadcasting on the channel, e.g., the user may step away, may
engage in other activities distracting him from the TV, may invite
one or more other audience watching the selected TV channel, etc.
In such scenarios, MR-Control may constantly, periodically and/or
intermittently "monitor" the audience status to obtain knowledge of
the audience viewing data.
[0041] As shown in one example in FIG. 1B, the personal mobile
device 115 may automatically snap a photo and/or a video clip of
the audience scene including the audience 118 watching the TV
program 110. For example, the MR-Control may be configured to snap
a photo or video clip periodically (e.g., every 10 minutes, etc.).
The MR-Control may then packetize the obtained photo/video clip as
audience atmospherics data 125 for audience attendance
analysis.
[0042] In further implementations, MR-Control may include various
data into the atmospherics data packets. For example, MR-Control
may "listen" and record an audio clip of the audience scene. For
another example, MR-Control may prompt the user to indicate how
many audience are present to watch the on-going TV program. For
another example, MR-Control may monitor whether the user is
engaging in other application activities on the personal mobile
device 115, e.g., email(s), Facebook, browser activities, gaming
applications, etc. For another example, MR-Control may include GPS
information of the personal mobile device 115 into the atmospherics
data.
[0043] In one implementation, MR-Control may be configured to
automatically create photo/video/audio captures. In another
implementation, MR-Control may prompt the user to manually enter
desired information, such as how many individuals are present to
watch the TV program, and/or request the user position the built-in
camera of the mobile device to snap photos/video clips. In one
implementation, MR-Control may provide promotion incentives for the
user to cooperate with such requests, e.g., lottery opportunities,
etc.
[0044] In one implementation, MR-Control may analyze the obtained
audience atmospherics data 125. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B,
MR-Control may identify the number of audience 138 at an associated
timestamp from an audience scene photo/video 135 via face
recognition software, e.g., Apple iPhoto face recognition, etc.
[0045] FIG. 1C shows an example of intelligent mobile questionnaire
within implementations of the MR-Control. In one implementation,
MR-Control may send synchronized questionnaire to a user's personal
mobile device 115 based on the media program on-air at the user's
selected TV channel. For example, if the user's selected TV channel
130 includes an advertisement 145 of Audi automobiles, MR-Control
may generate a question 123 to inquire the user's desired
automobile brand. Such inquiry results may be collected by
MR-Control and fed to the advertising brand merchant 150 (e.g.,
Audi, etc.) to determine performance of the advertisement 145. For
example, if the user selects "Audi" when inquired about his desired
automobile brand after watching the Audi advertisement channel, it
may show effectiveness of the advertisement 155 over the TV
channel. In further implementations, MR-Control may include product
placement advertisements, and/or the like in the pop-up
questionnaire 123, as further discussed in FIGS. 2 and 7B.
[0046] FIG. 1D shows an example of media analytics within
embodiments of the MR-Control. In one implementation, a MR-Control
client may desire to know public opinions of their products, e.g.,
brand name products, TV programs, and/or the like. For example, as
shown in FIG. 1D, the producer "CBS," e.g., merchant 150, may want
to know audience's reaction about the production "The Big Bang
Theory" 180. In one implementation, the MR-Control may collect data
from social media platforms, such as, but not limited to Twitter,
Facebook, and/or the like, user comments and activities with regard
to the show "The Big Bang Theory." For example, MR-Control may
obtain Tweets about users' comments on "The Big Bang Theory" 185.
For another example, MR-Control may obtain Facebook user comments,
activities (e.g., user "like" of the "The Big Bang Theory" page,
news feed, etc.) from Facebook. Further implementations of
obtaining data from social media platforms are discussed in FIGS.
5A-5F.
[0047] In one implementation, MR-Control may generate a media
analytics report 190 based on the obtained social media user
comments to reflect audience reaction to the show "The Big Bang
Theory." For example, in one implementation, the report may
comprise statistical data with regard to audience age,
demographics, occupation, etc. Further examples of media analytics
report are discussed in FIG. 8C.
[0048] FIG. 2A shows a block diagram illustrating data flows
between NR-Control server and affiliated entities within various
embodiments of the MR-Control. Within various embodiments, one or
more users 233a, MR-Control server 220, social media 250, TV
network 270, MR-Control database(s) 219, merchant 280, and/or
social media 250 are shown to interact via various communication
network 213.
[0049] In one embodiment, the MR-Control may receive a list of real
time TV program 237a. For example, in one implementation, the TV
program 237 data may comprise information such as channel
information, media program information of each channel, program
schedule information, and/or the like. For example, the TV network
270 may provide a (Secure) Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP(S)")
PUT message including the TV schedule data 237a in the form of data
formatted according to the eXtensible Markup Language ("XML").
Below is an example HTTP(S) PUT message including an XML-formatted
TV schedule for the MR-Control server:
TABLE-US-00001 PUT /TVschedule.php HTTP/1.1 Host: www.TV.com
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 718 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <TVSchedule> <Date>
09-09-2000 </Date> <Channel1> <ChannelID> CH001
</ChannelID> <ChannelName> CBS </ChannelName>
<Program1> <StartTime> 9:00:00 </StartTime>
<MediaID> 1234456 </MediaID> <EndTime> 9:45:00
</EndTime> </Program1> <Program2> ...
</Program2> ... </Channel1> <Channel2> ...
</Channel2> ... </TVSchedule>
[0050] The media program may further comprise information such as
media air time, media length, advertisement tag timestamp, ad name,
ad product information, and/or the like. The media program may
further comprise a sub-table comprising embedded advertisement tags
(e.g., see 343a in FIG. 3A).
[0051] In further implementations, the TV schedule 237 may comprise
sub-tables including information with regard to the media programs.
For example, an exemplary XML-formatted TV program table takes a
form similar to the following:
TABLE-US-00002 <TVProgram> <ID> 00001 </ID>
<Name> The Big Bang Theory </Name> <Genre> Comedy
</Genre> <Networks> CBS </Networks>
<Actors> <Actor1> Jim Parsons </Actor1> ...
</Actors> <FirstRun> 08-2008 </FirstRun>
<AiringTime> <StartTime> 9:00:00 </StartTime>
<EndTime> 9:45:00 </EndTime> <Weekday> Thursday
</Weekday> <Frequency> Weekly </Frequency> ...
</AiringTime> <KeyWords> <KeyWord1> Geeks
</Keyword1> <KeyWord2> Physicists </Keyword2> ...
</KeyWords> <Characters> <Character1> Sheldon
Cooper </Character1> <Character2> Penny
</Character2> ... </Characters> ...
</TVProgram>
[0052] In one embodiment, the user 233a may operate a client mobile
device, which may receive a list of real time TV programs 237b. In
one embodiment, upon reviewing the received channel schedule 237b,
the user may submit a channel selection by tapping on a selected
channel (e.g., see 105 in FIG. 1B). In one implementation, the user
mobile device may be enabled with an infrared remote control
component (e.g., a plug-in accessory 120 in FIG. 1B), and may send
the channel submission indication 235a to a client TV 233b (e.g., a
home TV set) via an infrared communication channel, which may
result in a channel switch on TV. In another embodiment, when the
user selects the channel from his mobile device (e.g., an Apple
iPhone, etc.), the channel selection message 235b may be
transmitted to the MR-Control server 220 in real time.
[0053] In another implementation, the MR-Control server 220 may
provide the TV program schedule data to a TV set-top box (STB) 201,
e.g., via a cable network, wherein the STB may receive user TV
event messages 235a and forward such information 235c to the
MR-Control server 220. In another implementation, the STB 201 may
directly communicate with a MR-Control infrared component (e.g.,
120 in FIG. 1B), a table unit, and/or the like. In one
implementation, the TV event 235a/b/c may comprise a variety of TV
events, such as, but not limited to TV on/off, STB on/off, channel
switch, and/or the like. In further implementations, when the user
has registered non-live media facility (e.g., DVR, DVD, TiVo, etc.)
with the MR-Control, the TV event 235a/b/c may comprise DVD player
on/off, TiVo on/off, TiVo channel change, and/or the like. In one
implementation, to operate and exchange data with the STB, the
presentation layer on the user mobile device may adopt development
tools, such as but not limited to Android, iOS app development
tools, and/or the like. In one implementation, the TV set-up top
box may similarly employ a presentation layer development tool
compatible with that of the user mobile device, and may
additionally employ HTML5 and web 2.0 presentation layers.
[0054] In one implementation, a TV channel selection event 235b may
be logged by the MR-Control server 220 and stored as a real time
data record in a MR-Control database 219. For example, in one
implementation, the user device may provide a HTTPS POST message
including the TV channel selection message 235b in the form of data
formatted according to the XML. Below is an example HTTP(S) POST
message including an XML-formatted user trigger for the MR-Control
server:
TABLE-US-00003 PUT /CHsubmission.php HTTP/1.1 Host: 255.000.00.1
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 701 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <CHSelectionEvent>
<EventID> 1111 <EventID> <EventType> CH Switch
</EventType> <Time> 19:00:00 </Time> <Date>
09-09-2000 </Date> <UserID> JDoe </USerID>
<UserName> John Doe </UserName> <DeviceID> JD0001
</DeviceID> <IP> 255.000.00.1 </IP>
<HardwareID> 00001 </HardwareID> <AppID>
JDDOEMOBILE 00001 </AppID> <MAC> 00:00:00:00:00:00
</MAC> <Channel> <ChannelName> CBS
</ChannelName> <Category> Comedy </Category>
<Program> The Big Bang Theory> </Program>
<Episode> 4-1 </Episode> <StartTime> 19:00:00
</StartTime> <EndTime> 19:29:45 </EndTime>
<Duration> 29'45'' </Duration> </Channel> ...
</CHSelectionEvent>
[0055] In further implementation, the user's mobile device may send
event messages. Such event messages may include channel selection
message 235b, user checkin/checkout action (e.g., user signing
in/out to a MR-Control mobile/web-based client portal, etc.),
and/or the like. In one implementation, the events may be sent to
the MR-Control server 220 via Https Post web based API, which may
comprise a type identifier and a set of parameters of the event
data, e.g., channel selection, user response, etc. In one
implementation, MR-Control server 220 may save such event data at
CSV format. For example, the following Tables I and II provide an
exemplary data structure of an event message:
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 1 Watching Event Data Structure User Action
Event Type Parameters MR-Control App Started 1 EventID, UserID
Pulse Event (keep alive 2 EventID, userID, zipcode, ping, sent
every 10 min) SourceID, time-zone, isSocial, tmsID, timestamp
Change change 3 Same as Type 2 Check in 10 Same as Type 2 Check out
11 Same as Type 2
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 2 Event Data Parameters Parameter Type Details
EventID INT Unique identifier that is generated for each event that
is added to the DB UserID String Unique identifier for a MR-
Control user. The client app may send the device UDID. Zipcode INT
Zipcode as entered by the user at the client app SourceID INT An ID
in a media service program that identifies a channel Time-zone INT
The offset from GMT tmsID String Unique identifier of a program (an
episode or a program with a single occurrence). Using the tms data,
these can be mapped also to the show/series isSocial INT A boolean
that is used to filter social event data from being shared with
friends (e.g., see 275a)
[0056] In one embodiment, upon submitting a channel selection, the
user 233a may populate social media feeds of his viewing status
275a to the social media network 250, wherein the user's friends
may view his status, knowing what the user is watching, electing to
"like," "dislike," and/or comment on his status, and/or the like.
For example, in one implementation, a MR-Control client app may
comprise a social feature (e.g., see 715 in FIG. 7A) so that a user
may input a social media message (e.g., 715b/c in FIG. 7A). In
another implementation, the MR-Control may automatically generate a
social message based on a pre-populated message format (e.g., a
Tweet format with hashtags, etc.) send a message indicating the
user's viewing status 275b to the social media 250, which may
automatically populate a social media status update. In such cases,
the social media platform 250 may request user authorization for
MR-Control server 220 to access, e.g., download social data or send
social data to social media, etc. The MR-Control may obtain a user
token for authorization to access the user's social media profile,
content, and/or the like. The user authorization may be further
discussed in FIGS. 5A-5C.
[0057] For example, in one implementation, the MR-Control may
provide a HTTPS POST message including a social message 275b in the
form of data formatted according to the XML. Below is an example
HTTP(S) POST message including an XML-formatted user viewing status
275a/b for the MR-Control server:
TABLE-US-00006 PUT /UserSocial.php HTTP/1.1 Host:
www.MR-Control.com Destination: www.Facebook.com Content-Type:
Application/XML Content-Length: 701 <?XML version = "1.0"
encoding = "UTF-8"?> <SocialMessage> <MsgID>
Facebook1111 <MsgID> <Time> 19:00:00 </Time>
<Date> 09-09-2000 </Date> <UserID> JDoe
</USerID> <UserName> John Doe </UserName>
<UserTokenID> 12324 </UserTokenID> <AppID> MR0001
</AppID> <Action> <ActionType> Status Update
</ActionType> <Content> ''is watching The Big Bang
Theory on CBS'' </Content> <Rating> N/A </Rating>
... </Action> <Tags> <Tag1> Big Bang Theory
</Tag1> <Tag2> CBS </Tag2> ... </Tags> ...
</SocialMessage>
[0058] In the above example, the MR-Control server 220 may
automatically populate a social message to the user's Facebook
page, showing a status update "John Doe is watching The Big Bang
Theory on CBS."
[0059] In a further implementation, the user 233a may receive
friends' recommendations 277 of TV programs from the social media
250 (e.g., see 705 in FIG. 7A). For example, the user may view a
scroll-down list of friends' recommendations from a user interface
via the user's mobile device.
[0060] In further embodiments, MR-Control may load data 278 from
the social media platform 250, e.g., user profile information, user
comments/activity data related to an advertisement/a TV program,
and/or the like. Further implementations and example data
structures of the social media data 278 are discussed in FIG.
5F.
[0061] FIG. 2B shows a block diagram illustrating data flows
between MR-Control entities within alternative embodiments of the
MR-Control. Within implementations, user mobile device 233a may
perform "ambient listening" on the user. For example, when a user
has submitted a channel selection, it is not guaranteed whether the
user is indeed watching the TV program selected, e.g., the user may
walk away, engaging in other activities such as playing video
games, chatting with others, etc. As such, the user's mobile device
233a may "listen-in" the user's behavior, e.g., by capturing live
video of the surroundings of the user, by recording audio clips, by
capturing a picture, and/or the like, to capture information as to
whether and/or what the user is watching the TV. In one
implementation, such "listen-in" data (e.g., video clips, audio
clips, pictures, device application status, GPS coordinates, etc.)
may be aggregated and packetized as atmospherics data 239 and
transmitted to the MR-Control server 220, which may analyze such
atmospherics data to determine whether the user is watching, and
integrate the atmospherics analytics in an audience statistics
report 245. In one implementation, the MR-Control may provide the
audience statistics report 245 to the TV network 270 for TV program
audience feedbacks.
[0062] For another example, in one implementation, the user device
233a may generate an atmospherics data package as a HTTPS POST
message in the form of data formatted according to the XML. Below
is an example HTTP(S) POST message including an XML-formatted
atmospherics data 239 to provide to the MR-Control server 220:
TABLE-US-00007 PUT /Listen-in.php HTTP/1.1 Host: 255.000.00.1
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 701 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Atmospherics>
<AtmosID> AT0003 </AtmosID> <AtmosType> Listen-in
</AtmosType> ... <Time> 19:00:00 </Time>
<Date> 09-09-2000 </Date> <UserID> JDoe
</USerID> <UserName> John Doe </UserName>
<DeviceID> JD0001 </DeviceID> <IP> 255.000.00.1
</IP> <HardwareID> 00001 </HardwareID>
<AppID> JDDOEMOBILE 00001 </AppID> <MAC>
00:00:00:00:00:00 </MAC> <Data1> <Type> audio
</Type> <FileFormat> MP3 </FileFormat>
<FileName> MyRecord </FileName> <Length> 10s
</Length> <Size> 567 KB </Size> ...
</Data1> <Data2> <Type> Image </Type>
<Format> JPEG </Format> <FileName> MyPic
</FileName> <Exif> <Source> iPhone
</Source> <Timestamp> 19:00:00 <Timestamp>
<size> 1024 .times. 768 </size> <focus> 600/100
</focus> ... </Exif> ... <Data2> <Data3>
<Type> GPS </Type> <Content> 45 Garden Street
</GPS> ... </Data3> <Data4> <Type> Device
App </Type> <Timestamp> 19:00:00 </Timestamp>
<App1> <Name> Angry Bird </Name> <Type>
Gaming </Type> <Status> Active </Status> ...
</App1> </Data4> ... </Atmospherics>2
[0063] The user device may perform "ambient listening" and generate
atmospherics data package constantly, intermittently, and/or
periodically (e.g., every hour, etc.) to "listen-in" user's
watching status, e.g., whether the user is paying attention to the
selected TV program. In the above example, the generated
atmospherics data package may comprise a variety of data segments,
such as a "MyRecord.mp3" audio clip which may indicate whether the
played audio matches a selected channel program, whether the user
is chatting with friends (e.g., see 298 at FIG. 2D); a "MyPic.JPEG"
photo taken by an iPhone camera, which may indicate whether the
user is present with the TV set, and/or one or more individuals are
present (e.g., see 297 at FIG. 2D); GPS information of the user
mobile device which may indicate whether the user is present at his
residential address where the home TV is located (e.g., see 299c at
FIG. 2D); user mobile device application status information
including an actively running gaming application (e.g., "Angry
Bird"), which may indicate the user is playing the video game
instead of paying attention to the TV program (e.g., see 299a at
FIG. 2D). In one implementation, the atmospherics data 239a and/or
analytics may be incorporated into a data record 290a and stored in
the database 219.
[0064] In another implementation, the user mobile device may send a
device application event 241 indicating user device application
status to the MR-Control server 220. For example, the device
application event 241 may comprise an actively engaged application
information on the device, e.g., application ID, application name,
application category, push email heart beat pulse, etc, which may
suggest audience activities while watching TV, e.g., video gaming,
texting, calling, checking email, browsing, playing music, editing
photos, and/or the like. For example, in one implementation, the
user device 233a may generate a mobile application event as a HTTPS
POST message in the form of data formatted according to the XML.
Below is an example HTTP(S) POST message including an XML-formatted
device application status 241 to provide to the MR-Control server
220:
TABLE-US-00008 PUT /MobileApp.php HTTP/1.1 Host: 255.000.00.1
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 701 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <MobileApp> <Time>
19:00:56 </Time> <Date> 09-09-2000 </Date>
<UserID> JDoe </USerID> <UserName> John Doe
</UserName> <DeviceID> JD0001 </DeviceID>
<IP> 255.000.00.1 </IP> <HardwareID> 00001
</HardwareID> <AppID> JDDOEMOBILE 00001 </AppID>
<MAC> 00:00:00:00:00:00 </MAC> <EventType> gaming
</EventType> <App1> <Name> Angry Bird
</Name> <Type> Gaming </Type> <Status>
Active </Status> <StartTime> 19:00:45
</StartTime> <EndTime> 19:00:56 </EndTime>
<Duration> o'11'' </Duration> ... </App1>
[0065] In one implementation, the device application status 241 may
comprise a list of application names that have been open and active
for a minimum amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds, etc.). In another
implementation, the device application status 241 may be
periodically harvested to the MR-Control server.
[0066] FIG. 2C provides a logic diagram illustrating user-server
interactions within embodiments of the MR-Control. In one
embodiment, a user may instantiate a MR-Control application
component on a mobile device 250. The user may also plug a
MR-Control accessory (e.g., 120 in FIG. 1) into his mobile device
to facilitate communication between the mobile device and a home TV
set.
[0067] In one implementation, the user may submit a session request
253 to the MR-Control server 220 via the mobile application, e.g.,
as shown in Table 1, the session request 253 may comprise a user ID
and an event/session ID to indicate the MR-Control application has
stared. Upon receiving a user request, the MR-Control server 220
may determine whether the user has registered with MR-Control 255.
For example, in one implementation, the user may be a new user to
the MR-Control application service, who may just download and
install the mobile application but has not registered. If the user
is not registered 258, the user may be requested to submit
registration information, such as user name, phone number, email
address, residential address, and/or the like for registration 260.
The MR-Control may also obtain a physical address, a hardware ID of
the user mobile device, etc., for registration purposes.
[0068] In one implementation, upon registration, the MR-Control
server 220 may obtain and store a user application ID, and/or a
session ID 265 to start the MR-Control service session. In one
implementation, the MR-Control server 220 may obtain a real-time TV
program listing 267, e.g., from a TV network, a TV broadcasting
service, etc. In one implementation, the MR-Control server 220 may
obtain the TV schedule updates on a periodical basis (e.g., daily,
etc.), and store the TV schedule information at a TV schedule
database. In one implementation, the user 233a may receive a list
of TV programs 270 via the MR-Control application, e.g., see 710 in
FIG. 7A.
[0069] In one implementation, the user mobile device may send a
user event message 280 to the MR-Control server 220, and the
MR-Control server may monitor user event messages 276 from the user
device. As discussed in FIGS. 2A-2B and will be further discussed
in FIGS. 3A and 5A, the received user event at 276 may comprise a
variety of events/messages, such as, but not limited to user TV
event (e.g., 235b in FIG. 2A), user device application event (e.g.,
241 in FIG. 2B), atmospherics data (e.g., 239 in FIG. 2B), social
content (e.g., 525a/b in FIG. 5A), response to ads/surveys (e.g.,
339 in FIG. 3A), and/or the like. In one implementation, upon
receiving the message, the MR-Control may determine a type of the
message 288. In one implementation, the user event message may
comprise user channel submission event 289b, check-in/out messages,
and/or the like, e.g., see 235a in FIG. 2A. For another example,
the user event message may comprise atmospherics data 289a (as
further illustrated in FIG. 2E), ad/survey response 289c (as
further illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3C), social data 289d (as further
illustrated in FIG. 5B), non-live TV consumption message 289e (as
illustrated in FIG. 2G. For example, in one implementation, the
MR-Control may determine the message types 289a-e based on the data
structure, e.g., a field value of a field "message type" as shown
in Table 2, message type code in the header information of a
received data packet, and/or the like.
[0070] FIG. 2D provides a logic flow diagram illustrating TV
channel submission (e.g., 289b/e) message (for live TV, and/or
non-live TV program such as DVD playing, TiVo, media on demand,
and/or the like) processing within implementations of the
MR-Control. In one implementation, upon receiving a channel TV
event message at 289b/e, the MR-Control server may parse the
received data message 2001 and save it in a raw data message
database, e.g., as XML-formatted records in 219a. For example, a
variety of exemplary XML-formatted TV event message data structures
(e.g., TV on/off, STB on/off, DVD on/off, channel change, etc.) are
discussed at 235a in FIG. 2A.
[0071] Within implementations, the MR-Control may determine whether
each received TV event message indicates a stable TV channel
program selection, or a channel surfing. In one implementation, the
MR-Control retrieve a list of unprocessed TV message records (e.g.,
grouped per user profile) 2002 from the raw data store 219a. For
every two consecutively received messages 2005, the MR-Control may
calculate the elapsed time in-between 2008, and determine whether
the elapse time is greater than a pre-determined surfing threshold
(e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.). For example, when the elapsed
time is shorter than the surfing threshold, indicating the user may
be frequently switching channels to browse the program, the
MR-Control may not consider the channel selection message as
effective TV viewing, and may filter such message records from TV
viewing analysis 2013.
[0072] In another implementation, when the elapsed time is greater
than the surfing threshold 2009, suggesting the user may at least
spend an amount of time staying on the selected channel, the
MR-Control may further determine whether the elapsed time is
greater than a capping threshold 2015. For example, when the
elapsed time is too long, greater than the capping threshold (e.g.,
2 hours, 3 hours, etc.), it may suggest a user may just let the TV
on without watching. In such cases, MR-Control may apply capping
edit rules to compute a "real" watching time 2025. For example, if
the elapsed time between a first TV channel switch and a second
channel switch is 5 hours, the MR-Control may not log 5 hours as
the watching time for the first selected channel, as the capping
threshold is 2 hours. The MR-Control may in turn determine the
watching time of the first selected channel as capped by a STB/TV
off event (e.g., when a STB/TV off event is received during the
elapsed time, the watching time may not exceed the timestamp of the
STB/TV off event), TV program end time (e.g., when the playing TV
program on the first selected channel ends during the elapsed time,
the watching time is calculated as the time elapse between the
first TV channel event and the TV program end time), and/or the
like, e.g., at 2023. In further implementations, the MR-Control may
apply cutoff thresholds based on historical heuristics via
statistical analysis 2023. For example, the MR-Control may
determine the watching time based on individual habits, e.g., a
user has been observed to stay on the same channel for at most 1
hour, etc. For another example, the cut-off threshold may be
analyzed by channel, e.g., 1 hour on CBS, 2 hours on ABC family,
and/or the like.
[0073] In one implementation, when the elapsed time does not exceed
a capping threshold at 2015, and/or when the watching time has been
re-calculated based on capping rules at 2025, the MR-Control may
retrieve TV program information on the user selected channel 2018,
and generate a user channel selection log file 2020. For example,
the log file may comprise fields such as user ID, channel ID,
channel selection time, user watching time, channel program name,
channel program ID, and/or the like. Such generated log files may
be fed to a user TV viewing data engine 2030 for audience analytics
219b. For example, the audience analytics database 219b may be
utilized to analyze TV viewing rates of a TV program, product/brand
impression of advertised products during the user watching time,
and/or the like. Exemplary audience analytics reports are discussed
at FIG. 10A-10H.
[0074] the MR-Control server 220 may retrieve TV program
information to determine the TV program played on the user selected
channel 292. For example, the MR-Control may query on a TV program
table (e.g., obtained at 267 at FIG. 2C) based on an instant
timestamp and the user selected channel. The MR-Control may log the
user channel selection with the timestamp 292 in a database, e.g.,
at 290a in FIG. 2A.
[0075] In one implementation, MR-Control may generate TV viewing
data for the retrieve TV program 293. In one implementation,
MR-Control may associate the user selection to the TV viewing rate
of the retrieved TV program, and may refine the TV viewing rate
with atmospherics analytics at 306. For example, in one
implementation, the MR-Control may monitor groups of audience's
channel selection, wherein the audience groups may be defined based
on age, geography, and/or the like. In one implementation, the
MR-Control may generate an audience summary via a dashboard, e.g.,
see FIG. 8H.
[0076] FIG. 2E provides a logic flow diagram illustrating
atmospherics data (e.g., 289a) analytics within implementations of
the MR-Control. In one implementation, upon receiving an
atmospherics data message 289a, the MR-Control server may decode
the atmospherics data and obtain atmospherics artifacts 296a, e.g.,
a photo, an audio clip, and/or the like. In one implementation, for
each decoded artifact, the MR-Control may determine the artifact
type 296b, e.g., based on the file name, file extension, etc.
[0077] In another implementation, the MR-Control may incorporate
the received device application status (e.g., 289f for user
activity analytics. For example, the MR-Control may capture active
application s running on the device 299a from the received device
application data, and determine user activities when viewing 299b,
e.g., emailing, browsing Internet content, texting, video gaming,
and/or the like. Such indicated user activity data may be
incorporated into audience attendance estimation 2100.
[0078] In one implementation, the artifact may comprise a visual
data file 297, such as a video file (e.g., "wmv," "mp4," "avi,"
"rm," etc.), an image file (e.g., "JPEG," "bmp," "tiff," "gif,"
etc.), and/or the like. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
determine graphical content 297 of the visual file. For example,
the MR-Control may perform image analysis to determine whether the
photo image, and/or video frames comprise a scene of audience,
and/or a TV screen. In one implementation, a mobile application at
the user mobile device, e.g., iPhone, etc., may perform face
recognition at a photo taken at an iPhone, and integrate such data
in the atmospherics data package, e.g., an iPhoto including two
faces, etc. In another implementation, the MR-Control server may
perform facial recognition to determine audience presence 297a. In
other implementations, the MR-Control server may perform image
analysis to determine user activities in the photo image, e.g.,
reading a book, doing housework, and/or the like. In further
implementations, a MR-Control panelist may review the photo image
and determine audience status.
[0079] In another implementation, the MR-Control may determine
whether a TV screen image matches the TV program associated with
the user channel selection 297b, e.g., the user may switch to watch
recorded program (e.g., TiVo, DVD player, etc.) instead of live TV
program on the channel, and in such cases, the MR-Control may not
receive an indication of such change. For example, in one
implementation, MR-Control may perform image analysis to determine
whether the received image photo (and/or a video frame grab)
contains a TV screen shot 297b, e.g., by detecting edges of a
rectangular shaped object on the image, etc. For another example,
the MR-Control may store a plurality of sample screen shots from
the TV program played at the user submitted channel, and may
compare the received image photo with each of the stored sample
screen shots. In further implementations, a MR-Control panelist may
assist in reviewing and determining whether the user TV screen
matches the played TV program. In one implementation, if the
MR-Control determines the user is absent from a TV set, or engaging
in other activities from the graphic analysis, MR-Control may
generate negative heuristics with regard to TV viewing data of the
TV program on air.
[0080] In another implementation, if the received atmospherics data
comprises an audio artifact (e.g., with a file extension of "way,"
"mp3," "ape," "m4a," etc.), the MR-Control may perform audio
analysis to determine a content of the audio 298. For example, the
MR-Control may analyze the frequency range of the audio content to
determine the sound source, e.g., whether it is human voice,
ambient noise, media broadcasting, and/or the like.
[0081] In one implementation, if the audio content comprises human
voice (e.g., within the frequency range 60.about.7000 Hz), the
MR-Control may determine whether the human voice is from the
audience or broadcasting media. For example, the MR-Control may
perform voice recognition to determine whether the human voice
matches with any of the characters in the TV program on air on the
user submitted channel, e.g., at 298a.1. If not, the MR-Control may
determine such human voices may indicate audience presence 298a,
e.g., whether more than one user is present with the TV set.
[0082] In further implementations, if the audio file comprises
human voice, the MR-Control may extract verbal content from the
audio file to determine whether an audience conversation, or a
human conversation from media playing, is related to the TV program
on air on the user submitted channel 298a.2. For example, the
MR-Control may adopt speech recognition software (e.g., Nuance, IBM
WebSphere Voice, etc.) to extract key terms from the conversation,
and compare whether the key terms are related to key words stored
with the TV program in the database. For example, if MR-Control
extracts key terms "quantum mechanics," "physics," "big bang,"
etc., from the human conversation in the received atmospherics
audio artifact, and the user submitted channel CBS is playing "The
Big Bang Theory," MR-Control may determine the audience is watching
the show on air. In such cases, the MR-Control may not need to
distinguish whether the human conversation in the audio file is
from the audience or TV, but focus on mining the content of the
conversation.
[0083] In another implementation, if the MR-Control determines the
audio artifact comprises ambient noise, MR-Control may determine an
environment of the audience 298b. For example, if the background is
overly noisy, the user may not be watching the TV program.
[0084] In another implementation, if the MR-Control determines the
audio artifact comprises media sound (e.g., music, etc.), the
MR-Control may determine whether the audio media content matches
the TV program on air on the user submitted channel 298c via a
media recognition software (e.g., a Shazam alike music recognition
kit, etc.). For example, if the user selected channel CBS has "The
Big Bang Theory" scheduled at the moment, but the MR-Control
determines a Lady Gaga song in the received audio atmospherics,
this may indicate the user is not watching the TV program. In one
implementation, if the MR-Control determines the user is distracted
from the TV program based on the audio content, MR-Control may
generate negative heuristics with regard to TV viewing data of the
TV program on air.
[0085] In an alternative implementation, the MR-Control client
component, which may be instantiated on a user mobile device (e.g.,
a downloadable application such as, but not limited to an iPhone
application, an Android application, etc.) and/or a table top
standalone unit, may obtain atmospherics data to determine the
program the user is watching without user indication of the
channel. For example, the MR-Control component may obtain audio
recording, video recording, signatures image captures, and/or the
like of the audience watching environment, and submit the obtained
data to MR-Control server. In one implementation, the MR-Control
server may analyze the obtained data to determine what the audience
is watching in a similar manner as illustrated at 297, 298 in FIG.
2E, but without the user's channel selection indication.
