APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTATION OF STIMULUS MATERIAL

Abstract

Example methods, apparatus, systems and machine readable instructions are disclosed for presenting stimulus material. An example method includes selecting first media to present to a user based on a current location of the user. The example method also includes monitoring neuro-response data gathered from the user exposed to the first media, the neuro-response data gathered from a mobile device used by the user. In addition, the example method includes determining an effectiveness of the first media based on the neuro-response data and selecting second media to present to the user based on the effectiveness of the first media.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/853,213, entitled “Location Aware Presentation of Stimulus Material,” which was filed on Aug. 9, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to advertising, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for presenting targeted stimulus material.

BACKGROUND

Conventional systems for presenting stimulus material such as marketing material and advertising typically lack location awareness and personalization. Billboards and placards in mall environments reside in fixed locations and are not specifically tailored to particular users. Marketing materials in showrooms and tradeshows are presented in a static and fixed manner. It is also not known if stimulus material shown is particularly effective for specific individuals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular example.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a particular example of a system for presenting stimulus material in a location aware and personalized manner.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a particular example of a neuro-response data collection mechanism.

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of data models that can be used with a stimulus and response repository.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a query that can be used with the neuro-response collection system.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a report generated using the neuro-response collection system.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a technique for evaluating presenting stimulus material in a location aware and personalized manner.

FIG. 7 provides one example of a system that can be used to implement one or more mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some specific examples of the disclosure including the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. These specific examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure is described in conjunction with these specific examples, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the described examples. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure will be described in the context of particular types of stimulus materials. However, it should be noted that the techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure apply to a variety of different types of stimulus materials including marketing and entertainment materials. It should be noted that various mechanisms and techniques can be applied to any type of stimuli. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Particular examples of the present disclosure may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure.

Various techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some examples include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, a system uses a processor in a variety of contexts. However, it will be appreciated that a system can use multiple processors while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, the techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure will sometimes describe a connection between two entities. It should be noted that a connection between two entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities may reside between the two entities. For example, a processor may be connected to memory, but it will be appreciated that a variety of bridges and controllers may reside between the processor and memory. Consequently, a connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted. Overview

The examples disclosed herein provide improved methods and apparatus for presenting stimulus materials to users in a location aware and personalized manner that allows for effective evaluation of the effectiveness of the stimulus material.

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 examples, 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.

EXAMPLES

Marketing materials such as advertisements, offers, coupons, product packages, brochures, displays, signs, and arrangements are typically presented to individuals in a static manner. Billboards may rotate through two or three different advertisements for individuals passing by. A coupon book may be provided to shoppers entering a store. Advertising for a local business may be presented on a channel having an audience in a particular geographic area. However, these mechanisms are limited in location awareness and personalization. These mechanisms also do not present neuro-response evaluated stimulus material tailored to particular users and the effectiveness of the stimulus material presented cannot easily be evaluated.

In some instances, efforts are made to elicit user responses to marketing materials after users visit stores or receive promotional offers. However, eliciting user responses and feedback in these settings can be highly inefficient. Furthermore, even when ample user feedback is obtained, user feedback is subject to brain pattern, semantic, syntactic, metaphorical, cultural, and interpretive errors that prevent accurate and repeatable analyses.

Consequently, the techniques of the present disclosure provide mechanisms for providing neurologically effective stimulus materials to individual users by identifying user locations and paths using mechanisms such as Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking or cellular triangulation. Stimulous materials tailored to the particular user and location such as mall store promotions, advertising, offers, etc., can be presented to the user on a user wireless device or on in store monitors and displays near the user. According to various examples, the user is monitored using EEG electrodes while personalized, location aware stimulus material is presented. The effectiveness of stimulus material presented to the user is determined by analyzing neuro-response data collected using the EEG electrodes. In particular examples, stimulus material is selected based on user information and the user's neuro-response profile. The wireless device may be a mobile phone, wireless pager, a display system integrated with a shopping cart or basket, a presentation system provided with an EEG headset, GPS tracker, etc. A wide variety of devices can be used to track user path and location as well as to present stimulus material to the user.

Neuro-response data including EEG data is analyzed to determine the effectiveness of marketing materials presented in various locations. Sensors, cameras, microphones, motion detectors, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, etc., can all be integrated with stimulus presentation devices to allow modification of the marketing materials presented. In particular examples, neuro-response data is used to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing materials and make real-time adjustments and modifications to marketing materials presented to the user.

Neuro-response measurements such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector measurements can be used to evaluate subjects during stimulus presentation. Some examples of central nervous system measurement mechanisms include Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephlography (MEG), and Optical Imaging. Optical imaging can be used to measure the absorption or scattering of light related to concentration of chemicals in the brain or neurons associated with neuronal firing. MEG measures magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain. fMRI measures blood oxygenation in the brain that correlates with increased neural activity. However, current implementations of fMRI have poor temporal resolution of few seconds. EEG measures electrical activity associated with post synaptic currents occurring in the milliseconds range. Subcranial EEG can measure electrical activity with the most accuracy, as the bone and dermal layers weaken transmission of a wide range of frequencies. Nonetheless, surface EEG provides a wealth of electrophysiological information if analyzed properly. Even portable EEG with dry electrodes provides a large amount of neuro-response information.

