DESC:A DEVICE METER FOR TELEVISIONS RATINGS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of M2M communications engineering.

Particularly, this invention relates to a meter device for televisions ratings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Television remains the number one source of news, entertainment, and content across age groups. It is also the single most influential medium for distributing information and shaping public opinion.

There is a need to monitor who is watching what content along with whom and how.

There is a need for a scalable solution which monitors a large number of households, each household comprising multiple persons. It is important that the monitoring mechanism, system, and method be intelligently configured to monitor and log all data pertaining to television viewing habits.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a system and method for round-the-clock monitoring to log what content is being watched.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for round-the-clock monitoring to log who is watching what content.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for real-time monitoring to log what content is being watched where, when, and how.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a meter device configured to capture metadata pertaining to a meter device for televisions, said meter device being communicably coupled with a television in order to receive televised content, which is being displayed on said television, of a broadcast content from a source, said meter device comprises:
- a meter device comprising a main unit and a probe for capturing at least an identifier from said televised content, said main unit being equipped with a microprocessor and a modem, said probe being communicably couple to a broadcast line of said television, said probe being configured to capture at least an identifier from said broadcast output along with a time stamp and a date stamp;
- a fingerprint checker configured to probe for a fingerprint in said televised content, in real time, via said probe, the fingerprint being embedded in said broadcast content at said source of broadcast which content becomes televised content at said television, said fingerprint comprising at least an embedded code stored in a broadcast fingerprint database associated with an identity of said broadcast content, said fingerprint also comprising a time stamp and a date stamp so as to identify time and date for said broadcast content with respect to said televised content, said device meter, via said fingerprint checker, being configured to check, in real time, if said probed signal off said televised content, maps onto said fingerprint along with time stamp and date stamp at said broadcast source from said broadcast fingerprint database; and
- a fingerprint generator engaged when said fingerprint checker does not detect any fingerprint in the televised content, said fingerprint generator generating a fingerprint with time stamp and date stamp off said televised content and relaying it back to said broadcast source in order to check, said generated fingerprint with records from said broadcast fingerprint database;
thereby simultaneously engaging said fingerprint checker and said fingerprint generator for a full-duplex communication between a television and a broadcast source; thereby, providing fully authenticated and verifiable data from said meter with respect to synchronicity in televised content and broadcast content.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises an embedded time monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked timestamp on to broadcast content.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprising an embedded watermark monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked identity on to broadcast content.

In at least an embodiment, said probe is communicably coupled with a time stamp generator and a date stamp generator such that the probed data, which is an output of said probe, when it probes the televised content at the point of television, comprises a time stamp as well as a date stamp.

In at least an embodiment, said meter is communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer in order to determine if the remote is being used by a user based on movement detected by the accelerometer.

In at least an embodiment, said meter is communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer, said accelerometer being configured to provide an output a user fingerprint which is a function of said remote based accelerometer data cadence in order to associate it with said user for purposes of authenticity of viewership and, therefore, authenticity of data being captured per viewer per television per channel.

In at least an embodiment, said meter device comprises a clock configured to convey at least a time stamp, a date stamp, or a time-date stamp to said probe when said probe captures said broadcast content.

In at least an embodiment, said probe is communicably coupled to an audio broadcast line of said television.

In at least an embodiment, said probe is communicably coupled to a video broadcast line of said television.

In at least an embodiment, said identifier is a fingerprint impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.

In at least an embodiment, said identifier is a watermark impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.

In at least an embodiment, said meter device comprises a tamper switch configured to state any one tampering to meter configurations which may lead to incorrect data

In at least an embodiment, said meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television.

In at least an embodiment, said meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television characterised, in that, said initialization mechanism comprising a key generator configured to generate and assign a key identity to each of viewers of said communicably coupled television such that upon activating said key, said meter device is configured to initiate monitoring per key identity per television identity.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter and a parameter setting mechanism configured to define parameters which govern behaviour of processing rules of said rule engine.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint checker.