[0086] In one implementation, the MR-Control may perform an
audio/video recognition procedure to identify a TV program, e.g.,
via digital signatures embedded in the program, and/or the like. In
another implementation, the MR-Control may extract key terms from
the audio/video captures, and form a query on a database of TV
programs to find a match. For example, in one implementation, the
MR-Control may extract textual terms from the obtained audio media
program excerpts, such as "big bang," "quantum physics," "Sheldon,"
etc., and may form a query in a database of TV programs which may
return a result indicating the obtained audio media program excerpt
may be related to the TV show "Big Bang Theory."
[0087] In an alternative implementation, rather than uploading
sampling and/or the entirety of the captured audio/video median
content, the MR-Control may analyze the recorded audio/video
content to generate a unique signature and/or a unique hash, which
may be used for further matching. For example, the unique
signature/hash may take a form similar to a sequence of 0-1
representation of a sampling of the recorded media content. In one
implementation, the signature/hash generation may be performed at a
user device (e.g., the user's mobile phone, the table top unit,
etc.), which may upload the generated signature/hash sequence to
the MR-Control server. In another implementation, the user device
may upload media content sampling, clips or the captured entirety
to the MR-Control server, which may then perform the signature
generation. Within implementations, software tools/components such
as, but not limited to i-brainz, and/or the like may be adopted to
generate audio signature/hash.
[0088] In further implementations, such "listen-in" activities may
be performed on a standalone table unit, which may communicate with
a user computer via a wireless network, and/or transmit the
"listen-in" results to the MR-Control server.
[0089] In further implementations, lighting sensor data 299c may
indicate the lighting condition of the user environment to
determine the viewing status. GPS information contained in the
atmospherics data may indicate whether the user is located with the
home TV 299d, e.g., by comparing the instant GPS location with a
registered user residential address, etc.
[0090] In one implementation, MR-Control may analyze the variety of
atmospherics data to determine whether the user should be accorded
as a "viewer" of the real-time TV program on air. In one
implementation, as shown in FIG. 2H, the MR-Control server may
adopt a procedure to generate a progressive weighted sum of
atmospherics scores to determine whether the user is "watching" or
"not watching." When the weighted sum of different atmospherics
scores exceeds a predetermined threshold, the user may be
considered "not watching," and the MR-Control may not need to
proceed with further atmospherics analysis to improve efficiency of
the atmospherics analytics.
[0091] For example, at 299d in FIG. 2H (e.g., comparing received
user GPS information with the user's registered residential address
in FIG. 2D), the MR-Control may determine an address type 2163, and
may assign a weight to the GPS atmospherics factor based on the
address type from an atmospherics GPS weight table 2164. For
example, the atmospherics GPS weight table may assign 0.1 to a
residential address, 0.2 to a Starbucks store, 1.0 to an outdoor
address (e.g., a national park, etc.), and/or the like. In one
example, the MR-Control may assign a GPS factor weighing score
similar to the following table:
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 3 GPS Information Weighing Scores GPS Address
Type Weighing Score Residential address 0.1 Commercial Coffee Shop,
0.5 Address Restaurants Hotel 0.1 . . . . . . Shopping Site 0.5
Outdoor Highway 1 Address National 0.8 Parks . . . . . .
[0092] In one implementation, the MR-Control may calculate the
atmospherics score 2200, which may be the assigned GPS weight at
this stage, and determine whether the score is greater than a
predetermined threshold (e.g., 1, etc.) 2205. If so, the MR-Control
may conclude the user is not watching the TV and quit scoring 2300.
Otherwise, the MR-Control may proceed with analyzing device app
analytics data at 299a, and repeat the process of updating
atmospherics score to determine whether a threshold has been met to
suggest the user is not watching.
[0093] At 2165, the MR-Control may determine an active application
type 2165, and assign a weight based on the application type 2168.
For example, an active gaming application may be accorded 0.7; an
active email application may be accorded 0.5; an active internet
browser may be accorded 0.5, and/or the like:
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 4 Device Application Activity Weighing Scores
Active Application Type Weighing Score Gaming Application 0.7 Email
New Email 0.4 Application Window Inbox 0.1 . . . . . . Internet
Opening New 0.4 Browser Link Scrolling 0.4 Down . . . . . . P2P
Chatting 0.4 Messenger Dialing 0.5 Software . . . . . . Office Text
Editor 0.2 Application . . . . . . . . .
[0094] In one implementation, the MR-Control may calculate an
updated atmospherics score 2170 and determine whether it exceeds
the threshold 2175. If it has not exceeded the threshold, the
MR-Control may proceed with audio analytics results from 298,
provided such audio analytics is available from the atmospherics
data. In one implementation, the MR-Control may retrieve and/or
determine audio analytics indications 2178, e.g., ambient noise
level, media music which does not match the TV program on air,
human voice chatting on irrelevant topics, etc. In one example, the
MR-Control may assign a weight based on audio analytics indications
2180 similar to the following table:
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 5 Audio Heuristics Weighing Scores Audio
Heuristics Type Weighing Score Ambient Noise Loud 0.5 Level Medium
0.2 Minor 0.02 . . . . . . Human Voice Key Terms 0 Matches TV
program Key Term not 0.3 Match . . . . . . Media Sound Matches TV 0
program Not match 0.3 . . . . . .
[0095] In one implementation, the MR-Control may update the
atmospherics score 2185 by adding the audio scores to determine
whether it exceeds the threshold 2190. Otherwise, MR-Control may
proceed to perform graphical analytics at 297a/b given such visual
data is available. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
retrieve and/or determine visual analytics indications 2192, e.g.,
user activity, user presence, number of individuals, TV screenshot,
etc. In one example, the MR-Control may assign a weight based on
visual analytics indications 2195 similar to the following
table:
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 6 Visual Heuristics Weighing Scores Visual
Heuristics Type Weighing Score Audience None 0.5 Presence More than
1 0 (count 2 viewers) . . . . . . Audience Reading etc. 0.4
Activity Housework 0.3 Working 0.5 TV Screen Matches the 0 Shot TV
program Does not 0.3 Match . . . . . .
[0096] In one implementation, if the updated score 2193 does not
exceed the threshold, the MR-Control may conclude the user is
watching the TV program 2305, and feed such indication to 2100 for
studying TV viewing rates. Otherwise, the MR-Control may conclude
the user is not watching 2300, and may not count the user as a
"viewer" of the TV program.
[0097] In one implementation, the MR-Control may process the
decoded atmospherics data based on a progressive mechanism, to
reduce processing complexity. For example, as shown in FIG. 2I, the
MR-Control may start with a less complicated analysis of GPS
information, device application status, and progressively proceed
with visual data processing with a higher complexity.
[0098] FIG. 2F shows a logic diagram illustrating user-server
interactions of "listen-in" within alternative embodiments of the
MR-Control. In one embodiment, the MR-Control may instantiate
"listen-in" when a user has submitted a channel selection to
determine whether the user is watching the selected channel. In
another implementation, the MR-Control may periodically check the
listen-in data (e.g., every 30 minutes, etc.).
[0099] Within embodiments, the user's mobile device may capture
image, audio data, video data, GPS coordinates and/or the like
2105. In one implementation, the MR-Control client component may
automatically configure the user device to capture atmospherics
data, e.g., obtaining GPS coordinates, capturing audio data,
capturing device application status data, etc. In another
implementation, the MR-Control client component may prompt a
request for the user to hold up the mobile device to position the
camera for image/video capturing of the TV screen, the audience
scene, and/or the like.
[0100] In one implementation, the MR-Control may extract
identifying information from the captured monitoring data 2106,
such as a hardware ID, MAC address, and/or the like. The MR-Control
may determine whether there is any external event 2108, e.g., the
user is sending a response to survey question, submitting a channel
selection, etc. If there is such external event 2108, the
MR-Control may launch the event and embed the atmospherics
information into the user responses 2110 for transmission. For
example, in one implementation, the embedded atmospherics data may
have the same timestamp as the original user response data
payload.
[0101] In another implementation, the MR-Control may aggregate, and
packetize different atmospherics data 2113 in a compliant data
format for transmission to the MR-Control server (e.g., see 239 in
FIG. 2B).
[0102] In one implementation, upon receiving a message from the
user device 2115, the MR-Control server may determine the message
type 2118. In one implementation, if the message is an atmospherics
data packet 2120, the MR-Control server may decode and analyze the
atmospherics data packet 2123 to extract information as to the
user's viewing status. For example, the MR-Control server may
perform an optical character recognition (OCR) procedure on a
photographic frame extracted from the received atmospherics data to
determine whether the TV program played on TV matches the program
schedule associated with the user's selected channel, e.g., whether
the program is "correct" 2125. For example, if the user has
submitted a selection of channel "CBS," the MR-Control may query on
a program table to determine that "The Big Bang Theory" shall be on
air at the timestamp when the atmospherics data is received. The
MR-Control may then ascertain whether the received photo of the
user's TV set indicates the show on TV is "The Big Bang
Theory."
[0103] In a further implementation, the MR-Control may determine
whether the user is watching 2128. For example, the MR-Control may
perform OCR on the received graphic data (e.g., photos, video
clips, etc.) to determine whether the user is present in front of
the TV. For another example, the MR-Control may determine how many
users are watching the TV program by being present. For another
example, the MR-Control may determine whether the user is present
in front of his home TV by analyzing the received GPS coordinates,
e.g., when the user's GPS coordinates reflects he has migrated from
his home address to a second address, it may indicate the user is
no longer watching the TV program after submitting channel
selection.
[0104] In a further implementation, the MR-Control may generate
viewing data 2130 to determine audience rating of a TV program,
wherein analysis of the atmospherics data may contribute to the
viewing statistics.
[0105] FIG. 2G provides a logic flow diagram illustrating non-live
media consumption message (e.g., 289e) analytics within
implementations of the MR-Control. In one implementation, a user
may submit a non-live media registration request 2150 to the
MR-Control, e.g., the user may register TiVo, etc. so that
MR-Control may fold the viewing data of non-live media into TV
viewing data analytics. In another implementation, the user may
select a channel that comprises on-demand video service. In one
implementation, upon sending a request, the user device may submit
the user external IP (e.g., the IP address of the user mobile
device, etc.), internal IP address (e.g., the IP address of the
TiVo facility, a set-top box, etc.) to the MR-Control for
registration 2155. The user device may further provide a media
access key to MR-Control as authorization credentials for remote
monitoring of the user's non-live media facility. In further
implementations, the user may configure parameters of the facility
(e.g., a set-top box, etc) as shown in FIGS. 7I-J.
[0106] In one implementation, MR-Control may register the user's
non-live media facility 2156, and may establish a secure
communication channel with the non-live media facility. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may receive a non-live media
schedule 2158, which may be automatically downloaded from the
user's non-live media (e.g., media on-demand, Internet TV streaming
service such as ABC episodes, Hulu.com, etc.), and/or provided by
the user (e.g., a list of recorded programs for replay).
[0107] In one implementation, upon receiving an indication of
non-live media selection 289e, the MR-Control platform may check
the program table to determine the TV program on the non-live media
2160, and log the user channel selection of an associated TV
program with a timestamp 2125. The MR-Control may also obtain and
analyze atmospherics data 2123, e.g., in a similar manner as
discussed in FIG. 2D, to generate TV viewing data for the selected
TV program 2127.
[0108] FIG. 2I provides a logic flow diagram illustrating user
mobile device as a TV remote (e.g., 235a in FIG. 2A) within
implementations of the MR-Control. In one implementation, a user
may plug a MR-Control infrared accessory (e.g., 120 in FIG. 1B)
into a user mobile device 2500. The user mobile device may be a
general purpose personal device (e.g., as opposed to a dedicated TV
remote facility, etc.), such as, but not limited to an Apple
iPhone, iTouch, iPod, iPad, BlackBerry, Palm, HTC Evo, Google
Android, Samsung Galaxy, and/or the like. The user may instantiate
a MR-Control client component on the user device 2505 (e.g., see
FIGS. 7A-7L, etc.), wherein the MR-Control client component may
determine whether an infrared plug-in is available 2510. If so, the
user device may initiate an automatic scan on its communication
stack for TVs/DVDs 2515. If the query returns a TV/DVD is available
2520, the user device may obtain a physical address of the scanned
facility, and determine a type of the facility 2523, wherein such
information may be logged into a communication stack 2528. In
another implementation, if no results come out of the automatic
scan at 2520, the user device may obtain user submitted TV/DVD
parameters 2525 (e.g., TV/DVD brand, type, etc.), and adjust the
scanning mode based on the user submitted parameters 2526.
[0109] Upon establishing communication with a TV/DVD set, the user
device may monitor on user's channel submission 2530. When a
channel selection is obtained, the user device may transmit a
channel selection indication to the logged TV/DVD address via the
infrared plug-in accessory 2535. In this manner, the user may
operate a general purpose mobile device as a TV/DVD remote.
[0110] FIG. 3A shows a block diagram illustrating data flows
between MR-Control entities within alternative embodiments of the
MR-Control. Continuing on from FIGS. 2A and 2B, in one embodiment,
the MR-Control may receive a list of real time TV program 237a from
the TV network 270, and a list of advertisement tags 243a
associated with the TV programs 237a. For example, for each TV
media program, which may comprise both segments of TV programs
(e.g., a TV play) and a plurality of advertisements (e.g.,
interleaved during the TV play broadcasting). For another example,
the advertisement tags 243a may label embedded advertisement in a
scene of the TV play, e.g., a pair of sunglasses carried by a
character in the TV show "The Big Bang Theory" may comprise a
product placement advertisement tag. In a further implementation,
for product placements, the ad tags 343a may comprise video frame
grabs with embedded graphic indications of the placed products in
the scene, e.g., see FIG. 7G.
[0111] For example, in one implementation, the TV media program
table 237a (e.g., see also 237a in FIGS. 2A-2B) may comprise a
sub-table comprising embedded advertisement tags. For example, in
one implementation, an exemplary XML record of a media program data
structure with ad tags 343a may take a form similar to the
following:
TABLE-US-00013 PUT /AdTag.php HTTP/1.1 Host: www.TV.com
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 718 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Media> <MediaID>
123456789 </MediaID> <MediaName> The Big Bang Theory
</MediaName> <Content> <Season> 3 </Season>
<Episode> 2 </Season> <MediaLength> 68'34''
</MediaLength> <KeyWords> Vampire, Blood, South,
</Keywords> ... </Content> <MediaChannel> CBS
</MediaChannel> <MediaAirTime> 9 pm 09/09/2000
</MediaAirTime> <MediaSource> XXX Production
</MediaSource> <MediaGenre> Comedy </MediaGenre>
... <AdTag1> <AdID> M0008 </AdID> <AdType>
Regular </AdType> <AdStartTimeStamp> 20'34''
</AdStartTimeStamp> <AdEndTime> 22'45''
</AdEndTime> <AdSponsor> Audi </AdSponsor>
<AdProductInfo> <ProductName> Audi R8
</ProductName> ... </AdProductInfo> ... </AdTag1>
<AdTag2> <AdID> M0009 </AdID> <AdType>
Product Placement </AdType> <AdStartTimeStamp> 25'54''
</AdStartTimeStamp> <AdEndTime> 28'45''
</AdEndTime> <AdSponsor> XYZ-Designer
</AdSponsor> <AdProductInfo> <ProductName> French
Style Sunglasses </ProductName> ... </AdProductInfo>
<AdPrompt> "Do you want to learn more about the red bag in
the scene?" </AdPrompt> <AdRedirect>
www.buythings.com/XYZ/spring2000 </AdRedirect>
<AdInteractive> ScreenShot.gif </AdInteractive> ...
</AdTag2> ... </Media>
[0112] The above XML example shows a media program "The Big Bang
Theory season 3, episode 2" which is scheduled to be on air on CBS
at 9 pm on Sep. 9, 2000. The example media program comprise an ad
tag which may be a regular advertisement (e.g., non-product
placement or embedded in the scene) of Audi automobile, and another
ad tag which may be an embedded product placement, e.g., a "pair of
XYZ-designer sunglasses" as shown in a scene during the TV program
(e.g., see FIG. 7G). In a further implementation, the MR-Control
may redirect the user to a URL "www.buybags.com/XYZ/spring2000" if
the user clicks to learn more about the product. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may generate synchronized
advertisement to a user based on the ad tag by providing a pop-up
static ad 338b, e.g., "Do you like Penny's sunglasses?" (e.g., see
720b in FIG. 7F). In another implementation, the MR-Control may
generate an interactive ad 338b including a tagged screenshot of
the TV program containing the placed product (e.g., see 750c in
FIG. 7G).
[0113] In another embodiment, the MR-Control server 220 may
generate questions 338b synchronized and/or related to the TV
program ads 343a, which may be devised by the MR-Control based on
the media content the user has viewed, the advertisement the user
has viewed, and/or the like. For example, if the channel the user
has been watching recently has played advertisement of "Audi," the
MR-Control may prompt a question to the user such as "which brand
automobile would you prefer?" to determine the advertisement
effects. In another example, the user 233a may receive real-time
information synchronized with a product placement embedded in the
TV program. For example, when a user is watching a TV show, he may
receive a prompt question 338b related to an embedded advertisement
in a scene of the TV show, e.g., "Do you want to learn more about
Penny's sunglasses?" In a further implementation, the MR-Control
may redirect the user to a URL
"www.buythings.com/XYZ-designer/spring2000" if the user clicks to
learn more about the product.
[0114] For example, in one implementation, the MR-Control server
220 may provide a HTTPS PUT message including the questionnaire
338b in the form of data formatted according to the XML. Below is
an example HTTP(S) PUT message including an XML-formatted questions
338b to provide to the user 233a:
TABLE-US-00014 PUT /question.php HTTP/1.1 Host: www.TV.com
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 718 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Question> <QuestionID>
Q000123456789 </QuestionID> <QuestionName> Automobile
Inquiry </QuestionName> <TemplateType> static
</TemplateType> <TemplateID> TD0001 </TemplateID>
<QuestionDescription> <body> ''What automobile brand
would you like?'' </body> <Optionl> A. BMW
<Option1> <Ooption2> B. Audi </Option2> ...
</QuestionDescription> <QuestionChannel> CBS
</QuestionChannel> <QuestionMediaID> 123456789
</QuestionMediaID> <QuestionGenre> Product Ad
</QuestionGenre> <QuestionPromptTime> 50'56''
</QuestionPromptTime> ... </Question>
[0115] In one embodiment, upon receiving questions and/or ads at
the mobile device, the user may submit a response 339 to the
MR-Control server, e.g., an answer to the question, a click on the
provided ad URL, and/or the like. In another implementation, upon
viewing an embedded advertisement while watching a TV program, the
user 233a may desire to learn more or purchase the product, and
submit a request of purchase 365a (e.g., by clicking on "Buy it
Now" 750c in FIG. 7G) to the MR-Control server 220. The MR-Control
220 may forward the purchase request 365b to a merchant website
280, and redirect the user to view the merchant site to obtain more
information of the interested product. In one implementation, the
MR-Control may log the user question responses, indication of
interests, purchase transaction, and/or the like at the database
219 to indicate ad effects.
[0116] For example, in one implementation, the MR-Control server
220 may provide a HTTPS PUT message including the questionnaire
response 339b, purchase request 365a in the form of data formatted
according to the XML. Below is an example HTTP(S) PUT message
including an XML-formatted questions responses/purchasing request
to provide to the database 219:
TABLE-US-00015 PUT /responses.php HTTP/1.1 Host: www.MR-Control.com
Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length: 718 <?XML version
= "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Response> <ResponseID>
R000123456789 </ResponseID> <Timestamp> 19:00:00
</Timestamp> <Date> 09-09-xxxx </Date>
<QuestionID> Q000123456789 </QuestionID>
<QuestionName> Automobile Inquiry </QuestionName>
<QuestionDescription> <body> ''What automobile brand
would you like?'' </body> <Option1> A. BMW
<Option1> <Ooption2> B. Audi </Option2> ...
</QuestionDescription> ... <QuestionResponse>
<UserID> JS001 <UserID> <UserName> John Smith
</UserName <DeviceID> JSiPhone0002 </DeviceID> ...
<Response> B </Response> </QuestionResponse> ...
</Response>
[0117] In further implementations, the MR-Control may populate
social media feeds of the user's questionnaire responses/purchase
information 365b to a social media platform 250. In another
implementation, the user may share purchase information to the
social media 250. For example, the user's Facebook news feeds may
comprise a message "XXX participated in a survey. See her response"
(e.g., see 731c in FIG. 7C). The user may also obtain his friends'
MR-Control activities, including participation in surveys,
purchases 349, etc., from social media news feed.
[0118] FIG. 3B provides a logic flow diagram illustrating
generating a survey question within embodiments of the MR-Control.
Within embodiments, upon user submitting a channel selection 305,
the MR-Control server may check program table to determine what's
on air on the selected channel 306, and retrieve a program table to
obtain ads tagged in the selected TV program 307.
[0119] In one implementation, the MR-Control may parse commercial
ad information on the selected channel 308a, to extract key terms.
For example, in one implementation, the MR-Control may retrieve the
advertised product brand name, product name, category, etc. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may query on a questionnaire
database based on the parsed ad key terms 310. For example, for an
"Audi" commercial, the MR-Control may parse key terms as "Audi,"
"car," "automobile," and select and generate pop-up questions
related to such key terms to the user 312.
[0120] In another implementation, the MR-Control may incorporate a
variety of user media content exposure data to generate media
content based survey questions 308b. For example, MR-Control may
incorporate mobile ads exposure data (e.g., user web visits,
MR-Control generated mobile ads, etc.), user application status
(e.g., browsing history, Internet gaming content, etc.), social
content (e.g., social pages, social ads, friends' recommendations,
user' likes, etc.) 305b, and/or the like. In one implementation,
the MR-Control may receive the various user content exposure data
from a MR-Control client component instantiated on the user mobile
device, e.g., an iPhone app, etc. In another implementation, the
MR-Control may receive mobile data from a mobile meter, a proxy
server, a TV metering system, and/or the like.
[0121] In one implementation, the MR-Control may generate
synchronized pop-up survey questions to the user. For example, in
one implementation, the MR-Control may analyze the ad tags prior to
the TV program on air, and prepare pop-up questions associated with
each ad tag. The generated pop-up questions may be sent to the user
according to the timetable of the ad tags. In another
implementation, the MR-Control may retrieve the user's viewing
history, e.g., the TV programs the user has recently watched, etc.,
and determine the ads associated with the TV programs the user has
watched to generate non-synchronized pop-up survey questions.
[0122] Upon receiving the pop-up survey question 313, the user may
elect to submit a response 315, which may indicate ad effects. In
further implementations, the survey questions may be generated
based on advertisement the user has exposed to (e.g., via
cross-channel ad measurement, as further illustrated in FIG. 7E),
social media contents, and/or the like.
[0123] FIG. 3C provides a logic flow diagram illustrating
generating product placement ads within embodiments of the
MR-Control. In one implementation, continuing on with retrieving ad
tags in the TV program on air on the user selected channel 307, the
MR-Control server may query on what ads are available 328 in an ad
database. For example, the MR-Control may obtain a list of ad tags
and it associated types, whether a screen shot for product
placement is available, etc. In one implementation, if there is a
synchronized ad tag 330, the MR-Control may prepare synchronized ad
generation prior to the timestamp of the ad tag 333. In one
implementation, MR-Control may determine an ad type 335, e.g.,
whether it is static ad or interactive ad. In one implementation,
if it is a static ad, the MR-Control may select a static ad
template and populate the product information into the template,
and provide a textual pop-up ad at a synchronized time 340 to the
user. In another implementation, if the ad tag indicates an
interactive ad is available, MR-Control may retrieve a tagged
screenshot associated with the interactive ad tag. For another
implementation, the MR-Control may generate a video frame grab
comprising the product placement tags 338 via video frame grabbing
software (e.g., Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player, etc.). In
one implementation, the MR-Control may retrieve an interactive ad
template and populate the video frame into the template to provide
the interactive ad (e.g., see FIG. 7G) at a synchronized time 342
to the user.
[0124] In one implementation, if the TV program at the user
submitted channel contains no synchronized ad tags 330, the
MR-Control may elect not to send ads/questions to the user. In
another implementation, the MR-Control may retrieve user's recent
viewing history (e.g., the past week, etc.), and generate a
non-synchronized ad/survey question to the user based on the user's
recently viewed TV programs. In further implementations, the
MR-Control may re-send ads that were synchronized with one of
user's recently viewed TV programs to the user.
[0125] In further implementations, the synchronized product
placement ads may be applied to in-game ads in a similar manner.
For example, the MR-Control may determine a user is engaging in a
gaming application via the received device application event (e.g.,
241 in FIG. 2B), and deliver an interactive advertisement of
related virtual goods, e.g., gaming points, widget, etc., to the
user mobile device.
[0126] FIG. 3D shows a logic flow diagram illustrating ad
synchronization question message processing (e.g., 289c) within
embodiments of the MR-Control. Within embodiments, upon receiving a
message from a user and determining the type of the message as an
ad/question response 289c, the MR-Control may determine whether the
received message comprise a response to a survey question 362.
[0127] In another implementation, if the received message comprises
responses to prompt questions 362, the MR-Control may determine a
classification of the question 365, e.g., a response to survey, a
response to embedded advertisement, and/or the like. In another
implementation, the question responses may be classified by the
products, e.g., automobiles, apparels, electronics, and/or the
like. In one implementation, the MR-Control may extract a
questionnaire ID and/or a survey ID 366 from the received user
response, and store the questionnaire results 368 associated
matched with the questionnaire based on an ID query.
[0128] In a further implementation, the user who responds to
questionnaires may be credited for a reward. For example, after
obtaining and storing questionnaire results, the MR-Control may
determine rewards for the user 370, e.g., five MR-Control points
for each question answered, etc., and credit the points to the
user's MR-Control account 372. In another implementations, the
rewards may comprise virtual currency (e.g., store points, gaming
points, etc.), coupons, discounts, and/or the like, sponsored by an
advertising merchant.
[0129] In another implementation, when the MR-Control determines
the response does not comprise a response to a survey question at
362, the MR-Control may determine whether it comprises an
interactive activity indication 376. For example, a user may submit
a rating of the product with the interactive ad, click on the
interactive ad, and/or the like. In one implementation, if the user
submits a purchase request 378, the MR-Control may provide a
merchant URL, and/or direct the user to a merchant page to proceed
with purchase transaction 377a. The MR-Control may log user
activities associated with the product placement advertisement
377b, e.g., with an ad ID, etc.
[0130] In one implementation, the MR-Control may aggregate data
analysis results from all different types of messages received from
the user and run aggregate analytics 375 for ad effects. FIG. 3E
provides a logic flow diagram illustrating ad delivery/effects
analysis within embodiments of the MR-Control. For example, in one
implementation, MR-Control may obtain a correlation of an
advertisement and user perception of the product, based on
responses to the survey question (e.g., if a user selects "Audi" in
an automobile survey, after viewing an "Audi" advertisement, etc.).
In further implementation, MR-Control may generate an ad effect
score for each advertisement.
[0131] In one implementation, MR-Control may retrieve an
advertisement and determine an ad classification 380, e.g., a
category of the advertised product (e.g., apparel, accessories,
automobile, electronics, etc.). For example, for an "Audi"
advertisement, the MR-Control may query for stored questions (e.g.,
368 in FIG. 3D) results with the ad classification "automobile"
381. If such survey responses are available 382, the MR-Control may
query the retrieved survey responses for mentions of the product
383, e.g., on a brand name "Audi," on a make and model of the
"Audi" automobile, etc. For each response, the MR-Control may
determine a relevance of the question and question results 382. For
example, the MR-Control may retrieve the corresponding question
with the question results based on a question ID (e.g., stored at
366 in FIG. 3E), and perform text analytics to determine a
relevance level of the question to the brand name product "Audi"
automobile (e.g., based on whether the question contains key terms
such as "preference," "car purchase," etc.). In one implementation,
the MR-Control may determine an ad effect weight value for the
response 385. For example, the MR-Control may perform text
analytics of the question and questions results, and if the textual
question/question results contain key terms such as "car purchase"
and "Audi," such response may be accorded with a high weight value.
In one implementation, the weighting value determination at 385 may
be based on a pre-stored weight evaluation table, e.g., 0.5 for
submitting a response of "Audi," 0.8 for clicking on a merchant
site, 50.0 for transacting a sale on an "Audi" automobile," etc.,
and calculate an impact score of the advertisement based on a group
of users (e.g., see 1019I at FIG. 10). The MR-Control may generate
an ad effect sub-score based on analytics of user survey responses
386a, e.g., taking a weighted sum, etc.
[0132] In another implementation, the MR-Control may query for
stored user activities (e.g., stored at 377b in FIG. 3D) in
response to an ad (e.g., purchasing request, click for more
information, etc.) base on an ad ID 382. If such activities are
available 387, the MR-Control may determine a type of the activity
388, e.g., clicks on the ad for more information, clicks on a
provided merchant URL, user rating of the advertised product,
clicks on "Buy It Now," closing the ad without browsing, and/or the
like. Based on the activity type, the MR-Control may associate a
weight value for the activity 389, and generate an ad effect
sub-score based on analytics of user activities 386b, e.g., taking
a weighted sum, etc. For example, a click on a merchant URL may be
accorded with a high positive weight value; and a prompt window
close of the ad may be accorded with a low or zero weight value,
and/or the like. In one implementation, the MR-Control may generate
an indication of ad effects 390 based on an integrated ad effects
score (e.g., taking a sum of the subscores from 386a and 387b,
etc.).
[0133] In one implementation, MR-Control may compare the ad effects
score of the same ad on different media channel, to determine
efficiency of the ad placement. For example, if the same "Audi" ad
has a higher impact score on channel "ESPN" than "Disney," it may
provide heuristics to the merchant that such advertisement is more
efficient on "ESPN." In further implementations, MR-Control may
determine efficiency of the time and the TV program to place the
advertisement based on the ad effects score.
[0134] FIG. 4A provides a block diagram illustrating a MR-Control
client component 401 within embodiments of the MR-Control. Within
embodiments, a MR-Control component 401 may contain a number of
sub-components and/or data stores. A MR-Control client controller
405 may serve a central role in some embodiments of MR-Control
operation, serving to orchestrate the reception, generation, and
distribution of data and/or instructions to, from and between
client mobile device(s) and/or the server via MR-Control components
and in some instances mediating communications with external
entities and systems.
[0135] In one embodiment, the MR-Control controller 405 and/or the
different components may be instantiated on a user mobile device,
e.g., an Apple iPhone, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the
controller may be housed separately from other components and/or
databases within the MR-Control system, while in another
embodiment, some or all of the other modules and/or databases may
be housed within and/or configured as part of the MR-Control
controller. Further detail regarding implementations of MR-Control
controller operations, modules, and databases is provided
below.
[0136] In one embodiment, the MR-Control controller 405 may be
coupled to one or more interface components and/or modules. In one
embodiment, the MR-Control Controller may be coupled to a user
interface (UI) 410. The user interface 410 may be configured to
receive user inputs and display application states and/or other
outputs. The UI may, for example, allow a user to adjust MR-Control
system settings, select communication methods and/or protocols,
manually enter texts, engage mobile device application features,
and/or the like. In one implementation, the user interface 410 may
include, but not limited to devices such as, keyboard(s), mouse,
stylus(es), touch screen(s), digital display(s), and/or the like.
In another implementation, the user questionnaire component 430 may
provide user survey questions and receive user responses via the
user interface 410.
[0137] In one implementation, the MR-Control Controller 405 may
further be coupled to a sensor module 420, configured to interface
with and/or process signals from sensor input/output (I/O)
components 425. The sensor I/O components 425 may be configured to
obtain information of environmental conditions, and/or the like to
generate atmospherics data that may be received and/or processed by
other MR-Control components. A wide variety of different sensors
may be compatible with MR-Control operation and may be integrated
with sensor I/O components 425, such as but not limited to a
camera, an audio recorder, a GPS component, and/or the like,
configured to capture video clips/photos of what is playing on the
TV and/or whether the user is watching the program, audio recording
clips indicative of what is playing on the TV, GPS information
indicative of the user's location, and/or the like. In one
implementation, the Media Listen-In Component 440 may configure,
aggregate and packetize atmospherics data captured by the sensor
module component 420 in a data format suitable for data
transmission via the sensor I/O 425. In a further implementation,
the Media Listen-In Component 440 may process and analyze the
obtained atmospherics data, e.g., a photo captured by the mobile
device, etc., to identify whether the user is watching, and/or how
many individuals are watching from the photo, via image processing.
For example, in one embodiment, the iPhone SDK toolkit and/or
runtime libraries may be installed and/or used to perform such
image processing.