Autonomic nervous system measurement mechanisms include Electrocardiograms (EKG) and pupillary dilation, etc. Effector measurement mechanisms include Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, reaction time etc.

Multiple modes and manifestations of precognitive neural signatures are blended with cognitive neural signatures and post cognitive neurophysiological manifestations to more accurately perform neuro-response analysis. In some examples, autonomic nervous system measures are themselves used to validate central nervous system measures. Effector and behavior responses are blended and combined with other measures. According to various examples, central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector system measurements are aggregated into a measurement that allows evaluation of stimulus material effectiveness in particular environments.

In particular examples, subjects are exposed to stimulus material and data such as central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data is collected during exposure. According to various examples, data is collected in order to determine a resonance measure that aggregates multiple component measures that assess resonance data. In particular examples, specific event related potential (ERP) analyses and/or event related power spectral perturbations (ERPSPs) are evaluated for different regions of the brain both before a subject is exposed to stimulus and each time after the subject is exposed to stimulus.

According to various examples, pre-stimulus and post-stimulus differential as well as target and distracter differential measurements of ERP time domain components at multiple regions of the brain are determined (DERP). Event related time-frequency analysis of the differential response to assess the attention, emotion and memory retention (DERPSPs) across multiple frequency bands including but not limited to theta, alpha, beta, gamma and high gamma is performed. In particular examples, single trial and/or averaged DERP and/or DERPSPs can be used to enhance the resonance measure and determine priming levels for various products and services.

According to various examples, enhanced neuro-response data is generated using a data analyzer that performs both intra-modality measurement enhancements and cross-modality measurement enhancements. According to various examples, brain activity is measured not just to determine the regions of activity, but to determine interactions and types of interactions between various regions. The techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure recognize that interactions between neural regions support orchestrated and organized behavior. Attention, emotion, memory, and other abilities are not merely based on one part of the brain but instead rely on network interactions between brain regions.

The techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure further recognize that different frequency bands used for multi-regional communication can be indicative of the effectiveness of stimuli. In particular examples, evaluations are calibrated to each subject and synchronized across subjects. In particular examples, templates are created for subjects to create a baseline for measuring pre and post stimulus differentials. According to various examples, stimulus generators are intelligent and adaptively modify specific parameters such as exposure length and duration for each subject being analyzed.

A variety of modalities can be used including EEG, GSR, EKG, pupillary dilation, EOG, eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, reaction time, etc. Individual modalities such as EEG are enhanced by intelligently recognizing neural region communication pathways. Cross modality analysis is enhanced using a synthesis and analytical blending of central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector signatures. Synthesis and analysis by mechanisms such as time and phase shifting, correlating, and validating intra-modal determinations allow generation of a composite output characterizing the significance of various data responses.

FIG. 1A illustrates one example of a system for presenting stimulus materials to a user in a personalized, location aware manner. According to various examples, a user profile database 101 includes information about a user. A user profile may include age, income, gender, interests, activities, past purchases, etc. The user profile may also include a neuro-response profile that can be used to identify stimulus material that has been particularly effective in the past based on neuro-response data. A location tracker 103 may analyze GPS, cell tower, or Wi-Fi data to determine user position to varying levels of accuracy. According to various examples, a stimulus material selection system 105 selects stimulus materials appropriate for the user using location and/or user profile information.

According to various examples, the stimulus materials may be a coupon or promotion for a mall store that a user is walking towards. In particular examples, a user profile may indicate that the user is particularly interested in sales and saving money and promotions tailored to the user's interest may be presented to the user. In other examples, a user profile may indicate that the user is particularly interested in exclusive offers and exclusive offers from geographically proximate businesses are presented to the user.

The stimulus material may be presented to the user on a variety of presentation devices 121. According to various examples, the stimulus material may be presented on displays nears the user, display devices provided to the user, or on the user's own mobile device.

The presentation device 121 may include screens, headsets, domes, multidimensional displays, speakers, smell generators, etc. In particular examples, stimulus material is presented to the user on mobile presentation devices simultaneously or in sequence to prime the user 123 for particular product offers and promotions. Subject response collection mechanism 131 may include cameras, recorders, motion detectors, sensors, electrodes, etc., that capture subject activity and responses. According to various examples, neuro-response data collection mechanisms are used to capture neuro-response data such as electroencephalography (EEG) data for the subject presented with stimulus materials. In particular examples, feedback and modification mechanism 141 uses subject responses to modify marketing materials presented to the user. According to various examples, neuro-response data including EEG data is used to make real-time modifications to marketing materials. In particular examples, lack of interest is detected using neuro-response data and different marketing materials are dynamically presented to the user as the user moves along in a shopping mall.