In at least an embodiment wherein, said meter comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint generator.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises an output mechanism configured to deliver an output file, said output file comprising log data of number of meter devices processed, number of faulty meter devices identified, number of meter devices not processed, setting values, parameter values, threshold values, meter identity, watermark identity, alarms, and viewing log.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a notification engine configured to generate notifications in relation to pre-defined rules.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process data in order to understand a variety of errors so that the notification engine can generate appropriate notifications.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to time stamps in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that, if difference in watermark time stamps with respect to difference in Audience Measurement Event (AME) Time stamp for 2 consecutive events is greater than a pre-determined threshold, a notification engine is prompted to generate a notification.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
- if ID event with confidence less than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100;
- if not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated;
- if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID;
- else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
- if isolated ID event with confidence greater than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100;
- if not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID;
- else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to apply embedded time correction.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to apply watermark ID correction.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to divide broadcast content per identified television into a plurality of steps.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with an audience bridging mechanism.

In at least an embodiment, said meter comprises a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with a long and alternate bridging algorithm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the system;
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate system architecture;
Figure 4 illustrates a rule assignment method; and
Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a detailed rule assignment flowchart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a meter device configured to capture metadata pertaining to a meter device for televisions.

Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the system.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate system architecture.

In at least an embodiment, a meter device (MD) comprises a main unit (M) and probes (P) for capturing at least an audio output of a television unit (TU). In at least an embodiment, each main unit is equipped with a microprocessor and a modem. The meter device is communicably coupled with a television unit that is to be monitored. Each main unit has a probe attached to it that is communicably coupled to a line or audio of a television unit. Each meter device comprises a unique identifier. The probe is communicably coupled with a time stamp generator and a date stamp generator so that the probed data, which is an output of the probe when it probes the televised content at the point of television, comprises a time stamp as well as a date stamp.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device is disguised as a power extension outlet, in that, a plug (PG) with an on-off switch determines if the accompanying / coupled television is plugged or not. If unplugged, an alarm is sent to a back-end system (BE) in order to decouple the television system with the meter device (on account of a chance that it is tampered and associated data is contaminated).

This meter device is communicably coupled with a remote (R). The remote comprises an accelerometer (A) in order to determine if the remote is being used by a user based on movement detected by the accelerometer. Data from the accelerometer is checked, by a comparator, with meter device data to determine if an unauthorized viewer is viewing the television and if such unwarranted data is being captured by the meter. Furthermore, the accelerometer can be used to determine (provide as an output) a user / viewer fingerprint which is a function of remote based accelerometer data cadence in order to associate it with a user / viewer for purposes of authenticity of viewership and, therefore, authenticity of data being captured per viewer per television per channel.

In at least an embodiment, the probe captures an identity (fingerprint or watermark) of each tuned / broadcast television signal and feeds this information with a time stamp and a date stamp for storage and processing.
In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises an initialization mechanism configured to initialize the meter in terms of the television unit and associated data that it is communicably coupled with. The initialization mechanism stores at least television identity along with a viewer’s identity. Preferably, a viewer identified himself or herself through the remote and meter whilst viewing content off the communicably coupled corresponding television unit. The initialization mechanism comprises a key identity assigned to every household member viewing the television unit so that upon activating said key, the meter device is configured to initiate monitoring per key identity.

In at least an embodiment, the meter comprises a fingerprint checker (FC) along with a fingerprint generator (FG). The fingerprint checker is configured to probe / check for a fingerprint in televised content, in real time, via the probe. The fingerprint is embedded in the broadcast content at the point of broadcast which content becomes televised content at the point of television. The fingerprint comprises at least an embedded code stored in a broadcast fingerprint database associated with an identity of the broadcast content. The fingerprint also comprises a time stamp and a date stamp so as to identify time and date for broadcast content vis a vis televised content. The device meter, via the fingerprint checker, is configured to check, in real time, if the probed signal off the televised content, maps onto the fingerprint along with time stamp and date stamp at the broadcast source (stored in the broadcast fingerprint database). If an error or mismatch, is detected, a classifier and a notification engine (as described further) are engaged. The fingerprint generator is engaged when the fingerprint checker does not detect any fingerprint in the televised content. The fingerprint generator generates a fingerprint with time stamp and date stamp off the televised content and relays it back to the broadcast source in order to check, the generated fingerprint with records from the broadcast fingerprint database, for mismatch. If an error or mismatch, is detected, a classifier and a notification engine (as described further) are engaged. Thus, at any given point of time, a fingerprint checker and a fingerprint generator are simultaneously engaged for a full-duplex communication between a television (through its coupled meter) and a broadcast source; thereby, providing fully authenticated and verifiable data from the meter with respect to synchronicity in televised content and broadcast content.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises an embedded time monitoring device (T) configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked timestamp on to television content while broadcasting. The corrections may pertain to fields related to offset value, drift value, duration, and the like.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises an embedded watermark monitoring device (W) configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked identity on to television content while broadcasting. The corrections may pertain to fields related to validity, expected watermark, received watermark, observed watermark, duration, and the like.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a tamper switch configured to state any one tampering to meter configurations which may lead to incorrect data. The corrections may pertain to fields related to validity, expected watermark, received watermark, observed watermark, duration, and the like.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a rule definition mechanism (RD) configured to develop rules pertaining to functioning of this meter device.