[0138] In one embodiment, the MR-Control Controller 405 may further
be coupled to a communications module 430, configured to interface
with and/or process data transmission from communications I/O
components 435. The communications I/O components 435 may comprise
components facilitating transmission of electronic communications
via a variety of different communication protocols and/or formats
as coordinated with and/or by the communications module 430.
Communication I/O components 440 may, for example, contain ports,
slots, antennas, amplifiers, and/or the like to facilitate
transmission of TV program listing information, user submission of
channel selection, user responses to survey questions, and/or the
like, via any of the aforementioned methods. Communication
protocols and/or formats for which the communications module 230
and/or communications IO components 435 may be compatible may
include, but are not limited to, GSM, GPRS, W-CDMA, CDMA, CDMA2000,
HSDPA, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, and/or the like. In various
implementations, the communication I/O 435 may, for example, serve
to configure data into application, transport, network, media
access control, and/or physical layer formats in accordance with a
network transmission protocol, such as, but not limited to FTP,
TCP/IP, SMTP, Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) and/or the like.
The communications module 430 and communications I/O 435 may
further be configurable to implement and/or translate Wireless
Application Protocol (WAP), VoIP and/or the like data formats
and/or protocols. The communications I/O 435 may further house one
or more ports, jacks, antennas, and/or the like to facilitate wired
and/or wireless communications with and/or within the MR-Control
system. For example, the communication I/O 432 may be extended by a
plug-in accessory as shown at 120 in FIG. 1.
[0139] Numerous data transfer protocols may also be employed as
MR-Control connections, for example, TCP/IP and/or higher protocols
such as HTTP post, FTP put commands, and/or the like. In one
implementation, the communications module 430 may comprise web
server software equipped to configure application state data for
publication on the World Wide Web. Published application state data
may, in one implementation, be represented as an integrated video,
animation, rich internet application, and/or the like configured in
accordance with a multimedia plug-in such as Adobe Flash. In
another implementation, the communications module 430 may comprise
remote access software, such as Citrix, Virtual Network Computing
(VNC), and/or the like equipped to configure user application
(e.g., a user mobile device). In another implementation, the
communications module 430 may transmit TV program listing
information to the real time TV remote control component 415, which
may in turn receives user channel selection form the user interface
410.
[0140] In further implementations, the MR-Control 405 may be
configured to communicate with a content based embedded advertising
component 420, media content questionnaire synchronization
component 435, and/or the like (as further discussed in FIGS. 3B
and 3C).
[0141] FIG. 4B provides a combined logic and data flow diagram
illustrating MR-Control client and server interactions within
embodiment of the MR-Control. In one embodiment, the TV remote
control component 415 may submit a channel selection event 416 to
the MR-Control server 450, which may in turn query a media program
database 419 for TV program information. For example, in one
implementation, the MR-Control server 450 may form a first query
417 on a media program table 419a based on the user's channel
selection, to determine the TV program the user is watching and
send such program information 418 back to the user; and a second
query on an Ad Tags table 419b to determine what advertisement and
embedded product placement advertisement the user may received
during the TV program streaming. The queried results, including the
program information and ad information, may be fed into an Ad
synchronization component 455 at the MR-Control server 450, which
may generate ad synchronization popup questions 421 based on the ad
the user may be watching.
[0142] In one implementation, the generated ad synchronization
questions 421 may be received and provided to the user via a user
interface generated by the user questionnaire component 430 on the
user's mobile device, which may in turn provide user's response
events 422 to an Ad effect engine component 460 at the MR-PLATFORM
server 450 to analyze advertisement effects.
[0143] In one embodiment, the media listen-in component 440 may
collect and aggregate atmospherics data 423, e.g., video recording
clips, audio recording clips, photo streams, GPS information,
and/or the like, to a media viewing statistics analysis component
465, which may analyze the media viewing data, and determine the
audience reception rate of a TV program and/or advertisement.
[0144] In a further implementation, the social media connection
component 445 may generate and transmit social media post 448
indicating the user's viewing status to a social media database
469, and may optionally send the social media post to the
MR-Control 450 as well. In one implementation, the MR-Control
server 450 may obtain the user's social media status updates
information, including friends' recommendations, comments, and/or
the like via an API call 471 to the social media database 469. In
another implementation, the MR-Control server 450 may redirect a
user to the social media website 472 from the user's instantiated
MR-Control client component to engage in social media activities.
For example, the user may click on a social media link via the
MR-Control client component user interface and be redirected to the
social media page.
[0145] FIG. 4C provides a block diagram illustrating an example
infrastructure of a MR-Control table top unit component within
implementations of the MR-Control. Within implementations, the
table top device 473 may be a standalone device that may be placed
on a desk, wherein the user may be requested to place it to face
the screen of a TV set or the TV STB. In one implementation, the
table top device 473 may communicate with a user mobile device, a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, and/or the like, via a
Bluetooth transmitter/receiver interface 472-474. In one
implementation via Bluetooth connection 476. a user may download
and install a remote control mobile application 471. In another
implementation, the table top device 473 may communicate with a TV
set 483, a set top box 486, DVR equipment, and/or the like, via
infrared transmitter/receiver interfaces 475, 485/487 via infrared
connection 481. In one implementation, the table top device 473 may
comprise a rechargeable battery 478 for power supplies from
charging inputs 480.
[0146] The table top device 473 may facilitate mobile remote
control to operate in a similar manner as the MR-Control accessory
1120 in FIG. 1B. Instead of being plugged into a user mobile
device, the table top device 473 may communicate with a user device
running the remote mobile application 471 via wireless connections.
For example, the table top device may be operated for remote TV
channel control, collecting atmospherics data for audience
monitoring, and/or the like. In further implementations, the table
top device may be positioned so that the table top device may
capture images from the screen of the TV set.
[0147] In one implementation, the table top device may be
configured to periodically monitor audio contents, video contents,
etc., in the atmosphere, with or without having user input of a
channel selection. For example, the table top device may record an
audio/video clip of media program being played, and send such
audio/video clip (or generate a signature/hash based on sampling of
the recorded audio/video media content) to the MR-Control server,
which may in turn determine what the user is watching. Further
implementations are discussed in FIG. 2E.
[0148] FIGS. 5A-5B provide combined data flow and logic flow
diagrams illustrating data downloads from social media platforms
within implementations of the MR-Control. Within implementations,
MR-Control may obtain social media data to measure, and/or
influence consumer consumption of media and advertising. For
example, MR-Control may track social media discussion to obtain
comments, mentions, responses related to an object under evaluation
(e.g., a brand name product, a TV show, etc.). In one
implementation, a user may befriend with panelists to "Friend" on
Facebook, and/or allow a panelist on Twitter, wherein the panelist
may be a MR-Control personnel, and/or an avatar, etc. The
MR-Control may then obtain users' conversations, wall posts, pages
of brands/products the user follows, products/content the user
"like", social advertising the user has been exposed to, clicks on
pages, etc., to obtain social media exposure data. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may incorporate comments of
representative panelists, identification of friends across panel,
social activities profiling of panel, and/or the like.
[0149] In a further implementation, the MR-Control may track social
media content (e.g., Facebook and Twitter, etc.) of MR-Control
consumers, e.g., users who has authorized MR-Control to access
their social media content. In one implementation, the MR-Control
may link demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal data from the
user's profile information with social media behavior. The social
media data downloading may be obtained via API calls, as discussed
in FIGS. 5A-5B.
[0150] In a further implementation, the MR-Control may recruit
consumers (e.g., Facebook, Twitter users who have allow MR-Control
to access their social content) as MR-Control panelists, e.g., by
providing incentive rewards to the users, etc. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may track how social media messages
propagate throughout a network of social media users (e.g., the
recruited panelists, etc.), based on the profiles of the
individuals. Such measures of connectivity may be analyzed to
measure propagation of marketing communications.
[0151] In another implementation, each panelist may be associated
with a social media specific profile so that their social media
activities may be tracked to determine whether they are influencers
in certain categories, disseminators of information, information
consumers, and/or the like. For example, in one implementation, a
panelist may be labeled as a "The Big Bang Theory Fan Wiki," so
that users interested in the show "The Big Bang Theory" may follow
the panelist to obtain information of the show via the panelist's
posts, comments, and/or the like, related to "The Big Bang
Theory."
[0152] In one implementation, individual social media profiles may
be incorporated to assess advertising targeting performance, enable
advertisers to plan social media campaigns by targeting product
influencers, and/or the like.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 5A, MR-Control server 220 may send an
access request to a social media platform (e.g., Facebook, Twitter,
Google+, etc.) for access to a user's profile information and
social media content, e.g., news feeds, posted photos, Tweets,
comments, activities ("Likes," "Dislikes," etc.).
[0154] In one implementation, upon receiving the access request
505, the social media 250 may generate and send a user
authorization request 510 to the user 233a. For example, Facebook
and/or Twitter may send an email to the user 233a, wherein the
email may comprise an authorization link directing the user to a
MR-Control authorization page (e.g., as included in the access
request 505). In one implementation, the user 233a may be access
the included authorization link via a mobile application UI 511a
(e.g., see FIG. 8A), and/or a web based application UI 511b (e.g.,
see FIG. 8B). As shown in FIG. 8A, the user may click "Allow" to
grant permission of MR-Control to access the user's social media
content. In further implementation, as shown at 827 in FIG. 8C, the
user may configure a scope of information the MR-Control may be
allowed to access.
[0155] For example, in one implementation, the user's mobile
application and/or a web-based application may generate a (Secure)
HTTPS PUT authorization message 515 including an application ID and
permission indication for the social media platform in the form of
data formatted according to the XML. Below is an example HTTP(S)
PUT message including the XML-formatted access authorization
message provide to Facebook:
TABLE-US-00016 PUT /AccessRequest.php HTTP/1.1 Host: 172.16.244.1
Destination: www.Facebook.com Content-Type: Application/XML
Content-Length: 518 <?XML version = "1.0" encoding =
"UTF-8"?> <Authorization> <AuthID> 00001
</AuthID> <Time> 0:00:00 >/Time> <Date>
1-12-XXXX </Date> <UserID> JDOE <UserID>
<AppID> Mobile0001 </AppID> <Permission> Yes
</Permission> <scope> /* Name of Permission elements
like User Age, Friends, Messages, Likes etc that MR-Control
application may have access to*/ <UserProfile>
<UserName> Yes </UserName> <UserAge> Yes
<UserAge> <UserDOB> Yes </UserDOB> <Work>
Yes </Work> <Education> Yes </Education>
<Pages> Yes <Pages> <Network> Yes
</Network> ... </UserProfile> <Friends>
<Number> Yes </Number> <FriendsList> No
</FriendsList> ... </Friends> <Activities>
<PostsonWallSelf> Yes <PostsonWallSelf>
<PostsonFriedsWall> No <PostsonFriendsWall>
<OthersWallComments> No <OthersWallComments> ...
</Activities> ... </scope> ..
</Authorization>
[0156] In the above example, the authorization message to Facebook
may comprise information as to the scope of information access,
e.g., the user may permit MR-Control to access the user "JDOE's"
Facebook profile including his name, age, date of birth, work an
education information, interested pages, network, and/or the like;
a number of friends of "JDOE," but may not access an exact friends
list. The user may allow MR-Control to obtain "JDOE's" posts on his
own wall, but may not permit access to his posts on his friends'
wall or friends' comments on his wall, and/or the like.
[0157] In one implementation, the social media 250 may pass on the
application ID from the user's mobile or web application and
generate a user token 518 to MR-Control for confirmation of access
permission. In one implementation, the MR-Control may determine
when data update is needed 520, e.g., the data update from social
media may be performed on a periodic basis (e.g., daily, weekly,
etc.). The MR-Control server 220 may generate a data request 522
together with the received user authorization token (e.g., 518) and
transmit to the social media platform.
[0158] In one implementation, the data request 522 may be sent to
the social media platform via a user oAuth protocol, and comprise a
MR-Control application ID, and/or a user social media ID, and/or
the like. For example, in one implementation, the MR-Control server
220 may provide a (Secure) HTTPS PUT message including a data
request 522 for Facebook in the form of data formatted according to
the XML. Below is an example HTTP(S) PUT message including the
XML-formatted access request provide to Facebook:
TABLE-US-00017 PUT /AccessRequest.php HTTP/1.1 Host:
www.MR-Control.com Destination: www.Faceobook.com Content-Type:
Application/XML Content-Length: 518 <?XML version = "1.0"
encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Request> <RequestID> 000001
</RequestID> <TimeStamp> 00:00:00 </TimeStamp>
<Destination>www.Facebook.com </Destination>
<UserID> JDOE </UserID> <ClientID> ccccccc
</ClientID> /* MR-Control Mobile Remote Application Id or
web-based MR-Control Panel management App Id obtained after
registering the application with Facebook*/ <RedirectURL>
www.MR-Control.com/user?8989898988.com </ RedirectURL> /*
MR-Control application URL where the user may be redirected after
authorization*/ <Content> /* Name of Permission elements like
User Age, Friends, Messages, Likes etc that MR-Control application
may have access to*/ <UserProfile> <UserName> Yes
</UserName> <UserAge> Yes <UserAge>
<UserDOB> Yes </UserDOB> <Work> Yes </Work>
<Education> Yes </Education> <Pages> Yes
<Pages> <Network> Yes </Network> ...
</UserProfile> <Friends> <Number> Yes
</Number> <FriendsList> No </FriendsList> ...
</Friends> <Activities> <PostsonWallSelf> Yes
<PostsonWallSelf> <PostsonFriedsWall> No
<PostsonFriendsWall> <OthersWallComments> No
<OthersWallComments> ... </Activities> ...
</Content> ... </Request>
[0159] In the above example, the data request generated by
MR-Control to Facebook may comprise a user ID "JDOE" indicating the
request is directed to Facebook information of the user "JDOE"; a
client ID indicating the application (e.g., the MR-Control mobile
application ID, etc.) indicating a source of the request; and a URL
link which may be provided to the user for authorization, e.g., a
link that requests the user to click a "OK" or "Cancel" button on
the page to authorize or deny MR-Control to gain access to the
user's Facebook content. The access request may further comprise
information as to the scope of information access, e.g., MR-Control
may request to access the user "JDOE's" Facebook profile including
his name, age, date of birth, work an education information,
interested pages, network, and/or the like. The MR-Control may also
request to obtain information of a number of friends of "JDOE," but
may not request to access an exact friends list. The MR-Control may
further request to obtain "JDOE's" posts on his own wall, but may
not request to obtain his posts on his friends' wall or friends'
comments on his wall, and/or the like.
[0160] For another example, in one implementation, the MR-Control
server 220 may provide a (Secure) HTTPS PUT message including a
data request 522 for Twitter server in the form of data formatted
according to the XML. Below is an example HTTP(S) PUT message
including the XML-formatted access request provide to Twitter:
TABLE-US-00018 PUT /AccessRequest.php HTTP/1.1 Host:
www.MR-Control.com Destination: www.twitter.com Content-Type:
Application/XML Content-Length: 518 <?XML version = "1.0"
encoding = "UTF-8"?> <Request> <RequestID> 000002
</RequestID> <TimeStamp> 00:00:01 </TimeStamp>
<Destination> www.Twitter.com </Destination>
<UserID> JDOE </UserID> <oauth_consumer_key> /*
The Consumer Key for MR-Control Remote Application and/or
MR-Control panel management obtained after registering the
application with twitter*/ NNNNNNN </oauth_consumer_key>
<oauth_signature_method> /*The signature method that the
consumer used to sign the request*/ email
</oauth_signature_method> <oauth_signature> /*The
signature as defined in twitter signing requests> electronic
</oauth_signature> <oauth_timestamp> /*Time stamp of
authoroization*/ 00:00:02 </oauth_timestamp>
<oauth_nonce> /* Unique string to identify each request*/
.8888ddddd </oauth_nonce> ... </Request>
[0161] In the above example of data request to Twitter, the request
may comprise a user signature request. For example, a user may
provide electronic signature by clicking on a link (e.g., at 515,
etc.) noting "I hereby provide my signature by pressing this button
to allow MR-Control access my Twitter content," etc.
[0162] In one implementation, upon verification of the data request
by Facebook/Twitter/other social media platform, MR-Control server
220 may download social media structured data 525a and unstructured
data 525b (e.g., see 571a-b in FIG. 5B) for media analytics.
[0163] FIG. 5B shows a block diagram illustrating an example
infrastructure map of MR-Control media analytics within embodiments
of the MR-Control. In one implementation, MR-Control may provide a
media analytics and reporting platform portal 570 for analyzing TV,
Internet, mobile and social media data upon client request, e.g.,
analyzing public feedbacks and comments on a brand name products,
TV shows, and/or the like. In one implementation, the media
measurement and analytics portal platform 570 may provide class
visualization, self service administration with seamless
integration between the different architectural components, e.g.,
570a and 570b, etc.
[0164] In one embodiment, the MR-Control media measurement portal
570 may load data from social networks via a HTTP network 578 via
API calls, e.g., Facebook APPI 580a, Twitter API 580b, Google+API
580c, and other social data providers 580d. The media measurement
portal 570 may process the loaded data within different analytics
platforms 570a/b based on loaded data types, e.g., structured data
571a or unstructured data 571b.
[0165] For example, in one implementation, structured data 571a may
be already stored in a structured format when loaded from the data
source, such as, but not limited to user TV channel selection
indication with timestamp, web displaying content with timestamp,
social media user profile information, a number of user's social
connections (time stamped), a posted photo on social media platform
with timestamp, and/or the like. For example, an exemplary XML
record of structured Facebook user profile data 571a downloaded
from Facebook may take a form similar to the following:
TABLE-US-00019 PUT /userprofile.php HTTP/1.1 Host:
www.MR-Control.com Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length:
718 <?XML version = "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?> <User>
<UserID> JDoe </UserID> <UserFirstName> John
<//UserFirstName> <UserMI> Null </UserMI>
<UserLastName> Doe </UserLastName>
<UserProfilePhoto> Me.JPG </UserProfilePhoto>
<WorkandEducation> <Employers1> <EmployerName>
Data Inc.<EmpoyerName> <StartTime> 2006
</StartTime> <EndTime> present </EndTime> ...
</Employers> <College> Good University </College>
<Classyear> 2000 </ClassYear> ...
</WorkandEducation> ... <Interests> <Interests1>
Graduate Program </Interests1> <Interests2> Cool Cars
</Interests2> </Interests> ... <Friends>
<Number> 82 </Number> <List> Lisa Smith; ....
</List> ... </Friends> ... <User>
[0166] In one implementation, the analytics platform for processing
structured data may store the structured data, such as TV channel
selection, mobile/web content data, social network user profile
data, etc. in a database 575a.
[0167] For another example, unstructured data 571b may comprise raw
text downloaded from social media platform, e.g., friends' comments
from Facebook, original Tweets, etc. In one implementation,
MR-Control social analytics platform 570b may perform data mining
on unstructured data 571b to measure user feedbacks of a brand name
product, TV program, etc. For example, a query may be performed on
the unstructured data 571b to determine how many mentions of "The
Big Bang Theory" are posted by Facebook users.
[0168] For example, in one implementation, an exemplary XML record
of unstructured Facebook user message 571b downloaded from Facebook
may take a form similar to the following:
TABLE-US-00020 PUT /usercomments.php HTTP/1.1 Host:
www.MR-Control.com Content-Type: Application/XML Content-Length:
718 <?XML version = "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8"?>
<SocialMessage> <UserID> JDoe </UserID>
<UserFirstName> John <//UserFirstName> <UserMI>
Null </UserMI> <UserLastName> Doe </UserLastName>
<MessageID> 00001 </MessageID> <Time> 19:00:45
</Time> <Date> 09-09-2011 </Date>
<SocialType> Like </SocialType> <Object>
<Type> Facebook Page </Type> <Name> Big Bang
Theory </Name> <Category> TV </Category>
<Genre> Comedy </Genre> ... </Object>
<ActivityTime> 14:33:56 </ActivityTime>
<ActivityDate> 09-09-2011 </ActivityDate> ...
</User>
[0169] For further implementations, the unstructured data 571b may
comprise a social post, a social media check-in status, social
mentions, and/or the like.
[0170] In one implementation, the MR-Control structured data
analytics platform comprises a variety of processing components,
such as but not limited to user permission component for social
media access 573a, TV/mobile/web measurement reports component
573b, media analytics engine 573c, organization/user account
management component 573d, single source data extraction,
transformation and load (ETL) component 573e, and/or the like.
Within implementations, the user permission component may present
panel users with a set of user interface screens requesting them to
provide permission for MR-Control to access their social content.
For example, MR-Control may provide incentives of promotional
rewards, points, coupons and/or the like to users during
questionnaire distribution (e.g., MR-Control mobile questionnaires
238a, etc) to allow MR-Control access to their social content.
[0171] In one implementation, if the user agrees to provide the
access to their social content, the permission component 573a may
get the authorization token from the respective social platforms
(Facebook, twitter etc) as per the authorization protocol and
persist the token in a repository 575b. The user permission
component 573a may pass the user token and other application
authorization details to social analytics platform so that the
user's social content can be extracted at a scheduled frequency.
For example, MR-Control may periodically, constantly and/or
intermittently load social content data from the social media
platforms via API calls once authentication is established. Further
implementations of user permission flows are discussed in FIGS.
5A-5B.
[0172] In one implementation, the media analytics engine 573c may
analyze the loaded structured data 573c, e.g., per user profile,
per media type, etc. In one implementation, the organization/user
management 573d may create and manage user accounts with the
MR-Control. In further implementations, the TV/mobile/web
measurement reports component 573b may generate media measurement
reports (e.g., including audience ratings, ad effectiveness, etc.)
based on structured media data, such as audience TV channel
selections, mobile/web browsing activities, etc.
[0173] In one implementation, the MR-Control unstructured data
analytics platform 570b may have a rule to define the specific
fields for which the content needs to be extracted for a given user
(e.g. user demographics, no of friends, no of messages in a given
duration, actual text for message and comments etc). Based on the
authentication token the social media analytics platform 570b may
query the social platform for the content. In one implementation,
the social analytics platform 570b may schedule the query tasks and
persist structured and unstructured content that is extracted.
[0174] In one implementation, the MR-Control social analytics
platform 570b may comprise a variety of processing components, such
as but not limited to, social media measurement reports component
583a, taxonomy management console 583b, text analytics engine 583c,
social media adapters 583d, social analytics platform API 583e,
and/or the like. The social analytics platform API 583e may
exchange data via API calls 587 with the single source ETL process
component 573e, such as user authorization tokens, and/or the
like.
[0175] In one implementation, the taxonomy management console 583 b
may define taxonomy tags and taxonomy logic rules. For example, the
taxonomy may be defined at three different levels: a standard
taxonomy specific to an industry and business function as provided
by the platform vendor (e.g., tagging a unstructured data record by
industry, etc.); taxonomy defined by analyst and subject matter
experts (e.g., MR-Control analytics defined taxonomy rules, etc.);
and/or taxonomy defined by clients, and/or the like. For example,
for a Tweet "Good adaption of the Southern Vampire series. Love the
CBS actors/actresses. Expecting the new season" (e.g., 185 in FIG.
1D), the text analytics engine 583c may apply a taxonomy rule to
tag it by a hierarchy of tags "TV show->CBS->The Big Bang
Theory->Positive Feedback." For another example, the client
(e.g., CBS, etc.) may desire to categorize the commented target of
the Tweet, and therefore the taxonomy rule may comprise an
additional sub-category "actor/actresses," and/or the like. In one
implementations, such taxonomy rules may be stored in a repository
585a, and the original social text data and social graph, tagged
social data may be stored at 585b. Further implementations and
applications of the taxonomy rules are discussed in FIGS.
5E-5F.
[0176] In one implementation, the social media measurement reports
583a may provide a user feedback measurement report to a user via
UI integration and data visualization. Within implementations, the
reporting portal 583a may leverage the web based visual components
(e.g. word cloud, traffic light components etc) provided by the
social media analytics platform 570 for analysis that deliver
insights purely on social media data. In further implementations,
for insights generated on combined data set from social and other
data sources (e.g., via data mesh-up 572 between the structured
data analytics platform 570a and unstructured data analytics
platform 570b, etc.) the taxonomy management console 583b may be
integrated to an integrated reporting portal to ensure the clients
have the self service capability of defining the taxonomy and
building the reports. For example, single sign on and UI widget
meshup 572 may be adopted between the two platforms 570a and 570b
for integration of the two.
[0177] In one implementation, the MR-Control media measurement
portal 570 may combine structured social media data with other data
sources to generate cross media insights. The social media
analytics platform 570b may have the API to extract data for
predefined metrics and attributes (e.g., taxonomy logics, data
tags, etc.). The metrics and attributes may be predefined in the
social media analytics tool to compute from the structured and
unstructured content extracted from the social media platforms.
[0178] In one implementation, the MR-Control media measurement
portal 570 may use different platforms for social media reporting
and structured data reporting, and have a tight integration at the
data and UI layers of both the platforms. Additional
implementations of the MR-Control media measurement portal 570 may
comprise: out of the box connectors for social media platforms like
Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc (e.g., at 583e, etc.); web based
taxonomy creation and management user interfaces; industry specific
prebuilt taxonomies (e.g., at 583b, etc.); text analytics engine
with sentiment analysis with learning algorithms (e.g., at 583c,
etc.); ability to define fields for which social content needs to
be extracted (e.g., at 583c, etc.); data API calls to extract large
data set in and out of the platform in real time and/or in batch
mode (e.g., at 583d, etc.); data API calls for UI widget
integration to create mesh-up (e.g., at 572, etc.); multiple tenant
support to ensure taxonomies defined at organization and department
level (e.g., at 583b, etc.); single sign on support with active
directory service interfaces (ADSI) and other light weight
directory access protocol (LDAP) providers (e.g., at 572, 573a,
etc.); components to generate insights from large historical data
(e.g., over two terabytes of data); components to schedule data
extraction jobs from social media sites (e.g., at 583e, etc.);
components to support to host the service on a cloud, and/or the
like.
[0179] FIG. 5C provide a logic flow diagram of user authorization
for social media access and social message (e.g., 289d at FIG. 2C)
processing within implementations of the MR-Control. In one
embodiment, upon receiving a social message from a user, the
MR-Control may determine whether the user, and/or the MR-Control is
authorized to send social messages to the user's social media
platform.
[0180] In one implementation, the user 233a may allow MR-Control
platform to access to their social network. For example, in one
implementation, the user 233a may sign up for MR-Control permission
via a MR-Control mobile application 511a from a mobile device
(e.g., an Apple iPhone, an Android, etc.). For another example, the
user 233a may visit a MR-Control social data panel management
website 511b (e.g., as illustrated in one example in FIG. 8B). In
each case, MR-Control may provide a sign up link to a social media
platform to the user. Upon user clicking the link, the MR-Control
may verify whether the user previously authorized 532a/b MR-Control
to access their Facebook or Twitter information on their behalf and
their previous authorization token (e.g., 522 in FIG. 5A) is not
expired.
[0181] In another implementation, the MR-Control may receive user
attempts to log in and determine whether the user is authorized
532a/b to grant social media data access permission for MR-Control.
For example, when a user has received an email from a social media
platform (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) comprising a MR-Control
link for authentication and the user clicks the link to proceed to
grant permissions for MR-Control, the user may deemed authorized to
configure social media permissions via MR-Control. In another
implementation, when MR-Control determines the user is not
authorized, MR-Control may redirect the user to a social media page
533a/b with a MR-Control application ID and a permission attribute
request, e.g., as discussed at 515 in FIG. 5A.
[0182] In one implementation, the MR-Control may determine whether
access is approved by the user, e.g., the user may select "Yes" or
"Cancel" to indicate permission decision for MR-Control to access
the user's social media content when the social media platform sent
an email notification indicating the access request from
MR-Control, e.g., at 515 in FIG. 5A.
[0183] For example, if the previous authorization is not valid or
if it is a first time access then the MR-Control application may
use oAuth protocol to request Facebook or Twitter to provide access
to user profile and messages (e.g., sending an access request 505
as shown in FIG. 5A). In such cases, the user may be redirected to
Facebook or Twitter web site with request to log in and provide
access parameters, e.g., see 515 in FIG. 5A, and 827 in FIG. 8C.
Facebook or Twitter web site may present a login and permission
screen with option to allow or deny requested access to MR-Control
(e.g., see 810 at FIG. 8A).
[0184] In one implementation, if the user approves the access
request then in the response Facebook or Twitter may provide an
authentication token associated with permission to the data
elements (e.g., 518 at FIG. 5A). In one implementation, the
authentication tokens may be requested with constant permission to
allow user data access even when the user is neither logged into
MR-Control user portal (e.g., the mobile app 511a or the web based
app 511b) nor any social media platform. In alternative
implementations, the authentication token may request timely update
and re-authentication from user on a periodic basis, e.g., weekly,
monthly, etc. In further implementations, the user may revoke
access of MR-Control from to their social media account if they
wish to opt out.
[0185] If the user granted the permission, MR-Control may save the
authorization response token provided by the social media platform
in a user repository 535a/b. The authentication token may be used
in all subsequent requests to social networking sites to access
user's data elements. In another implementation, if the user did
not grant permission, the user may continue with the mobile
application or the web based panel management website 536a/b.
[0186] Upon establishing and/or confirm user authorization for
social media access, MR-Control server may generate social messages
to populate to social media platforms via MR-Control 537, e.g., see
275b in FIG. 2A, 365b in FIG. 3A, etc.
[0187] FIG. 5D provides a logic flow diagram illustrating data
download from social media within implementations of the
MR-Control. Continuing on with 9 at FIG. 5A, MR-Control may receive
data updates from the social media servers 540. The MR-Control may
determine a source of the social media data 543, e.g., Facebook,
Twitter, Google+, and/or the like, and apply data format analytics
rules based on the determined data source 545.
[0188] For example, if the data record is obtained from Facebook,
the data format analytics may determine whether it is structured
user profile information, a user posted photo, unstructured user
posting on the wall, others' comments, and/or the like. For another
example, if the data record is obtained from Twitter, the
MR-Control may determine whether it comprises raw text of a Tweet,
and/or the like.
[0189] In one implementation, if the received data is structured
538, MR-Control may parsing the structured data to extract
information 552. For example, a structured user profile data record
may be parsed per data field, e.g., user_id, user_name, user_DOB,
user_interests, and/or the like. The MR-Control may generate a data
record including user ID/timestamp/geo source, etc. 555 and store
the data record for the structured data 557 at a database (e.g.,
see 575a in FIG. 5B).
[0190] In another implementation, if the received data is
unstructured 538, e.g., raw texts of Facebook comments, Tweets,
etc., MR-Control may feed the data to a Taxonomy engine for data
tagging 560, as further illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C.
[0191] FIGS. 5E-5F provide example data structures of social media
data updates within embodiments of the MR-Control. For example, the
data segments in FIGS. 5E-5F show database structure of social data
elements associated with a user, wherein various data fields may be
linked by a user ID, e.g., "USER_TBL_ID."
[0192] Within implementations, a MR-Control analytics platform
(e.g., 570 at FIG. 5C) may extract and use different sets of data
elements from a user social media profile. For example, in one
implementation, as shown in FIG. 5E-5F, a data record of a Facebook
user profile may comprise data fields such as user work
information, user education information, television viewing
history, interested music, interested books, data feeds, likes,
status message, comments on status message, wall posted comments,
check-in history, and/or the like.
[0193] In one implementation, data elements are categorized based
upon how frequently they are updated and MR-Control may accordingly
determine the fetch and refresh schedules. For example, the
categorization may comprise users static descriptors, such as user
demographic attributes like date of birth, gender, etc., which may
be relatively "constant" and "static, and thus may be determined to
scheduled to update every 6 months. For another example, the
categorization may comprise dynamic descriptors, such as number of
friends, Likes, television viewing, books and other preferences,
which may be updated by a Facebook user more frequently, and may be
scheduled for updates monthly. For another example, the
categorization may comprise text messages, status, comment,
messages, posts, etc., and may be scheduled to update daily and/or
on demand. In one implementation, MR-Control may specify the
requested content in a data request accordingly, e.g., for user
descriptors only, for dynamic descriptor only, for text messages
only, and/or any combination of the above. (e.g., see the
"RequestedContent" field in the example Facebook data request 522
in FIG. 5A).