FIG. 1B illustrates one example of a neuro-response data collection mechanism that can be used with users exposed to stimulus material. According to various examples, the stimulus presentation system includes a stimulus presentation device 151. In particular examples, the stimulus presentation device 151 is merely a display, monitor, screen, etc., that displays stimulus material in the context of a user location. The stimulus material may be a product advertisement, service, offering, promotion, coupon, etc., displayed in the context of a supermarket aisle, convenience store, room, etc.

The stimuli can involve a variety of senses and occur with or without human supervision. Continuous and discrete modes are supported. According to various examples, the stimulus presentation device 151 also has protocol generation capability to allow intelligent customization of stimulus.

According to various examples, stimulus presentation device 151 could include devices such as headsets, goggles, projection systems, display devices, speakers, tactile surfaces, etc., for presenting the stimulus material.

According to various examples, the subject 153 is connected to data collection devices 155. The data collection devices 155 may include a variety of neuro-response measurement mechanisms including neurological and neurophysiological measurements systems such as EEG, EOG, MEG, pupillary dilation, eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, and reaction time devices, etc. According to various examples, neuro-response data includes central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and effector data. In particular examples, the data collection devices 155 include EEG 161, EOG 163, and fMRI 165. In some instances, only a single data collection device is used. Data collection may proceed with or without human supervision.

The data collection device 155 collects neuro-response data from multiple sources. This includes a combination of devices such as central nervous system sources (EEG), autonomic nervous system sources (EKG, pupillary dilation), and effector sources (EOG, eye tracking, facial emotion encoding, reaction time). In particular examples, data collected is digitally sampled and stored for later analysis. In particular examples, the data collected could be analyzed in real-time. According to particular examples, the digital sampling rates are adaptively chosen based on the neurophysiological and neurological data being measured.

In one particular example, the system includes EEG 161 measurements made using scalp level electrodes, EOG 163 measurements made using shielded electrodes to track eye data, fMRI 165 measurements performed using a differential measurement system, a facial muscular measurement through shielded electrodes placed at specific locations on the face, and a facial affect graphic and video analyzer adaptively derived for each individual.

In particular examples, the data collection devices are clock synchronized with a stimulus presentation device 151. In particular examples, the data collection devices 155 also include a condition evaluation subsystem that provides auto triggers, alerts and status monitoring and visualization components that continuously monitor the status of the subject, data being collected, and the data collection instruments. The condition evaluation subsystem may also present visual alerts and automatically trigger remedial actions. According to various examples, the data collection devices include mechanisms for not only monitoring subject neuro-response to stimulus materials, but also include mechanisms for identifying and monitoring the stimulus materials. For example, data collection devices 155 may be synchronized with a set-top box to monitor channel changes. In other examples, data collection devices 155 may be directionally synchronized to monitor when a subject is no longer paying attention to stimulus material. In still other examples, the data collection devices 155 may receive and store stimulus material generally being viewed by the subject, whether the stimulus is a program, a commercial, printed material, or a scene outside a window. The data collected allows analysis of neuro-response information and correlation of the information to actual stimulus material and not mere subject distractions.

According to various examples, the stimulus presentation system also includes a data cleanser device 171. In particular examples, the data cleanser device 171 filters the collected data to remove noise, artifacts, and other irrelevant data using fixed and adaptive filtering, weighted averaging, advanced component extraction (like PCA, ICA), vector and component separation methods, etc. This device cleanses the data by removing both exogenous noise (where the source is outside the physiology of the subject, e.g. a phone ringing while a subject is viewing a video) and endogenous artifacts (where the source could be neurophysiological, e.g. muscle movements, eye blinks, etc.).

The artifact removal subsystem includes mechanisms to selectively isolate and review the response data and identify epochs with time domain and/or frequency domain attributes that correspond to artifacts such as line frequency, eye blinks, and muscle movements. The artifact removal subsystem then cleanses the artifacts by either omitting these epochs, or by replacing these epoch data with an estimate based on the other clean data (for example, an EEG nearest neighbor weighted averaging approach).

According to various examples, the data cleanser device 171 is implemented using hardware, firmware, and/or software. It should be noted that although a data cleanser device 171 is shown located after a data collection device 155, the data cleanser device 171 like other components may have a location and functionality that varies based on system implementation. For example, some systems may not use any automated data cleanser device whatsoever while in other systems, data cleanser devices may be integrated into individual data collection devices.

In particular examples, a survey and interview system collects and integrates user survey and interview responses to combine with neuro-response data to more effectively perform stimulus presentation. According to various examples, the survey and interview system obtains information about user characteristics such as age, gender, income level, location, interests, buying preferences, hobbies, etc.

According to various examples, the stimulus presentation system includes a data analyzer 173 associated with the data cleanser 171. The data analyzer 173 uses a variety of mechanisms to analyze underlying data in the system to determine resonance. According to various examples, the data analyzer 173 customizes and extracts the independent neurological and neuro-physiological parameters for each individual in each modality, and blends the estimates within a modality as well as across modalities to elicit an enhanced response to the presented stimulus material. In particular examples, the data analyzer 173 aggregates the response measures across subjects in a dataset.

