FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multifunctional television usage pattern measurement system and a method thereof. More particularly, it relates to a remote control based real-time television audience measurement system, capable of being equipped with home automation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Television audience measurement surveys determine the number of people available as an audience of a particular media. The measurement of a television audience provides benefits of media research for the media houses so that they can have a better control of their action plans, scheduling and inventory in order to increase the engagement of their audience and level of advertising. These measurement surveys provide a clear insight about what programmes attract audiences and therefore they can help media houses to plan their schedules in order to attract audiences and to flash promotional advertisements that are valuable to the advertisers and stakeholders.
Generally, the measuring devices, known as people meter are used to communicate with media devices to collect data for audience measurement. The system including a people meter requires some amount of on-going input from the participating audience member. People-meters are small boxes that attach to each television set in a sample household. They record when the set is on and what is being watched. The system equipped with a people meter also requires a set-top box with a series of lights that serve as prompts and person-specific buttons that allow individuals to indicate that they are watching. Generally, the data collected by the people-meters are retrieved via telephone lines on a daily basis, combined with other previously gathered viewer information (e.g., age, gender, etc.), and turned into audience ratings that can be accessed the next day.
In such systems, button-pressing activity requires the active participation of audience members. It is, therefore, a relatively bothersome form of measurement that is subject to respondent stress.
US7587732B2 discloses a media metering functionality that is imparted to a panelists device that was not previously capable of media metering. According to one example, a method of providing a communication device with media metering functionality includes asking a potential panelist to participate in a survey, receiving an affirmative response from the potential panelist, and providing metering functionality to a portable device of the potential panelist. The approach disclosed therein, is very complex in nature and includes huge investment.
Further, parents are always desirous of monitoring television watching habits of their children. Hence, a television usage pattern analysis technology has to be developed for monitoring television usage pattern for any child or adult in a household and further controlling the television usage of a child or adult with help of server, website and a mobile application and restricting the usage for a particular channel, program, time and duration of time.
Also, a technology must be developed for obtaining user specific, gender specific, age specific, location specific measurement with respect to the person’s specific viewing pattern which shall provide useful results for advertisers and media houses.
Hence, a simple approach is needed for television audience measurement capable of automatically recording, and transmitting audience measurement data without participation of viewing audience. Further, there is a need of a system that does not require large investment in installation and management.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for a real time television usage pattern measurement comprising a data capture device that further comprises a remote control device or a mobile equipment of a user; a mountable gateway device; a cloud server and an analytics engine for conducting analysis of the collected data from the cloud server.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel approach for real-time television audience measurement directly from the home automation systems wherein the data capture device shall also control Television, Set top box, Light, Fan, Air conditioner or any other electrical and non electrical equipment from the server, website or mobile application.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified and more authentic method for a real time television audience or usage pattern measurement by recording a selection pattern of a particular channel or an audio signature of a particular program being watched and by capturing the same through a mountable gateway device, said gateway device then transmits recorded data to a data collection server i.e. a cloud server. Further, the analytics engine is provided to identify and extract the audience measurement data stored on the cloud server for further analysis.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide novel approach of television audience measurement is to eliminate use of traditional people meter or any separate device for collecting data for television audience measurement.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an approach wherein a user can transmit the audience measurement data through a mobile equipment; preferably a smart device (equipped with a remote control application “or app”) of a user.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost effective approach to monitor and control Television usage for any child or adult in a household with help of server, website or an application installed in a smart device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ‘set reminder’ functionality for a particular channel, program or movie based on which the device automatically switches to the channel to that particular program, movie etc.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bio-metric fingerprint recognition that helps in linking audience measurement with a person specific viewing pattern and carry out user specific, gender specific, age specific and location specific analysis.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system to assist or conduct a real time survey and/or market research associated with the audience measurement to assist media houses, stakeholders and other interested parties to make their future action plans, accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the shortcomings of the state of the art, the present invention provides a system and method for real-time television audience or television usage pattern measurement; said system comprises a data capture device further comprising a remote control device or a mobile equipment of user and used either of the two; a mountable gateway device; a cloud server and an analytics engine for conducting analysis on data collected from the cloud server. The system eliminates the use of traditional people meter for collecting audience measurement data from media devices rather; it utilizes a data capture device such as a remote control device to send data for audience measurement. Further, a user can switch over to mobile equipment, preferably a smart phone to transmit said data to a mountable gateway device for further processing. A method for calculating a real-time television audience measurement is also disclosed.

