Abstract: A nicotine delivery reduction system includes an electronic cigarette having a breath monitor and a flow controller. The breath monitor detects user breath characteristics such as breath duration, rate, depth, and strength and adjusts the amount of nicotine delivered to the user based on user breath characteristics. In particular examples, if the user is breathing with more urgency, additional nicotine is delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system also includes an interface to allow implementation of different reduction programs based on personal preferences and characteristics. If the user is breathing normally, the flow controller gradually reduces the level of nicotine delivered to the user. The nicotine delivery reduction system maintains user breath characteristics over time to allow reduction and possible elimination of nicotine dependence.

Abstract: A marketing materials presentation system identifies wait states such as loading states and idle states and selects marketing materials for presentation during wait states. Marketing materials may be selected based on materials viewed prior to a wait state and activity requested that triggered the wait state. In some examples, characteristics of a viewer including demographic informational, profile data, past viewing and purchase activity, neuro-response data, etc., is analyzed to select wait state marketing materials. Wait state marketing materials may also be selected using wait state characteirstics and marketing material characteristics.

Abstract: Efficient and effective mechanisms for collecting neuro-response data are provided to allow assessment of post-purchase products, services, offerings, and experiences. In some examples, a neuro-response data collection mechanism such as a portable electroencephalography (EEG) headset is used to collect neuro-response data from a consumer exposed to a product in a post-purchase state. Post-purchase assessments may be made at particular times after a purchase transaction. A post-purchase assessment may be compared to a pre-purchase assessment. The assessments can be used to enhance product packaging, modify service components, improve sustained experiences, change consumer behavior, etc.

Abstract: A content generation, presentation, and evaluation system identifies biometric factors to improve the effectiveness of content presented to subjects. Biometric factors include subject visual acuity ranges, color sensitivity spectrums, audio sensitivity spectrums, chemical sensitivity ranges, etc. Content is generated and/or modified to benefit from subject visual acuity ranges, spectral sensitivities, tactile sensitivities, etc. In particular examples, content is tailored and/or modified for particular individuals and groups based on acuity and sensitivity profiles of those individuals or groups. Neuro-response data can be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of biometric aware content and further enhance content generation.

Abstract: Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations.

Abstract: A system identifies the location of a user and presents location aware stimulus material to the user. Discounts, promotions, and advertising can be delivered to the user on a wireless device based on location and path information. Stimulus material on in store monitors, billboards, and displays are modified based on information about individuals near the monitors and displays. In particular embodiments, neuro-response data is collected using a portable electroencephalography (EEG) headset while a user is exposed to stimulus materials to allow the effectiveness of the stimulus material to be determined. Stimulus materials presented can also be evaluated for neuro-response effectiveness prior to presentation to users in a location aware and personalized manner.

Abstract: A system presents stimulus materials such as products, product packages, displays, services, offerings, etc., in virtual reality environments such as market aisles, store shelves, showroom floors, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment elicit user interactivity. User activity and responses are used to modify marketing materials and/or virtual reality environments. Neuro-response data including electroencephalography (EEG) data is collected from users in order to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing materials in virtual reality environments. In particular examples, neuro-response data is used to modify marketing materials and virtual reality environments presented to the user.

Abstract: Efficient and effective mechanisms for collecting electroencephalography (EEG) data are provided to synchronize neuro-response data collection with stimulus material presentation for in situ engagement monitoring and tracking. An EEG headset includes multiple point electrodes individually isolated and amplified. In some examples, a stimulus material presentation mechanism includes a clock source and a clock transmitter. The clock transmitter sends clock signals to a neuro-response data collection mechanism to allow synchronization of neuro-response data collected with stimulus presentation events. The EEG headset can be configured to perform processing while supporting both continuous input and output.

Abstract: Entities seeking to promote goods, services, offers, candidates, etc., may elect to use advocates in a social networking environments instead of advertising. Social networking user profile characteristics are analyzed to identify advocates for subjects of advocacy such as brands, products, services, offers, political candidates, etc. Profile characteristics may include the advocate's own profile information as well as profile information of those in the advocate's social network. An advocate may select a subject of advocacy and generate advocacy materials or customized advocacy materials may be created and/or combined with user materials. The advocacy materials may be analyzed using neuro-response data to generate effective and targeted materials for distribution using social networking channels.

Abstract: Efficient and effective mechanisms for collecting electroencephalography (EEG) data are provided to allow neuro-response data collection for in situ engagement monitoring and tracking. An EEG headset includes multiple point electrodes individually isolated and amplified. In some examples, multiple left side scalp electrodes exert forces that counterbalance forces from multiple right side scalp electrodes to secure the headset to allow front electrodes and rear electrodes to contact the scalp. Electrodes are arranged to avoid contact with the temporal region. The headset can be configured to perform processing while supporting both continuous input and output.