[0194] FIG. 6A provides a logic flow diagram illustrating social
media analytics within embodiments of the MR-Control. In one
embodiment, a user may submit a request for media analytics 605,
e.g., for a brand name product, a TV program, and/or the like. For
example, a TV production company may desire to know audience
comments about their TV program (e.g., see FIG. 1D). The MR-Control
server 220, upon receiving the user request, may generate a media
analytics management panel user interface screen including a list
of analytics options (e.g., see FIG. 8C) 610, and the user may
submit media analytics parameters 613. For example, as shown in
FIG. 8D, the MR-Control management panel may allow a user to select
social media source (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and/or the
like), a time range, feedback activity type, and/or the like.
[0195] In one implementation, MR-Control server 220 may download
social media data updates (e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 5A-5C), and
form a query based on the retrieved social media data 615 based on
the user inquiry. For example, when the producer CBS would like to
know audience feedbacks of the show "The Big Bang Theory" (e.g.,
see FIG. 1D), MR-Control may search for data related to "The Big
Bang Theory" on the retrieved updated social media data.
[0196] For example, in one implementation, MR-Control may form a
query on the structured data based on key word "The Big Bang
Theory" and/or any character names and/or actors/actress names for
the associated profiles, e.g., a Facebook pages, Twitter profiles,
and obtain a number of followers from the structured data. In
another example, MR-Control may form a query based on the key term
"The Big Bang Theory" and obtain raw text comments containing the
key term. In one implementation, MR-Control may perform a
progressive search over the raw text (e.g., unstructured data,
etc.). For example, MR-Control may search for "The Big Bang
Theory," and then refine the search results by "The Big Bang Theory
AND CBS," and refine the search results by "The Big Bang Theory AND
CBS AND Show," and/or the like. In one implementation, MR-Control
may search the unstructured data based on data tags associated
therewith, as further discussed in FIGS. 6B-6C.
[0197] In one implementation, MR-Control may obtain query results
620, which may comprise a number of followers on the social media
platform, a series of raw text comments from the social media,
and/or the like. The MR-Control may then determine a presentation
format 623 to provide the results to the user. For example, when
the user elects to choose "raw texts" (e.g., see 850 in FIG. 8D),
the user may view a list of raw text comments 630 (e.g. see 850a/b
in FIG. 8D). In another implementation, MR-Control may select an
output visualization format and present the visualization of query
results to the user 625, and the user may view visualized results
633 (e.g., see 860a-c in FIG. 8E).
[0198] FIGS. 6B-6C provide logic flow diagrams illustrating example
taxonomy tagging logics within embodiments of the MR-Control. In
one implementation, as discussed in FIG. 5C, unstructured data
(e.g., raw texts of Facebook comments, Tweets, and/or the like) may
be parsed and tagged with category tags by a taxonomy engine (e.g.,
see 583b-383c in FIG. 5C).
[0199] In one implementation, MR-Control may apply taxonomy model
logics, which may comprise any of a first logical section
associated with the semantic categorization of keywords and a
second logical section associated with the sentiment keywords. In
one implementation, the taxonomy may assign weighted scores to the
logical tagging in conjunction with the semantic text.
[0200] For example, in one implementation, the semantic
categorization logic may be hierarchical and specific to a domain
to maintain simplicity of in model management and run time
executions, e.g. a specific taxonomy model for TV shows, a specific
taxonomy model for advertisement and brand mentions, a taxonomy
model for any combination of the above, and/or the like.
[0201] FIG. 6B shows an example TV shows semantic categorization
model within implementations of the MR-Control. In one
implementation, unstructured data related to TV shows will be
tagged with "TV shows" 640 as a level 0 tag, and progressively be
tagged with level 1, 2, 5, etc based on genre 641, show names 642,
show network 643a, show episodes 643b, show cast member name 643c,
show character names 643d, show episode names 643e, other keyword
texts in the descriptor 643f and/or the like. For example, the
example Tweet 185 in FIG. 1D, "The Big Bang Theory is a good
adaption of the Southern Vampires series. Love the CBS
actors/actresses. Expecting the new season," may be tagged as "TV
show"->"Soap" (genre)->"Comedy" (sub-genre)->"The Big Bang
Theory" (show name), "CBS" (network), "new season" (episode),
"geeks" (key words in descriptor), and/or the like.
[0202] FIG. 6C shows an example advertisement brand awareness model
within implementations of the MR-Control. In one implementation,
unstructured data related to an advertised and/or brand product may
be tagged with "all categories" 645 as a level 0 tag, and
progressively be tagged with level 1, 2, 5, etc based product
categories 646, product brand 647, ad content key words 648a, brand
name 648b, brand name+ad content key words 648c, product mentions
648d, product name/type/model 648e, key word text in descriptor
648f, and/or the like. For example, in one implementation, a
Facebook wall post "the new Audi R8 commercial is so cool!" may be
tagged as "Consumer Products" (all categories)->"Automobiles"
(categories)->"Audi" (brand)->"R8" (product model),
"commercial" (ad content), "so cool" (product mention/feedback),
and/or the like.
[0203] FIG. 6D provides an example logic flow diagram illustrating
taxonomy tree definition within embodiments of the MR-Control.
Within embodiments, the taxonomy logic rules may be pre-defined by
MR-Control panel experts using structured data dictionaries. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may determine the "low level"
categories based on structured data dictionaries 650. For example,
in one implementation, the TV show model may be designed based on a
TV program guide to ensure the reporting label and naming is
followed. In this way, the taxonomy may accelerate and automate the
model development process.
[0204] The MR-Control may extract sample text 653 for a TV show
from social media by a text miner (e.g., the text analytics engine
583c in FIG. 5C) to identify most commonly used key words by the
social media users. For example, user comments posted on the
Facebook page of "The Big Bang Theory" (e.g., see 186b in FIG. 1D)
may be sampled to extract key words; if words such as "Werewolf"
(characters), "Bontemp" (fictional town in the story), etc., are
frequently used in the comments, the taxonomy engine may adopt
these words for taxonomy tags, e.g., the key word text in
descriptor (see 643f in FIG. 6B). This process may enrich the
dictionary and provide inputs to defining taxonomy rules. The
MR-Control may be associated with the identified key words with a
level for the tagging 655. For example, in one implementation, the
keywords identified from sampled social media raw texts (e.g.,
Tweets, Facebook posts, etc.) may be associated with appropriate
nodes, e.g., level 0, 1, 2, 5, etc.
[0205] In a further implementation, MR-Control may identify
keywords set for each TV show/topic including words spelled
differently but meant to refer the same entity 657 to expand the
query scope, e.g. "COCA-COLA," "COCA-COLA'S," "COKE," "COKE'S,"
"COCA COLA," "COCACOLA," etc. Within implementations, a variety of
logical combination of such key words may be coded as a logical
rule 660 with AND, OR, Not operator, e.g.
TABLE-US-00021 Coke (Level 0) [ coke + good] | [ coke + excellent]
(Level 1) [ coke + good] | [ coke + awesome] (Level 1) [ coke in
advert + too much taste to call zero] (Level2) ...
[0206] wherein the "+" is an AND operator and "|" is an OR
operator. The MR-Control may establish a taxonomy tree combining
the rules and store the generated logic taxonomy tree in a taxonomy
database (e.g., see 585a in FIG. 5C).
[0207] FIGS. 6E-6F provides an example logic flow illustrating
taxonomy logic rule application within embodiments of the
MR-Control. In one embodiment, continuing on with 552 in FIG. 5C,
e.g., upon receiving unstructured data for analytics and tagging,
etc., MR-Control may parse the unstructured data for a first level
analytics, e.g., whether it is related to a TV show, and/or a brand
product 680, and may generate a first tag associated with the
unstructured data with a brand name 682 by querying on each brand
in the brand database 684. The MR-Control may then retrieve a
taxonomy logic tree for the brand "Coke" 686, as shown in the above
example.
[0208] In one implementation, MR-Control may follow the taxonomy
tree for "Coke," forming a query on a second category, e.g., brand
name and positive mentions 690. In the above example, the taxonomy
tree may apply a query on "Coke+Good" etc. If such text is found,
MR-Control may generate a sub tag associated with the unstructured
data with "Coke+good" 693a. If not, the MR-Control may apply the
taxonomy for an alternative query key terms, e.g., "Coke+Excellent"
693b, and/or the like. Similarly, if that is found, MR-Control may
generate a sub tag "Coke Excellent" with the unstructured data
695.
[0209] Continuing on with FIG. 6F, the taxonomy engine may
progressively query on "Coke" and key word texts, e.g., "too much
taste," 696, etc. If such key words are found 697, the MR-Control
may generate s sub tag (e.g., level 2) with the unstructured data
698a. If not, the MR-Control may move on with the next taxonomy
rule.
[0210] Within implementations, during the taxonomy rule execution
process, each taxonomy rule may be executed at a leaf node and then
the next higher level may be computed. Upon finishing with a
taxonomy tree, the MR-Control may generate a matching score of the
applied taxonomy logics 699. For example, the score may be based on
a similarity percentage of the key terms in each node of the
taxonomy tree and the compared unstructured data segment. To
maintain efficiency, taxonomy execution models may be logically
partitioned. For example, for a segment of raw text, the same
unstructured text segment may be executed through different models
and scores generated may be merged and aggregated. When the
similarity score is greater than a threshold (e.g., 80%, etc.)
6100, the current tagging generated from 682-698a may be saved
6102. Otherwise, the MR-Control may proceed with a different
taxonomy model, e.g., at 686 in FIG. 6E.
[0211] In one implementations, MR-Control may apply one or more
taxonomy logics to an unstructured data segment, as the data
segment (e.g., a Tweet, a Facebook post, etc.) may be related to
one or more brand products, etc.
[0212] In further implementations, the taxonomy tagging mechanism
may be associated with a weighting score at each "node" of the
taxonomy hierarchy. For example, in the above example for "Coke,"
if the MR-Control receives a client request to analyze consumer
impression about a new product of Coca Cola on social media
analytics, the MR-Control may perform taxonomy mining upon
unstructured data from the social media (e.g., consumer comments).
Each "node" may be progressively associated with a weight score to
determine consumer impression. For example, when the data comprises
"Coke," a level 0 weight score may be assigned (e.g., 0.1, etc.);
when the data comprises "Coke+good" or "Coke+excellent," a level 1
weight score may be assigned (e.g., 0.5, etc.); but when the data
comprises "Coke+horrible" or "Coke" with other negatively
indicative adjectives, a negative level 1 weight score may be
assigned (e.g., -0.5, etc.). In one implementation, the taxonomy
engine may calculate an overall score of an unstructured data
record when progressively querying upon taxonomy key terms, and
generate statistical results of a group of unstructured data to
determine the consumer impression. For example, the MR-Control may
generate statistical report as to how many consumers are positive,
neutral, or negative towards "Coke," based on their calculated
scores, as illustrated in one example in FIGS. 6E-6F. For another
example, the MR-Control may generate popular brands, TV shows that
are the mostly mentioned or positively commented from social media
users, e.g., see FIG. 10H. In further implementations, the
MR-Control may determine a social group to analyze their social
content. For example, within the social group, the MR-Control may
determine user's influence over
[0213] over other members of the population, e.g., whether a user
is an "influencer." For example, when a user posts comments to the
CBS show "The Big Bang Theory" on Facebook, and his Facebook
friends have "liked" his comments and subsequently watch the show,
the user may be considered as a Facebook "influencer." In one
implementation, the notion of influencer may be specific to a
social media platform; a person who is an influencer on one
platform may not be an influencer on another.
[0214] In one implementation, the social influencer may be
determined by social media indices. For example, the MR-Control may
analyze prerequisites for consideration as a social media
influencer, such as whether a user has an account on a social web
platform, whether the user has generated content on that platform
within the past 30 days, and/or the like.
[0215] In one implementation, the MR-Control may calculate social
media index of a user to determine an influencer. For each member
that meets the prerequisites, a social media index is calculated
using various measures. For example, the MR-Control may calculate a
reach measure, e.g., over the past 30 days, the maximum size of the
network, which may be measured through "friends", "followers", or
other similar measures. For another example, the MR-Control may
calculate a frequency measure, e.g., over the past 30 days, the
total number of posts to the platform, which may be measured
through things like "status updates", "tweets", or "comments",
depending on the relevant content generation opportunities for the
particular platform. For another example, the MR-Control may
calculate a resonance measure, e.g., over the past 30 days, the
total number of responses to the individual's content. Depending on
the platform, these responses may take the form of "retweets",
comments on "posts" or "status updates", or direct messages
responses to the individual. The responses may or may not need to
come from individuals within the population being measured.
[0216] In one implementation, the calculated measures are then
ranked against the same measure from other individuals in his or
her demographic group. The demographic measures may include, but
are not limited to, age, gender, race, education, and income. The
specific groupings used for age, education, and income can vary
based on the population being analyzed. An individual is considered
an influencer if he or she ranks in the top 20% of at least two of
the variables.
[0217] In further implementation, the influencer determination may
be refined by product category. Each post made by an individual may
be classified as mentioning a product, or not mentioning a product,
based on text analysis against a standard taxonomy of products and
brands. The volume of posts in each category can be tabulated, and
an individual classified as an influencer in any product category
which represents at least 20% of his or her product-classified
posts. In further implementation, a social influencer may be
specified and/or classified with regard to a TV show category, a
category of products, a category of brands, and/or the like.
[0218] FIG. 7A-7E provide exemplary data diagrams and logic flow
diagrams illustrating cross-channel data collection and media
measurement within implementations of the MR-Control. FIG. 7A
provides a block diagram illustrating MR-Control data collection
within embodiments of the MR-Control. Within embodiments, the
MR-Control may adopt a variety of technologies including flash
cookies, mobile applications, browser plug-ins, and/or the like, to
capture media usage across different channels, e.g., TV, mobile,
internet, social media, and/or the like. In one implementation, the
MR-Control may analyze the media usage data to study the
advertisement effects of a brand product.
[0219] In one implementation, MR-Control may track audience
activities to content (planning and competitive analysis) and
advertising (post analysis, ad effectiveness). In one
implementation, the MR-Control may create digital footprints on
usage as a bi-product of delivering content and advertising, e.g.,
via application session ID, cookie, etc., to create dataset that is
used for tactical content and advertising decisions. For example,
the MR-PLATFORM may set up a group of users (e.g., in 100,000
users, etc.) to track their TV viewing, Mobile usage, Online
surfing history, advertising exposure, demographic information,
product ownership info for auto, location, financial services,
product usage information for CPG/Pharma, and/or the like to
provide survey research for ad effectiveness. In one
implementation, MR-Control may recruit users with incentive rewards
(e.g., the participants may be required to allow MR-Control to
access their social media content as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B),
e.g., Credit in iTunes or Google App Store account (e.g.,
$10/quarter=$40 a year), local coupons/offers based on zip code,
etc.
[0220] As shown in FIG. 7A, the MR-Control may automatically
collect data 705 from various source, e.g., online advertising
usage 715, mobile device usage 720, TV viewing data 725, social
media data (e.g., Facebook posts/conversations, etc.) 730 via API
calls (e.g., see FIGS. 5A-5B). In another implementation, the
MR-Control may employ panelists 710 to configure data downloads
parameters, system maintenance, and/or the like. For example, the
panelist may comprise social media users that allow MR-Control to
access their social profile and content for analytics.
[0221] FIGS. 7B-7C provide example flow diagrams illustrating
MR-Control cross-channel data collection in alternative embodiments
of the MR-Control. In one embodiment, a variety of data may be
obtained and stored in a MR-Control database (e.g., see 219 at FIG.
2A). In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 7B, MR-Control may
obtain data from different channel for cross-channel media
measurement. For example, the MR-Control may obtain TV channel
changing (e.g., user submission of channel selection) 790 from a
MR-Control TV client application 795a (e.g., see FIGS. 7A-7G),
mobile advertising 791a and mobile application 79ab usage from a
MR-Control application 795b, social media profile 778a and social
media comments 778b from social media (e.g., Facebook Twitter,
750), user exposure to tagged advertisement 789a from a client
flash/HTTP cookies 789b (e.g., see 375 in FIG. 163D), advertising
exposure 790a (e.g., whether a user clicks on an ad) and website
visits 790b from URL tracking of a user browser 797, and/or the
like. In one implementation, the MR-Control may incorporate the
variety of data for a cross-channel study of user feedbacks of an
advertisement, a brand, a product, a TV show, and/or the like.
[0222] In a further implementation, the MR-Control may utilize the
MR-Control client component installed at a user mobile device to
capture TV viewing in the home, survey responses, and/or the like.
In a further implementation, the MR-Control may adopt a mobile
meter to measure mobile usage. In another implementation, the
MR-Control may provide a client component which may provide history
information from a user's personal computer when user connects his
mobile device to his computer to sync up so that the MR-Control may
track online Internet usage of the user, e.g., browsing history,
clicks on ads, etc. In a further implementation, the MR-Control may
track TV ad exposure from a variety of meter data, e.g., TNS, M+,
AceMetrix, and/or the like. In further implementations, data may be
collected passively via mobile phones in almost real time, and/or
when phone is being charged.
[0223] Within implementations, TV distribution may be driven by an
over the air broadcast and a "one-to many" cable infrastructure.
Unlike other media and industries, like the Internet and the
CPG/retail environment, the TV infrastructure may not create
footprints on usage with content (or product) distribution. In such
cases, the industry may have a panel based research to understand
the size and composition of TV audiences. All decisions related to
programming, ad sales, and carriage deals between multiple system
operator and cable networks may be based upon panel data, which may
enable research providers to realize outsized rewards for providing
insights.
[0224] In one embodiment, the MR-Control may obtain TV viewing data
via Return Path Data (RPD) from Digital Set Top Boxes (RDTB), which
may facilitate analysis of TV viewing to provide insights on
viewing to small networks and small geographies, e.g., local market
measurement reflecting a local TV station or cable MSO zone. For
another example, metered data from RPD may be applied to analyze a
group of categorized audience (e.g., heavy Coke drinkers) with
targeted ad content (e.g., a 30 second commercial on a niche,
targeted network).
[0225] In further implementations, the MR-Control may study ad
effects by collecting data with regard to user purchasing
activities of the advertised products. For example, the MR-Control
may track user clicks on a "Buy it Now" button, e.g., see 750c in
FIG. 7G. In another implementation, the MR-Control may obtain data
form retailers, manufactures, Internet players, and/or the like,
wherein real store data, frequent shopper cards usage, and log
files (Internet shopping) may be analyzed to study placement
decisions, increase traffic and sales (ad visits), use the granular
traffic (click-stream) data to design customized
products/content/advertising to shoppers/viewers, and real time
analytics to better manage ad campaigns, and/or the like. In one
implementation, a weighing scoring mechanism similar to that
illustrated in FIG. 2I may be employed, but expanded to a variety
of cross channel tracking data, to analyze ad effects within a
cross channel dataset.
[0226] In further implementations, the MR-PLATFORM may access to
non-live media, such as, Charter, TiVo, Rentrak, Internet TV (e.g.,
Google TV, Apple TV, and/or the like, and incorporate viewing data
for analysis (e.g., see FIG. 2H).
[0227] In further implementation, Internet measurement data (e.g.,
from ISP data, etc.) may be collected, e.g., HTTP cookies,
click-stream data with demographic information, and/or the
like.
[0228] In further implementations, mobile usage may be tracked via
specific applications (e.g., in a similar manner to log file
analysis), anonymous location based tracking of cell users, and/or
the like.
[0229] FIG. 7C shows data collection via a proxy server within
implementations of the MR-Control. For example, in one
implementation, a MR-Control client application 795b operated on a
user device may collect and send information such as social
application usage, GPS location, response to surveys, etc., to a
database 719. In further implementations, social application usage
and mobile advertising data may be passed to a MR-Control proxy
server 788 (e.g., see FIG. 7E), and/or a VPN server, which may
forward it to the database 719. In one implementation, TV viewing
data may be provided to the database 719 via a TV remote
application 795a (and/or a TV measurement network). In another
implementation, social media engagement data (e.g., user posts,
comments on the social media) 750 may be sent to the database as
well. In further implementations, the MR-Control may obtain mobile
search behavior of a user, exposure to social media (e.g., user
viewing friends' recommendations on social media, etc.), and/or the
like.
[0230] FIG. 7D provides a data flow diagram illustrating MR-Control
data flow between entities within alternative embodiments of the
MR-Control. Within embodiments, a MR-Control database 719 may
obtain data from Facebook server 782a and Twitter server 782b via
API calls (e.g., see FIGS. 5A-5C). In further implementations, the
access may be validated and/or authorized by MR-Control panelists.
In further implementations, other media exposure 782e (e.g., see
FIGS. 7B-9C), survey data 782f (e.g., from synchronized
questionnaire, or other questionnaires handled by panelists, etc.),
purchasing data 782c, may be provided to the database. In a further
implementation, the cross-channel data may be stored with a cloud
storage 782d.
[0231] In one implementation, a client (e.g., a user, a merchant
for analytics report, etc.) may access the MR-Control analytics
server 755 via a website 784, which may in turn operate with a text
analytics platform 783c to analyze social content, cross-channel
data, and/or the like.
[0232] FIG. 7E shows a logic flow diagram illustrating monitoring
user device data transmission across different channels within
embodiments of the MR-Control. Within embodiments, the MR-Control
may instantiate a proxy server to monitor data in/out of the user
mobile device 740, wherein the data may be transmitted to/from
different channels. In one implementation, the proxy server may
receive data 742, and extract information from the received data
745 to determine a data type and monitor the user device activities
which may indicate advertisement delivery/usage information. For
example, if the data comprises a website URL 746, the MR-Control
may determine whether the URL comprises an advertisement component
748. If yes, the MR-Control may determine characteristics of the
advertisement 749, e.g., classification of the advertisement (e.g.,
media genre, media source, content description, etc.). In further
implementations, the MR-Control may determine whether the
advertisement running on the URL is an automatic advertisement, or
requires user's manual trigger (e.g., user clicks for display). The
MR-Control may obtain identifying information, e.g., an Ad ID, 755,
to generate prompt questions, e.g., at 312 in FIG. 3B.
[0233] In further implementations, the MR-Control may identify an
advertisement comprised in a URL link via advertisement image
recognition. For example, the MR-Control may identify graphical
contents contained in a URL link based on empirical pattern of web
content format. Such empirical patterns may be classified per URL
link type (e.g., a shopping site link such as Amazon.com may have
an advertisement placed at the center frame of the web page; a news
link such as New York Times page may have an advertisement placed
at the side/bottom bar of the web page, and/or the like). For
another example, the MR-Control may identify dynamic contents on
the web page, such as, but not limited to flash contents, banners,
applets, and/or the like, as displayed advertisements.
[0234] Within implementations, upon obtaining an image capture of
an advertisement, the MR-Control may adopt software packages to
identify contents of the advertisement (e.g., a featured product
name, a brand name, etc.) so that it can be associated with a
user's ad exposure. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
generate a unique identifier indicative of visual characteristics
of the captured ad graphical contents (e.g., a matrix
representation of sampling of the captured ad image, etc.), and
form a query on an ad database based on the unique identifier. In
another implementation, the MR-Control may adopt software packages
similar to, but not limited to Google image search, and/or the
like. Further details of advertisement image match may be similar
to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,565,139, entitled "Image Based
Search Engine for Mobile Phone with Camera," which is herein
expressly incorporated by reference.
[0235] In one implementation, the MR-Control may dissect an
advertisement identification from the advertisement embedded in the
web content (e.g., the URL link) to determine a product name, a
brand name, and/or the like, which the user has been exposed to. In
further implementations, the captured graphical advertisement
contents may be tagged with metadata in compliance with formats
associated with an advertisement, e.g., exif data tags (which may
include unique advertising identifiers in the software tags, in the
inter-operability tags, in the extension name/ID, extension
description tags, and/or the like). Other graphical metadata
formats may also be contemplated such as XMP, GIF, IPTC information
interchange model metadata format, and/or the like.
[0236] In further implementations, the MR-Control may determine
whether a user clicked a URL link comprising media program content,
e.g., a Youtube link, etc. The MR-Control may extract an
identifier, e.g., a web ID, etc., to determine the name of the
media program. In another implementation, the MR-Control may obtain
excerpts of the media program, and determine a name of the media
program via an embedded digital signature. In further
implementation, the MR-Control may set time stamp on the user's
click on the URL link comprising a media program to record how long
the user has been exposed to the media program. Further
implementations of the ad identification are discussed in FIG.
7F.
[0237] In further implementations, the MR-Control may track a
user's browsing history by monitoring a stream of "clicks" the user
has submitted on his mobile device. For example, the MR-Control may
monitor user's "clicks" to determine a type of the click, e.g.,
usage of media playing, visits of a different URL link, posting of
social media contents, usage of an application, and/or the like.
Using an app. The MR-Control may then determine advertisement
exposure associated with each "click" (e.g., via ad image
identification illustrated in FIG. 7F).
[0238] In another implementation, the received data may comprise
application information from the user device 751. The proxy server
may ascertain an application inventory list of the user device 753,
and/or application group sharing information 754. For example, one
or more users who are Facebook friends, may form a group to share
their interested TV watch list and viewing status via MR-Control,
and such information may be captured by the proxy server.
[0239] In another implementation, the received data may comprise
indication of media usage 762, e.g., channel selection,
atmospherics data, etc., the MR-Control may determine whether the
TV program on the selected channel has been listened, watched,
and/or streamed 766. The MR-Control may determine a title of the
media program 767, and retrieve ad tags embedded in the media
program from a media table to determine user ad exposure
information, e.g., as discussed in FIGS. 3B-3C. In further
implementations, the received data may comprise survey
responses/social messages sent 763 to the MR-Control, as further
discussed in FIGS. 5A-5E.
[0240] In one implementation, the MR-Control may generate media
analytics report 768 based on the obtained media data, including
information as to user impressions to a brand name product, TV
shows, etc., e.g., as shown in FIGS. 10A-10H.
[0241] In one implementation, the MR-Control may provide
advertisers solutions to design advertising campaigns as to which
type of media to place an ad, developing media plans with the
optimal mix across media, determine the impact of advertising on
brand awareness, favorability measures, intent to buy and actual
purchase across media (ROI). In another implementation, the
MR-Control may provide advertising measurement solutions using
emerging sources of data, e.g., media consumption data (TV, online,
mobile, social, etc.), shopper data for key categories, and/or the
like.
[0242] In one implementation, the MR-Control may provide clients
with insights on campaign effectiveness and recommendations on
optimal media allocation using survey questionnaires (e.g., as
further discussed in FIGS. 3A-3D) based on statistical modeling and
regression analysis. In further implementations, the impact of each
media may be separately analyzed to make recommendation on optimal
spend and predict sales based upon survey responses.
[0243] In further implementations, the MR-Control may link
different type of data for cross channel analysis. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may create a unified dataset that
profiles audiences for TV and online media consumption, wherein
each viewing source (e.g., individual TV set, household TV set,
etc.) with viewing and ad exposure information for TV and online is
associated with a unique identifier. For example, MR-Control may
adopt direct linkage by getting TV and online data for the same
household (e.g., via ISP, cable provider, etc.). For another
example, the MR-Control may segment TV and online data, and link
using segments (e.g., segmented by program category, zip code, air
time, etc.). For another example, the MR-Control may devise and
distribute survey questions about TV viewing and linking with the
respondents' online surfing data.
[0244] In one embodiment, the MR-Control may obtain media
consumption data from a variety of channels, such as, but not
limited to geographically dispersed TV viewing data sets (e.g.,
CANOE), persons tracking with EPGs or embedded in TV software or
cell phones, metering data from STB, individual smartphone (e.g.,
Apple iPhone, etc.) based tracking (e.g., social content, persons'
watching activities, etc.), and/or the like.
[0245] FIG. 7F provides a block diagram illustrating example
infrastructure of advertisement recognition within implementations
of the MR-Control. Within implementations, the MR-Control may
measure which advertisement audience has been exposed to by mining
the monitored data in/out of the user mobile device, user computer,
and/or the like (see e.g., 740 at FIG. 7E). For example, URL links
and data file may be collected and sent 772 by a data collection
software 771 running at a client component instantiated on a user
mobile device. In another implementation, the data collection may
be performed at a proxy or VPN server.
[0246] For digital advertising (online and mobile), MR-Control may
classify the advertisements via a hybrid manual/automatic process.
For example, MR-Control may adopt a mobile or PC-based system
(using a software meter, VPN, and/or Proxy Server, among other
technologies) to pass along to a staging server the URL of the ad,
along with the actual file (typically a .gif, .jpg, or .png). For
example, upon receiving ad data including URLs and associated
digital files (e.g., media program excerpt files, etc.) via a
network connection 773, the MR-Control server 774 may compare the
received advertisement data with ad profiles in a database 775. The
filename, file size, and other data may be compared against an ad
database, and if the ad has already been classified, then the new
ad exposure event is transmitted to a classification engine 776
classified based on classification rules in the database.
Classification rules may include brand and product mentions, as
well as ad size and other descriptors. If a match is not found,
then the ad is put in a queue for manual classification by a
MR-Control representative. For example, the MR-Control
representative may identify the object (e.g., a product, a brand
name, etc.) that is advertised within the ad.
[0247] In one implementation, the advertisement may be identified
via graphical content match, as discussed in FIG. 7E. In an
alternative implementation, the ad identification may be performed
via an automated system, by which ads that do not match any items
in the ad database may be examined automatically by a computer
program for clues as to the proper classification. For example,
when an ad that mentions Acura in the ad image, the MR-Control may
automatically classify the ad as an Acura advertisement. Within
implementations, the MR-Control may perform character recognition
procedures (e.g., optical character recognition, etc.) to obtain
key terms from advertisement images for advertising exposure
identification. Such ad identification may be used for advertising
effectiveness measurement. Numerous OCR engines may be adopted,
such as GOCR, Java OCR, OmniPage, SimpleOCR, and/or the like.
[0248] FIGS. 8A-8E provide exemplary mobile screen shots
illustrating user interfaces within embodiments of the MR-Control.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the MR-Control user interface may comprise a
section for social media status, e.g., the Facebook user "John
Smith is watching The Big Bang Theory on CBS" 820. The user may
also view a list of his friends' status 805, e.g., what the friends
are watching.
[0249] In one implementation, the user may view a list of channel
program 810 schedules, and may elect to tap on the screen to choose
one of the listed channels. In a further implementation, the user
may select to allow ambient monitoring 850, so that the MR-Control
may "listen-in" and submit atmospherics data to the MR-Control
server, as discussed at 241 in FIG. 2B.
[0250] In further implementations, the user may click on the
"Prompts" 820 button and view a drop down list of survey questions,
e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B. The survey question may be generated
based on the media content the user has been watching, as discussed
in FIG. 3B. Upon the user submitting a response, as shown in FIG.
8C, the user response may be populated as a social media message
830. In one implementation, the user's friends may view the user's
activity and "likes" the user's response 831a, commented on the
response 831b, and/or follow the link of the survey and participate
in the survey 831c.
[0251] In further implementations, as shown in FIG. 8D, the user
may tap on the "Social" 815 button and launch a drop down panel for
social media inputs 815a. In one implementation, the MR-Control may
generate an automatic message template for the user based on the
media ad tags, e.g., the user likes an embedded product placement
8815b. For another example, the user may manually type texts to
update his social media status 815c.
[0252] In further implementations, as shown in FIG. 8E, if the user
elects to submit a message on social media indicating he likes the
embedded product placement 835, the user's friends may be aware of
the product. For example, the user's friends may like the post
835a, comment on the product 835b. For another example, the
MR-Control may feed a link directing to a merchant site comprising
the placed product along with the social media message, and the
user's friend may follow the link to learn more about the placed
product via the social media 835c.
[0253] FIGS. 8F-8G provide example mobile screens illustrating
synchronized ads within implementations of the MR-Control. In one
implementation, MR-Control may provide a static (e.g., textual) ad
820b in a prompts drop-down menu 820, as shown in FIG. 8F. For
example, when the user selected channel "CBS" has "The Big Bang
Theory" on air, and the media content arrives at a timestamp
wherein a pair of "white framed sunglasses" is tagged in the scene,
MR-Control may generate a pop-up ad 820b and provide a link for a
user to tap on to check out for more details.
[0254] FIG. 8G shows an example interactive ad. For example, the
MR-Control may generate an interactive ad including a screen shot
of the TV program containing the placed products. The featured
products may be tagged (e.g., highlighted by white-line boxes) in
the screen image, e.g., a pair of "XYZ-designer French style
sunglasses" 850a, and "DDD Red Polka Dots Bikini Halter Top" 850b.
A user may tap on a "Buy it Now" label 850c to check out more
details, and/or be directed to a merchant site to transact a
sale.
