IP Library Granted Patent US 9,489,640
Granted Patent B2
US 9,489,640 · App. 11/777,051 · Granted Nov 8, 2016

Methods and systems for compliance confirmation and incentives

Inventors: Alan R. Neuhauser (Silver Spring, MD); Jack C. Crystal (Owings Mill, MD); Jack K. Zhang (Ijamsville, MD); Eugene L. Flanagan, III (Wilton, CT)
Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
G06Q10/00G06F19/327G06Q10/101G06Q30/0201G06Q30/0203
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,489,640
App. No.
11/777,051
Granted
Nov 8, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for monitoring use by a user of a portable research device based on one or more kinds of monitored data. Methods and systems are disclosed for monitoring use by a user of a portable research device in accordance with at least one predetermined use criterion using actively and/or passively gathered data.

Claims (28)

1. A method of monitoring use by a user of a portable research device in accordance with at least one predetermined use criterion, the method comprising:

producing passively monitored data in a portable research device, wherein a portion of the monitored data relates to the portable research device's ability to produce research data based on the portable research device's exposure to media;

communicating a request message to the portable research device from a monitoring system;

automatically producing a response message using the portable research device, the response message is at least partly based on the passively monitored data;

communicating the response message to the monitoring system; and

determining in the monitoring system, whether the use of the portable research device complies with at least one predetermined use criterion and/or a level of compliance therewith based on the passively monitored data and the response message.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request message includes a text message, a telephone call, a voice mail, an e-mail, a voice message, a sound, a plurality of sounds, a web page, an image, a light alert, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request message requests a pre-determined response that acknowledges receipt of the request message.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the request message is accompanied by data of interest to the user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the response message is generated by selecting stored data using a message input.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the response message is generated in response to a request for a pre-determined response.

7. A method of monitoring use by a user of a portable research device in accordance with at least one predetermined use criterion, the method comprising:

communicating a request message to the portable research device, the request message requesting data representing an ability of the portable research device to gather, store and/or communicate research data pertaining to the portable research device's exposure to media;

receiving a response message communicated from the portable research device including the requested data; and

storing data indicating whether the user is in compliance with the at least one predetermined use criterion and/or a level of the user's compliance therewith based on the received data.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the request message includes a text message, a telephone call, a voice mail, an e-mail, a voice message, a sound, a plurality of sounds, a web page, an image, a light alert, or a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the request message is accompanied by data of interest to the user.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the response message is generated by selecting stored data using a message input.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the response message is generated in response to a request for a pre-determined response.

12. A system for monitoring use by a user of a portable research device in accordance with at least one predetermined use criterion, the system comprising:

communications operative to communicate a request message to the portable research device, the request message requesting data representing an ability of the portable research device to gather, store and/or communicate research data pertaining to the portable research device's exposure to media;

the communications being operative to receive a response message communicated from the portable research device including the requested data;

a processor coupled with the communications to produce data indicating whether the user is in compliance with the at least one predetermined use criterion and/or a level of the user's compliance therewith based on the received data; and

storage coupled with the processor to receive and store the compliance data.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the request message includes a text message, a telephone call, a voice mail, an e-mail, a voice message, a sound, a plurality of sounds, a web page, an image, a light alert, or a combination thereof.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the request message is accompanied by data of interest to the user.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the response message is generated by selecting stored data using a message input.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the response message is generated in response to a request for a pre-determined response.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 037172 / FRAME 0415) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 061750/0221 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2015
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY ((US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR THE FIRST LIEN SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 037172/0415 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 032554/0801 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: ARBITRON INC.
To: NIELSEN HOLDINGS N.V.
Reel/Frame 032554/0765 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: ARBITRON INC.
To: NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 032554/0759 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2008
From: FLANAGAN, EUGENE L., III
To: ARBITRON INC.
Reel/Frame 020477/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2008
From: NEUHAUSER, ALAN R., MR.; CRYSTAL, JACK C., MR.; ZHANG, JACK C., MR.
To: ARBITRON INC.
Reel/Frame 020313/0965 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60831744 · Jul 12, 2006
Related Publication 20080091087A1 · Apr 17, 2008