According to various examples, neurological and neuro-physiological signatures are measured using time domain analyses and frequency domain analyses. Such analyses use parameters that are common across individuals as well as parameters that are unique to each individual. The analyses could also include statistical parameter extraction and fuzzy logic based attribute estimation from both the time and frequency components of the synthesized response.

In some examples, statistical parameters used in a blended effectiveness estimate include evaluations of skew, peaks, first and second moments, distribution, as well as fuzzy estimates of attention, emotional engagement and memory retention responses.

According to various examples, the data analyzer 173 may include an intra-modality response synthesizer and a cross-modality response synthesizer. In particular examples, the intra-modality response synthesizer is configured to customize and extract the independent neurological and neurophysiological parameters for each individual in each modality and blend the estimates within a modality analytically to elicit an enhanced response to the presented stimuli. In particular examples, the intra-modality response synthesizer also aggregates data from different subjects in a dataset.

According to various examples, the cross-modality response synthesizer or fusion device blends different intra-modality responses, including raw signals and signals output. The combination of signals enhances the measures of effectiveness within a modality. The cross-modality response fusion device can also aggregate data from different subjects in a dataset.

According to various examples, the data analyzer 173 also includes a composite enhanced effectiveness estimator (CEEE) that combines the enhanced responses and estimates from each modality to provide a blended estimate of the effectiveness. In particular examples, blended estimates are provided for each exposure of a subject to stimulus materials. The blended estimates are evaluated over time to assess resonance characteristics. According to various examples, numerical values are assigned to each blended estimate. The numerical values may correspond to the intensity of neuro-response measurements, the significance of peaks, the change between peaks, etc. Higher numerical values may correspond to higher significance in neuro-response intensity. Lower numerical values may correspond to lower significance or even insignificant neuro-response activity. In other examples, multiple values are assigned to each blended estimate. In still other examples, blended estimates of neuro-response significance are graphically represented to show changes after repeated exposure.

According to various examples, a data analyzer 173 passes data to a resonance estimator that assesses and extracts resonance patterns. In particular examples, the resonance estimator determines entity positions in various stimulus segments and matches position information with eye tracking paths while correlating saccades with neural assessments of attention, memory retention, and emotional engagement. In particular examples, the resonance estimator stores data in the priming repository system. As with a variety of the components in the system, various repositories can be co-located with the rest of the system and the user, or could be implemented in remote locations.

Data from various repositories is blended and passed to a stimulus presentation engine to generate patterns, responses, and predictions 175. In some examples, the stimulus presentation engine compares patterns and expressions associated with prior users to predict expressions of current users. According to various examples, patterns and expressions are combined with orthogonal survey, demographic, and preference data. In particular examples linguistic, perceptual, and/or motor responses are elicited and predicted. Response expression selection and pre-articulation prediction of expressive responses are also evaluated.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a particular example of a neuro-response data collection mechanism. FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a neuro-response data collection mechanism including multiple dry electrodes. According to various examples, the neuro-response data collection mechanism is a headset having point or teeth electrodes configured to contact the scalp through hair without the use of electro-conductive gels. In particular examples, each electrode is individually amplified and isolated to enhance shielding and routability. In some examples, each electrode has an associated amplifier implemented using a flexible printed circuit. Signals may be routed to a controller/processor for immediate transmission to a data analyzer or stored for later analysis. A controller/processor may be used to synchronize neuro-response data with stimulus materials. The neuro-response data collection mechanism may also have receivers for receiving clock signals and processing neuro-response signals. The neuro-response data collection mechanisms may also have transmitters for transmitting clock signals and sending data to a remote entity such as a data analyzer.

FIGS. 2B-2E illustrate top, side, rear, and perspective views of the neuro-response data collection mechanism. The neuro-response data collection mechanism includes multiple electrodes including right side electrodes 261 and 263, left side electrodes 221 and 223, front electrodes 231 and 233, and rear electrode 251. It should be noted that specific electrode arrangement may vary from implementation to implementation. However, the techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure avoid placing electrodes on the temporal region to prevent collection of signals generated based on muscle contractions. Avoiding contact with the temporal region also enhances comfort during sustained wear.

According to various examples, forces applied by electrodes 221 and 223 counterbalance forces applied by electrodes 261 and 263. In particular examples, forces applied by electrodes 231 and 233 counterbalance forces applied by electrode 251. In particular examples, the EEG dry electrodes operate to detect neurological activity with minimal interference from hair and without use of any electrically conductive gels. According to various examples, neuro-response data collection mechanism also includes EOG sensors such as sensors used to detect eye movements.

According to various examples, data acquisition using electrodes 221, 223, 231, 233, 251, 261, and 263 is synchronized with stimulus material presented to a user. Data acquisition can be synchronized with stimulus material presented by using a shared clock signal. The shared clock signal may originate from the stimulus material presentation mechanism, a headset, a cell tower, a satellite, etc. The data collection mechanism 201 also includes a transmitter and/or receiver to send collected neuro-response data to a data analysis system and to receive clock signals as needed. In some examples, a transceiver transmits all collected media such as video and/or audio, neuro-response, and sensor data to a data analyzer. In other examples, a transceiver transmits only interesting data provided by a filter. According to various examples, neuro-response data is correlated with timing information for stimulus material presented to a user.