[0255] In a further implementation, the interactive ad may comprise
a user rating of the featured product showing beneath the product.
In one implementation, the user rating may be obtained from
historical user rating data, social media rating, and/or the like.
In one implementation, the user may enter his own rating by tapping
on the box 850d.
[0256] In a further implementation, the user may browse the
interactive ads (e.g., including screen shots from the TV program
comprising product placement tags, etc.) by going to a previous
page 851, and/or a next page 852. In further implementations, the
user may elect to browse interactive ads associated with the TV
program in a variety ways. For example, the user may elect to view
a list of all ads 855a; may elect to view by season episode 855b;
may elect to view by character 855c (e.g., products carried by, or
associated with the character names in the show); may elect to view
by item category 855d (e.g., apparel, accessories, furniture, hair
products, etc.), and/or the like. In further implementations, the
user may initiate a search on desired products 858. For example, if
the user is interested in a red hat the character "Penny" wore in
one of the scenes, the user may form a query on the embedded ads
table based on key terms "Penny," "red," "hat," etc.
[0257] FIGS. 8H-8L provide example mobile screen shots illustrating
a MR-Control TV remote client component within embodiments of the
MR-Control. In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 8H, a user may
receive TV guide (e.g., 863) as a list of channel program
information 860. The user may also receive live TV information
updates in a pop-up window 861 at a "live" section 862. The user
may further configure parameters in a "Remotes" section 864 and
"Settings" 865, as further illustrated in FIGS. 8J-8L.
[0258] When the user tap on the "live" section 862, the user may
view a list of most viewed programs, e.g., ranked by registered
MR-Control users. The user may also see a list of program that the
user's social friends are watching 868, and a list of programs the
user has selected 866.
[0259] FIG. 8I provides example screens illustrating the "Remotes"
864 at FIG. 8H within implementations of the MR-Control. For
example, upon plugging an infrared accessory (e.g., see 120 in FIG.
1B) to a user mobile device, the user may turn the mobile device
(e.g., an Apple iPhone, iPod, iTouch, iPad, BlackBerry, Google
Android, Palm, etc.) into an infrared TV remote control. Upon
tapping on "remote" 864, the user may view a virtual TV remote
panel which comprises control buttons for TV program information
870 from which the user may tap to select channels, adjust volume
levels, etc. The MR-Control may provide a set-top box control panel
to the user for the user to control live/on-demand video playing,
and/or the like. The user may also configure DVR control 870a, live
TV 870b, on demand TV 870c, TiVo 870d, TV guide 870d and
intelligent TV (e.g., Apple TV 871, Google TV 872), and/or the
like. For another example, the user may view an array of fast keys
for different channels 873.
[0260] FIGS. 8J-8K provides example screens illustrating the
"Setting" 865 at FIG. 8H within implementations of the MR-Control.
In one implementation, the user may configure TV provider 875a,
set-top box 875b, Smart TV 875c, TiVo 875d, DVD 875e parameters for
the mobile TV remote for MR-Control. In one implementation, the
user may enter the zip code 876 to receive a list of TV providers
available in the area, and select his own provider. In another
implementation, the user may elect to choose "use TV" only, or to
set-up and test a set-top box for his television set. In further
implementations, the user may configure TV and DVD parameters so
that the infrared plug-in accessory may query an address of the TV
and DVD set. In one implementation, the user may select a TV brand
880 from a brand list, and then select a type of the TV. For
example, the user may tap on a few testing buttons under each type,
e.g., "Power," "Volume," "Select," etc., to test whether the remote
control works for the TV.
[0261] In another implementation, the user may configure DVDs via
the MR-Control. The MR-Control may initiate an automatic scan upon
user selection, and/or receive an indication from the user of the
DVD brand. Upon indicating the DVD brand, the user may test
connection with the DVD set to select a DVD type.
[0262] In another implementation, the user may enter a zip code to
configure the TV provider 875a, so that the MR-Control may provide
a list of TV providers for the user to choose.
[0263] FIG. 8K provides an exemplary mobile screen shot
illustrating social profile of a TV program within implementations
of the MR-Control. In one implementation, the user may select a TV
program (e.g., "Channel 5" 885) on a channel to view its social
profile. In one implementation, the user may tap on "Check-in" 886
to populate a Facebook message with regard to the checked TV
program, and/or "Twitter" icon 887 to share such information on
Twitter. For example, to "Check-in," the user may select post onto
his Facebook wall by typing a message 886a, and/or share the
automatically generated message 886a by MR-Control. In another
implementation, if the user chooses to "Tweet," the user may view a
list of "discussion" 888 Tweets with regard to the show "The Big
Bang Theory," and may generate his own Tweet.
[0264] In one implementation, the user may view a social rating 889
of the TV program "The Big Bang Theory" under its profile. For
example, the rating 889 may be given by social users of MR-Control
who has viewed the program, and the user may elects to submit his
own rating 889a. In a further implementation, the user may obtain a
list of "social watching" 890 to see a list of social users (e.g.,
social media users who has allowed MR-Control to access their
social profiles, etc.) who is watching the selected TV program.
[0265] FIG. 9A provides an exemplary mobile screen shot (e.g., 511a
in FIGS. 5A-5B) illustrating user authorization of MR-Control
access to the user's Facebook content within embodiments of the
MR-Control. In one implementation, a user may receive a message
(e.g., a pop-up message window, an email, etc.) requesting a user
to elect whether to allow MR-Control to access his Facebook
content. For example, the user may tap on a link in the message,
e.g., "Yes" or "Not Now" to grant or deny permission to his
Facebook content.
[0266] In another implementation, as shown in FIG. 9A, a user may
configure social network connection settings under the settings
(e.g., see 865 at FIG. 8H) of MR-Control client mobile application.
In one implementation, the MR-Control may send an access request so
that a user may view a prompt from his mobile device 911, and may
elect allow or disallow the MR-Control access attempt 902. The user
may be directed to a Facebook login page 910, wherein Facebook may
request user to provide login credentials to verify the permission
authorization. For example, the user may enter his email address
913 and password 915 to login to Facebook. For another example, if
the user does not have a Facebook account yet, upon tapping on
"Yes," the user may be directed to create a new account. In another
implementation, if the user's mobile application (e.g., an iPhone
Facebook app, a mobile browser, etc.) stores user previously
entered login credentials, the user mobile device may send the
login credentials to the social media to proceed with access
authorization, so that the user may not need to view the login page
910 to manually provide user credentials.
[0267] Upon providing Facebook login credentials and verification
of Facebook, the user may receive a request for permission screen
911 to select to "Allow" 908 MR-Control to access the user's
Facebook profile. In further implementations, the user may
configure access parameters in a similar manner as illustrated in
FIGS. 9B-8C.
[0268] FIGS. 9B-8C provide exemplary web-based user interface
(e.g., 511b in FIGS. 5A-5B) illustrating user authorization of
MR-Control access to the user's social media content within
embodiments of the MR-Control. For example, in one implementation,
a user may access a web-based MR-Control configuration page via an
Internet browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.)
to bridge his social media accounts with MR-Control. In one
implementation, the user may select a list of social media
platforms 920 to join MR-Control, e.g., the user may click on
checkboxes to choose Facebook 921a, Twitter 921b, Google+ 921c,
Tumblr 921d and/or the like. In further implementations, the user
may specify other social media platforms not listed by MR-Control
by typing a URL address, e.g., "FourSquare," etc. Upon selecting
the social media, the user may click "Send Request" 925 so that
MR-Control may send a connection request to the selected social
media platforms, e.g., Facebook 921a and Twitter 921b as shown in
the example of FIG. 9B. In another implementation, the user may
click "Cancel" 926 to abort the access control configuration.
[0269] In one implementation, upon submitting the request 925, the
social media platform may request login confirmation 925. For
example, the user may be redirected to the social media homepage to
login. For another example, the user may be presented a pop-up
window 928 for the social analytics to connect with Facebook, e.g.,
the user may need to provide email 926 and password 927 to login to
Facebook.
[0270] As shown in FIG. 9C, upon providing user Facebook
credentials, the user may configure access scope 927 for Facebook
content. For example, the user may elect to allow MR-Control to
access his user profile, e.g., the user may select among a list of
checkboxes for user name, user address, user email, user phone
number, work information, education information, date of birth,
pages, groups, networks, and/or the like. For another example, the
user may configure the MR-Control may access his friends
information 929, e.g., the user may allow the MR-Control to obtain
a number of friends 929a but may not allow the MR-Control to access
details of the friends list. For another example, the user may
allow the MR-Control to access his wall posts 930, e.g., the user
may allow the MR-Control to access his post on his own wall 930a
(including sharing links, posted photos, status update, messages,
etc.). The user may conditionally allow MR-Control to access his
post on his friend's wall when the friend allows access to his wall
930c. Similarly, the user may conditionally allow MR-Control to
access the user's likes/dislikes when the liked or disliked item
owner allows MR-Control access 930d as well.
[0271] FIGS. 9D-9F provide exemplary web-based user interface
illustrating media analytics within embodiments of the MR-Control.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, a MR-Control user/client (e.g.,
an advertising merchant, a TV media producer, etc.) who may desire
to know audience feedbacks to an ad, TV program, and/or the like,
may access a media analytics reports 940 module. In one
implementation, the user may select tabs for different options to
view analytics of a targeted object (e.g., a TV show, an
advertisement, etc.). For example, a use may elect to view comments
categorized by people 941, TV shows 942, brand names 943, products
944, media sources 944, and/or the like.
[0272] In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 9D, if the user
selects TV shows 942, the user may provide information of the TV
show by selecting a TV network, (e.g., "CBS" at 945a), genre (e.g.,
"Comedy" at 945b), show name (e.g., "The Big Bang Theory" at 945c),
from a drop down list. In another implementation, the user may
manually enter a name of the TV show 945d to query on a TV show
database at MR-Control.
[0273] In one implementation, the user may configure analytics
parameters such as social content source 948 (e.g., check on
"Facebook" and "Twitter"), time range 949 (e.g., between a
specified time and present). The user may further select a
presentation format, e.g., whether to view raw textual comments
950, or a visualized summary 955 (e.g., plain format 955a,
chart/plots 955b, or table 955c). For example, if raw text 950 is
selected, the user may view a list of Facebook comments 950a, and
Tweets 950b related to the show "The Big Bang Theory."
[0274] In another implementation, as shown in FIG. 9E, if the user
elects to view analytics report in a visualized format 955, the
summary may be presented in a plain textual format, e.g., 960a,
showing statistical results of the positive, neutral and/or
negative comments. For another example, charts/plots 960b, and a
table 960c summary may be presented. In one implementation, the
analytics summary may be broken down to different categories, e.g.,
the comments for each category "CBS," "The Big Bang Theory,"
"Characters," "Music" of the show, and/or the like.
[0275] FIGS. 10A-10H provides exemplary user interfaces of media
analytics reports within embodiments of the MR-Control. FIG. 10 A
provides an exemplary MR-Control media analytics UI flow. Within
implementations, upon obtaining measurement data from a variety of
data channels (e.g., social media, URL links, mobile metering,
etc.), the MR-Control may provide web based media analytics
platform for a user to access via a Internet web browser. The
recorded data analytics as shown in FIGS. 10A-10F may be explored
via a variety of data file formats including XML, ASC, and/or the
like, through the database export mechanism. Within
implementations, these exported files may be imported to analytical
tools, such as SAS, etc., wherein various statistical analysis may
be engaged. In one implementation, selections made from the
dashboard, e.g., a genre selection, 1041 of FIG. 10H, may be used
as the query filter prior to the export of the physical
information, and as such, and data imported into the package will
be limited to the selector (e.g., genre, name, etc.). The output
from a standard statistical output from package SAS may be used in
its entirety and/or parsed for the dashboard report. For example,
the MR-Control may download the statistical output in a text format
and present it in a dashboard user interface. In another example,
the SAS output may be reported in a statistical format (e.g., comma
delineated XML file), which may enhance parsing for the dashboard
report generation.
[0276] For example, the MR-Control may provide a welcome/login
screen to a user 1005, wherein the user may be a MR-Control client,
such as a TV producer, an advertiser, a merchant, and/or the like,
who may be interested to learn their TV audience statistics,
brand/products impressions, and/or the like.
[0277] Upon user login at 1005, the MR-Control may provide a
customized dashboard page 1008, e.g., as further illustrated in one
implementation at FIGS. 10B/10H. The dashboard page may provide an
overview of the media analytics results, such as generated report
types 1010, available statistics charts/plots, and/or the like. For
example, the MR-Control may perform analytics to generate
advertising reports 1012 (e.g., advertisement delivery reports
1012a, etc.), audience reports 1015 (e.g., an audience summary
report 1015a, audience reports by gender reach 1015b, by age reach
1015c, reports per day of week 1015d, reports per hour during a day
part 1015e, etc.).
[0278] FIG. 10B provides an exemplary screen shot for media
analytics dashboard 1008. In one implementation, a user may elect
to configure media analytics parameters. For example, the user may
select an object of the media analytics, which may be a media
platform, a TV channel, an application platform, and/or the like.
The dashboard board may provide a dropdown menu to allow the user
to select various applications and media platforms e.g., the user
may select view application usage of "Foursquare" 1018. In other
implementations, the user may select targeted MR-Control social
users for the study, e.g., by checking user gender 1020, age groups
1021, user interface types (e.g., MR-Control application, mobile,
web, etc.), phone types 1023, day part time range 1024, user
location 1025, and/or the like. In further implementations, the
user configured social user group may be saved as a group for
further analysis.
[0279] In one implementation, the media analytics dashboard page
may provide a plot of total MR-Control user sessions 1028 based on
the user configured MR-Control social user group. For example, the
personal trending data statistics 1028 may further comprise plots
of number of users, number of sessions, number of new users,
median/mean session length, geographic regions of users, and/or the
like. In another implementation, MR-Control may provide analysis of
MR-Control application usage statistics 1029, such as a total
number of sessions, a total number of registered users, a median
session length per user, and/or the like. In another
implementation, the MR-Control may provide a summary table 1030
showing the study of user selected reporting application
"Foursquare," including audience active reach, total visits, visits
per person, total web page views, page view per person, duration,
time per person, web user gender, age, and/or the like. For
example, a report on the number of users may summarize the number
of users an application (e.g., "Foursquare") has had over period of
tracking to indicate whether the number is growing or declining.
The report may also analyze user sessions in different scenarios
(e.g., whether by a single user). For example, when a mobile site
has been visited for 50 times, but 30 of those times it was from
the same user, versus another month the number visits from
different users was 25, the number of users may not be considered
as increased.
[0280] For another example, a report on number of sessions may
include number of sessions by all users within the last calendar
month, which may be tracked on a monthly trending basis to indicate
how often an application/site was seen by all users. For another
example, a report on number of new users may show the number of new
users for the last calendar month using the application or mobile
site. For another example, the median/mean session length may
indicate the time spent on application/site. For another example,
the geo graphic region of users may show a geographical
distribution of users engaging or visiting the
application/advertisement
[0281] FIG. 10C provides an exemplary audience summary report
1015a. As shown in FIG. 10C, the user may select to view "summary"
1030a, for a data table showing: for each reporting application
(e.g., Facebook, ESPN SportsCenter, etc.), statistics data for
Unique Audience, Percent Active Reach, Time per person (minutes),
TPP/Month, Number of visits, Number of pages viewed, Visits/person,
Male/Female (for unique and non-unique users/visitors), Age groups
(for unique and non-unique users/visitors). For example, the unique
audience may be calculated as the total real number of users of an
app/site without double counting users that have reused the
site/app more than once in a month, and/or the like. The percent
active reach of all smartphone users may be calculated as the
percentage of users that checked a particular mobile website or
application within the last calendar month, e.g., when there are
100 smartphone users, 88 checked Facebook within the last calendar
month, active users equal 88%. The time per person (minutes) may be
calculated as the amount of time spent during a day on a site/app
by avg. active user, e.g., if there was 88 active users and they
used a site/app for a total of 20 hours during the day, then the
time per person is equal to 22.72 minutes (20/88=0.2272). The
TPP/month may be calculated as the time per person per month that
is spent on the site. e.g., if there are 70 users and in total and
they spend 1000 hours on the site/app then the time per person per
month would be 11.11 hours (1000/90). The number of visits may be
calculated as the total number of times an app/site was visited
during the last calendar month by all users. The number of pages
viewed may be calculated as the total number pages viewed on an
app/site during the last calendar month by all users. The
visits/person may be calculated as the number of visits to app/site
on a per active users basis. In one implementation, the above
mentioned metrics may be assessed by male/female gender
classification (for unique and non-unique users/visitors), age
groups (for unique and non-unique users/visitors), e.g., age
brackets may be 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+, etc.
[0282] FIG. 10D provides an exemplary audience report per gender
reach 1015b. As shown in FIG. 10C, the user may select to view
"Gender Reach" 1030b, for a data table showing application report
classified by gender, including unique audience active reach (%),
total duration (in minutes), time per person, time per person for
the month, total web page views, pages per person, total visits,
visits per person, and/or the like. For example, the audience
report by gender may include data for each app/site broken up by
gender. For example, Facebook may provide male and female break of
user base, about time men spend on the app, number of pages,
etc.
[0283] FIG. 10F provides an exemplary audience report per age reach
1015c. As shown in FIG. 10C, the user may select to view "Age
Reach" 1030c, for a data table showing application report
classified by age, including total audience, unique audience,
active reach (%), total duration (in minutes), time per person,
time per person over a month period, total page views, pages per
person, total visits, visits per person, and/or the like broken up
in different age groups.
[0284] FIG. 10G provides an exemplary audience report per day
1015e. As shown in FIG. 10G, the user may select to view "Day Part"
1030e, for a data table showing application report classified by
hours of a day. For example, for this report, for this report, data
for each app/site may be broken up by the hour of the day. For
example, as shown in FIG. 10G, the Youtube app usage data may be
broken up by the hour of the day.
[0285] FIG. 10 H provides an exemplary analytics report within an
alternative implementation of the MR-Control. In one
implementation, the MR-Control may collect social data from social
media platforms of different social groups (e.g., 1066a, 1066b),
e.g., the social groups determined by user configured parameters as
shown in FIG. 10B, to determine a variety of measures of social TV
watching status, such as, but not limited to profile measures 1051,
liking measures 1052, brand measures 1053, TV shows watching
measures 1054, and/or the like. In one implementation, the
MR-Control may define a social group based on age ranges, gender,
demographic information, geographical location, income level,
educational level, and/or the like. In another implementation, the
user may configure parameters for TV shows, brands/products, social
groups, and/or the like, e.g., genre 1041, actors 1042, networks
1043, first run time 1044, airing time 1045, brand 1046, product
type 1047, date 1048, geography 1049, influencer s 1050, age 1020,
gender 1021, and/or the like.
[0286] For example, in one implementation, for a specified TV show
(e.g., "Big Bang Theory" at "CBS"), the profile measure 1051 may
provide social data metrics with regard to social groups, such as
percentage of influencers in a social group (e.g., social users
whose watching recommendations have been followed by other social
users, etc.), percentage of users who engage in watching the show,
percentage of users who is distracted from watching the show (e.g.,
via atmospherics analysis as illustrated in FIG. 2E), number of
friends who have engaged in the TV watching, number of posts per
week, a number of brand pages the social group has followed, number
of photos the social group has posted, and/or the like. In further
implementations, the MR-Control may analyze the social media
content to provide liking measures 1052, such as the most
positively commented 10 brand pages, music pages, TV show pages,
and/or the like; brand measures 1053, such as the top 10 brands,
top 5 products mentioned within a social group, and/or the like;
the top TV shows watched 1054, and/or the like.
MR-Control Controller
[0287] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram illustrating embodiments of a
MR-Control controller. In this embodiment, the MR-Control
controller 1101 may serve to aggregate, process, store, search,
serve, identify, instruct, generate, match, and/or facilitate
interactions with a computer through social network and electronic
commerce technologies, and/or other related data.
[0288] Typically, users, which may be people and/or other systems,
may engage information technology systems (e.g., computers) to
facilitate information processing. In turn, computers employ
processors to process information; such processors 1103 may be
referred to as central processing units (CPU). One form of
processor is referred to as a microprocessor. CPUs use
communicative circuits to carry and pass encoded (e.g., binary)
signals acting as instructions to bring about various operations.
These instructions may be operational and/or data instructions
containing and/or referencing other instructions and data in
various processor accessible and operable areas of memory 1129
(e.g., registers, cache memory, random access memory, etc.). Such
communicative instructions may be stored and/or transmitted in
batches (e.g., batches of instructions) as programs and/or data
components to facilitate desired operations. These stored
instruction codes, e.g., programs, may engage the CPU circuit
components and other motherboard and/or system components to
perform desired operations. One type of program is a computer
operating system, which, may be executed by CPU on a computer; the
operating system enables and facilitates users to access and
operate computer information technology and resources. Some
resources that may be employed in information technology systems
include: input and output mechanisms through which data may pass
into and out of a computer; memory storage into which data may be
saved; and processors by which information may be processed. These
information technology systems may be used to collect data for
later retrieval, analysis, and manipulation, which may be
facilitated through a database program. These information
technology systems provide interfaces that allow users to access
and operate various system components.
[0289] In one embodiment, the MR-Control controller 1101 may be
connected to and/or communicate with entities such as, but not
limited to: one or more users from user input devices 1111;
peripheral devices 1112; an optional cryptographic processor device
1128; and/or a communications network 1113.
[0290] Networks are commonly thought to comprise the
interconnection and interoperation of clients, servers, and
intermediary nodes in a graph topology. It should be noted that the
term "server" as used throughout this application refers generally
to a computer, other device, program, or combination thereof that
processes and responds to the requests of remote users across a
communications network. Servers serve their information to
requesting "clients." The term "client" as used herein refers
generally to a computer, program, other device, user and/or
combination thereof that is capable of processing and making
requests and obtaining and processing any responses from servers
across a communications network. A computer, other device, program,
or combination thereof that facilitates, processes information and
requests, and/or furthers the passage of information from a source
user to a destination user is commonly referred to as a "node."
Networks are generally thought to facilitate the transfer of
information from source points to destinations. A node specifically
tasked with furthering the passage of information from a source to
a destination is commonly called a "router." There are many forms
of networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs), Pico networks, Wide
Area Networks (WANs), Wireless Networks (WLANs), etc. For example,
the Internet is generally accepted as being an interconnection of a
multitude of networks whereby remote clients and servers may access
and interoperate with one another.
[0291] The MR-Control controller 1101 may be based on computer
systems that may comprise, but are not limited to, components such
as: a computer systemization 1102 connected to memory 1129.
Computer Systemization
[0292] A computer systemization 1102 may comprise a clock 1130,
central processing unit ("CPU(s)" and/or "processor(s)" (these
terms are used interchangeable throughout the disclosure unless
noted to the contrary)) 1103, a memory 1129 (e.g., a read only
memory (ROM) 1106, a random access memory (RAM) 1105, etc.), and/or
an interface bus 1107, and most frequently, although not
necessarily, are all interconnected and/or communicating through a
system bus 1104 on one or more (mother)board(s) 1102 having
conductive and/or otherwise transportive circuit pathways through
which instructions (e.g., binary encoded signals) may travel to
effectuate communications, operations, storage, etc. The computer
systemization may be connected to a power source 1186; e.g.,
optionally the power source may be internal. Optionally, a
cryptographic processor 1126 and/or transceivers (e.g., ICs) 1174
may be connected to the system bus. In another embodiment, the
cryptographic processor and/or transceivers may be connected as
either internal and/or external peripheral devices 1112 via the
interface bus I/O. In turn, the transceivers may be connected to
antenna(s) 1175, thereby effectuating wireless transmission and
reception of various communication and/or sensor protocols; for
example the antenna(s) may connect to: a Texas Instruments WiLink
WL1283 transceiver chip (e.g., providing 802.11n, Bluetooth 5.0,
FM, global positioning system (GPS) (thereby allowing MR-Control
controller to determine its location)); Broadcom BCM4329FKUBG
transceiver chip (e.g., providing 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, FM,
etc.); a Broadcom BCM4750IUB8 receiver chip (e.g., GPS); an
Infineon Technologies X-Gold 618-PMB9800 (e.g., providing 2G/3G
HSDPA/HSUPA communications); and/or the like. The system clock
typically has a crystal oscillator and generates a base signal
through the computer systemization's circuit pathways. The clock is
typically coupled to the system bus and various clock multipliers
that may increase or decrease the base operating frequency for
other components interconnected in the computer systemization. The
clock and various components in a computer systemization drive
signals embodying information throughout the system. Such
transmission and reception of instructions embodying information
throughout a computer systemization may be commonly referred to as
communications. These communicative instructions may further be
transmitted, received, and the cause of return and/or reply
communications beyond the instant computer systemization to:
communications networks, input devices, other computer
systemizations, peripheral devices, and/or the like. It should be
understood that in alternative embodiments, any of the above
components may be connected directly to one another, connected to
the CPU, and/or organized in numerous variations employed as
exemplified by various computer systems.
[0293] The CPU comprises at least one high-speed data processor
adequate to execute program components for executing user and/or
system-generated requests. Often, the processors themselves may
incorporate various specialized processing units, such as, but not
limited to: integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management
control units, floating point units, and even specialized
processing sub-units like graphics processing units, digital signal
processing units, and/or the like. Additionally, processors may
include internal fast access addressable memory, and be capable of
mapping and addressing memory 1129 beyond the processor itself;
internal memory may include, but is not limited to: fast registers,
various levels of cache memory (e.g., level 1, 2, 5, etc.), RAM,
etc. The processor may access this memory through the use of a
memory address space that is accessible via instruction address,
which the processor can construct and decode allowing it to access
a circuit path to a specific memory address space having a memory
state. The CPU may be a microprocessor such as: AMD's Athlon, Duron
and/or Opteron; ARM's application, embedded and secure processors;
IBM and/or Motorola's DragonBall and PowerPC; IBM's and Sony's Cell
processor; Intel's Celeron, Core (2) Duo, Itanium, Pentium, Xeon,
and/or XScale; and/or the like processor(s). The CPU interacts with
memory through instruction passing through conductive and/or
transportive conduits (e.g., (printed) electronic and/or optic
circuits) to execute stored instructions (i.e., program code)
according to conventional data processing techniques. Such
instruction passing facilitates communication within the MR-Control
controller and beyond through various interfaces. Should processing
requirements dictate a greater amount speed and/or capacity,
distributed processors (e.g., Distributed MR-Control), mainframe,
multi-core, parallel, and/or super-computer architectures may
similarly be employed. Alternatively, should deployment
requirements dictate greater portability, smaller Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs) may be employed.
[0294] Depending on the particular implementation, features of the
MR-Control may be achieved by implementing a microcontroller such
as CAST's R8051XC2 microcontroller; Intel's MCS 51 (i.e., 8051
microcontroller); and/or the like. Also, to implement certain
features of the MR-Control, some feature implementations may rely
on embedded components, such as: Application-Specific Integrated
Circuit ("ASIC"), Digital Signal Processing ("DSP"), Field
Programmable Gate Array ("FPGA"), and/or the like embedded
technology. For example, any of the MR-Control component collection
(distributed or otherwise) and/or features may be implemented via
the microprocessor and/or via embedded components; e.g., via ASIC,
coprocessor, DSP, FPGA, and/or the like. Alternately, some
implementations of the MR-Control may be implemented with embedded
components that are configured and used to achieve a variety of
features or signal processing.
[0295] Depending on the particular implementation, the embedded
components may include software solutions, hardware solutions,
and/or some combination of both hardware/software solutions. For
example, MR-Control features discussed herein may be achieved
through implementing FPGAs, which are a semiconductor devices
containing programmable logic components called "logic blocks", and
programmable interconnects, such as the high performance FPGA
Virtex series and/or the low cost Spartan series manufactured by
Xilinx. Logic blocks and interconnects can be programmed by the
customer or designer, after the FPGA is manufactured, to implement
any of the MR-Control features. A hierarchy of programmable
interconnects allow logic blocks to be interconnected as needed by
the MR-Control system designer/administrator, somewhat like a
one-chip programmable breadboard. An FPGA's logic blocks can be
programmed to perform the operation of basic logic gates such as
AND, and XOR, or more complex combinational operators such as
decoders or mathematical operations. In most FPGAs, the logic
blocks also include memory elements, which may be circuit
flip-flops or more complete blocks of memory. In some
circumstances, the MR-Control may be developed on regular FPGAs and
then migrated into a fixed version that more resembles ASIC
implementations. Alternate or coordinating implementations may
migrate MR-Control controller features to a final ASIC instead of
or in addition to FPGAs. Depending on the implementation all of the
aforementioned embedded components and microprocessors may be
considered the "CPU" and/or "processor" for the MR-Control.
Power Source
[0296] The power source 1186 may be of any standard form for
powering small electronic circuit board devices such as the
following power cells: alkaline, lithium hydride, lithium ion,
lithium polymer, nickel cadmium, solar cells, and/or the like.
Other types of AC or DC power sources may be used as well. In the
case of solar cells, in one embodiment, the case provides an
aperture through which the solar cell may capture photonic energy.
The power cell 1186 is connected to at least one of the
interconnected subsequent components of the MR-Control thereby
providing an electric current to all subsequent components. In one
example, the power source 1186 is connected to the system bus
component 1104. In an alternative embodiment, an outside power
source 1186 is provided through a connection across the I/O 1108
interface. For example, a USB and/or IEEE 1394 connection carries
both data and power across the connection and is therefore a
suitable source of power.
Interface Adapters
[0297] Interface bus(ses) 1107 may accept, connect, and/or
communicate to a number of interface adapters, conventionally
although not necessarily in the form of adapter cards, such as but
not limited to: input output interfaces (I/O) 1108, storage
interfaces 1109, network interfaces 1110, and/or the like.
Optionally, cryptographic processor interfaces 1127 similarly may
be connected to the interface bus. The interface bus provides for
the communications of interface adapters with one another as well
as with other components of the computer systemization. Interface
adapters are adapted for a compatible interface bus. Interface
adapters conventionally connect to the interface bus via a slot
architecture. Conventional slot architectures may be employed, such
as, but not limited to: Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), Card Bus,
(Extended) Industry Standard Architecture ((E)ISA), Micro Channel
Architecture (MCA), NuBus, Peripheral Component Interconnect
(Extended) (PCI(X)), PCI Express, Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA), and/or the like.
[0298] Storage interfaces 1109 may accept, communicate, and/or
connect to a number of storage devices such as, but not limited to:
storage devices 1114, removable disc devices, and/or the like.
Storage interfaces may employ connection protocols such as, but not
limited to: (Ultra) (Serial) Advanced Technology Attachment (Packet
Interface) ((Ultra) (Serial) ATA(PI)), (Enhanced) Integrated Drive
Electronics ((E)IDE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 1394, fiber channel, Small Computer Systems
Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), and/or the like.
[0299] Network interfaces 1110 may accept, communicate, and/or
connect to a communications network 1113. Through a communications
network 1113, the MR-Control controller is accessible through
remote clients 1133b (e.g., computers with web browsers) by users
1133a. Network interfaces may employ connection protocols such as,
but not limited to: direct connect, Ethernet (thick, thin, twisted
pair 10/100/1000 Base T, and/or the like), Token Ring, wireless
connection such as IEEE 802.11a-x, and/or the like. Should
processing requirements dictate a greater amount speed and/or
capacity, distributed network controllers (e.g., Distributed
MR-Control), architectures may similarly be employed to pool, load
balance, and/or otherwise increase the communicative bandwidth
required by the MR-Control controller. A communications network may
be any one and/or the combination of the following: a direct
interconnection; the Internet; a Local Area Network (LAN); a
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN); an Operating Missions as Nodes on
the Internet (OMNI); a secured custom connection; a Wide Area
Network (WAN); a wireless network (e.g., employing protocols such
as, but not limited to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP),
I-mode, and/or the like); and/or the like. A network interface may
be regarded as a specialized form of an input output interface.
Further, multiple network interfaces 1110 may be used to engage
with various communications network types 1113. For example,
multiple network interfaces may be employed to allow for the
communication over broadcast, multicast, and/or unicast
networks.
