System and method for determining broadcast dimensionality
View Patent ↗An apparatus, system and method for determining levels of audience engagement relative to encoded audio data, where an encoded audio data is captured in a mobile device. The audio data is captured over one or more predetermined time periods, and processed to determine characteristics of the audio data. The characteristics are determined according to one or more predetermined thresholds, where volume levels, levels of encoding, and or other features are monitored. By determining levels in the audio data that exceed predetermined thresholds, engagement levels and values may be determined relative to the audio data captured over the time period. Data from preceding time periods may be compared to obtain comprehensive engagement data for audience measurement systems.
1. A method to determine levels of audience engagement relative to media, the method comprising:
capturing encoded audio data with an audience member's mobile device over a first time period and a second time period, the encoded audio corresponding to the media;
determining a baseline level of engagement corresponding to a first volume level of the encoded audio data over the first time period;
assigning a first level of engagement higher than the baseline level when a second volume level greater than the first volume level of the encoded audio data is detected over the second time period; and
assigning a second level of engagement lower than the baseline level when a third volume level less than the first volume level of the encoded audio data is detected over the second time period.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining a baseline level of engagement further includes calculating a number of volume level peaks exceeding a first threshold within the first time period.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining a baseline level of engagement further includes calculating a percentage of the encoded audio exceeding the first threshold within the first time period.
4. A method as defined in claim 3 , wherein the second volume level is detected by calculating a number of volume level peaks exceeding a second threshold within the second time period, the second threshold greater than the first threshold.
5. A method as defined in claim 3 , wherein the second volume level is detected by calculating a percentage of the encoded audio exceeding the second threshold within the second time period, the second threshold greater than the first threshold.
6. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third volume level is detected by calculating a number of volume level peaks that fail to exceed a first threshold within the second time period.
7. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third volume level is detected by calculating a percentage of the encoded audio that fail to exceed the first threshold within the second time period.
8. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first time period corresponds to a television program, and the second time period corresponds to a commercial.
9. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first time period corresponds to a first instance of a commercial, and the second time period corresponds to a second instance of the commercial.
10. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining a baseline level of engagement includes detecting when the first volume level is constant over the first time period.
11. A mobile device for determining levels of user engagement with media, comprising:
a microphone to capture encoded audio data corresponding to the media over first time period and a second time period;
a storage device in communication with the microphone to store the captured encoded audio data; and
a processor in communication with the microphone and the storage device, the processor to execute instructions with cause the mobile device to:
determine a baseline level of engagement corresponding to a first volume level of the encoded audio data over the first time period;
assign a first level of engagement higher than the baseline level when a second volume level greater than the first volume level of the encoded audio data is detected over the second time period; and
assign a second level of engagement lower than the baseline level when a third volume level less than the first volume level of the encoded audio data is detected over the second time period.
12. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein instructions to determine a baseline level of engagement further causes the mobile device to calculate a number of volume level peaks exceeding a first threshold within the first time period.
13. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein instructions to determine a baseline level of engagement further causes the mobile device to calculate a percentage of the encoded audio exceeding the first threshold within the first time period.
14. A mobile device as defined in claim 13 , wherein instructions to detect the second volume level further causes the mobile device to calculate a number of volume level peaks exceeding a second threshold within the second time period, the second threshold greater than the first threshold.
15. A mobile device as defined in claim 13 , wherein instructions to detect the second volume level further causes the mobile device to calculate a percentage of the encoded audio exceeding the second threshold within the second time period, the second threshold greater than the first threshold.
16. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 wherein instructions to detect the third volume level further causes the mobile device to calculate a number of volume level peaks that fail to exceed a first threshold within the second time period.
17. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein instructions to detect the third volume level further causes the mobile device to calculate a percentage of the encoded audio that fail to exceed the first threshold within the second time period.
18. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein the first time period corresponds to a television program, and the second time period corresponds to a commercial.
19. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein the first time period corresponds to a first instance of a commercial, and the second time period corresponds to a second instance of the commercial.
20. A mobile device as defined in claim 11 , wherein instructions to determine a baseline level of engagement further causes the mobile device to detect when the first volume level is constant over the first time period.