In some examples, the transceiver can be connected to a computer system that then transmits data over a wide area network to a data analyzer. In other examples, the transceiver sends data over a wide area network to a data analyzer. Other components such as fMRI and MEG that are not yet portable but may become portable at some point may also be integrated into a headset.

It should be noted that some components of a neuro-response data collection mechanism have not been shown for clarity. For example, a battery may be required to power components such as amplifiers and transceivers. Similarly, a transceiver may include an antenna that is similarly not shown for clarity purposes. It should also be noted that some components are also optional. For example, filters or storage may not be required.

FIG. 3 illustrates examples of data models that can be used for storage of information associated with collection of neuro-response data. According to various examples, a dataset data model 301 includes a name 303 and/or identifier, client attributes 305, a subject pool 307, logistics information 309 such as the location, date, and stimulus material 311 identified using user entered information or video and audio detection.

In particular examples, a subject attribute data model 315 includes a subject name 317 and/or identifier, contact information 321, and demographic attributes 319 that may be useful for review of neurological and neuro-physiological data. Some examples of pertinent demographic attributes include marriage status, employment status, occupation, household income, household size and composition, ethnicity, geographic location, sex, race. Other fields that may be included in data model 315 include shopping preferences, entertainment preferences, and financial preferences. Shopping preferences include favorite stores, shopping frequency, categories shopped, favorite brands. Entertainment preferences include network/cable/satellite access capabilities, favorite shows, favorite genres, and favorite actors. Financial preferences include favorite insurance companies, preferred investment practices, banking preferences, and favorite online financial instruments. A variety of subject attributes may be included in a subject attributes data model 315 and data models may be preset or custom generated to suit particular purposes.

Other data models may include a data collection data model 337. According to various examples, the data collection data model 337 includes recording attributes 339, equipment identifiers 341, modalities recorded 343, and data storage attributes 345. In particular examples, equipment attributes 341 include an amplifier identifier and a sensor identifier.

Modalities recorded 343 may include modality specific attributes like EEG cap layout, active channels, sampling frequency, and filters used. EOG specific attributes include the number and type of sensors used, location of sensors applied, etc. Eye tracking specific attributes include the type of tracker used, data recording frequency, data being recorded, recording format, etc. According to various examples, data storage attributes 345 include file storage conventions (format, naming convention, dating convention), storage location, archival attributes, expiry attributes, etc.

A preset query data model 349 includes a query name 351 and/or identifier, an accessed data collection 353 such as data segments involved (models, databases/cubes, tables, etc.), access security attributes 355 included who has what type of access, and refresh attributes 357 such as the expiry of the query, refresh frequency, etc. Other fields such as push-pull preferences can also be included to identify an auto push reporting driver or a user driven report retrieval system.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of queries that can be performed to obtain data associated with neuro-response data collection. According to various examples, queries are defined from general or customized scripting languages and constructs, visual mechanisms, a library of preset queries, diagnostic querying including drill-down diagnostics, and eliciting what if scenarios. According to various examples, subject attributes queries 415 may be configured to obtain data from a neuro-informatics repository using a location 417 or geographic information, session information 421 such as timing information for the data collected. Location information 423 may also be collected. In some examples, a neuro-response data collection mechanism includes GPS or other location detection mechanisms. Demographics attributes 419 include household income, household size and status, education level, age of kids, etc.

Other queries may retrieve stimulus material recorded based on shopping preferences of subject participants, countenance, physiological assessment, completion status. For example, a user may query for data associated with product categories, products shopped, shops frequented, subject eye correction status, color blindness, subject state, signal strength of measured responses, alpha frequency band ringers, muscle movement assessments, segments completed, etc.

Response assessment based queries 437 may include attention scores 439, emotion scores, 441, retention scores 443, and effectiveness scores 445. Such queries may obtain materials that elicited particular scores. Response measure profile based queries may use mean measure thresholds, variance measures, number of peaks detected, etc. Group response queries may include group statistics like mean, variance, kurtosis, p-value, etc., group size, and outlier assessment measures. Still other queries may involve testing attributes like test location, time period, test repetition count, test station, and test operator fields. A variety of types and combinations of types of queries can be used to efficiently extract data.

FIG. 5 illustrates examples of reports that can be generated. According to various examples, client assessment summary reports 501 include effectiveness measures 503, component assessment measures 505, and neuro-response data collection measures 507. Effectiveness assessment measures include composite assessment measure(s), industry/category/client specific placement (percentile, ranking, etc.), actionable grouping assessment such as removing material, modifying segments, or fine tuning specific elements, etc, and the evolution of the effectiveness profile over time. In particular examples, component assessment reports include component assessment measures like attention, emotional engagement scores, percentile placement, ranking, etc. Component profile measures include time based evolution of the component measures and profile statistical assessments. According to various examples, reports include the number of times material is assessed, attributes of the multiple presentations used, evolution of the response assessment measures over the multiple presentations, and usage recommendations.