[0300] Input Output interfaces (I/O) 1108 may accept, communicate,
and/or connect to user input devices 1111, peripheral devices 1112,
cryptographic processor devices 1128, and/or the like. I/O may
employ connection protocols such as, but not limited to: audio:
analog, digital, monaural, RCA, stereo, and/or the like; data:
Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), IEEE 1394a-b, serial, universal serial bus
(USB); infrared; joystick; keyboard; midi; optical; PC AT; PS/2;
parallel; radio; video interface: Apple Desktop Connector (ADC),
BNC, coaxial, component, composite, digital, Digital Visual
Interface (DVI), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), RCA,
RF antennae, S-Video, VGA, and/or the like; wireless transceivers:
802.11a/b/g/n/x, Bluetooth, cellular (e.g., code division multiple
access (CDMA), high speed packet access (HSPA(+)), high-speed
downlink packet access (HSDPA), global system for mobile
communications (GSM), long term evolution (LTE), WiMax, etc.);
and/or the like. One typical output device may include a video
display, which typically comprises a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) based monitor with an interface (e.g.,
DVI circuitry and cable) that accepts signals from a video
interface, may be used. The video interface composites information
generated by a computer systemization and generates video signals
based on the composited information in a video memory frame.
Another output device is a TV set, which accepts signals from a
video interface. Typically, the video interface provides the
composited video information through a video connection interface
that accepts a video display interface (e.g., an RCA composite
video connector accepting an RCA composite video cable; a DVI
connector accepting a DVI display cable, etc.).
[0301] User input devices 1111 often are a type of peripheral
device 512 (see below) and may include: card readers, dongles,
finger print readers, gloves, graphics tablets, joysticks,
keyboards, microphones, mouse (mice), remote controls, retina
readers, touch screens (e.g., capacitive, resistive, etc.),
trackballs, trackpads, sensors (e.g., accelerometers, ambient
light, GPS, gyroscopes, proximity, etc.), styluses, and/or the
like.
[0302] Peripheral devices 1112 may be connected and/or communicate
to I/O and/or other facilities of the like such as network
interfaces, storage interfaces, directly to the interface bus,
system bus, the CPU, and/or the like. Peripheral devices may be
external, internal and/or part of the MR-Control controller.
Peripheral devices may include: antenna, audio devices (e.g.,
line-in, line-out, microphone input, speakers, etc.), cameras
(e.g., still, video, webcam, etc.), dongles (e.g., for copy
protection, ensuring secure transactions with a digital signature,
and/or the like), external processors (for added capabilities;
e.g., crypto devices 528), force-feedback devices (e.g., vibrating
motors), network interfaces, printers, scanners, storage devices,
transceivers (e.g., cellular, GPS, etc.), video devices (e.g.,
goggles, monitors, etc.), video sources, visors, and/or the like.
Peripheral devices often include types of input devices (e.g.,
cameras).
[0303] It should be noted that although user input devices and
peripheral devices may be employed, the MR-Control controller may
be embodied as an embedded, dedicated, and/or monitor-less (i.e.,
headless) device, wherein access would be provided over a network
interface connection.
[0304] Cryptographic units such as, but not limited to,
microcontrollers, processors 1126, interfaces 1127, and/or devices
1128 may be attached, and/or communicate with the MR-Control
controller. A MC68HC16 microcontroller, manufactured by Motorola
Inc., may be used for and/or within cryptographic units. The
MC68HC16 microcontroller utilizes a 16-bit multiply-and-accumulate
instruction in the 16 MHz configuration and requires less than one
second to perform a 512-bit RSA private key operation.
Cryptographic units support the authentication of communications
from interacting agents, as well as allowing for anonymous
transactions. Cryptographic units may also be configured as part of
the CPU. Equivalent microcontrollers and/or processors may also be
used. Other commercially available specialized cryptographic
processors include: Broadcom's CryptoNetX and other Security
Processors; nCipher's nShield; SafeNet's Luna PCI (e.g., 7100)
series; Semaphore Communications' 40 MHz Roadrunner 184; Sun's
Cryptographic Accelerators (e.g., Accelerator 6000 PCIe Board,
Accelerator 500 Daughtercard); Via Nano Processor (e.g., L2100,
L2200, U2400) line, which is capable of performing 500+ MB/s of
cryptographic instructions; VLSI Technology's 53 MHz 6868; and/or
the like.
Memory
[0305] Generally, any mechanization and/or embodiment allowing a
processor to affect the storage and/or retrieval of information is
regarded as memory 1129. However, memory is a fungible technology
and resource, thus, any number of memory embodiments may be
employed in lieu of or in concert with one another. It is to be
understood that the MR-Control controller and/or a computer
systemization may employ various forms of memory 1129. For example,
a computer systemization may be configured wherein the operation of
on-chip CPU memory (e.g., registers), RAM, ROM, and any other
storage devices are provided by a paper punch tape or paper punch
card mechanism; however, such an embodiment would result in an
extremely slow rate of operation. In a typical configuration,
memory 1129 may include ROM 1106, RAM 1105, and a storage device
1114. A storage device 1114 may be any conventional computer system
storage. Storage devices may include a drum; a (fixed and/or
removable) magnetic disk drive; a magneto-optical drive; an optical
drive (i.e., Blueray, CD ROM/RAM/Recordable (R)/ReWritable (RW),
DVD R/RW, HD DVD R/RW etc.); an array of devices (e.g., Redundant
Array of Independent Disks (RAID)); solid state memory devices (USB
memory, solid state drives (SSD), etc.); other processor-readable
storage mediums; and/or other devices of the like. Thus, a computer
systemization generally requires and makes use of memory.
Component Collection
[0306] The memory 1129 may contain a collection of program and/or
database components and/or data such as, but not limited to:
operating system component(s) 1115 (operating system); information
server component(s) 1116 (information server); user interface
component(s) 1117 (user interface); Web browser component(s) 1118
(Web browser); database(s) 1119; mail server component(s) 1121;
mail client component(s) 1122; cryptographic server component(s)
1120 (cryptographic server); the MR-Control component(s) 1135;
and/or the like (i.e., collectively a component collection). These
components may be stored and accessed from the storage devices
and/or from storage devices accessible through an interface bus.
Although non-conventional program components such as those in the
component collection, typically, are stored in a local storage
device 1114, they may also be loaded and/or stored in memory such
as: peripheral devices, RAM, remote storage facilities through a
communications network, ROM, various forms of memory, and/or the
like.
Operating System
[0307] The operating system component 1115 is an executable program
component facilitating the operation of the MR-Control controller.
Typically, the operating system facilitates access of I/O, network
interfaces, peripheral devices, storage devices, and/or the like.
The operating system may be a highly fault tolerant, scalable, and
secure system such as: Apple Macintosh OS X (Server); AT&T Plan
7; Be OS; Unix and Unix-like system distributions (such as
AT&T's UNIX; Berkley Software Distribution (BSD) variations
such as FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and/or the like; Linux
distributions such as Red Hat, Ubuntu, and/or the like); and/or the
like operating systems. However, more limited and/or less secure
operating systems also may be employed such as Apple Macintosh OS,
IBM OS/2, Microsoft DOS, Microsoft Windows
2000/2003/3.1/95/98/CE/Millenium/NT/Vista/XP (Server), Palm OS,
and/or the like. An operating system may communicate to and/or with
other components in a component collection, including itself,
and/or the like. Most frequently, the operating system communicates
with other program components, user interfaces, and/or the like.
For example, the operating system may contain, communicate,
generate, obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user,
and/or data communications, requests, and/or responses. The
operating system, once executed by the CPU, may facilitate the
interaction with communications networks, data, I/O, peripheral
devices, program components, memory, user input devices, and/or the
like. The operating system may provide communications protocols
that allow the MR-Control controller to communicate with other
entities through a communications network 1113. Various
communication protocols may be used by the MR-Control controller as
a subcarrier transport mechanism for interaction, such as, but not
limited to: multicast, TCP/IP, UDP, unicast, and/or the like.
Information Server
[0308] An information server component 1116 is a stored program
component that is executed by a CPU. The information server may be
a conventional Internet information server such as, but not limited
to Apache Software Foundation's Apache, Microsoft's Internet
Information Server, and/or the like. The information server may
allow for the execution of program components through facilities
such as Active Server Page (ASP), ActiveX, (ANSI) (Objective-) C
(++), C# and/or .NET, Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts,
dynamic (D) hypertext markup language (HTML), FLASH, Java,
JavaScript, Practical Extraction Report Language (PERL), Hypertext
Pre-Processor (PHP), pipes, Python, wireless application protocol
(WAP), WebObjects, and/or the like. The information server may
support secure communications protocols such as, but not limited
to, File Transfer Protocol (FTP); HyperText Transfer Protocol
(HTTP); Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS), Secure Socket
Layer (SSL), messaging protocols (e.g., America Online (AOL)
Instant Messenger (AIM), Application Exchange (APEX), ICQ, Internet
Relay Chat (IRC), Microsoft Network (MSN) Messenger Service,
Presence and Instant Messaging Protocol (PRIM), Internet
Engineering Task Force's (IETF's) Session Initiation Protocol
(SIP), SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions
(SIMPLE), open XML-based Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol
(XMPP) (i.e., Jabber or Open Mobile Alliance's (OMA's) Instant
Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), Yahoo! Instant Messenger
Service, and/or the like. The information server provides results
in the form of Web pages to Web browsers, and allows for the
manipulated generation of the Web pages through interaction with
other program components. After a Domain Name System (DNS)
resolution portion of an HTTP request is resolved to a particular
information server, the information server resolves requests for
information at specified locations on the MR-Control controller
based on the remainder of the HTTP request. For example, a request
such as http://123.124.125.126/myInformation.html might have the IP
portion of the request "123.124.125.126" resolved by a DNS server
to an information server at that IP address; that information
server might in turn further parse the http request for the
"/myInformation.html" portion of the request and resolve it to a
location in memory containing the information "myInformation.html."
Additionally, other information serving protocols may be employed
across various ports, e.g., FTP communications across port 21,
and/or the like. An information server may communicate to and/or
with other components in a component collection, including itself,
and/or facilities of the like. Most frequently, the information
server communicates with the MR-Control database 1119, operating
systems, other program components, user interfaces, Web browsers,
and/or the like.
[0309] Access to the MR-Control database may be achieved through a
number of database bridge mechanisms such as through scripting
languages as enumerated below (e.g., CGI) and through
inter-application communication channels as enumerated below (e.g.,
CORBA, WebObjects, etc.). Any data requests through a Web browser
are parsed through the bridge mechanism into appropriate grammars
as required by the MR-Control. In one embodiment, the information
server would provide a Web form accessible by a Web browser.
Entries made into supplied fields in the Web form are tagged as
having been entered into the particular fields, and parsed as such.
The entered terms are then passed along with the field tags, which
act to instruct the parser to generate queries directed to
appropriate tables and/or fields. In one embodiment, the parser may
generate queries in standard SQL by instantiating a search string
with the proper join/select commands based on the tagged text
entries, wherein the resulting command is provided over the bridge
mechanism to the MR-Control as a query. Upon generating query
results from the query, the results are passed over the bridge
mechanism, and may be parsed for formatting and generation of a new
results Web page by the bridge mechanism. Such a new results Web
page is then provided to the information server, which may supply
it to the requesting Web browser.
[0310] Also, an information server may contain, communicate,
generate, obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user,
and/or data communications, requests, and/or responses.
User Interface
[0311] Computer interfaces in some respects are similar to
automobile operation interfaces. Automobile operation interface
elements such as steering wheels, gearshifts, and speedometers
facilitate the access, operation, and display of automobile
resources, and status. Computer interaction interface elements such
as check boxes, cursors, menus, scrollers, and windows
(collectively and commonly referred to as widgets) similarly
facilitate the access, capabilities, operation, and display of data
and computer hardware and operating system resources, and status.
Operation interfaces are commonly called user interfaces. Graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) such as the Apple Macintosh Operating
System's Aqua, IBM's OS/2, Microsoft's Windows
2000/2003/3.1/95/98/CE/Millenium/NT/XP/Vista/7 (i.e., Aero), Unix's
X-Windows (e.g., which may include additional Unix graphic
interface libraries and layers such as K Desktop Environment (KDE),
mythTV and GNU Network Object Model Environment (GNOME)), web
interface libraries (e.g., ActiveX, AJAX, (D)HTML, FLASH, Java,
JavaScript, etc. interface libraries such as, but not limited to,
Dojo, jQuery(UI), MooTools, Prototype, script.aculo.us, SWFObject,
Yahoo! User Interface, any of which may be used and) provide a
baseline and means of accessing and displaying information
graphically to users.
[0312] A user interface component 1117 is a stored program
component that is executed by a CPU. The user interface may be a
conventional graphic user interface as provided by, with, and/or
atop operating systems and/or operating environments such as
already discussed. The user interface may allow for the display,
execution, interaction, manipulation, and/or operation of program
components and/or system facilities through textual and/or
graphical facilities. The user interface provides a facility
through which users may affect, interact, and/or operate a computer
system. A user interface may communicate to and/or with other
components in a component collection, including itself, and/or
facilities of the like. Most frequently, the user interface
communicates with operating systems, other program components,
and/or the like. The user interface may contain, communicate,
generate, obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user,
and/or data communications, requests, and/or responses.
Web Browser
[0313] A Web browser component 1118 is a stored program component
that is executed by a CPU. The Web browser may be a conventional
hypertext viewing application such as Microsoft Internet Explorer
or Netscape Navigator. Secure Web browsing may be supplied with 128
bit (or greater) encryption by way of HTTPS, SSL, and/or the like.
Web browsers allowing for the execution of program components
through facilities such as ActiveX, AJAX, (D)HTML, FLASH, Java,
JavaScript, web browser plug-in APIs (e.g., FireFox, Safari
Plug-in, and/or the like APIs), and/or the like. Web browsers and
like information access tools may be integrated into PDAs, cellular
telephones, and/or other mobile devices. A Web browser may
communicate to and/or with other components in a component
collection, including itself, and/or facilities of the like. Most
frequently, the Web browser communicates with information servers,
operating systems, integrated program components (e.g., plug-ins),
and/or the like; e.g., it may contain, communicate, generate,
obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user, and/or data
communications, requests, and/or responses. Also, in place of a Web
browser and information server, a combined application may be
developed to perform similar operations of both. The combined
application would similarly affect the obtaining and the provision
of information to users, user agents, and/or the like from the
MR-Control enabled nodes. The combined application may be nugatory
on systems employing standard Web browsers.
Mail Server
[0314] A mail server component 1121 is a stored program component
that is executed by a CPU 1103. The mail server may be a
conventional Internet mail server such as, but not limited to
sendmail, Microsoft Exchange, and/or the like. The mail server may
allow for the execution of program components through facilities
such as ASP, ActiveX, (ANSI) (Objective-) C (++), C# and/or .NET,
CGI scripts, Java, JavaScript, PERL, PHP, pipes, Python,
WebObjects, and/or the like. The mail server may support
communications protocols such as, but not limited to: Internet
message access protocol (IMAP), Messaging Application Programming
Interface (MAPI)/Microsoft Exchange, post office protocol (POP3),
simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), and/or the like. The mail
server can route, forward, and process incoming and outgoing mail
messages that have been sent, relayed and/or otherwise traversing
through and/or to the MR-Control.
[0315] Access to the MR-Control mail may be achieved through a
number of APIs offered by the individual Web server components
and/or the operating system.
[0316] Also, a mail server may contain, communicate, generate,
obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user, and/or data
communications, requests, information, and/or responses.
Mail Client
[0317] A mail client component 1122 is a stored program component
that is executed by a CPU 1103. The mail client may be a
conventional mail viewing application such as Apple Mail, Microsoft
Entourage, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Mozilla,
Thunderbird, and/or the like. Mail clients may support a number of
transfer protocols, such as: IMAP, Microsoft Exchange, POP3, SMTP,
and/or the like. A mail client may communicate to and/or with other
components in a component collection, including itself, and/or
facilities of the like. Most frequently, the mail client
communicates with mail servers, operating systems, other mail
clients, and/or the like; e.g., it may contain, communicate,
generate, obtain, and/or provide program component, system, user,
and/or data communications, requests, information, and/or
responses. Generally, the mail client provides a facility to
compose and transmit electronic mail messages.
Cryptographic Server
[0318] A cryptographic server component 1120 is a stored program
component that is executed by a CPU 1103, cryptographic processor
1126, cryptographic processor interface 1127, cryptographic
processor device 1128, and/or the like. Cryptographic processor
interfaces may allow for expedition of encryption and/or decryption
requests by the cryptographic component; however, the cryptographic
component, alternatively, may run on a conventional CPU. The
cryptographic component allows for the encryption and/or decryption
of provided data. The cryptographic component allows for both
symmetric and asymmetric (e.g., Pretty Good Protection (PGP))
encryption and/or decryption. The cryptographic component may
employ cryptographic techniques such as, but not limited to:
digital certificates (e.g., X.509 authentication framework),
digital signatures, dual signatures, enveloping, password access
protection, public key management, and/or the like. The
cryptographic component may facilitate numerous (encryption and/or
decryption) security protocols such as, but not limited to:
checksum, Data Encryption Standard (DES), Elliptical Curve
Encryption (ECC), International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA),
Message Digest 5 (MD5, which is a one way hash operation),
passwords, Rivest Cipher (RC5), Rijndael, RSA (which is an Internet
encryption and authentication system that uses an algorithm
developed in 1977 by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman),
Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), Secure
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS), and/or the like. Employing
such encryption security protocols, the MR-Control may encrypt all
incoming and/or outgoing communications and may serve as node
within a virtual private network (VPN) with a wider communications
network. The cryptographic component facilitates the process of
"security authorization" whereby access to a resource is inhibited
by a security protocol wherein the cryptographic component effects
authorized access to the secured resource. In addition, the
cryptographic component may provide unique identifiers of content,
e.g., employing and MD5 hash to obtain a unique signature for an
digital audio file. A cryptographic component may communicate to
and/or with other components in a component collection, including
itself, and/or facilities of the like. The cryptographic component
supports encryption schemes allowing for the secure transmission of
information across a communications network to enable the
MR-Control component to engage in secure transactions if so
desired. The cryptographic component facilitates the secure
accessing of resources on the MR-Control and facilitates the access
of secured resources on remote systems; i.e., it may act as a
client and/or server of secured resources. Most frequently, the
cryptographic component communicates with information servers,
operating systems, other program components, and/or the like. The
cryptographic component may contain, communicate, generate, obtain,
and/or provide program component, system, user, and/or data
communications, requests, and/or responses.
The MR-Control Database
[0319] The MR-Control database component 1119 may be embodied in a
database and its stored data. The database is a stored program
component, which is executed by the CPU; the stored program
component portion configuring the CPU to process the stored data.
The database may be a conventional, fault tolerant, relational,
scalable, secure database such as Oracle or Sybase. Relational
databases are an extension of a flat file. Relational databases
consist of a series of related tables. The tables are
interconnected via a key field. Use of the key field allows the
combination of the tables by indexing against the key field; i.e.,
the key fields act as dimensional pivot points for combining
information from various tables. Relationships generally identify
links maintained between tables by matching primary keys. Primary
keys represent fields that uniquely identify the rows of a table in
a relational database. More precisely, they uniquely identify rows
of a table on the "one" side of a one-to-many relationship.
[0320] Alternatively, the MR-Control database may be implemented
using various standard data-structures, such as an array, hash,
(linked) list, struct, structured text file (e.g., XML), table,
and/or the like. Such data-structures may be stored in memory
and/or in (structured) files. In another alternative, an
object-oriented database may be used, such as Frontier,
ObjectStore, Poet, Zope, and/or the like. Object databases can
include a number of object collections that are grouped and/or
linked together by common attributes; they may be related to other
object collections by some common attributes. Object-oriented
databases perform similarly to relational databases with the
exception that objects are not just pieces of data but may have
other types of capabilities encapsulated within a given object. If
the MR-Control database is implemented as a data-structure, the use
of the MR-Control database 1119 may be integrated into another
component such as the MR-Control component 1135. Also, the database
may be implemented as a mix of data structures, objects, and
relational structures. Databases may be consolidated and/or
distributed in countless variations through standard data
processing techniques. Portions of databases, e.g., tables, may be
exported and/or imported and thus decentralized and/or
integrated.
[0321] In one embodiment, the database component 1119 includes
several tables 1119a-1. A user accounts table 1119a includes fields
such as, but not limited to: a UserID, UserName, UserPassword,
UserAddress, UserDeviceID, UserViewingHistory, UserRating,
UserPreference, and/or the like. The User table may support and/or
track multiple entity accounts on a MR-Control. A Real Time TV
table 1119b includes fields such as, but not limited to:
TVChannelID, TVChannelName, TVChannelLogo, TVChannelAirTime,
TVChannelProgram, TVChannelAd and/or the like. A Media Program
table 1119c includes fields such as, MediaID, MediaName,
MediaLength, MediaSignature, MediaBrand, MediaTimeTag, MediaAd,
MediaAdSponsor, MediaAirTime, MediaChannelID, and/or the like. A
Survey Question table 1119d includes fields such as QuestionID,
QuestionCategory, QuestionAdID, QuestionDescription,
QuestionResponse, QuestionMediaID, QuestionMediaTimeTag,
QuestionUserID, and/or the like. An Ad table 1119e includes fields
such as, but not limited to: AdID, AdMerchant, AdFormat, AdProduct,
AdText, AdTimeTag, AdMediaID, AdChannelID, AdAudioSignature, and/or
the like. An Atmospherics table 1119f includes fields such as, but
not limited to: AtmosID, AtmosType, AtmosTimestamp, AtmosUserID,
AtmosDeviceID, AtmosPhotoID, AtmosGPS, AtmosMediaID,
AtmosChannelID, and/or the like. A User Device table 1119g includes
fields such as, but not limited to: DeviceID, DeviceType,
DeviceHardwareID, DeviceMAC, DeviceAppInventory, and/or the like. A
Reports table 1119h includes fields such as, but not limited to:
ReportID, ReportTimePeriod, ReportMediaID, ReportChannelID,
ReportAdID, ReportType, ReportUserRating, ReportAdEffect, and/or
the like. A social content table 1119i includes fields such as, but
not limited to: SocialID, SocialName, SocialUserID, SocialTokenID,
SocialUserID, SocialSource, SocialContent, SocialTimeStamp, and/or
the like. A Taxonomy table 1119j includes fields such as, but not
limited to: TaxpID, TaxoName, TaxoProducType, TaxoKeyWords,
TaxoTreeNode, TaxoLevel, TaxoLabels, and/or the like. A User Token
table 1119k includes fields such as, but not limited to: TokenID,
TokenUserID, TokenSocialID, TokenSocialSource, TokenNumber,
TokenFile, and/or the like. An Analytics Weight Scores table 11191
includes fields such as, but not limited to: ScoreID, ScoreName,
ScoreFactorAttribute, ScoreWeight, ScoreDescription,
ScoreIndication, and/or the like.
[0322] In one embodiment, the MR-Control database may interact with
other database systems. For example, employing a distributed
database system, queries and data access by search MR-Control
component may treat the combination of the MR-Control database, an
integrated data security layer database as a single database
entity.
[0323] In one embodiment, user programs may contain various user
interface primitives, which may serve to update the MR-Control.
Also, various accounts may require custom database tables depending
upon the environments and the types of clients the MR-Control may
need to serve. It should be noted that any unique fields may be
designated as a key field throughout. In an alternative embodiment,
these tables have been decentralized into their own databases and
their respective database controllers (i.e., individual database
controllers for each of the above tables). Employing standard data
processing techniques, one may further distribute the databases
over several computer systemizations and/or storage devices.
Similarly, configurations of the decentralized database controllers
may be varied by consolidating and/or distributing the various
database components 1119a-1. The MR-Control may be configured to
keep track of various settings, inputs, and parameters via database
controllers.
[0324] The MR-Control database may communicate to and/or with other
components in a component collection, including itself, and/or
facilities of the like. Most frequently, the MR-Control database
communicates with the MR-Control component, other program
components, and/or the like. The database may contain, retain, and
provide information regarding other nodes and data.
The MR-Controls
[0325] The MR-Control component 1135 is a stored program component
that is executed by a CPU. In one embodiment, the MR-Control
component incorporates any and/or all combinations of the aspects
of the MR-Control that was discussed in the previous figures. As
such, the MR-Control affects accessing, obtaining and the provision
of information, services, transactions, and/or the like across
various communications networks.
[0326] The MR-Control transforms TV program schedule listing
information and user channel selection via MR-Control components,
such as real time TV 1042, ad survey synchronization 1043,
atmospherics analysis 1044, audience statistics analysis 1045,
social media connection 1046, media analytics 1047 and/or the like
into TV audience viewing data and ad effects data.
[0327] The MR-Control component facilitates access of information
between nodes may be developed by employing standard development
tools and languages such as, but not limited to: Apache components,
Assembly, ActiveX, binary executables, (ANSI) (Objective-) C (++),
C# and/or .NET, database adapters, CGI scripts, Java, JavaScript,
mapping tools, procedural and object oriented development tools,
PERL, PHP, Python, shell scripts, SQL commands, web application
server extensions, web development environments and libraries
(e.g., Microsoft's ActiveX; Adobe AIR, FLEX & FLASH; AJAX;
(D)HTML; Dojo, Java; JavaScript; jQuery(UI); MooTools; Prototype;
script.aculo.us; Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP); SWFObject;
Yahoo! User Interface; and/or the like), WebObjects, and/or the
like. In one embodiment, the MR-Control server employs a
cryptographic server to encrypt and decrypt communications. The
MR-Control component may communicate to and/or with other
components in a component collection, including itself, and/or
facilities of the like. Most frequently, the MR-Control component
communicates with the MR-Control database, operating systems, other
program components, and/or the like. The MR-Control may contain,
communicate, generate, obtain, and/or provide program component,
system, user, and/or data communications, requests, and/or
responses.
Distributed MR-Controls
[0328] The structure and/or operation of any of the MR-Control node
controller components may be combined, consolidated, and/or
distributed in any number of ways to facilitate development and/or
deployment. Similarly, the component collection may be combined in
any number of ways to facilitate deployment and/or development. To
accomplish this, one may integrate the components into a common
code base or in a facility that can dynamically load the components
on demand in an integrated fashion.
[0329] The component collection may be consolidated and/or
distributed in countless variations through standard data
processing and/or development techniques. Multiple instances of any
one of the program components in the program component collection
may be instantiated on a single node, and/or across numerous nodes
to improve performance through load-balancing and/or
data-processing techniques. Furthermore, single instances may also
be distributed across multiple controllers and/or storage devices;
e.g., databases. All program component instances and controllers
working in concert may do so through standard data processing
communication techniques.
[0330] The configuration of the MR-Control controller may depend on
the context of system deployment. Factors such as, but not limited
to, the budget, capacity, location, and/or use of the underlying
hardware resources may affect deployment requirements and
configuration. Regardless of if the configuration results in more
consolidated and/or integrated program components, results in a
more distributed series of program components, and/or results in
some combination between a consolidated and distributed
configuration, data may be communicated, obtained, and/or provided.
Instances of components consolidated into a common code base from
the program component collection may communicate, obtain, and/or
provide data. This may be accomplished through intra-application
data processing communication techniques such as, but not limited
to: data referencing (e.g., pointers), internal messaging, object
instance variable communication, shared memory space, variable
passing, and/or the like.
[0331] If component collection components are discrete, separate,
and/or external to one another, then communicating, obtaining,
and/or providing data with and/or to other component components may
be accomplished through inter-application data processing
communication techniques such as, but not limited to: Application
Program Interfaces (API) information passage; (distributed)
Component Object Model ((D)COM), (Distributed) Object Linking and
Embedding ((D)OLE), and/or the like), Common Object Request Broker
Architecture (CORBA), Jini local and remote application program
interfaces, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), Remote Method
Invocation (RMI), SOAP, process pipes, shared files, and/or the
like. Messages sent between discrete component components for
inter-application communication or within memory spaces of a
singular component for intra-application communication may be
facilitated through the creation and parsing of a grammar. A
grammar may be developed by using development tools such as lex,
yacc, XML, and/or the like, which allow for grammar generation and
parsing capabilities, which in turn may form the basis of
communication messages within and between components.
[0332] For example, a grammar may be arranged to recognize the
tokens of an HTTP post command, e.g.:
w3c-post http:// . . . Value1
[0333] where Value1 is discerned as being a parameter because
"http://" is part of the grammar syntax, and what follows is
considered part of the post value. Similarly, with such a grammar,
a variable "Value1" may be inserted into an "http://" post command
and then sent. The grammar syntax itself may be presented as
structured data that is interpreted and/or otherwise used to
generate the parsing mechanism (e.g., a syntax description text
file as processed by lex, yacc, etc.). Also, once the parsing
mechanism is generated and/or instantiated, it itself may process
and/or parse structured data such as, but not limited to: character
(e.g., tab) delineated text, HTML, structured text streams, XML,
and/or the like structured data. In another embodiment,
inter-application data processing protocols themselves may have
integrated and/or readily available parsers (e.g., JSON, SOAP,
and/or like parsers) that may be employed to parse (e.g.,
communications) data. Further, the parsing grammar may be used
beyond message parsing, but may also be used to parse: databases,
data collections, data stores, structured data, and/or the like.
Again, the desired configuration may depend upon the context,
environment, and requirements of system deployment.
[0334] For example, in some implementations, the MR-Control
controller may be executing a PHP script implementing a Secure
Sockets Layer ("SSL") socket server via the information server,
which listens to incoming communications on a server port to which
a client may send data, e.g., data encoded in JSON format. Upon
identifying an incoming communication, the PHP script may read the
incoming message from the client device, parse the received
JSON-encoded text data to extract information from the JSON-encoded
text data into PHP script variables, and store the data (e.g.,
client identifying information, etc.) and/or extracted information
in a relational database accessible using the Structured Query
Language ("SQL"). An exemplary listing, written substantially in
the form of PHP/SQL commands, to accept JSON-encoded input data
from a client device via a SSL connection, parse the data to
extract variables, and store the data to a database, is provided
below:
TABLE-US-00022 <?PHP header(`Content-Type: text/plain`); // set
ip address and port to listen to for incoming data $address =
`192.168.0.100`; $port = 255; // create a server-side SSL socket,
listen for/accept incoming communication $sock =
socket_create(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0); socket_bind($sock,
$address, $port) or die(`Could not bind to address`);
socket_listen($sock); $client = socket_accept($sock); // read input
data from client device in 1024 byte blocks until end of message do
{ $input = ""; $input = socket_read($client, 1024); $data .=
$input; } while($input != ""); // parse data to extract variables
$obj = json_decode($data, true); // store input data in a database
mysql_connect(''201.408.185.132'',$DBserver,$password); // access
database server mysql_select(''CLIENT_DB.SQL''); // select database
to append mysql_query("INSERT INTO UserTable (transmission) VALUES
($data)"); // add data to UserTable table in a CLIENT database
mysql_close(''CLIENT_DB.SQL''); // close connection to database
?>
[0335] Also, the following resources may be used to provide example
embodiments regarding SOAP parser implementation:
TABLE-US-00023 http://www.xav.com/perl/site/lib/SOAP/Parser.html
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/tivihelp/v2r1/index.jsp?topic=/
com.ibm.IBMDI.doc/referenceguide295.htm
[0336] and other parser implementations:
TABLE-US-00024
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/tivihelp/v2r1/index.jsp?topic=/
com.ibm.IBMDI.doc/referenceguide259.htm
[0337] all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference.
[0338] Additional embodiments of the MR-Control may comprise the
following:
[0339] 1. A TV mobile control processor-implemented method,
comprising: [0340] obtaining TV program schedule listing data;
[0341] providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a
general purpose user mobile device communicatively coupled to an
infrared communication component; [0342] receiving a user media
program selection message from the general purpose user mobile
device, [0343] wherein the general purpose user mobile device
transmits a TV remote channel selection indication to a TV set via
the infrared communication component, [0344] wherein the user media
program selection message and the TV remote channel selection
indication comprise the same user selected channel; [0345]
determining whether the received user media program selection
message indicates a user watching event; [0346] determining a user
watching time length associated with the user selected channel when
the received user media program selection message is determined to
indicate the user watching event; and [0347] generating and storing
a user watching event log file including the user selected channel
and the determined user watching time length.
[0348] 2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0349]
filtering the received user media program selection message when
the received user media program selection message is determined not
to indicate a user watching event.
[0350] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data
assistant, a cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer
[0351] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0352] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device transmits a TV remote channel selection
indication to a TV set-top box via the infrared plug-in
component.
[0353] 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the TV remote channel
selection message comprises a non-live media program selection
message.
[0354] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the non-live media
program selection message comprises any of a DVD control message, a
DVR control message and an on-demand media control message.