In another embodiment, the remote control device may be of universal nature, that is to say, the remote control device may be used to control multiple electronic appliances such as Television, Set Top Box, Light, Fan, Air conditioner or any other electrical, non-electrical equipment as well as control and monitor the television usage pattern for a child or any unauthorized person along with an audience measurement data transmission feature. The audience measurement data includes a selection pattern of a particular channel, selected from a remote control device of a user and optionally an audio signature of a particular program running on television. The recorded data is sent to data collection server and used as raw data for television audience measurement.

In yet another embodiment, a mountable gateway device for receiving said audience measurement data is also provided. The gateway device acts as an integral component of the system and can be mounted anywhere, in the detection range of remote control device or a smart phone operated over a common wireless network. The gateway device receives raw data from the data capture device and transmits said data to a data collection server i.e. a cloud server for further processing.

In yet another embodiment, the system also includes a cloud server. The cloud server is configured to communicate with the mountable gateway device. The cloud server acts as data collection server that principle role is to collect and store audience measurement data received from the gateway device. Also, the present invention comprises an analytics engine to analyze collected data.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an improved method for collecting audience measurement data or television usage pattern data and analyzing said data for television audience measurement. The method comprising the steps of: recording selection pattern of a particular channel and as a audience measurement data or optionally recording an audio signature of particular program using a mountable gateway device; transmitting said audience measurement data to a mountable gateway device directly from the data capture device; uploading the collected data to a data collection server; detecting the uploaded data on the data collection server using an analytics engine; and analyzing said data for accurate measurement of audiences.