According to various examples, client cumulative reports 511 include media grouped reporting 513 of all stimulus assessed, campaign grouped reporting 515 of stimulus assessed, and time/location grouped reporting 517 of stimulus assessed. According to various examples, industry cumulative and syndicated reports 521 include aggregate assessment responses measures 523, top performer lists 525, bottom performer lists 527, outliers 529, and trend reporting 531. In particular examples, tracking and reporting includes specific products, categories, companies, brands.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of evaluation of stimulus presentation in a location aware and personalized manner. At 601, user information is received for a user. User information may include interests, activities, income, gender, age, ethnicity, preferences, past purchases, prior neuro-response evaluation information, etc. At 603, stimulus material may be received from various vendors, companies, firms, etc., and maintained in a stimulus repository. In other examples, stimulus material may be dynamically generated using frameworks and templates. In particular examples, stimulus material is received from companies, firms, individuals, etc., seeking to evaluate their products, product labels, displays, brochures, services, offerings, etc., in a location relevant setting. In particular examples, stimulus material is dynamically generated using information provided by advertisers.

According to various examples, location information is received at 605. Location information may be received using GPS, cellular triangulation, WiFi location services, or even manual entry. At 607, stimulus material is selected based on user information and location information. In particular examples, a user with significant past purchases in jewelry may be provided with jewelry purchase promotions upon entering a shopping center. At 609, stimulus material is presented to the user using a mall kiosk, in-store video monitor, a smart phone speaker and display, etc.

At 611, neuro-response data is received from the subject neuro-response data collection mechanism. In some particular examples, EEG, EOG, pupillary dilation, facial emotion encoding data, video, images, audio, GPS data, etc., can all be transmitted from the subject to a neuro-response data analyzer. In particular examples, only EEG data is transmitted. At 613, user location changes are monitored. New stimulus material may be presented based on user location changes. According to various examples, stimulus material can also be modified based on neuro-response data at 615. In particular examples, if a user is determined to be losing interest in a product, a different product may be presented. Alternatively, a different environment displaying the product may be presented after a transition from one store to another. According to various examples, neuro-response and associated data is transmitted directly from an EEG cap wide area network interface to a data analyzer. In particular examples, neuro-response and associated data is transmitted to a computer system that then performs compression and filtering of the data before transmitting the data to a data analyzer over a network.

According to various examples, data is also passed through a data cleanser to remove noise and artifacts that may make data more difficult to interpret. According to various examples, the data cleanser removes EEG electrical activity associated with blinking and other endogenous/exogenous artifacts. Data cleansing may be performed before or after data transmission to a data analyzer.

At 617, neuro-response data is synchronized with timing, environment, and other stimulus material data. In particular examples, neuro-response data is synchronized with a shared clock source. According to various examples, neuro-response data such as EEG and EOG data is tagged to indicate what the subject is viewing or listening to at a particular time.

At 619, data analysis is performed. Data analysis may include intra-modality response synthesis and cross-modality response synthesis to enhance effectiveness measures. It should be noted that in some particular instances, one type of synthesis may be performed without performing other types of synthesis. For example, cross-modality response synthesis may be performed with or without intra-modality synthesis.

A variety of mechanisms can be used to perform data analysis 609. In particular examples, a stimulus attributes repository is accessed to obtain attributes and characteristics of the stimulus materials, along with purposes, intents, objectives, etc. In particular examples, EEG response data is synthesized to provide an enhanced assessment of effectiveness. According to various examples, EEG measures electrical activity resulting from thousands of simultaneous neural processes associated with different portions of the brain. EEG data can be classified in various bands. According to various examples, brainwave frequencies include delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency ranges. Delta waves are classified as those less than 4 Hz and are prominent during deep sleep. Theta waves have frequencies between 3.5 to 7.5 Hz and are associated with memories, attention, emotions, and sensations. Theta waves are typically prominent during states of internal focus.

Alpha frequencies reside between 7.5 and 13 Hz and typically peak around 10 Hz. Alpha waves are prominent during states of relaxation. Beta waves have a frequency range between 14 and 30 Hz. Beta waves are prominent during states of motor control, long range synchronization between brain areas, analytical problem solving, judgment, and decision making Gamma waves occur between 30 and 60 Hz and are involved in binding of different populations of neurons together into a network for the purpose of carrying out a certain cognitive or motor function, as well as in attention and memory. Because the skull and dermal layers attenuate waves in this frequency range, brain waves above 75-80 Hz are difficult to detect and are often not used for stimuli response assessment.

However, the techniques and mechanisms of the present disclosure recognize that analyzing high gamma band (kappa-band: Above 60 Hz) measurements, in addition to theta, alpha, beta, and low gamma band measurements, enhances neurological attention, emotional engagement and retention component estimates. In particular examples, EEG measurements including difficult to detect high gamma or kappa band measurements are obtained, enhanced, and evaluated. Subject and task specific signature sub-bands in the theta, alpha, beta, gamma and kappa bands are identified to provide enhanced response estimates. According to various examples, high gamma waves (kappa-band) above 80 Hz (typically detectable with sub-cranial EEG and/or magnetoencephalography) can be used in inverse model-based enhancement of the frequency responses to the stimuli.