[0355] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining
whether the received user media program selection message indicates
a user watching event comprises: [0356] calculating a time lapse
between two consecutively received program selection messages; and
[0357] determining whether the time lapse is sufficiently long to
indicate a user watching event.
[0358] 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises determining whether a time
lapse between two consecutively received program selection messages
exceeds a capping threshold.
[0359] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises applying watching time caps
based on any of TV on/off events, set-top box on/off events and
heuristics.
[0360] 11. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising feeding
the user watching event log file for user viewing data record
associated with the selected media program.
[0361] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device is configured to automatically scan on a
communication stack for a physical address of a TV set.
[0362] 13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device receives user submitted TV parameters to scan
for a TV set.
[0363] 14. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0364]
obtaining an atmospherics data artifact from the atmospherics data
package.
[0365] 15. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0366]
extracting user instant activities information based on analysis of
the atmospherics data artifact.
[0367] 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0368]
generating a user viewing status indication based on the user
instant activities information; and [0369] incorporating the user
viewing status indication into viewer measurement data of the user
selected channel
[0370] 17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the received TV
program schedule listing data comprises a plurality of ad tags.
[0371] 18. The method of embodiment 17, further comprising: [0372]
retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media
program from the TV program schedule listing data.
[0373] 19. The method of embodiment 18, further comprising: [0374]
extracting key terms from the ad tags based by parsing ad contents;
[0375] querying a survey question list based on the extracted key
terms; [0376] generating and sending a survey question from the
query to the user mobile device; and [0377] obtaining a user
reaction to the survey question.
[0378] 20. The method of embodiment 17, further comprising: [0379]
generating a social watching status message; and [0380] populating
the social watching status message to a social media platform.
[0381] 21. A TV mobile control system, comprising: [0382] a memory;
[0383] a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and
configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored
in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to: [0384]
obtain TV program schedule listing data; [0385] provide the
obtained TV program schedule listing data to a general purpose user
mobile device communicatively coupled to an infrared communication
component; [0386] receive a user media program selection message
from the general purpose user mobile device, [0387] wherein the
general purpose user mobile device transmits a TV remote channel
selection indication to a TV set via the infrared communication
component, [0388] wherein the user media program selection message
and the TV remote channel selection indication comprise the same
user selected channel; [0389] determine whether the received user
media program selection message indicates a user watching event;
[0390] determine a user watching time length associated with the
user selected channel when the received user media program
selection message is determined to indicate the user watching
event; and [0391] generate and storing a user watching event log
file including the user selected channel and the determined user
watching time length.
[0392] 22. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0393] filter the received user
media program selection message when the received user media
program selection message is determined not to indicate a user
watching event.
[0394] 23. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data
assistant, a cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer
[0395] 24. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0396] 25. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device transmits a TV remote channel selection
indication to a TV set-top box via the infrared plug-in
component.
[0397] 26. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the TV remote
channel selection message comprises a non-live media program
selection message.
[0398] 27. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the non-live media
program selection message comprises any of a DVD control message, a
DVR control message and an on-demand media control message.
[0399] 28. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining
whether the received user media program selection message indicates
a user watching event comprises: [0400] calculating a time lapse
between two consecutively received program selection messages; and
[0401] determining whether the time lapse is sufficiently long to
indicate a user watching event.
[0402] 29. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises determining whether a time
lapse between two consecutively received program selection messages
exceeds a capping threshold.
[0403] 30. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises applying watching time caps
based on any of TV on/off events, set-top box on/off events and
heuristics.
[0404] 31. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the processor
issues instructions to feed the user watching event log file for
user viewing data record associated with the selected media
program.
[0405] 32. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device is configured to automatically scan on a
communication stack for a physical address of a TV set.
[0406] 33. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device receives user submitted TV parameters to scan
for a TV set.
[0407] 34. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0408] obtain an atmospherics data
artifact from the atmospherics data package.
[0409] 35. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0410] extract user instant
activities information based on analysis of the atmospherics data
artifact.
[0411] 36. The system of embodiment 25, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0412] generate a user viewing
status indication based on the user instant activities information;
and [0413] incorporate the user viewing status indication into
viewer measurement data of the user selected channel
[0414] 37. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the received TV
program schedule listing data comprises a plurality of ad tags.
[0415] 38. The system of embodiment 17, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0416] retrieve an ad tag
associated with the user selected media program from the TV program
schedule listing data.
[0417] 39. The system of embodiment 38, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0418] extract key terms from the
ad tags based by parsing ad contents; [0419] query a survey
question list based on the extracted key terms; [0420] generat3 and
sending a survey question from the query to the user mobile device;
and [0421] obtain a user reaction to the survey question.
[0422] 40. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0423] generate a social watching
status message; and [0424] populate the social watching status
message to a social media platform.
[0425] 41. A TV mobile control processor-readable storage medium
storing processor-executable instructions to: [0426] obtain TV
program schedule listing data; [0427] provide the obtained TV
program schedule listing data to a general purpose user mobile
device communicatively coupled to an infrared communication
component; [0428] receive a user media program selection message
from the general purpose user mobile device, [0429] wherein the
general purpose user mobile device transmits a TV remote channel
selection indication to a TV set via the infrared communication
component, [0430] wherein the user media program selection message
and the TV remote channel selection indication comprise the same
user selected channel; [0431] determine whether the received user
media program selection message indicates a user watching event;
[0432] determine a user watching time length associated with the
user selected channel when the received user media program
selection message is determined to indicate the user watching
event; and [0433] generate and storing a user watching event log
file including the user selected channel and the determined user
watching time length.
[0434] 42. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to: [0435] filter the received user
media program selection message when the received user media
program selection message is determined not to indicate a user
watching event.
[0436] 43. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data
assistant, a cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer
[0437] 44. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0438] 45. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device transmits a TV remote channel selection
indication to a TV set-top box via the infrared plug-in
component.
[0439] 46. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the TV remote
channel selection message comprises a non-live media program
selection message.
[0440] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the non-live media
program selection message comprises any of a DVD control message, a
DVR control message and an on-demand media control message.
[0441] 48. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining
whether the received user media program selection message indicates
a user watching event comprises: [0442] calculating a time lapse
between two consecutively received program selection messages; and
[0443] determining whether the time lapse is sufficiently long to
indicate a user watching event.
[0444] 49. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises determining whether a time
lapse between two consecutively received program selection messages
exceeds a capping threshold.
[0445] 50. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining a
user watching time length comprises applying watching time caps
based on any of TV on/off events, set-top box on/off events and
heuristics.
[0446] 51. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
instructions to feed the user watching event log file for user
viewing data record associated with the selected media program.
[0447] 52. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device is configured to automatically scan on a
communication stack for a physical address of a TV set.
[0448] 53. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the general purpose
user mobile device receives user submitted TV parameters to scan
for a TV set.
[0449] 54. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
instructions to: [0450] obtain an atmospherics data artifact from
the atmospherics data package.
[0451] 55. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
instructions to: [0452] extract user instant activities information
based on analysis of the atmospherics data artifact.
[0453] 56. The medium of embodiment 55, further storing
instructions to: [0454] generate a user viewing status indication
based on the user instant activities information; and [0455]
incorporate the user viewing status indication into viewer
measurement data of the user selected channel
[0456] 57. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the received TV
program schedule listing data comprises a plurality of ad tags.
[0457] 58. The medium of embodiment 57, further storing
instructions to: [0458] retrieve an ad tag associated with the user
selected media program from the TV program schedule listing
data.
[0459] 59. The medium of embodiment 58, further storing
instructions to: [0460] extract key terms from the ad tags based by
parsing ad contents; [0461] query a survey question list based on
the extracted key terms; [0462] generat3 and sending a survey
question from the query to the user mobile device; and [0463]
obtain a user reaction to the survey question.
[0464] 60. The medium of embodiment 57, further storing
instructions to: [0465] generate a social watching status message;
and [0466] populate the social watching status message to a social
media platform.
[0467] Further embodiments of monitoring audience behavior of the
MR-Control may comprise the following:
[0468] 1. A TV audience monitoring processor-implemented method,
comprising: [0469] providing TV program schedule listing data to a
user mobile device; [0470] receiving a user channel selection from
the user mobile device; [0471] receiving, from the user mobile
device, an atmospherics data package indicating user instant
activity status; [0472] obtaining an atmospherics data artifact
from the atmospherics data package; [0473] extracting user instant
activities information based on analysis of the atmospherics data
artifact; [0474] generating a user viewing status indication based
on the user instant activities information; and [0475]
incorporating the user viewing status indication into viewer
measurement data of the user selected channel.
[0476] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0477] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0478] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the same user channel
selection is transmitted to a TV set via an infrared communication
channel.
[0479] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics data
package is captured and aggregated by the user mobile device to
monitor whether the user is watching the selected channel.
[0480] 6. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising
determining a type of the atmospherics data artifact.
[0481] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics data
artifact comprises an audio file.
[0482] 8. The method of embodiment 7, further comprising: [0483]
determining audio content based on audio analysis.
[0484] 9. The method of embodiment 8, further comprising: [0485]
when the audio content includes human voice, performing voice
recognition to determine whether a vocal source matches a character
in a TV show scheduled on the user selected channel;
[0486] 10. The method of embodiment 8, further comprising: [0487]
when the audio content includes human voice, extracting key terms
from the human voice to determine whether the vocal content is
related to a TV show scheduled on the user selected channel.
[0488] 11. The method of 8, further comprising: [0489] when the
audio content includes ambient noise, determining an audience
environment status based on the noise level.
[0490] 12. The method of embodiment 8, further comprising: [0491]
when the audio content includes media music, determine whether the
media music is related to a TV show scheduled on the user selected
channel.
[0492] 13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises an image file.
[0493] 14. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0494]
determining graphic content based on image analysis.
[0495] 15. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising: [0496]
when the graphic content comprises audience presence, performing
facial recognition to determine a number of presented
audiences.
[0497] 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0498]
when the graphic content comprises a TV screen, determining whether
the TV screen is related to a TV show scheduled on the user
selected channel.
[0499] 17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises GPS information.
[0500] 18. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0501]
determining an address type of the GPS information; and [0502]
determining whether the user is viewing TV based on the address
type.
[0503] 19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a lighting sensing data file.
[0504] 20. The method of embodiment 19, further comprising:
determining whether audience environment is suitable for viewing
based on the lighting sensing data.
[0505] 21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a device application activity log file.
[0506] 22. The method of embodiment 21, further comprising: [0507]
determining a device application activity type; and [0508]
determining whether the user is viewing TV based on the device
application activity type.
[0509] 23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the generating a
user viewing status indication is performed based on a
threshold-based progressive procedure.
[0510] 24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure comprises: [0511] analyzing a first
atmospherics data artifact; [0512] determining a first user
activity indication based on the analysis; [0513] assigning a first
weight score value to the first atmospherics data artifact; [0514]
determining whether the first weight score value exceeds a
threshold; [0515] if yes, determining the user is not watching the
selected channel; and [0516] if not, proceeding to analyzing a
second atmospherics data artifact, [0517] determining a second
weight score value for the second atmospherics data artifact,
[0518] generating an atmospherics score by adding the first weight
score value and the second score value, and [0519] determining
whether the atmospherics score exceeds the threshold.
[0520] 25. The method of embodiment 23, further comprising: [0521]
repeating analysis of atmospherics data artifacts when an
accumulated atmospherics score does not exceed the threshold.
[0522] 26. The method of embodiment 23, further comprising: [0523]
determining the user is not watching the selected channel and exit
the threshold-based progressive procedure when the accumulated
atmospherics score exceeds the threshold.
[0524] 27. The method of embodiment 23, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure analyzes atmospherics data artifacts based on
complexity from low to high.
[0525] 28. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the first
atmospherics data artifact comprises any of: GPS information and
device application activity status.
[0526] 29. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the first and
second weight score values are retrieved from the pre-stored data
table.
[0527] 30. The method of embodiment 24, further comprising: [0528]
when the threshold-based progressive procedure determines the user
is not watching the selected channel, [0529] excluding the user
from being a viewer of the user selected channel.
[0530] 31. A TV audience monitoring system, comprising: [0531]
means to provide TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile
device; [0532] means to receive a user channel selection from the
user mobile device; [0533] means to receive, from the user mobile
device, an atmospherics data package indicating user instant
activity status; [0534] means to obtain an atmospherics data
artifact from the atmospherics data package; [0535] means to
extract user instant activities information based on analysis of
the atmospherics data artifact; [0536] means to generate a user
viewing status indication based on the user instant activities
information; and [0537] means to incorporate the user viewing
status indication into viewer measurement data of the user selected
channel.
[0538] 32. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0539] 33. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0540] 34. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the same user
channel selection is transmitted to a TV set via an infrared
communication channel.
[0541] 35. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data package is captured and aggregated by the user mobile device
to monitor whether the user is watching the selected channel.
[0542] 36. The system of embodiment 31, further comprising
determining a type of the atmospherics data artifact.
[0543] 37. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises an audio file.
[0544] 38. The system of embodiment 37, further comprising: [0545]
means to determine audio content based on audio analysis.
[0546] 39. The system of embodiment 38, further comprising: [0547]
means to when the audio content includes human voice, perform voice
recognition to determine whether a vocal source matches a character
in a TV show scheduled on the user selected channel;
[0548] 40. The system of embodiment 38, further comprising: [0549]
means to when the audio content includes human voice, extract key
terms from the human voice to determine whether the vocal content
is related to a TV show scheduled on the user selected channel.
[0550] 41. The system of 38, further comprising: [0551] means to
when the audio content includes ambient noise, determine an
audience environment status based on the noise level.
[0552] 42. The system of embodiment 38, further comprising: [0553]
means to when the audio content includes media music, determine
whether the media music is related to a TV show scheduled on the
user selected channel.
[0554] 43. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises an image file.
[0555] 44. The system of embodiment 31, further comprising: [0556]
means to determine graphic content based on image analysis.
[0557] 45. The system of embodiment 34, further comprising: [0558]
means to when the graphic content comprises audience presence,
perform facial recognition to determine a number of presented
audiences.
[0559] 46. The system of embodiment 45, further comprising: [0560]
means to when the graphic content comprises a TV screen, determine
whether the TV screen is related to a TV show scheduled on the user
selected channel.
[0561] 47. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises GPS information.
[0562] 48. The system of embodiment 31, further comprising: [0563]
means to determine an address type of the GPS information; and
[0564] means to determine whether the user is viewing TV based on
the address type.
[0565] 49. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a lighting sensing data file.
[0566] 50. The system of embodiment 49, further comprising: means
to determine whether audience environment is suitable for viewing
based on the lighting sensing data.
[0567] 51. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a device application activity log file.
[0568] 52. The system of embodiment 41, further comprising: [0569]
means to determine a device application activity type; and [0570]
means to determine whether the user is viewing TV based on the
device application activity type.
[0571] 53. The system of embodiment 31, wherein the generating a
user viewing status indication is performed based on a
threshold-based progressive procedure.
[0572] 54. The system of embodiment 53, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure comprises: [0573] means to analyze a first
atmospherics data artifact; [0574] means to determine a first user
activity indication based on the analysis; [0575] means to assign a
first weight score value to the first atmospherics data artifact;
[0576] means to determine whether the first weight score value
exceeds a threshold; [0577] if yes, means to determine the user is
not watching the selected channel; and [0578] if not, means to
proceed to analyzing a second atmospherics data artifact, [0579]
means to determine a second weight score value for the second
atmospherics data artifact, [0580] means to generate an
atmospherics score by adding the first weight score value and the
second score value, and [0581] means to determine whether the
atmospherics score exceeds the threshold.
[0582] 55. The system of embodiment 53, further comprising: [0583]
means to repeat analysis of atmospherics data artifacts when an
accumulated atmospherics score does not exceed the threshold.
[0584] 56. The system of embodiment 53, further comprising: [0585]
means to determine the user is not watching the selected channel
and exit the threshold-based progressive procedure when the
accumulated atmospherics score exceeds the threshold.
[0586] 57. The system of embodiment 53, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure analyzes atmospherics data artifacts based on
complexity from low to high.
[0587] 58. The system of embodiment 54, wherein the first
atmospherics data artifact comprises any of: GPS information and
device application activity status.
[0588] 59. The system of embodiment 54, wherein the first and
second weight score values are retrieved from the pre-stored data
table.
[0589] 60. The system of embodiment 54, further comprising: [0590]
when the threshold-based progressive procedure determines the user
is not watching the selected channel, [0591] means to exclude the
user from being a viewer of the user selected channel.
[0592] 61. A TV audience monitoring processor-readable
non-transitory medium storing processor-executable instructions,
said instructions issuable by a processor to: [0593] provide TV
program schedule listing data to a user mobile device; [0594]
receive a user channel selection from the user mobile device;
[0595] receive, from the user mobile device, an atmospherics data
package indicating user instant activity status; [0596] obtain an
atmospherics data artifact from the atmospherics data package;
[0597] extract user instant activities information based on
analysis of the atmospherics data artifact; [0598] generate a user
viewing status indication based on the user instant activities
information; and [0599] incorporate the user viewing status
indication into viewer measurement data of the user selected
channel.
[0600] 62. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0601] 63. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the TV program
schedule listing data is transmitted via any of a cellar network, a
3G network, and a Wifi network.
[0602] 64. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the same user
channel selection is transmitted to a TV set via an infrared
communication channel.
[0603] 65. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data package is captured and aggregated by the user mobile device
to monitor whether the user is watching the selected channel.
[0604] 66. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to determining a type of the atmospherics data
artifact.
[0605] 67. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises an audio file.
[0606] 68. The medium of embodiment 67, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0607] determine audio content based on audio
analysis.
[0608] 69. The medium of embodiment 68, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0609] when the audio content includes human voice,
perform voice recognition to determine whether a vocal source
matches a character in a TV show scheduled on the user selected
channel;
[0610] 70. The medium of embodiment 68, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0611] when the audio content includes human voice,
extract key terms from the human voice to determine whether the
vocal content is related to a TV show scheduled on the user
selected channel.
[0612] 71. The medium of 68, wherein the processor-executable
instructions are further issuable by the processor to: [0613] when
the audio content includes ambient noise, determine an audience
environment status based on the noise level.
[0614] 72. The medium of embodiment 68, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0615] when the audio content includes media music,
determine whether the media music is related to a TV show scheduled
on the user selected channel.
[0616] 73. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises an image file.
[0617] 74. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0618] determine graphic content based on image
analysis.
[0619] 75. The medium of embodiment 64, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0620] when the graphic content comprises audience
presence, perform facial recognition to determine a number of
presented audiences.
[0621] 76. The medium of embodiment 75, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0622] when the graphic content comprises a TV
screen, determine whether the TV screen is related to a TV show
scheduled on the user selected channel.
[0623] 77. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises GPS information.
[0624] 78. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0625] determine an address type of the GPS
information; and [0626] determine whether the user is viewing TV
based on the address type.
[0627] 79. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a lighting sensing data file.
[0628] 80. The medium of embodiment 79, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: determine whether audience environment is suitable
for viewing based on the lighting sensing data.
[0629] 81. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises a device application activity log file.
[0630] 82. The medium of embodiment 71, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0631] determine a device application activity type;
and [0632] determine whether the user is viewing TV based on the
device application activity type.
[0633] 83. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the generating a
user viewing status indication is performed based on a
threshold-based progressive procedure.
[0634] 84. The medium of embodiment 83, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure comprises: [0635] analyze a first
atmospherics data artifact; [0636] determine a first user activity
indication based on the analysis; [0637] assign a first weight
score value to the first atmospherics data artifact; [0638]
determine whether the first weight score value exceeds a threshold;
[0639] if yes, determine the user is not watching the selected
channel; and [0640] if not, proceed to analyzing a second
atmospherics data artifact, [0641] determine a second weight score
value for the second atmospherics data artifact, [0642] generate an
atmospherics score by adding the first weight score value and the
second score value, and [0643] determine whether the atmospherics
score exceeds the threshold.
[0644] 85. The medium of embodiment 83, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0645] repeat analysis of atmospherics data artifacts
when an accumulated atmospherics score does not exceed the
threshold.
[0646] 86. The medium of embodiment 83, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0647] determine the user is not watching the
selected channel and exit the threshold-based progressive procedure
when the accumulated atmospherics score exceeds the threshold.
[0648] 87. The medium of embodiment 83, wherein the threshold-based
progressive procedure analyzes atmospherics data artifacts based on
complexity from low to high.
[0649] 88. The medium of embodiment 84, wherein the first
atmospherics data artifact comprises any of: GPS information and
device application activity status.
[0650] 89. The medium of embodiment 84, wherein the first and
second weight score values are retrieved from the pre-stored data
table.
[0651] 90. The medium of embodiment 84, wherein the
processor-executable instructions are further issuable by the
processor to: [0652] when the threshold-based progressive procedure
determines the user is not watching the selected channel, [0653]
exclude the user from being a viewer of the user selected
channel.
[0654] Further embodiments of capturing audience atmospherics data
at a user mobile device may comprise the following:
[0655] 1. A TV audience monitoring processor-implemented method,
comprising: [0656] instantiating a TV mobile control component at a
general purpose user mobile device; [0657] receiving TV program
schedule listing data at the general purpose user mobile device via
a communication channel; [0658] obtaining a user selection of TV
program via a user interface of the instantiated TV mobile control
component; [0659] transmitting a TV remote channel selection
indication to a server via the communication channel; [0660]
capturing atmospherics data indicative of user activities status at
the user mobile device; [0661] generating an atmospherics data
package comprising one or more atmospherics data artifact from the
captured atmospherics data; and [0662] transmitting the generated
atmospherics data package to the server.
[0663] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0664] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the communication
network comprises any of a cellar network, a 3G network, and a Wifi
network.
[0665] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is automatically performed by the TV mobile
control component on a periodic basis.
[0666] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is triggered by a user.
[0667] 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises snapping a photo by an image capturing
component connected to the user mobile device.
[0668] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining a video clip by an image
capturing component connected to the user mobile device.
[0669] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises recording an audio clip by the user
mobile device.
[0670] 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining GPS information of the user
mobile device.
[0671] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining lighting sensing data by the
user mobile device.
[0672] 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining device application activity
status on the user mobile device.
[0673] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises any of an image, a video clip, an audio
clip, GPS information, device application data, and lighting
data.
[0674] 13. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising:
prompting a request to a user to position the user mobile device so
that an image capture component is focused on a TV screen.
[0675] 14. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the snapped photo
includes an image of audiences.
[0676] 15. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the snapped photo
includes a TV screen.
[0677] 16. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the audio clip
includes ambient noise of an environment.
[0678] 17. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the audio clip
includes recorded media sound.
[0679] 18. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the audio clip
includes human voices.
[0680] 19. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the GPS information
indicates whether a user is located with a TV set.
[0681] 20. The method of embodiment 10, wherein the lighting data
indicates whether amble light is provided to watch TV.
[0682] 21. A TV audience monitoring apparatus, comprising: [0683] a
memory; [0684] a processor disposed in communication with said
memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing
instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues
instructions to: [0685] instantiate a TV mobile control component
at a general purpose user mobile device; [0686] receive TV program
schedule listing data at the general purpose user mobile device via
a communication channel; [0687] obtain a user selection of TV
program via a user interface of the instantiated TV mobile control
component; [0688] transmit a TV remote channel selection indication
to a server via the communication channel; [0689] capture
atmospherics data indicative of user activities status at the user
mobile device; [0690] generate an atmospherics data package
comprising one or more atmospherics data artifact from the captured
atmospherics data; and [0691] transmit the generated atmospherics
data package to the server.
[0692] 22. The apparatus of embodiment 1, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0693] 23. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the
communication network comprises any of a cellar network, a 3G
network, and a Wifi network.
[0694] 24. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is automatically performed by the TV mobile
control component on a periodic basis.
[0695] 25. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is triggered by a user.
[0696] 26. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises snapping a photo by an image capturing
component connected to the user mobile device.
[0697] 27. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining a video clip by an image
capturing component connected to the user mobile device.
[0698] 28. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises recording an audio clip by the user
mobile device.
[0699] 29. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining GPS information of the user
mobile device.
[0700] 30. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining lighting sensing data by the
user mobile device.
[0701] 31. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining device application activity
status on the user mobile device.
[0702] 32. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises any of an image, a video clip, an audio
clip, GPS information, device application data, and lighting
data.
[0703] 33. The apparatus of embodiment 21, wherein the processor
further issues instructions to prompt a request to a user to
position the user mobile device so that an image capture component
is focused on a TV screen.
[0704] 34. The apparatus of embodiment 26, wherein the snapped
photo includes an image of audiences.
[0705] 35. The apparatus of embodiment 26, wherein the snapped
photo includes a TV screen.
[0706] 36. The apparatus of embodiment 28, wherein the audio clip
includes ambient noise of an environment.
[0707] 37. The apparatus of embodiment 28, wherein the audio clip
includes recorded media sound.
[0708] 38. The apparatus of embodiment 28, wherein the audio clip
includes human voices.
[0709] 39. The apparatus of embodiment 29, wherein the GPS
information indicates whether a user is located with a TV set.
[0710] 40. The apparatus of embodiment 30, wherein the lighting
data indicates whether amble light is provided to watch TV.
[0711] 41. A TV audience monitoring processor-readable medium
storing processor-executable instructions to: [0712] instantiate a
TV mobile control component at a general purpose user mobile
device; [0713] receive TV program schedule listing data at the
general purpose user mobile device via a communication channel;
[0714] obtain a user selection of TV program via a user interface
of the instantiated TV mobile control component; [0715] transmit a
TV remote channel selection indication to a server via the
communication channel; [0716] capture atmospherics data indicative
of user activities status at the user mobile device; [0717]
generate an atmospherics data package comprising one or more
atmospherics data artifact from the captured atmospherics data; and
[0718] transmit the generated atmospherics data package to the
server.
[0719] 42. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user mobile
device comprises any of a smartphone, a personal data assistant, a
cellular phone, a laptop, and a tablet computer.
[0720] 43. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the communication
network comprises any of a cellar network, a 3G network, and a Wifi
network.
[0721] 44. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is automatically performed by the TV mobile
control component on a periodic basis.
[0722] 45. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data is triggered by a user.
[0723] 46. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises snapping a photo by an image capturing
component connected to the user mobile device.
[0724] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining a video clip by an image
capturing component connected to the user mobile device.
[0725] 48. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises recording an audio clip by the user
mobile device.
[0726] 49. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining GPS information of the user
mobile device.
[0727] 50. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining lighting sensing data by the
user mobile device.
[0728] 61. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the capturing
atmospherics data comprises obtaining device application activity
status on the user mobile device.
[0729] 62. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the atmospherics
data artifact comprises any of an image, a video clip, an audio
clip, GPS information, device application data, and lighting
data.
[0730] 63. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
processor-executable instructions to prompt a request to a user to
position the user mobile device so that an image capture component
is focused on a TV screen.
[0731] 64. The medium of embodiment 56, wherein the snapped photo
includes an image of audiences.
[0732] 65. The medium of embodiment 56, wherein the snapped photo
includes a TV screen.
[0733] 66. The medium of embodiment 58, wherein the audio clip
includes ambient noise of an environment.
[0734] 67. The medium of embodiment 58, wherein the audio clip
includes recorded media sound.
[0735] 68. The medium of embodiment 58, wherein the audio clip
includes human voices.
[0736] 69. The medium of embodiment 59, wherein the GPS information
indicates whether a user is located with a TV set.
[0737] 60. The medium of embodiment 50, wherein the lighting data
indicates whether amble light is provided to watch TV.
[0738] Further embodiments of generating media content based survey
questionnaires may comprise the following:
[0739] 1. A media content based survey distribution and collection
processor-implemented method, comprising: [0740] providing the
obtained TV program schedule listing data including a plurality of
ad tags to a user mobile device, [0741] receiving a user media
program selection message from the user mobile device; [0742]
retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media
program from the TV program schedule listing data; [0743]
extracting key terms from the ad tags based by parsing ad contents;
[0744] querying a survey question list based on the extracted key
terms; [0745] generating and sending a survey question from the
query to the user mobile device; and [0746] obtaining a user
reaction to the survey question.
[0747] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag is related
to an advertisement played during a commercial break associated
with the user selected media program.
[0748] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag is related
to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected media
program.
[0749] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag further
comprises a timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0750] 5. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0751]
determining a category of an advertised item based on the extracted
key terms.
[0752] 6. The method of embodiment 5, further comprising: [0753]
retrieving survey questions from the survey question list based on
the determined category.
[0754] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the generated survey
question is sent to the user mobile device shortly after a
timestamp of the ad tag.
[0755] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the survey question
is synchronized with the ad tag.
[0756] 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the survey question
comprises a multiple choice question.
[0757] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the survey question
comprises a URL to a merchant shopping site.
[0758] 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user reaction to
the survey question comprises a submission of answer to the survey
question.
[0759] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user reaction to
the survey question comprises a click on a URL provided in the
survey question.
[0760] 13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the survey question
is generated based on ad tags in a user's recent viewing
history.
[0761] 14. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising providing
incentive rewards to a user after receiving an answer to the survey
question.
[0762] 15. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising analyzing
ad delivery and effects.
[0763] 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0764]
assigning a weighing score to the user reaction to the survey
question.
[0765] 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user reaction.
[0766] 18. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a user's answer to the survey question.
[0767] 19. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising:
aggregating weighing scores from a plurality of user reactions to
determine ad effects.
[0768] 20. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising:
periodically update the analysis by combining newly received user
reactions to survey questions.
[0769] 21. A media content based survey distribution and collection
system, comprising: [0770] means for providing the obtained TV
program schedule listing data including a plurality of ad tags to a
user mobile device, [0771] means for receiving a user media program
selection message from the user mobile device; [0772] means for
retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media
program from the TV program schedule listing data; [0773] means for
extracting key terms from the ad tags based by parsing ad contents;
[0774] means for querying a survey question list based on the
extracted key terms; [0775] means for generating and sending a
survey question from the query to the user mobile device; and
[0776] means for obtaining a user reaction to the survey
question.
[0777] 22. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an advertisement played during a commercial break
associated with the user selected media program.
[0778] 23. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected
media program.
[0779] 24. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag further
comprises a timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0780] 25. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising: [0781]
means for determining a category of an advertised item based on the
extracted key terms.
[0782] 26. The system of embodiment 5, further comprising: [0783]
means for retrieving survey questions from the survey question list
based on the determined category.
[0784] 27. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the generated
survey question is sent to the user mobile device shortly after a
timestamp of the ad tag.
[0785] 28. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the survey question
is synchronized with the ad tag.
[0786] 29. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the survey question
comprises a multiple choice question.
[0787] 30. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the survey question
comprises a URL to a merchant shopping site.
[0788] 31. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user reaction
to the survey question comprises a submission of answer to the
survey question.
[0789] 32. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user reaction
to the survey question comprises a click on a URL provided in the
survey question.
[0790] 33. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the survey question
is generated based on ad tags in a user's recent viewing
history.
[0791] 34. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising means
for providing incentive rewards to a user after receiving an answer
to the survey question.
[0792] 35. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising means
for analyzing ad delivery and effects.
[0793] 36. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: [0794]
means for assigning a weighing score to the user reaction to the
survey question.
[0795] 37. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user reaction.
[0796] 38. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a user's answer to the survey question.
[0797] 39. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: means
for aggregating weighing scores from a plurality of user reactions
to determine ad effects.
[0798] 40. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: means
for periodically updating the analysis by combining newly received
user reactions to survey questions.
[0799] 41. A media content based survey distribution and collection
processor-readable non-transitory medium storing
processor-executable instructions to: [0800] provide the obtained
TV program schedule listing data including a plurality of ad tags
to a user mobile device, [0801] receive a user media program
selection message from the user mobile device; [0802] retrieve an
ad tag associated with the user selected media program from the TV
program schedule listing data; [0803] extract key terms from the ad
tags based by parsing ad contents; [0804] query a survey question
list based on the extracted key terms; [0805] generate and send a
survey question from the query to the user mobile device; and
[0806] obtain a user reaction to the survey question.
[0807] 42. The medium of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an advertisement played during a commercial break
associated with the user selected media program.
[0808] 43. The medium of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected
media program.
[0809] 44. The medium of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag further
comprises a timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0810] 45. The medium of embodiment 21, further comprising: [0811]
means for determining a category of an advertised item based on the
extracted key terms.
