Interactive video distribution systems – Use surveying or monitoring – By passively monitoring receiver operation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-21
2001-03-13
Grant, Chris (Department: 2711)
Interactive video distribution systems
Use surveying or monitoring
By passively monitoring receiver operation
C725S016000, C725S080000, C725S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202210
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of the present invention pertains to home network audio-video systems. More particularly, the present invention pertains to the use of a networked audio-video system to collect information about the user's behavior.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical home audiovisual equipment set up includes a number of components. For example, a radio receiver, a CD player, a pair of speakers, a television, a VCR, a tape deck, and the like. Each of these components is connected to each other via a set of wires. One component is usually the central component of the home audiovisual system. This is usually the radio receiver, or the tuner. The tuner has a number of specific inputs for coupling the other components. The tuner has a corresponding number of control buttons or control switches which provide a limited degree of controllability and interoperability for the components. A user controls the home audiovisual system by manipulating the buttons and switches on the front of the tuner, or alternatively, manipulating buttons on a hand-held remote control unit.
This conventional home audio-video (AV) system paradigm has become quite popular. However, the emergence of networking and interface technology (e.g., IEEE 1394 serial communication bus and the wide spread adoption of digital systems) promises a whole new paradigm of home AV devices. The latest and most popular consumer AV devices (e,g., digital TV, DVD players, digital camcorders, mini-disk players, and the like) are based upon digital technology. The devices include sophisticated embedded computer systems. The devices deliver greatly enhanced functionality and features, as their embedded systems execute elaborate software-based algorithms and are highly configurable, depending upon the desires and tastes of the user.
The digital nature of the devices allow them to be readily networked into a coherent digital home AV network. Several standards have emerged which define the interfaces and connections for such networks. Currently, the most popular transport technology for digital home AV networks is IEEE 1394. The IEEE 1394 serial bus, often referred to as FireWire™ provides a high bandwidth communications protocol upon which an open, intelligent, self-configuring, extensible home AV network architecture can be implemented.
However, while the nature and capabilities of home AV systems have changed dramatically, data collection practices by consumer mass market data collection agencies have not. In essentially the same manner as in many years past, consumer mass market data collection agencies, such as, for example, Nielson (e.g., responsible for television's Nielson ratings), collected data by placing an extra, dedicated box in the homes of participating consumers. In the case of Nielson, the boxes have the ability to analyze what the consumer is watching on television and to collect and forward this data to interested parties.
Other means of data collection include the well known and familiar “send in your registration card” concept where the purchaser of a consumer product finds within the product's packaging a card which includes a short survey for the purchaser to fill out and send in. Another example is in-person canvassing, wherein a person, either in public locations such as shopping malls or over the phone, physically queries members of the public regarding their purchasing habits, tastes, etc. Yet another example of data collection is “Hands up” marketing, in which special offers are made if consumers respond to questionnaires or send in requests for additional information.
While the above methods may remain marginally effective for some time to come, none of the above solutions has evolved in step with the changes in home AV systems. None of the above solutions utilizes the digital architecture of new home AV systems. None of the above methods leverage the intelligence of the latest AV devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, what is required is a solution which leverages the intelligence of the latest home AV devices for the purposes of data collection and retrieval. What is required is a data collection and retrieval solution which functions seamlessly with modern home AV networks. The required solution should be readily extensible, self-configuring, and capable of accommodating new AV devices, whose capabilities and features may presently be unknown, as they are added to a home AV network over its life time. The required solution should be based on open industry standards, such as the AV/C standard. The required solution should guarantee that all such AV/C-compliant devices can be communicated with, controlled, and enjoyed by the user. The present invention provides a novel solution to the above requirements.
The present invention provides a solution which leverages the intelligence of the latest home devices for the purposes of data collection and retrieval. The system of the present invention functions seamlessly with modern home AV networks and is readily extensible, self-configuring, and capable of accommodating new AV devices, even though the capabilities and features of the devices can be unknown. The present invention is extensible to accommodate new devices as they are added to a home AV network over its life time and is based on open industry standards, such as the AV/C standard. Consequently, the present invention can guarantee that all such AV/C-compliant devices can be communicated with, controlled, and enjoyed by the user.
In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a data collection system for use with a home AV network. The home AV network includes a plurality of consumer electronic devices communicatively coupled via an IEEE 1394 based network. At least one of the devices coupled to the home AV network includes an embedded computer system having sufficient resources to function as a platform for software implementing the functionality of the present invention. This device, for example, a receiver device, functions in part by receiving a broadcast data stream for displaying or playing for the user, wherein the broadcast data stream includes an identifier tag describing the identity or content of the broadcast data stream, interacting with the user by displaying system status, accepting user commands via remote control, controlling other devices coupled to the home AV network, etc.
At least one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices includes an up-stream communications link capable of sending information up-stream from the user's home (e.g., a telephone modem). The embedded computer system of the receiver runs a monitor program which implements the data collection functionality of the present invention. The monitor program uses the communications capabilities of IEEE 1394 to examine the data streams of information flowing between the devices of the home network in order to monitor identifier tags included in the data streams. The monitor is able to determine an identity of the broadcast data stream using the identifier tag, and transmit the identity of the broadcast data stream to an external monitor via the up-stream communications link. In addition to identity, the identifier tags can carry various other data items relating to a particular data stream. Such items include, for example, the origin of the data stream (e.g., CNN, NBC, CBS, etc.), the start time, stop time, and the like.
The information obtained from the identifier tags is stored in a history file and cataloged such that the history file reflects the activity of the home AV network over the period of monitoring. The history file is then periodically transmitted up-stream to a central data collection facility for further analysis, study, or the like, using the up-stream communications link. In this manner, the data collection process of the present invention leverages the intelligence of the latest home AV devices for the purposes of data collection and retrieval and is able to function seamlessly within the modern home AV network.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4905080 (1990-02-01), W
Grant Chris
Sony Corporation of Japan
Wagner , Murabito & Hao LLP
LandOfFree
Method and system for collecting data over a 1394 network to... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and system for collecting data over a 1394 network to..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and system for collecting data over a 1394 network to... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2460223