Various examples of the present disclosure recognize that particular sub-bands within each frequency range have particular prominence during certain activities. A subset of the frequencies in a particular band is referred to herein as a sub-band. For example, a sub-band may include the 40-45 Hz range within the gamma band. In particular examples, multiple sub-bands within the different bands are selected while remaining frequencies are band pass filtered. In particular examples, multiple sub-band responses may be enhanced, while the remaining frequency responses may be attenuated.

An information theory based band-weighting model is used for adaptive extraction of selective dataset specific, subject specific, task specific bands to enhance the effectiveness measure. Adaptive extraction may be performed using fuzzy scaling. Stimuli can be presented and enhanced measurements determined multiple times to determine the variation profiles across multiple presentations. Determining various profiles provides an enhanced assessment of the primary responses as well as the longevity (wear-out) of the marketing and entertainment stimuli. The synchronous response of multiple individuals to stimuli presented in concert is measured to determine an enhanced across subject synchrony measure of effectiveness. According to various examples, the synchronous response may be determined for multiple subjects residing in separate locations or for multiple subjects residing in the same location.

Although a variety of synthesis mechanisms are described, it should be recognized that any number of mechanisms can be applied--in sequence or in parallel with or without interaction between the mechanisms.

Although intra-modality synthesis mechanisms provide enhanced significance data, additional cross-modality synthesis mechanisms can also be applied. A variety of mechanisms such as EEG, Eye Tracking, GSR, EOG, and facial emotion encoding are connected to a cross-modality synthesis mechanism. Other mechanisms as well as variations and enhancements on existing mechanisms may also be included. According to various examples, data from a specific modality can be enhanced using data from one or more other modalities. In particular examples, EEG typically makes frequency measurements in different bands like alpha, beta and gamma to provide estimates of significance. However, the techniques of the present disclosure recognize that significance measures can be enhanced further using information from other modalities.

For example, facial emotion encoding measures can be used to enhance the valence of the EEG emotional engagement measure. EOG and eye tracking saccadic measures of object entities can be used to enhance the EEG estimates of significance including but not limited to attention, emotional engagement, and memory retention. According to various examples, a cross-modality synthesis mechanism performs time and phase shifting of data to allow data from different modalities to align. In some examples, it is recognized that an EEG response will often occur hundreds of milliseconds before a facial emotion measurement changes. Correlations can be drawn and time and phase shifts made on an individual as well as a group basis. In other examples, saccadic eye movements may be determined as occurring before and after particular EEG responses. According to various examples, time corrected GSR measures are used to scale and enhance the EEG estimates of significance including attention, emotional engagement and memory retention measures.

Evidence of the occurrence or non-occurrence of specific time domain difference event-related potential components (like the DERP) in specific regions correlates with subject responsiveness to specific stimulus. According to various examples, ERP measures are enhanced using EEG time-frequency measures (ERPSP) in response to the presentation of the marketing and entertainment stimuli. Specific portions are extracted and isolated to identify ERP, DERP and ERPSP analyses to perform. In particular examples, an EEG frequency estimation of attention, emotion and memory retention (ERPSP) is used as a co-factor in enhancing the ERP, DERP and time-domain response analysis.

EOG measures saccades to determine the presence of attention to specific objects of stimulus. Eye tracking measures the subject's gaze path, location and dwell on specific objects of stimulus. According to various examples, EOG and eye tracking is enhanced by measuring the presence of lambda waves (a neurophysiological index of saccade effectiveness) in the ongoing EEG in the occipital and extra striate regions, triggered by the slope of saccade-onset to estimate the significance of the EOG and eye tracking measures. In particular examples, specific EEG signatures of activity such as slow potential shifts and measures of coherence in time-frequency responses at the Frontal Eye Field (FEF) regions that preceded saccade-onset are measured to enhance the effectiveness of the saccadic activity data.

According to various examples, facial emotion encoding uses templates generated by measuring facial muscle positions and movements of individuals expressing various emotions prior to the testing session. These individual specific facial emotion encoding templates are matched with the individual responses to identify subject emotional response. In particular examples, these facial emotion encoding measurements are enhanced by evaluating inter-hemispherical asymmetries in EEG responses in specific frequency bands and measuring frequency band interactions. The techniques of the present disclosure recognize that not only are particular frequency bands significant in EEG responses, but particular frequency bands used for communication between particular areas of the brain are significant. Consequently, these EEG responses enhance the EMG, graphic and video based facial emotion identification.

Integrated responses are generated at 621. According to various examples, the data communication device transmits data to the response integration using protocols such as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) along with a variety of conventional, bus, wired network, wireless network, satellite, and proprietary communication protocols. The data transmitted can include the data in its entirety, excerpts of data, converted data, and/or elicited response measures. According to various examples, data is sent using telecommunications, wireless, Internet, satellite, or any other communication mechanisms that is capable of conveying information from multiple subject locations for data integration and analysis. The mechanism may be integrated in a set top box, computer system, receiver, mobile device, etc.

