System and method for scalable, high accuracy, sensor and id based audience measurement system based on distributed computing architecture

Abstract

A dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) and method are disclosed. The system comprises a central level AMS sub-system, a local node level AMS subsystem in communication with the central level AMS sub-system, a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems in communication with the local node level AMS sub-system, and a plurality of display devices, wherein each display device is monitored by a client level AMS sub-system. The central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors, transmits the panel definitions to the local node level AMS subsystem, and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS subsystem. The local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, receives viewership reports from each client level AMS sub-systems, and transmits a merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system.

1 . A client level dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system, comprising:
 a processor;   at least one database in communication with the processor;   an input/output device in communication with the processor;   at least one sensor chosen from the group comprising a camera, a moisture sensor, a microphone, a heart rate monitor, and a brainwave monitor, configured to collect biometrical data; and   software executing on the processor, wherein the software is configured to:
 cause the client level AMS sub-system to receive panel definitions from a local node level AMS sub-system, compile a viewership report based on viewer's actions and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials, and transmit the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system, 
 monitor and record events based on the panel definitions, wherein the monitored events comprise viewer's actions that include at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials that include at least one of viewer's brainwaves, viewer's body movements, viewer's speech, and changes in viewer's pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure, and 
 adjust the playback of the content based on the monitored events. 
   
     
     
         2 . The client level dynamic television AMS system of  claim 1 , wherein the client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device. 
     
     
         3 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 1 , wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system. 
     
     
         4 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 3 , wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection. 
     
     
         5 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 4 , wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 4 , wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased. 
     
     
         7 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 4 , wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device. 
     
     
         8 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 4 , wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start data and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection. 
     
     
         9 . The client level dynamic television AMS sub-system of  claim 4 , wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 causing a client level audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system to receive panel definitions from a local node level AMS sub-system, compile a viewership report based on viewer's actions and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials, and transmit the viewership report to the local node level AMD sub-system;   monitoring and recording events based on the panel definitions, wherein the monitored events comprise viewer's actions that include at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials that include at least one of viewer's brainwaves, viewer's body movements, viewer's speech, and changes in viewer's pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure; and   adjusting the playback of the content based on the monitored events.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the panel definitions comprise criteria to be monitored by each client level AMS sub-system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the criteria to be monitored are chosen from the group comprising target audience, media content, data to be collected, schedule for data collection, and rate of data collection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the target audience comprises at least one of viewer location, viewer demographic characteristics, viewer social characteristics, viewer socioeconomic characteristics, viewer housing characteristics, and viewer purchasing profile characteristics. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the media content comprises at least one of the source of the content, the advertisements displayed, the programs displayed, the channels, and the media packages purchased. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the data to be collected is chosen from at least one of rate of data collection, remote control button presses, messages and events received from client device, and messages and events received from rendering device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the schedule for data collection comprises at least one of start data and time, end date and time, and recurrence of data collection. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the rate of data collection comprises at least one of reporting frequency, reporting granularity, and format of the reporting data. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 cause a client level audience measurement system (AMS) sub-system to receive panel definitions from a local node level AMS sub-system, compile a viewership report based on viewer's actions and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials, and transmit the viewership report to the local node level AMD sub-system;   monitor and record events based on the panel definitions, wherein the monitored events comprise viewer's actions that include at least one of channel watched, program watched, advertisement watched, remote control button pressed, and viewer's reactions to a show and commercials that include at least one of viewer's brainwaves, viewer's body movements, viewer's speech, and changes in viewer's pupil size, temperature, pulse rate, perspiration, breathing, or blood pressure; and   adjust the playback of the content based on the monitored events.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the client level AMS sub-system is stored on a set top box, a TV, a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a streaming media device.