[0812] 46. The medium of embodiment 45, further storing
processor-executable instructions to retrieve survey questions from
the survey question list based on the determined category.
[0813] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the generated
survey question is sent to the user mobile device shortly after a
timestamp of the ad tag.
[0814] 48. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the survey question
is synchronized with the ad tag.
[0815] 49. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the survey question
comprises a multiple choice question.
[0816] 50. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the survey question
comprises a URL to a merchant shopping site.
[0817] 51. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user reaction
to the survey question comprises a submission of answer to the
survey question.
[0818] 52. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user reaction
to the survey question comprises a click on a URL provided in the
survey question.
[0819] 53. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the survey question
is generated based on ad tags in a user's recent viewing
history.
[0820] 54. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
processor-executable instructions to provide incentive rewards to a
user after receiving an answer to the survey question.
[0821] 55. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
processor-executable instructions to analyze ad delivery and
effects.
[0822] 56. The medium of embodiment 55, further storing
processor-executable instructions to assign a weighing score to the
user reaction to the survey question.
[0823] 57. The medium of embodiment 56, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user reaction.
[0824] 58. The medium of embodiment 56, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a user's answer to the survey question.
[0825] 59. The medium of embodiment 55, further storing
processor-executable instructions to aggregate weighing scores from
a plurality of user reactions to determine ad effects.
[0826] 60. The medium of embodiment 55, further storing
processor-executable instructions to periodically update the
analysis by combining newly received user reactions to survey
questions.
[0827] Further embodiments of generating synchronized media content
based product placement ads may comprise the following:
[0828] 1. A media content based advertising processor-implemented
method, comprising: [0829] providing TV program schedule listing
data including a plurality of ad tags to a user mobile device,
[0830] receiving a user media program selection message from the
user mobile device; [0831] retrieving an ad tag associated with the
user selected media program from the TV program schedule listing
data; [0832] identifying an advertised item embedded in the media
program based on the retrieved ad tag; [0833] determining an
available ad template associated with the retrieved ad tag; [0834]
generating an ad for the embedded advertised item based on the
available ad template; and [0835] providing the generated ad to the
user mobile device based on a timestamp of the ad tag.
[0836] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag is related
to an advertisement played during a commercial break associated
with the user selected media program.
[0837] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag is related
to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected media
program.
[0838] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the ad tag further
comprises the timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0839] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the available ad
template comprises a static ad template.
[0840] 6. The method of embodiment 5, further comprising populating
information of the identified advertised item into the static ad
template.
[0841] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the available ad
template comprises an image captured from the media program, and
said image comprises the identified advertised item.
[0842] 8. The method of embodiment 7, further comprising generating
an interactive ad using the available ad template.
[0843] 9. The method of embodiment 7, wherein the image comprises
an indicia box indicating the identified advertised item.
[0844] 10. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the interactive ad
comprises a rating of the identified advertised item.
[0845] 11. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an immediate purchasing option including a URL to a
merchant shopping site.
[0846] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an option for a user to enter a rating for the identified
advertised item.
[0847] 13. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising:
providing options to a user to browse interactive ads.
[0848] 14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the options
comprises: browsing interactive ads by any of: character, item
category, season, episode.
[0849] 15. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [0850]
receiving a user interaction with the generated ad; and [0851]
analyzing ad delivery and effects.
[0852] 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0853]
assigning a weighing score to the user interaction.
[0854] 17. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user interaction.
[0855] 18. The method of embodiment 16, wherein the user
interaction comprises any of: entry of product rating, click to
view more, and click to purchase.
[0856] 19. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising:
aggregating weighing scores from a plurality of user reactions to
determine ad effects.
[0857] 20. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising:
periodically update the analysis by combining newly received user
interactions.
[0858] 21. A media content based advertising system, comprising:
[0859] means for providing TV program schedule listing data
including a plurality of ad tags to a user mobile device, [0860]
means for receiving a user media program selection message from the
user mobile device; [0861] means for retrieving an ad tag
associated with the user selected media program from the TV program
schedule listing data; [0862] means for identifying an advertised
item embedded in the media program based on the retrieved ad tag;
[0863] means for determining an available ad template associated
with the retrieved ad tag; [0864] means for generating an ad for
the embedded advertised item based on the available ad template;
and [0865] means for providing the generated ad to the user mobile
device based on a timestamp of the ad tag.
[0866] 22. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an advertisement played during a commercial break
associated with the user selected media program.
[0867] 23. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag is
related to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected
media program.
[0868] 24. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the ad tag further
comprises the timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0869] 25. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the available ad
template comprises a static ad template.
[0870] 26. The system of embodiment 25, further comprising
populating information of the identified advertised item into the
static ad template.
[0871] 27. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the available ad
template comprises an image captured from the media program, and
said image comprises the identified advertised item.
[0872] 28. The system of embodiment 27, further comprising means
for generating an interactive ad using the available ad
template.
[0873] 29. The system of embodiment 27, wherein the image comprises
an indicia box indicating the identified advertised item.
[0874] 30. The system of embodiment 28, wherein the interactive ad
comprises a rating of the identified advertised item.
[0875] 31. The system of embodiment 28, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an immediate purchasing option including a URL to a
merchant shopping site.
[0876] 32. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an option for a user to enter a rating for the identified
advertised item.
[0877] 33. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising:
providing options to a user to browse interactive ads.
[0878] 34. The system of embodiment 33, wherein the options
comprises: browsing interactive ads by any of: character, item
category, season, episode.
[0879] 35. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising: [0880]
receiving a user interaction with the generated ad; and [0881]
analyzing ad delivery and effects.
[0882] 36. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: [0883]
assigning a weighing score to the user interaction.
[0884] 37. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user interaction.
[0885] 38. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the user
interaction comprises any of: entry of product rating, click to
view more, and click to purchase.
[0886] 39. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: means
for aggregating weighing scores from a plurality of user reactions
to determine ad effects.
[0887] 40. The system of embodiment 35, further comprising: means
for periodically updating the analysis by combining newly received
user interactions.
[0888] 41. A media content based advertising processor-readable
non-transitory medium storing processor-executable instructions to:
[0889] provide TV program schedule listing data including a
plurality of ad tags to a user mobile device, [0890] receive a user
media program selection message from the user mobile device; [0891]
retrieve an ad tag associated with the user selected media program
from the TV program schedule listing data; [0892] identify an
advertised item embedded in the media program based on the
retrieved ad tag; [0893] determine an available ad template
associated with the retrieved ad tag; [0894] generate an ad for the
embedded advertised item based on the available ad template; and
[0895] provide the generated ad to the user mobile device based on
a timestamp of the ad tag.
[0896] 42. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the ad tag is
related to an advertisement played during a commercial break
associated with the user selected media program.
[0897] 43. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the ad tag is
related to an embedded ad placed in a scene of the user selected
media program.
[0898] 44. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the ad tag further
comprises the timestamp of an ad, and information related to the
advertised item.
[0899] 45. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the available ad
template comprises a static ad template.
[0900] 46. The medium of embodiment 45, further storing
instructions to populate information of the identified advertised
item into the static ad template.
[0901] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the available ad
template comprises an image captured from the media program, and
said image comprises the identified advertised item.
[0902] 48. The medium of embodiment 47, further storing
instructions to generate an interactive ad using the available ad
template.
[0903] 49. The medium of embodiment 47, wherein the image comprises
an indicia box indicating the identified advertised item.
[0904] 50. The medium of embodiment 48, wherein the interactive ad
comprises a rating of the identified advertised item.
[0905] 51. The medium of embodiment 48, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an immediate purchasing option including a URL to a
merchant shopping site.
[0906] 52. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the interactive ad
comprises an option for a user to enter a rating for the identified
advertised item.
[0907] 53. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
instructions to provide options to a user to browse interactive
ads.
[0908] 54. The medium of embodiment 43, wherein the options
comprises: browsing interactive ads by any of: character, item
category, season, episode.
[0909] 55. The medium of embodiment 41, further storing
instructions to: [0910] receive a user interaction with the
generated ad; and [0911] analyze ad delivery and effects.
[0912] 56. The medium of embodiment 55, further storing
instructions to: [0913] assign a weighing score to the user
interaction.
[0914] 57. The medium of embodiment 56, wherein the weighing score
is determined based on a type of the user interaction.
[0915] 58. The medium of embodiment 57, wherein the user
interaction comprises any of: entry of product rating, click to
view more, and click to purchase.
[0916] 59. The medium of embodiment 55, further comprising:
aggregating weighing scores from a plurality of user reactions to
determine ad effects.
[0917] 60. The medium of embodiment 55, further comprising:
periodically update the analysis by combining newly received user
interactions.
[0918] Further embodiments of social content access may comprise
the following:
[0919] 1. A social media content access processor-implemented
method, comprising: [0920] identifying a request to access user
social media content; [0921] obtaining user authorization
credentials to access user social media content; [0922] sending an
access request with the obtained user authorization credentials to
a social media platform; [0923] receiving social media content data
from the social media platform; [0924] determining a type of the
received media content data; [0925] tagging the received media
content data based on the type according to a progressive taxonomy
mechanism; [0926] receive a social media analytics request for an
item; [0927] querying the tagged media content data based on key
terms related to the item; and [0928] determining impression
heuristics for the item based on query results.
[0929] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the request to access
social media content comprises a request received from a user to
populate a social watching event status to a social media
platform.
[0930] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the request to access
social media content comprises a periodic social media content
update.
[0931] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the request to access
social media content is triggered by an obtained request for social
media analytics.
[0932] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: [0933] prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[0934] 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: redirecting a user to a social
media login page.
[0935] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the social media
platform obtains a user application ID and user permission.
[0936] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user
authorization credentials comprise a user token received from the
social media platform.
[0937] 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the receiving social
media content data from the social media platform is scheduled on a
periodic basis.
[0938] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the receiving social
media content data from the social media platform is performed on
demand.
[0939] 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the type of the
received media content data comprises any of structured data and
unstructured data.
[0940] 12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the structured data
comprises any of a number of user social media connections and a
user profile.
[0941] 13. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the unstructured
data comprises raw texts of social media comments.
[0942] 14. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the tagging the
received media content data comprises tagging unstructured data
based on category of data content.
[0943] 15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein progressive taxonomy
mechanism comprises a set of pre-determined key terms.
[0944] 16. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0945]
querying the social media content based on a key term; and [0946]
tagging the social media content with the key term when the query
finds such key term.
[0947] 17. The method of embodiment 15, further comprising: [0948]
perform text analytics on the social media content.
[0949] 18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the social media
analytics request comprises an impression request of the item.
[0950] 19. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising:
determining a key word for the item.
[0951] 20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the item comprises a
TV show.
[0952] 21. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the item comprises a
brand name product.
[0953] 22. The method of embodiment 19, further comprising:
determining whether tags of unstructured data includes the key
word.
[0954] 23. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining
impression heuristics comprises assigning a weight value to the
social media content based on the progressive mechanism.
[0955] 24. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining
impression heuristics of the item based on query results comprises
calculating an impression score.
[0956] 25. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the impression
heuristics is determined based on statistical analysis of social
media content.
[0957] 26. A social media content access processor-implemented
system, comprising: [0958] means for identifying a request to
access user social media content; [0959] means for obtaining user
authorization credentials to access user social media content;
[0960] means for sending an access request with the obtained user
authorization credentials to a social media platform; [0961] means
for receiving social media content data from the social media
platform; [0962] means for determining a type of the received media
content data; [0963] means for tagging the received media content
data based on the type according to a progressive taxonomy
mechanism; [0964] means for receiving a social media analytics
request for an item; [0965] means for querying the tagged media
content data based on key terms related to the item; and [0966]
means for determining impression heuristics for the item based on
query results.
[0967] 27. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the request to
access social media content comprises a request received from a
user to populate a social watching event status to a social media
platform.
[0968] 28. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the request to
access social media content comprises a periodic social media
content update.
[0969] 29. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the request to
access social media content is triggered by an obtained request for
social media analytics.
[0970] 30. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: [0971] prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[0972] 31. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: redirecting a user to a social
media login page.
[0973] 32. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the social media
platform obtains a user application ID and user permission.
[0974] 33. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the user
authorization credentials comprise a user token received from the
social media platform.
[0975] 34. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the receiving
social media content data from the social media platform is
scheduled on a periodic basis.
[0976] 35. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the receiving
social media content data from the social media platform is
performed on demand.
[0977] 36. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the type of the
received media content data comprises any of structured data and
unstructured data.
[0978] 37. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the structured data
comprises any of a number of user social media connections and a
user profile.
[0979] 38. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the unstructured
data comprises raw texts of social media comments.
[0980] 39. The system of embodiment 36, wherein the tagging the
received media content data comprises tagging unstructured data
based on category of data content.
[0981] 40. The system of embodiment 26, wherein progressive
taxonomy mechanism comprises a set of pre-determined key terms.
[0982] 41. The system of embodiment 26, further comprising: [0983]
means for querying the social media content based on a key term;
and [0984] means for tagging the social media content with the key
term when the query finds such key term.
[0985] 42. The system of embodiment 26, further comprising: [0986]
means for performing text analytics on the social media
content.
[0987] 43. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the social media
analytics request comprises an impression request of the item.
[0988] 44. The system of embodiment 26, further comprising: means
for determining a key word for the item.
[0989] 45. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the item comprises
a TV show.
[0990] 46. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the item comprises
a brand name product.
[0991] 47. The system of embodiment 26, further comprising: means
for determining whether tags of unstructured data includes the key
word.
[0992] 48. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the determining
impression heuristics comprises assigning a weight value to the
social media content based on the progressive mechanism.
[0993] 49. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the determining
impression heuristics of the item based on query results comprises
calculating an impression score.
[0994] 50. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the impression
heuristics is determined based on statistical analysis of social
media content.
[0995] 51. A social media content access processor-readable
non-transitory medium storing processor-executable instructions to:
[0996] identify a request to access user social media content;
[0997] obtain user authorization credentials to access user social
media content; [0998] send an access request with the obtained user
authorization credentials to a social media platform; [0999]
receive social media content data from the social media platform;
[1000] determine a type of the received media content data; [1001]
tag the received media content data based on the type according to
a progressive taxonomy mechanism; [1002] receive a social media
analytics request for an item; [1003] query the tagged media
content data based on key terms related to the item; and [1004]
determine impression heuristics for the item based on query
results.
[1005] 52. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the request to
access social media content comprises a request received from a
user to populate a social watching event status to a social media
platform.
[1006] 53. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the request to
access social media content comprises a periodic social media
content update.
[1007] 54. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the request to
access social media content is triggered by an obtained request for
social media analytics.
[1008] 55. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: [1009] prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[1010] 56. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises: redirecting a user to a social
media login page.
[1011] 57. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the social media
platform obtains a user application ID and user permission.
[1012] 58. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the user
authorization credentials comprise a user token received from the
social media platform.
[1013] 59. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the receiving
social media content data from the social media platform is
scheduled on a periodic basis.
[1014] 60. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the receiving
social media content data from the social media platform is
performed on demand.
[1015] 61. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the type of the
received media content data comprises any of structured data and
unstructured data.
[1016] 62. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the structured data
comprises any of a number of user social media connections and a
user profile.
[1017] 63. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the unstructured
data comprises raw texts of social media comments.
[1018] 64. The medium of embodiment 61, wherein the tagging the
received media content data comprises tagging unstructured data
based on category of data content.
[1019] 65. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein progressive
taxonomy mechanism comprises a set of pre-determined key terms.
[1020] 66. The medium of embodiment 65, further comprising: [1021]
querying the social media content based on a key term; and [1022]
tagging the social media content with the key term when the query
finds such key term.
[1023] 67. The medium of embodiment 65, further comprising: [1024]
perform text analytics on the social media content.
[1025] 68. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the social media
analytics request comprises an impression request of the item.
[1026] 69. The medium of embodiment 51, further comprising:
determining a key word for the item.
[1027] 70. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the item comprises
a TV show.
[1028] 71. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the item comprises
a brand name product.
[1029] 72. The medium of embodiment 69, further comprising:
determining whether tags of unstructured data includes the key
word.
[1030] 73. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the determining
impression heuristics comprises assigning a weight value to the
social media content based on the progressive mechanism.
[1031] 74. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the determining
impression heuristics of the item based on query results comprises
calculating an impression score.
[1032] 75. The medium of embodiment 51, wherein the impression
heuristics is determined based on statistical analysis of social
media content.
[1033] Further embodiments of cross media channel analytics may
comprise the following:
[1034] 1. A media analytics processor-implemented method,
comprising: [1035] receiving a user impression media analytics
request including an identified object; [1036] obtaining media
analytics parameters from a user interface; [1037] obtaining user
authorization credentials for accessing user media exposure data;
[1038] obtaining user media exposure data from a variety of data
channels upon verification of the obtained user authorization
credentials; [1039] querying for user impression data related to
the identified object from the obtained user media exposure data;
[1040] classifying the queried user impression data related to the
identified object based on different classification measures; and
[1041] generating user impression reports for the identified
object.
[1042] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identified object
comprises a TV show.
[1043] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the identified object
comprises a brand name.
[1044] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the media analytics
parameters comprise any of a TV network, a TV show genre, a TV show
name.
[1045] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise user gender, age group, user interface
types, user phone type, day part time range and user location.
[1046] 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise types of social media platform.
[1047] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises recruiting social media users
to share social content.
[1048] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[1049] 9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises redirecting a user to a
social media login page.
[1050] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user media
exposure data comprises any of user website visits, social media
content and TV viewing data.
[1051] 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile meter.
[1052] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile application instantiated on a user
mobile device.
[1053] 13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise social media.
[1054] 14. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise flash/HTTP cookies.
[1055] 15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user media
exposure data further comprises user responses to survey questions,
GPS locations, user application usage, and mobile search
behavior.
[1056] 16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the querying for
user impression data comprises a progressive search based on the
identified object related key terms.
[1057] 17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the classification
measures comprise any of user gender, user age group, day of week,
and day part time range.
[1058] 18. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user impression
reports are classified by the classification measures.
[1059] 19. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user impression
reports comprise application data statistics as to any of: number
of total application sessions, media session length, number of
total users.
[1060] 20. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user impression
reports further comprise any of unique users, percent active reach,
time per person, number of visits, number of pages viewed,
visits/person, user gender, and age groups.
[1061] 21. A media analytics system, comprising: [1062] a memory;
[1063] a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and
configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored
in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to: [1064]
receive a user impression media analytics request including an
identified object; [1065] obtain media analytics parameters from a
user interface; [1066] obtain user authorization credentials for
accessing user media exposure data; [1067] obtain user media
exposure data from a variety of data channels upon verification of
the obtained user authorization credentials; [1068] query for user
impression data related to the identified object from the obtained
user media exposure data; [1069] classify the queried user
impression data related to the identified object based on different
classification measures; and [1070] generate user impression
reports for the identified object.
[1071] 22. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the identified
object comprises a TV show.
[1072] 23. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the identified
object comprises a brand name.
[1073] 24. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the media analytics
parameters comprise any of a TV network, a TV show genre, a TV show
name.
[1074] 25. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise user gender, age group, user interface
types, user phone type, day part time range and user location.
[1075] 26. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise types of social media platform.
[1076] 27. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises recruiting social media users
to share social content.
[1077] 28. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[1078] 29. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises redirecting a user to a
social media login page.
[1079] 30. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user media
exposure data comprises any of user website visits, social media
content and TV viewing data.
[1080] 31. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile meter.
[1081] 32. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile application instantiated on a user
mobile device.
[1082] 33. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise social media.
[1083] 34. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise flash/HTTP cookies.
[1084] 35. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user media
exposure data further comprises user responses to survey questions,
GPS locations, user application usage, and mobile search
behavior.
[1085] 36. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the querying for
user impression data comprises a progressive search based on the
identified object related key terms.
[1086] 37. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the classification
measures comprise any of user gender, user age group, day of week,
and day part time range.
[1087] 38. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user impression
reports are classified by the classification measures.
[1088] 39. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user impression
reports comprise application data statistics as to any of: number
of total application sessions, media session length, number of
total users.
[1089] 40. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user impression
reports further comprise any of unique users, percent active reach,
time per person, number of visits, number of pages viewed,
visits/person, user gender, and age groups.
[1090] 41. A media analytics processor-readable storage medium
storing processor-executable instructions to: [1091] receive a user
impression media analytics request including an identified object;
[1092] obtain media analytics parameters from a user interface;
[1093] obtain user authorization credentials for accessing user
media exposure data; [1094] obtain user media exposure data from a
variety of data channels upon verification of the obtained user
authorization credentials; [1095] query for user impression data
related to the identified object from the obtained user media
exposure data; [1096] classify the queried user impression data
related to the identified object based on different classification
measures; and [1097] generate user impression reports for the
identified object.
[1098] 42. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the identified
object comprises a TV show.
[1099] 43. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the identified
object comprises a brand name.
[1100] 44. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the media analytics
parameters comprise any of a TV network, a TV show genre, a TV show
name.
[1101] 45. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise user gender, age group, user interface
types, user phone type, day part time range and user location.
[1102] 46. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the media analytics
parameters further comprise types of social media platform.
[1103] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials comprises recruiting social media users
to share social content.
[1104] 48. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises prompting a user to
provide social media login credentials.
[1105] 49. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the obtaining user
authorization credentials further comprises redirecting a user to a
social media login page.
[1106] 40. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user media
exposure data comprises any of user website visits, social media
content and TV viewing data.
[1107] 51. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile meter.
[1108] 52. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise a mobile application instantiated on a user
mobile device.
[1109] 53. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise social media.
[1110] 54. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the variety of data
channels comprise flash/HTTP cookies.
[1111] 55. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user media
exposure data further comprises user responses to survey questions,
GPS locations, user application usage, and mobile search
behavior.
[1112] 56. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the querying for
user impression data comprises a progressive search based on the
identified object related key terms.
[1113] 57. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the classification
measures comprise any of user gender, user age group, day of week,
and day part time range.
[1114] 58. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user impression
reports are classified by the classification measures.
[1115] 59. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user impression
reports comprise application data statistics as to any of: number
of total application sessions, media session length, number of
total users.
[1116] 60. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user impression
reports further comprise any of unique users, percent active reach,
time per person, number of visits, number of pages viewed,
visits/person, user gender, and age groups.
[1117] Further embodiments of mobile data tracking may comprise the
following:
[1118] 1. A mobile content tracking and analyzing
processor-implemented method, comprising: [1119] obtaining a user
mobile device identifier; [1120] monitoring data traffic coming in
and out of the user mobile device based on the obtained user mobile
device identifier via a mobile usage tracking entity; [1121]
parsing the monitored data traffic to determine a data content type
of the data traffic; [1122] determining user media content exposure
information from the parsed monitored data traffic based on the
data content type; and [1123] generating user media content
exposure statistics data.
[1124] 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a hardware identifier.
[1125] 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a physical address.
[1126] 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the data traffic is
obtained via a mobile application instantiated on the user mobile
device.
[1127] 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the monitoring data
traffic is obtained via a mobile meter.
[1128] 6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determine a data
content type of the data traffic comprises extracting a data type
filed value from a data event message.
[1129] 7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the data content type
comprises any of: [1130] a URL link, application information, media
usage data, survey response data, and social data.
[1131] 8. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining user
media content exposure information comprises: [1132] determining
the monitored data traffic comprises a URL link; and [1133]
determining the URL link includes an advertisement.
[1134] 9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the determining user
media content exposure information further comprises: [1135]
determining a classification of the advertisement; [1136] obtaining
identifying information of the advertisement; and [1137] storing
the identifying information with the user as advertisement exposure
information.
[1138] 10. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining user
media content exposure information comprises: [1139] determining
the monitored data traffic comprises application information;
[1140] determining device application inventory; and [1141]
obtaining application group sharing information
[1142] 11. The method of embodiment 10, wherein the application
group sharing information comprises a list of social
connections.
[1143] 12. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining user
media content exposure information comprises: [1144] determining
the monitored data traffic comprises media usage information; and
[1145] determining a media title.
[1146] 13. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the determining user
media content exposure information comprises: [1147] determining
the monitored data traffic comprises social content; and [1148]
processing the social content to extract user impression
indication.
[1149] 14. The method of embodiment 13, wherein the user impression
indication is related to a product name.
[1150] 15. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the data traffic is
monitored at a proxy server.
[1151] 16. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the monitored data
traffic further comprises any of: [1152] TV channel changing
events, mobile advertising data, mobile application usage data,
social media profile, social media comments, and website
visits.
[1153] 17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the user media
content exposure statistics data comprises any of user brand
impression measures.
[1154] 18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the user brand
impression measures comprises a list of top mentioned brands.
[1155] 19. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [1156]
providing and generating individualized ad contents to the user
mobile device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1157] 20. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: [1158]
generating individualized survey questions to the user mobile
device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1159] 21. A mobile content tracking and analyzing system,
comprising: [1160] a memory; [1161] a processor disposed in
communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality
of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the
processor issues instructions to: [1162] obtain a user mobile
device identifier; [1163] monitor data traffic coming in and out of
the user mobile device based on the obtained user mobile device
identifier via a mobile usage tracking entity; [1164] parse the
monitored data traffic to determine a data content type of the data
traffic; [1165] determine user media content exposure information
from the parsed monitored data traffic based on the data content
type; and [1166] generate user media content exposure statistics
data.
[1167] 22. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a hardware identifier.
[1168] 23. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a physical address.
[1169] 24. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the data traffic is
obtained via a mobile application instantiated on the user mobile
device.
[1170] 25. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the monitoring data
traffic is obtained via a mobile meter.
[1171] 26. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determine a
data content type of the data traffic comprises extracting a data
type filed value from a data event message.
[1172] 27. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the data content
type comprises any of: [1173] a URL link, application information,
media usage data, survey response data, and social data.
[1174] 28. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1175]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises a URL link; and
[1176] determining the URL link includes an advertisement.
[1177] 29. The system of embodiment 28, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information further comprises: [1178]
determining a classification of the advertisement; [1179] obtaining
identifying information of the advertisement; and [1180] storing
the identifying information with the user as advertisement exposure
information.
[1181] 30. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1182]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises application
information; [1183] determining device application inventory; and
[1184] obtaining application group sharing information
[1185] 31. The system of embodiment 30, wherein the application
group sharing information comprises a list of social
connections.
[1186] 32. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1187]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises media usage
information; and [1188] determining a media title.
[1189] 33. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1190]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises social content;
and [1191] processing the social content to extract user impression
indication.
[1192] 34. The system of embodiment 33, wherein the user impression
indication is related to a product name.
[1193] 35. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the data traffic is
monitored at a proxy server.
[1194] 36. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the monitored data
traffic further comprises any of: [1195] TV channel changing
events, mobile advertising data, mobile application usage data,
social media profile, social media comments, and website
visits.
[1196] 37. The system of embodiment 21, wherein the user media
content exposure statistics data comprises any of user brand
impression measures.
[1197] 38. The system of embodiment 37, wherein the user brand
impression measures comprises a list of top mentioned brands.
[1198] 39. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising: [1199]
providing and generating individualized ad contents to the user
mobile device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1200] 40. The system of embodiment 21, further comprising: [1201]
generating individualized survey questions to the user mobile
device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1202] 41. A mobile content tracking and analyzing
processor-implemented storage medium storing processor-executable
instructions to: [1203] obtain a user mobile device identifier;
[1204] monitor data traffic coming in and out of the user mobile
device based on the obtained user mobile device identifier via a
mobile usage tracking entity; [1205] parse the monitored data
traffic to determine a data content type of the data traffic;
[1206] determine user media content exposure information from the
parsed monitored data traffic based on the data content type; and
[1207] generate user media content exposure statistics data.
[1208] 42. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a hardware identifier.
[1209] 43. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user mobile
device identifier comprises a physical address.
[1210] 44. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the data traffic is
obtained via a mobile application instantiated on the user mobile
device.
[1211] 45. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the monitoring data
traffic is obtained via a mobile meter.
[1212] 46. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determine a
data content type of the data traffic comprises extracting a data
type filed value from a data event message.
[1213] 47. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the data content
type comprises any of: [1214] a URL link, application information,
media usage data, survey response data, and social data.
[1215] 48. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1216]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises a URL link; and
[1217] determining the URL link includes an advertisement.
[1218] 49. The medium of embodiment 28, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information further comprises: [1219]
determining a classification of the advertisement; [1220] obtaining
identifying information of the advertisement; and [1221] storing
the identifying information with the user as advertisement exposure
information.
[1222] 50. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1223]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises application
information; [1224] determining device application inventory; and
[1225] obtaining application group sharing information
[1226] 51. The medium of embodiment 30, wherein the application
group sharing information comprises a list of social
connections.
[1227] 52. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1228]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises media usage
information; and [1229] determining a media title.
[1230] 53. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the determining
user media content exposure information comprises: [1231]
determining the monitored data traffic comprises social content;
and [1232] processing the social content to extract user impression
indication.
[1233] 54. The medium of embodiment 33, wherein the user impression
indication is related to a product name.
[1234] 55. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the data traffic is
monitored at a proxy server.
[1235] 56. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the monitored data
traffic further comprises any of: [1236] TV channel changing
events, mobile advertising data, mobile application usage data,
social media profile, social media comments, and website
visits.
[1237] 57. The medium of embodiment 41, wherein the user media
content exposure statistics data comprises any of user brand
impression measures.
[1238] 58. The medium of embodiment 57, wherein the user brand
impression measures comprises a list of top mentioned brands.
[1239] 59. The medium of embodiment 41, further comprising: [1240]
providing and generating individualized ad contents to the user
mobile device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1241] 60. The medium of embodiment 41, further comprising: [1242]
generating individualized survey questions to the user mobile
device based on the generated user media content exposure
statistics data.
[1243] In order to address various issues and advance the art, the
entirety of this application for USER IMPRESSION MEDIA ANALYTICS
PLATFORM METHODS (including the Cover Page, Title, Headings, Field,
Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed
Description, Embodiments, Abstract, Figures, Appendices, and
otherwise) shows, by way of illustration, various embodiments in
which the claimed innovations may be practiced. The advantages and
features of the application are of a representative sample of
embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are
presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed
principles. It should be understood that they are not
representative of all claimed innovations. As such, certain aspects
of the disclosure have not been discussed herein. That alternate
embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of
the innovations or that further undescribed alternate embodiments
may be available for a portion is not to be considered a disclaimer
of those alternate embodiments. It may be appreciated that many of
those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of
the innovations and others are equivalent. Thus, it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and functional,
logical, operational, organizational, structural and/or topological
modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or
spirit of the disclosure. As such, all examples and/or embodiments
are deemed to be non-limiting throughout this disclosure. Also, no
inference should be drawn regarding those embodiments discussed
herein relative to those not discussed herein other than it is as
such for purposes of reducing space and repetition. For instance,
it is to be understood that the logical and/or topological
structure of any combination of any program components (a component
collection), other components and/or any present feature sets as
described in the figures and/or throughout are not limited to a
fixed operating order and/or arrangement, but rather, any disclosed
order is exemplary and all equivalents, regardless of order, are
contemplated by the disclosure. Furthermore, it is to be understood
that such features are not limited to serial execution, but rather,
any number of threads, processes, services, servers, and/or the
like that may execute asynchronously, concurrently, in parallel,
simultaneously, synchronously, and/or the like are contemplated by
the disclosure. As such, some of these features may be mutually
contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a
single embodiment. Similarly, some features are applicable to one
aspect of the innovations, and inapplicable to others. In addition,
the disclosure includes other innovations not presently claimed.
Applicant reserves all rights in those presently unclaimed
innovations including the right to embodiment such innovations,
file additional applications, continuations, continuations in part,
divisions, and/or the like thereof. As such, it should be
understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functional,
features, logical, operational, organizational, structural,
topological, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be
considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the
embodiments or limitations on equivalents to the embodiments. It is
to be understood that, depending on the particular needs and/or
characteristics of a MR-Control individual and/or enterprise user,
database configuration and/or relational model, data type, data
transmission and/or network framework, syntax structure, and/or the
like, various embodiments of the MR-Control, may be implemented
that facilitates a great deal of flexibility and customization.
While various embodiments and discussions of the MR-Control have
been directed to social networks, however, it is to be understood
that the embodiments described herein may be readily configured
and/or customized for a wide variety of other applications and/or
implementations.
* * * * *
References