Hence, the system and method is simple and applicable on a home automation system without use of any external data collection devices or people meters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a real time audience measurement and television pattern measurement system elucidating various components responsible for audience measurement data collection, storage, and analysis over a wireless network.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of mountable gateway device for transmitting audience measurement data and for communicating with other devices in a home automation system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the system elucidating the audience measurement data transmission through a mobile application of a smart phone.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a set top box or set top unit equipped with an Infrared repeater module to transmit audience measurement data and other operating conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 represents a set top box unit equipped with wireless module for wirelessly transmission of operating instructions and/or audience measurement data over internet.
FIG. 6 represents monitoring and controlling the television usage of a child by parents using real time audience measurement and television pattern measurement system.
FIG. 7 represents fingerprint recognition module installed in the remote control device or mountable gateway and mobile equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention now will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
In the main embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method for real-time television audience measurement. The real time television audience measurement system (100) according to the present invention comprises:
a) at least one media device(106);
b) at least one data capture device (101) in connection with said media device (106);
c) a mountable gateway device (102) in communication with said data capture device (106);
d) at least one data collection server (103) to collect and store audience measurement data (105);
e) an analytics engine (104) for conducting analysis of the collected data (105) from the data collection server (103); and
f) a communication channel;
wherein:
said media device (106), said data capture device (101) and said mountable gateway device (102) collectively form a closed group for a user; and said data collection server (103) and the analytics engine (104) together form a common platform for collecting said audience measurement from multiple users; said closed group and said common platform being in real time communication over said communication channel;
said data capture device (101) captures the audience measurement data (105) from said media device (106) over a wireless network in real time;
said data capture device transmits the collected data to said mountable gateway device (102); and
said mountable gateway device (102) transmits said data (105) to said data collection server (103) in real time.
Here, the data capture device (101) further comprises either a remote control device (101a) or a mobile equipment (101b) of user. The mobile equipment (101b) is preferably a smart phone or a device equipped with a remote control application. The data capture device (101) further comprises a fingerprint recognition module according to general dexterity. The communication channel includes but not limited to internet, a GSM network, satellite network, or a fully or partially wired connection. The wireless network is preferably a Radio Frequency wireless network, internet, Bluetooth, or any know near field communication module the media device (106) is preferably a television or alternately a set top box.
The audience measurement data (105) includes a selection pattern of a particular channel selected from a remote control device (101a) or mobile equipment (101b) or optionally an audio signature of a particular channel, program, movie etc. wherein the selection pattern is taken by either of the ways i.e. pressing separate numeric keys of remote control device (101a) or selecting the channel from channel list or navigating channel using up and down navigation keys. The mountable gateway is mounted within detection range of data capture device.
The optionally captured audio signature of a particular channel, program and movie etc. running on television is also sent to the data collection server for comparing and providing another set of audience measurement data. Hence, another set of audience measurement data adds double authenticity for audience measurement.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for collecting and analyzing audience measurement data (105) for television audience measurement, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) recording an audience measurement data (105) using at least one data capture device (101);
b) transmitting said audience measurement data (105) to a gateway device (102) directly from the data capture device (101);
c) uploading the audience measurement data (105) to a data collection server (103);
d) detecting the uploaded data on the data collection server (103) using an analytics engine (104); and
e) analyzing said data for accurate measurement of audiences.
The audience measurement data (105) includes a selection pattern of a particular channel selected from a remote control device (101a) by either pressing separate numeric keys of remote control device (101a) or selecting the channel from channel list or navigating channel using up and down navigation keys. For example: if a channel possessing the number 215, then the user can have the various options to access the channel. The user can press separate keys in order to reach on the channel 215, or the user can directly select the channel from the channels list. Additionally, the user has an option to navigate the channel by pressing up and down navigation keys provided in the remote control device.
Further, in the Analytics Engine, the selection pattern data such as channel no., channel name, time duration for which the channel is viewed is stored and login time along with the user information are stored for evaluating television usage pattern measurement or audience measurement.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of television audience measurement system (100) according to the main embodiment of the present invention. Here, at least one of the data capture device (101) is used from either a remote control device (101a) or a mobile equipment (101b). A remote control device (101a) captures audience measurement data (105) from a media device (106) and sends it to a gateway device (102) through a radio frequency wireless network. The gateway device (102) receives information and uploads it to a data collection server (103) i.e. a cloud server. The analytics engine (104) detects the audience measurement data (105) on the cloud server (103), extracts it and proceeds for further analysis to calculate television audience measurement.
Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic representation of the gateway device (102) is provided. In this embodiment, the gateway device (102) is capable to be equipped in a home automation system to transmit audience measurement data (105). Additionally, the gateway device (102) is capable to manage connections with smart devices of a user, preferably a smart phone. The smart phone can be connected to receive either an audience measurement data or to control home appliances.
Furthermore, the audience measurement data (105) can be transmitted via a smart phone of the user as shown in FIG. 3. For this purpose, the smart phone will act as a remote control to manage operation of media devices (106), preferably a television, and/or set-top box. In this embodiment, the smart phone will be equipped with a remote control application (or “app”) enabling the smart phone to act as a remote control for the media device. In this mode of remote operation, the audience measurement data (105) will be recorded and transmitted to the cloud server (103), directly.
Referring to FIG. 4, a set-top box (107) equipped with an (IR) Infrared repeater module (107a) is provided. The Infrared repeater module (107a) is provided to interact with a data capture device (101) including a remote control device (101a) or mobile equipment (101b) such as a smart phone for wirelessly controlling the media device (106), preferably a television. In this embodiment, the audience measurement data (105) can be directly transmitted to the cloud server (103) from a set-top box (107). For this purpose, the set top box (107) is equipped with a wireless module (107b) (FIG. 5) for data transmission. Here, the mountable gateway (102) is replaceable with a set top box (107) equipped with at least one Infrared repeater module (107a) for wirelessly controlling the media device (106) and at least one wireless module (107b) for transmitting data directly to the data collection server (103).
In a preferred embodiment, the gateway device (102) is capable to manage connections with home appliances such as television, set top box, light, fan, air conditioner or any other electrical or non electrical equipment over a wireless network to create home automation architecture. Here, the television usage pattern for a child can also be monitored and controlled by parents with help of server, website or a mobile application. As depicted in FIG. 6, a method of controlling and monitoring television usage of a child by parents comprises the steps of:
a) browsing and logging on to the website/mobile application using the mobile equipment (101b);
b) observing the current channel data being watched on the television (106);
c) taking necessary action based on current channel data;
wherein the necessary action includes switching off the media device from remote location or switching the channel.
Hence, the Television usage in case of children for a particular channel, program, time and duration of time can be restricted according to the parent’s discretion.
Here, reminder shall also set for a particular channel, program, movie etc. to be broadcasted afterwards such that once that particular channel is being broadcast the set top box will automatically switch the channel to that particular program , movie etc.
In an alternate embodiment referring to FIG. 7, the analytics engine (104) shall carry out a user specific, gender specific, age specific and location specific analysis with help of a biometrically enabled capturing module (108) optionally installed in the remote control device (101a) or an inbuilt finger print recognition module in the mobile equipment (101b) or optionally installed in the mountable gateway device (102) that helps in linking audience measurement with a person specific viewing pattern. The real time television audience data measurement system (100), according to the present invention comprises of a remotely controlled data capture device (101), characterised in that, said remote control device further comprises:
a) at least one biometrically enabled capturing module (108) for recording an input of a user;
b) at least one storage module to collect and store the input; and
c) a communication module to receive the input and relay it to an external mountable gateway device (102) and an external data collection server (103) for further processing.
wherein, said input is a channel number of the selected channel and fingerprint pattern of the user. Here, the audience measurement data (105) includes a selection pattern of a particular user by way of biometrics, or a particular channel selected from a data capture device (101) and an optionally selected audio signature of program, channel or movie running on said media device (106).
Therefore, an audience measurement data or television usage pattern can be measured accurately with increased authenticity. Also, television usage pattern is controllable from remote locations through an application installed on the smart device and optionally set reminders etc. Further, user specific, gender specific, age specific and location specific analysis can also be carried out.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will readily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the description. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