Figure 4 illustrates a rule assignment method.

The system and method checks for specific alarms, received from the meter device, and based on those alarms either processing of meter is continued or stopped. Based on additional processing, meter is either qualified (if rules defined in rule definition mechanism does disqualify meter OR if multiple meters in household and other meters are not disqualified / processed) or the meter is disqualified.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a detailed rule assignment flowchart.

STEP 1: Convert TV intervals to offset from midnight.
STEP 2: Audience intervals to be used need to be overlapped with meter boot intervals, installation period, limited to last event timestamp (TS) and converted to offset from midnight.
STEP 3: Fetch WMK, TS, Power Events during audience session.
STEP 4: If no WMK event found during the day, return.
STEP 5: Compress events.
STEP 6: Orders events based on beginning of TS.
STEP 7: Pairing of consecutive WMK & TS events.
STEP 8: Isolated events with confidence < 30, ID + TS events with confidence < 30 are absorbed as per rules.
STEP 9: If WMK ID & WMK Event TS falls in range of entry in embedded time correction file, the correction is applied to the paired TS event.
STEP 10: Assigns WMK code to IND, NM with internal mapping codes.
STEP 11: For each TV interval, division into 10 sec slots, and each slot is assigned to WMK ID which occurs for most duration in that slot.
STEP 12: If cumulative duration of NM, IND is less than threshold and between same WMK IDs, it is absorbed.
STEP 13: State Assignment to “Unknown” by checking for same WMK ID of known state in threshold range.
STEP 14: If WMK ID & WMK Event T8 falls in range of entry in WMK correction file, the correction is applied to the WMK event.
STEP 15: Assignment of channel codes to WMK ID as per mapping file.
STEP 16: Absorption of IND, NM less than threshold by marked event if same event above and below.
STEP 17: If cumulative duration of NM, IND is less than threshold and between same WMK IDs, it is absorbed.
STEP 18: MFL data fetched is incorporated in the output if MFL false - true.
STEP 19: If duration of Not Marked is less than threshold, it is absorbed alternately by proceeding or succeeding slot’s Marked Identification Indeterminate Watermark.
STEP 20: Output is translated to update offsets to actual time: report output.
STEP 21: Output containing offsets is replicated with viewer data.
STEP 22: Push report output to database.
STEP 23: Saving output temporarily.
STEP 24: Long audience on same channel generated based on report output.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a parameter setting mechanism configured to define parameters which govern behavior of processing rules of rule definition mechanism. There are parameters defined which govern the behavior of Processing Rules. These parameters can have a Global Value (same for all Households) or Profile-based Value (locally defined for Households). Profiles are defined and assigned to Households. Further for local parameters, profile values will be assigned.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device. The table, below, gives an example of such classified events:

Category Description Example
1. Audience Events These events are basis for Viewership Data Generation. Watermark Event, Timestamp Event,Member/ Guest Declaration Event.
2. General Events These are generic meter events. NTP sync Event, Signal Strength Identification Event, GuestRegistration Event.
3. Milestone Events These signify change in state/configuration of meter. Power on-off Event, System Bootvent, RTC Update Event.
4. Critical Events These events highlight critical issue with Meter Health which needs to be addressed by field team. Power Supply Bad, Power Supply Fail, SOS, Remote Battery Low, Remote Hardware Fail, Meter Tamper, SIM Tamper, TV Plug Tamper, Main Battery Fail, RTC Fail,Self –Diagnostics Fail.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises an output mechanism configured to deliver an output file. The output file comprises log data of number of meter devices processed, number of faulty meter devices, number of meter devices not processed, setting values, parameter values, threshold values, meter identity, watermark identity, alarms, viewing log, and the like.