Abstract: Users in a social networking environment are matched with subjects of advocacy, such as products, services, offers, candidates, etc., by evaluating user profile characteristic information. The user may provide advocacy materials and an advocacy system may also generate advocacy materials that may be incorporated with the user's own testimonials. The advocacy materials are distributed using social network channels. A remuneration tracking system monitors distribution of the advocacy materials and analyzes metrics to determine the effectiveness of the distribution. In some examples, the renumeration tracking system monitors redistribution of the advocacy materials, purchase or selection of an offer upon viewing the advocacy materials, and/or commenting or positively valuing the advocacy materials.

Abstract: Distributed mechanisms are provided for implementing a neurological sentiment tracking system to collect and analyze consumer and business sentiment. Neuro-response data as well as optional survey and interview data may be collected from subjects about personal finance expectations, anticipated hiring expectations, views on prospects for the economy in the short and long term, purchase expectations, etc. Neuro-response data collection mechanisms such as Electroencephalography (EEG) and/or facial emotion encoding can be used along with surveys and interviews to collect data from subjects in a variety of environments. Collected data may be aggregated to aid in economic forecasting and modeling. Data may be continuously collected to provide high temporal resolution. Analysis may also be performed to determine impacts of particular events on sentiment.

Abstract: A system obtains neuro-response data as well as survey based data during discrete choice modeling to evaluate subject decision making processes. A discrete choice model evaluates a decision made by a subject as a function of multiple variables. Neuro-response data vectors and orthogonal survey based data vectors are weighted and combined to generate multi-dimensional vectors. The multi-dimensional vectors are used to estimate the effectiveness of changing particular variables in modifying subject behavior.

Abstract: An advertisement exchange determines characteristics associated with advertisement slots such as slots in a commercial pod, locations on a printed page, banners in a video, billboards, etc. Characteristics may include demographic information, advertisement type, and neuro-response characteristics such as priming, attention, engagement, and retention. Advertisement slots are matched with advertisements and may be selected, purchased, exchanged, and analyzed by advertisers, individuals, corporations, and firms. In some examples, bids and offers are made for advertisement slots based on advertisement slot characteristics. Advertisement slot characteristics may be changed in real-time as placement of advertisements in surrounding slots changes the characteristics of a particular slot.

Abstract: An advertisement exchange obtains characteristics associated with multimedia advertisements such as commercial slots in a commercial pod, banners in a video, announcements in an audio program, etc. Characteristics may include demographic information, advertisement type, survey information, etc. Advertisement slots are offered with information on advertisement slot characteristics and may be selected, purchased, exchanged, and analyzed by advertisers, individuals, corporations, and firms. Advertisement slot characteristics may be changed in real-time as placement of advertisements in surrounding slots changes the characteristics of a particular slot. Advertisements may be automatically matched with advertisement slots based on advertisement slot characteristics and advertisement characteristics.

Abstract: A system uses neuro-response information to evaluate content within a cluster, such as commercials in a pod, advertisements in a frame, or products on a shelf, to determine priming characteristics associated with each pieces of content within the cluster. The priming characteristics and other data are combined to obtain blended attributes. The blended attributes are correlated with each piece of intracluster content to allow intelligent management including selection, arrangement, ordering, presentation, and/or scheduling of intracluster content. Intracluster content may also use priming characteristics associated with extracluster content to further improve management.

Abstract: A system analyzes neuro-response measurements including regional electroencephalography (EEG) measurements from subjects exposed to stimulus materials to determine locations in stimulus materials eliciting controlled attention and automatic attention. Additional stimulus materials are inserted into locations having salient attention attributes. In some examples, a challenging task is used to direct controlled attention onto a location and additional stimulus material is subtly presented in the location to benefit from automatic attention and salient attention measurements.

Abstract: A system evaluates media materials such as programs and advertising by obtaining neuro-response data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector system measurements from subjects exposed to the media materials. Media materials are categorized and/or tagged. Corresponding media materials eliciting similar neuro-response data from users in similar demographic categories are identified. In some examples, ratings predictions are generated by identifying ratings associated with corresponding media materials eliciting similar neuro-response data.

Abstract: An electroencephalography (EEG) system includes a dry electrode design having a jagged, angular, comb, etc. shaped support housing. Each dry electrode housing includes multiple electrodes where each electrode has multiple contacts for scalp placement with minimal interference from hair. Signals from individual contacts may be disregarded and each housing may provide one or more aggregated signals for data analysis. Each electrode may be placed in close proximity with neighboring electrodes as no conductive gel is required and may be attached to the scalp using straps, elastic cap, spring-type materials, tape, etc. The dry electrode design effectively measures bio-signals including neurological activity.

Abstract: Neuro-response data including Electroencephalography (EEG) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data is collected, filtered and/or analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of stimulus materials such as marketing and entertainment materials. A data collection mechanism obtains fMRI signals indicating a hemodynamic response to marketing or entertainment stimuli. In certain embodiments, such signals include region-specific blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals that correlate with region-specific neural activity. fMRI signal acquisition is triggered by one or more EEG signatures indicating neural activity in response to exposure to stimulus materials.