In particular examples, the data communication device sends data to the response integration system. According to various examples, the response integration system combines analyzed and enhanced responses to the stimulus material while using information about stimulus material attributes. In particular examples, the response integration system also collects and integrates user behavioral and survey responses with the analyzed and enhanced response data to more effectively measure and track neuro-responses to stimulus materials. According to various examples, the response integration system obtains attributes such as requirements and purposes of the stimulus material presented.

Some of these requirements and purposes may be obtained from a variety of databases. According to various examples, the response integration system also includes mechanisms for the collection and storage of demographic, statistical and/or survey based responses to different entertainment, marketing, advertising and other audio/visual/tactile/olfactory material. If this information is stored externally, the response integration system can include a mechanism for the push and/or pull integration of the data, such as querying, extraction, recording, modification, and/or updating.

The response integration system can further include an adaptive learning component that refines user or group profiles and tracks variations in the neuro-response data collection system to particular stimuli or series of stimuli over time. This information can be made available for other purposes, such as use of the information for presentation attribute decision making. According to various examples, the response integration system builds and uses responses of users having similar profiles and demographics to provide integrated responses at 621. In particular examples, stimulus and response data is stored in a repository at 623 for later retrieval and analysis.

According to various examples, various mechanisms such as the data collection mechanisms, the intra-modality synthesis mechanisms, cross-modality synthesis mechanisms, etc. are implemented on multiple devices. However, it is also possible that the various mechanisms be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software in a single system. FIG. 7 provides one example of a system that can be used to implement one or more mechanisms. For example, the system shown in FIG. 7 may be used to implement a data analyzer.

According to particular examples, a system 700 suitable for implementing particular examples of the present disclosure includes a processor 701, a memory 703, an interface 711, and a bus 715 (e.g., a PCI bus). When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware, the processor 701 is responsible for such tasks such as pattern generation. Various specially configured devices can also be used in place of a processor 701 or in addition to processor 701. The complete implementation can also be done in custom hardware. The interface 711 is typically configured to send and receive data packets or data segments over a network. Particular examples of interfaces the device supports include host bus adapter (HBA) interfaces, Ethernet interfaces, frame relay interfaces, cable interfaces, DSL interfaces, token ring interfaces, and the like.

In addition, various very high-speed interfaces may be provided such as fast Ethernet interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, ATM interfaces, HSSI interfaces, POS interfaces, FDDI interfaces and the like. Generally, these interfaces may include ports appropriate for communication with the appropriate media. In some cases, they may also include an independent processor and, in some instances, volatile RAM. The independent processors may control such communications intensive tasks as data synthesis.

According to particular examples, the system 700 uses memory 703 to store data, algorithms and program instructions. The program instructions may control the operation of an operating system and/or one or more applications, for example. The memory or memories may also be configured to store received data and process received data.

Because such information and program instructions may be employed to implement the systems/methods described herein, the present disclosure relates to tangible, machine readable media that include program instructions, state information, etc. for performing various operations described herein. Examples of machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the disclosure is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

selecting first media to present to a user based on a current location of the user;

monitoring neuro-response data gathered from the user exposed to the first media, the neuro-response data gathered from a mobile device used by the user;

determining an effectiveness of the first media based on the neuro-response data; and

selecting second media to present to the user based on the effectiveness of the first media.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the neuro-response data comprises electroencephalographic data.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the effectiveness is determined based on an interaction between two frequency bands of the electroencephalographic data.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the neuro-response data comprises electrooculographic data.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the selecting the second media occurs in real-time relative to the monitoring.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second media is a dynamic adjustment of the first media.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first media is selection selected based on user profile information comprising data indicative of previously effective media.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a portable headset.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the selecting the second media is based on a path of the user.

10. An apparatus comprising:

an analyzer to select first media to present to a user based on a current location of the user; and

a sensor to monitor neuro-response data gathered from the user exposed to the first media, the analyzer to determine an effectiveness of the first media based on the neuro-response data and select second media to present to the user based on the effectiveness of the first media.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises electrodes and the neuro-response data comprises at least one of electroencephalographic data or electrooculographic data.

12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the sensor is coupled to a portable headset.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the analyzer is to select the second media in real-time relative to the monitoring.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the analyzer is to dynamically adjust the first media to form the second media.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the analyzer is to select the first media based on user profile information comprising data indicative of previously effective media.

17. A machine readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

select first media to present to a user based on a current location of the user;

monitor neuro-response data gathered from the user exposed to the first media, the neuro-response data gathered from a mobile device used by the user;

determine an effectiveness of the first media based on the neuro-response data; and

select second media to present to the user based on the effectiveness of the first media.

18. A medium as defined in claim 17, wherein the instructions cause the machine to select the second media while monitoring the neuro-response data.

19. A medium as defined in claim 17, wherein the instructions cause the machine to dynamically adjust the first media to form the second media.

20. A medium as defined in claim 17, wherein the first media is selection based on user profile information comprising data indicative of previously effective media.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode, wherein forces applied by the first electrode and the second electrode counterbalance forces applied by the third electrode and the fourth electrode.