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a notification engine configured to generate notifications in relation to pre-defined rules.

Rules and notifications are classified for:

Business Notifications based on business rules
Household Installation Meter to be verified
Information For Information only, to be used in conjunction with other alarms
Operations Interfaces to be checked
BARC India For further analysis

In at least an embodiment, the meter device comprises a processing mechanism configured to process data in order to understand a variety of errors so that the notification engine can generate appropriate notifications.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to determine errors pertaining to time stamps. If difference in watermark time stamps with respect to difference in Audience Measurement Event (AME) Time stamp for 2 consecutive events is greater than a pre-determined threshold, the notification engine is prompted to generate a notification.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to:
- Compresses the entire input WMK Channel & Time stamp data;
- Ordering of Events;
- Pairing of Time stamp to Channel event;
- Absorb events with low confidence and Isolated events;
- Duration Based Absorption;
- Embedded time discrepancies;
- Audience Smoothening;
- Assign Time state;
- Channel Correction;
- Channel Name Mapping;
- Normal Audience Bridging;
- Audio FP Mapping;
- Absorbs longer periods of Not Marked intervals.

If ID event with confidence less than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100. If not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID. Else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

If isolated ID event with confidence greater than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100. If not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID. Else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to apply embedded time correction. ID and TS events are linked. Match Identifier (Match ID) to Watermark Identifier (WMK ID) in Embedded Time Correction file, if it matches and corresponding TS event's Audience Measurement Event Time Stamp (AME TS) value falls in range mentioned in Embedded Time Correction file, apply correction to Embedded Time Stamp (TS) value of TS event. If after applying correction, this event can be classified in Live, or recorded content of same day retain correction else revert back the correction.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to apply watermark ID correction. Match ID to Observed WMK ID in Watermark ID Correction file, and for "Live cases" if it matches and corresponding Time Stamp (TS) event's AME TS value falls in range mentioned in Watermark ID Correction file (start time, start time + duration of issue), apply correction to WMK id of ID event.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to divide content being broadcast per television unit into many steps. Watermark IDs with States are populated on this time line as per watermark events. For each period of the step, audience is assigned to watermark id with the greater cumulative duration within the step period, priority being Watermark ID over Indeterminate / Not Marked(IND/NM). In case of equality the period is assigned to first detected watermark id. If the non-watermarked sequence is alone in this step, and the step is fully assigned to the non-watermarked sequence.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to process in accordance with an audience bridging algorithm. If duration of Not Marked/ Indeterminate Watermark is less than a parameter in a database which stores number of second. It is used in application which verifies if the number of seconds for Not Marked or Indeterminate between two same watermarked channel is less than the set parameter then it is absorbed in the Watermark (AUD_BRIDGE_PARAM), it is absorbed by an Identified Watermark if the Watermark ID is the same before and after the NM/ IND ticket. The watermark must also be in the same state: Live or Time shifted States.

In at least an embodiment, the processing mechanism is configured to process in accordance with a long and alternate bridging algorithm. If duration of Not Marked is less than a parameter in a database which stores number of second. It is used in application which verifies if the number of seconds for Not Marked or Indeterminate between two watermarked channel is less than the set parameter then it is absorbed alternately by preceding or succeeding watermark identifier
(LONG_AUD_BRIDGE_PARAM), it is absorbed alternately by preceding or succeeding watermark identifier/ Indeterminate Watermark.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a meter device configured to monitor a communicably coupled television unit.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A meter device for televisions, said meter device being communicably coupled with a television in order to receive televised content, which is being displayed on said television, of a broadcast content from a source, said meter device comprising:
- a meter device comprising a main unit and a probe for capturing at least an identifier from said televised content, said main unit being equipped with a microprocessor and a modem, said probe being communicably couple to a broadcast line of said television, said probe being configured to capture at least an identifier from said broadcast output along with a time stamp and a date stamp;
- a fingerprint checker configured to probe for a fingerprint in said televised content, in real time, via said probe, the fingerprint being embedded in said broadcast content at said source of broadcast which content becomes televised content at said television, said fingerprint comprising at least an embedded code stored in a broadcast fingerprint database associated with an identity of said broadcast content, said fingerprint also comprising a time stamp and a date stamp so as to identify time and date for said broadcast content with respect to said televised content, said device meter, via said fingerprint checker, being configured to check, in real time, if said probed signal off said televised content, maps onto said fingerprint along with time stamp and date stamp at said broadcast source from said broadcast fingerprint database; and
- a fingerprint generator engaged when said fingerprint checker does not detect any fingerprint in the televised content, said fingerprint generator generating a fingerprint with time stamp and date stamp off said televised content and relaying it back to said broadcast source in order to check, said generated fingerprint with records from said broadcast fingerprint database;
thereby simultaneously engaging said fingerprint checker and said fingerprint generator for a full-duplex communication between a television and a broadcast source; thereby, providing fully authenticated and verifiable data from said meter with respect to synchronicity in televised content and broadcast content.

2. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising an embedded time monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked timestamp on to broadcast content.

3. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising an embedded watermark monitoring device configured to state corrections for issues identified with an embedder used for encoding a watermarked identity on to broadcast content.

4. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe being communicably coupled with a time stamp generator and a date stamp generator such that the probed data, which is an output of said probe, when it probes the televised content at the point of television, comprises a time stamp as well as a date stamp.

5. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter being communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer in order to determine if the remote is being used by a user based on movement detected by the accelerometer.

6. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter being communicably coupled with a remote comprising an accelerometer, said accelerometer being configured to provide an output a user fingerprint which is a function of said remote based accelerometer data cadence in order to associate it with said user for purposes of authenticity of viewership and, therefore, authenticity of data being captured per viewer per television per channel.

7. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter device comprising a clock configured to convey at least a time stamp, a date stamp, or a time-date stamp to said probe when said probe captures said broadcast content.

8. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe being communicably coupled to an audio broadcast line of said television.

9. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe being communicably coupled to a video broadcast line of said television.

10. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identifier being a fingerprint impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.

11. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identifier being a watermark impregnated into said broadcast that is relayed to said television.

12. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter device comprising a tamper switch configured to state any one tampering to meter configurations which may lead to incorrect data.

13. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter device comprising an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television.

14. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter device comprising an initialization mechanism configured to initialize said meter device in terms of said communicably coupled television-associated information, comprising at least a television identifier, along with viewership demographic associated with said communicably coupled television characterised, in that, said initialization mechanism comprising a key generator configured to generate and assign a key identity to each of viewers of said communicably coupled television such that upon activating said key, said meter device is configured to initiate monitoring per key identity per television identity.

15. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter.

16. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a rule engine configured to define and execute rules for functioning of said device meter and a parameter setting mechanism configured to define parameters which govern behaviour of processing rules of said rule engine.

17. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint checker.

18. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a classifier configured to classify events pertaining to meter device if error is detected by said fingerprint generator.

19. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising an output mechanism configured to deliver an output file, said output file comprising log data of number of meter devices processed, number of faulty meter devices identified, number of meter devices not processed, setting values, parameter values, threshold values, meter identity, watermark identity, alarms, and viewing log.

20. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a notification engine configured to generate notifications in relation to pre-defined rules.

21. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to process data in order to understand a variety of errors so that the notification engine can generate appropriate notifications.

22. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to time stamps in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that, if difference in watermark time stamps with respect to difference in Audience Measurement Event (AME) Time stamp for 2 consecutive events is greater than a pre-determined threshold, a notification engine is prompted to generate a notification.

23. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks.

24. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
- if ID event with confidence less than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100;
- if not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated;
- if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID;
- else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

25. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to determine errors pertaining to watermarks in said broadcast content on an identified television, in that:
- if isolated ID event with confidence greater than 30 is present, Adjacent IDs (preceding and succeeding) are located with Confidence 100;
- if not found equal to any of the adjacent IDs, its distance of 4 bit packet from adjacent ID event is calculated, if bit changes are only for single group of 4 bits, this event's ID is made equal to previous event's ID;
- else this event's ID is made equal to next event's ID. If any error is encountered, notification engine generates a notification.

26. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to apply embedded time correction.

27. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to apply watermark ID correction.

28. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to divide broadcast content per identified television into a plurality of steps.

29. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with an audience bridging mechanism.

30. The meter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprising a processing mechanism configured to process in accordance with a long and alternate bridging algorithm.

Dated this 10th day of April, 2019.

(Dr Shilpa H Gharve)
of LEGA SOLV
Agent for the Applicant