Methods and apparatus for indirect illumination in electronic media rating systems

1. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system; and

a non-visible light source, wherein the light source is positioned to provide indirect illumination of an audience member, wherein the non-visible light source is positioned to reflect emitted non-visible light off of a room surface, and wherein the room surface is a ceiling.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the non-visible light source emits infrared light.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the image processor is responsive to non-visible light.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 , further comprising a light filter to block visible light from being received by the audience image detection system.

5. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the image processor is to receive and process reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the image processor is to receive and process reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member.

7. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the non-visible light source is at least substantially located behind a cover.

8. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system; and

a non-visible light source, wherein the light source is positioned to provide indirect illumination of an audience member, and wherein the non-visible light source is at a height to substantially reduce awareness of the illuminator.

9. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system;

a non-visible light source, wherein the light source is positioned to provide indirect illumination of an audience member; and

a light measuring device; and wherein an output of the light measuring device is used to determine an operation of the non-visible light source.

10. A system as defined in claim 9 , wherein if sufficient ambient room light is present, the non-visible light source is turned off, and the audience image detection system receives and processes reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member.

11. A system as defined in claim 9 , wherein if insufficient ambient room light is present, the non-visible light source is turned on, and the audience image detection system receives and processes reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member.

12. A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the audience image detection system is responsive to both non-visible and visible light.

13. A system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a light filter to block visible light.

14. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system;

a non-visible light source, wherein the light source is positioned to provide indirect illumination of an audience member; and

a light filter to block visible light, wherein the light filter is configurable to be bypassed.

15. A system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the audience image detection system controls the configuring of the bypass of the light filter based an output of a light measuring device.

16. A system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a motor to adjust the non-visible light source.

17. A system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the motor is controlled by the audience image detection system.

18. A system as defined in claim 17 , wherein the audience image detection system controls the motor to illuminate a portion of a room.

19. A system as defined in claim 18 , wherein the portion of the room is adjusted as the audience member changes location.

20. A system as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a reflector.

21. A system as defined in claim 20 , wherein the non-visible light source is adjustable to reflect emitted non-visible light off of the reflector.