We Claim:
1. A real time television audience measurement system (100), wherein said system (100) comprises:
a) at least one media device(106);
b) at least one data capture device (101) in connection with said media device (106);
c) a mountable gateway device (102) in communication with said data capture device (106);
d) at least one data collection server (103) to collect and store audience measurement data (105);
e) an analytics engine (104) for conducting analysis of the collected data (105) from the data collection server (103); and
f) a communication channel;
wherein:
said media device (106), said data capture device (101) and said mountable gateway device (102) collectively form a closed group for a user; and said data collection server (103) and analytics engine (104) together form a common platform for collecting said audience measurement from multiple users; said closed group and said common platform being in real time communication over said communication channel;
said data capture device (101) captures the audience measurement data (105) from said media device (106) over a wireless network in real time;
said data capture device transmits the collected data to said mountable gateway device (102); and
said mountable gateway device (102) transmits said data (105) to said data collection server (103) in real time.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data capture device (101) further comprises at least one remote control device (101a) or at least one mobile equipment (101b).

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mobile equipment (101b) is preferably a smart phone or a device equipped with a remote control application.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data capture device (101) further comprises a fingerprint recognition module according to general dexterity.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said media device (106) is preferably a television or alternately a set top box.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication channel includes but not limited to internet, a GSM network, satellite network, or a fully or partially wired connection.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless network is preferably a Radio Frequency wireless network, internet, Bluetooth, or any know near field communication module.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audience measurement data (105) includes a selection pattern of a particular channel selected from a data capture device (101) and an optionally selected audio signature of program, channel or movie running on said media device (106).

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mountable gateway (102) is optionally mounted within detection range of data capture device (101).

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mountable gateway (102) is replaceable with a set top box (107) equipped with at least one Infrared repeater module (107a) for wirelessly controlling the media device (106) and at least one wireless module (107b) or a mobile equipment (101a) for transmitting data directly to the data collection server (103).

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the analytics engine (104) analyses audience measurement data (105) for channel name, channel number, log time on channel and time elapsed on the channel.

12. A real time television audience data measurement system (100), comprising of a remotely controlled data capture device (101), characterised in that, said remotely controlled device further comprises:
a) at least one biometrically enabled data capturing module (108) for recording an input of a user;
b) at least one storage module to collect and store the input; and
c) a communication module to receive the input and relay it to an external mountable gateway device (102) and an external data collection server (103) for further processing.

13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said input is a channel number of the selected channel and fingerprint pattern of the user.

14. A method for collecting and analyzing audience measurement data (105) for television audience measurement, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) recording an audience measurement data (105) using at least one data capture device (101);
b) transmitting said audience measurement data (105) to a gateway device (102) directly from the data capture device (101);
c) uploading the audience measurement data (105) to a data collection server (103);
d) detecting the uploaded data on the data collection server (103) using an analytics engine (104); and
e) analyzing said data for accurate measurement of audiences.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the audience measurement data (105) includes a selection pattern of a particular user by way of biometrics, or a particular channel selected from a data capture device (101) and an optionally selected audio signature of program, channel or movie running on said media device (106).