CASE STUDY SNAPSHOT
Customer : Leader in media space helping their customers for media strategies.Size : > 51-200
Project vertical : Consumer Electronics
Challenge : Our customer needed a solution to accurately track which program or channel people are watching for TRP Computation.
Solution : All digital audio content is embedded with watermarks, so a Customized Headless Android based Audio Watermark Extraction Device is placed near the set-top box to extract these watermarks from the audio and send the extracted data to the cloud for calculating Television Rating Points (TRP).
Services Availed : Android BSP, Linux Driver Development, SkyCase IoT Cloud
Tools and Technologies :
- Platform: NXP iMX8MQ
- Programming Language: JAVA, Embedded C
- Operating system: : Android, Linux
- Data Storage: SkyCase IoT Cloud
- Frameworks Kantar Media SyncNow, rild etc
INTRODUCTION
Our client stands as an industry pioneer in developing sophisticated solutions for Television Rating Point (TRP) computation and audio content generation. Their expertise lies in empowering broadcasters, media enterprises, and content producers with precise audience engagement analytics and enhanced media strategy optimization capabilities.
CHALLENGE
The customer wanted to precisely capture the TRP data representation of audience behavior as any discrepancies or gaps in data collection can result in skewed insights, potentially compromising strategic decision-making processes. Implementation of comprehensive security measures against unauthorized access attempts, potential data breaches, and watermark data manipulation is a critical requirement.
Also, the solution must accommodate a wide spectrum of audio formats and quality variations, which directly impact the efficiency of watermark extraction and TRP calculation processes. Finally, the development of intuitive interfaces and tools is essential to meet the diverse technical proficiency levels of the users.
SOLUTION
Our specialized Embedded Product Development teams conducted an on-site assessment at the client's R&D facility to gather comprehensive requirements for the Audio Watermark Extraction device. This collaborative approach enabled precise system requirement specification and feature alignment. It was decided to go for a Customized Headless Android System to realize the solution.
Embien assembled a dedicated project team, including a project lead, development specialists, and quality assurance engineers, establishing weekly coordination meetings. The software architecture was meticulously designed around the client's specified framework requirements. The primary deliverable was an Android APK capable of extracting audio watermarks and transmitting the processed data to cloud infrastructure for TRP calculations. The solution architecture incorporated a microphone-enabled device positioned near set-top boxes or radios for audio capture. User interaction was enabled through a remote-control interface, allowing show ratings on a 1-10 scale, with corresponding LED indicators. Network connectivity was facilitated through an LTE module, while an OLED display provided real-time date and time information.
The comprehensive solution was developed and delivered according to these specifications.
System Architecture
The Audio Watermark Extraction device comprises the following primary modules:
Android System
In our implementation, we deployed Android 11 on the iMX8MQ platform, leveraging the power of Android for development. The selection of IMX8MQ Android platform was strategic, offering optimal processing capabilities that perfectly complement Android's versatile development ecosystem. Further the Customized Headless Android System, need not have any conventional display interfaces but rather a simple OLED display for cost optimization purposes.
Watermark extractor
We utilized the licensed Kantar Media's Sync Now SDK for precise watermark extraction from media inputs. Kantar Media SyncNow, developed by the global media intelligence leader Kantar Media, represents cutting-edge technology in the content recognition and TRP Computation sphere. This sophisticated solution enables real-time identification and synchronization of television and radio content with mobile applications, promotional content, and various digital media formats.
LTE Support
To ensure robust connectivity, we implemented SIMCOM's rild.rc services, seamlessly integrating them within the Android BSP framework to enable comprehensive LTE support for the AWM device.
IR Input and OLED Display Integration
We implemented the I2C bus configuration incorporating IR input, OLED display, and GPIO expander chip functionality. Our team developed a specialized character driver enabling precise date-time configuration on the OLED, efficient IR input processing, and LED indication control.
Audio Codec
We selected the Nuvoton NAU8822 audio codec chip for managing onboard microphone and audio jack inputs. Our team engineered a custom driver for the Nuvoton chip, integrating it seamlessly with the Android BSP while optimizing the SyncNow APK for enhanced audio codec input utilization.
Deployment & Validation
Our comprehensive validation protocol included rigorous testing of the AWM device using watermarked audio through both microphone and audio jack interfaces. The Customized Headless Android System demonstrated successful data extraction and cloud transmission capabilities. We verified channel rating functionality using remote control input, where the AWM (Audio Watermark Extraction) processed IR signals and transmitted ratings to the IoT cloud, confirming successful operation through LED indication for 5-second intervals.
For IoT infrastructure, we initially utilized our SkyCase cloud server during development phases, later facilitating seamless migration to the client's proprietary cloud platform.
We executed software releases following Agile methodology, with each epic encompassing major software functionalities. The entire AWM device development lifecycle, including field testing, comprehensive documentation, and knowledge transfer, was completed within 3 months.
BENEFITS
Our solution has several key advantages:
- Accurate Media Analytics: Advanced watermark extraction and TRP rating computation enables precise, real-time media consumption tracking and audience engagement analysis.
- Cost-Effective Monitoring: Automated watermark detection significantly reduces operational costs compared to traditional manual tracking systems.
- Future-Proof Design: The solution architecture ensures adaptability to emerging watermarking technologies and evolving media analytics requirements.
- Data Analytics and Reporting: Comprehensive cloud integration provides sophisticated analytics tools for generating detailed consumption pattern reports and visualizations.
CONCLUSION
Through expert embedded software development services, Embien successfully delivered an Android-based audio watermark extraction solution, enabling the client to swiftly address emerging market opportunities using TRP Computation.
