IP Library Granted Patent US 9,020,780
Granted Patent B2
US 9,020,780 · App. 12/006,442 · Granted Apr 28, 2015

Motion detector module

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,020,780
App. No.
12/006,442
Granted
Apr 28, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a data acquisition system a sensor module includes a motion sensor and a communication controller. The motion sensor and communication controller are prepared in a form factor adapted to be received within, or otherwise readily used with, the user appliance. A data signal produced by the motion sensor is adaptable for compliance validation.

Claims (33)

1. A method, comprising:

obtaining a motion status signal from a motion sensor of an insertable storage card to be insertably coupled to a portable device;

conveying the motion status signal to a communication controller of the insertable storage card, wherein the motion sensor and the communication controller are disposed on a body of the insertable storage card to be insertably coupled to the portable device;

capturing an audio signal via a microphone disposed on an extension portion of the insertable storage card;

conveying the motion status signal to a processor of the portable device, wherein the processor is to determine if the motion status signal represents a characteristic motion of the motion sensor to validate at least a portion of media measurement data collected via the portable device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the motion sensor comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication controller comprises a Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) controller.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertable storage card comprises a mini card.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insertable storage card comprises a micro card.

7. An insertable storage card, comprising:

a motion sensor, disposed on a body portion of the insertable storage card, to capture a motion status signal;

an audio sensor, disposed on an extension portion of the insertable storage card extending from the body portion, to capture an audio signal from an environment;

a communication controller, disposed on the body portion of the insertable storage card, to receive the motion status signal and the audio signal, wherein the communication controller is to transmit data to a portable device to which the insertable storage card is insertably coupled, the portable device to evaluate the motion status signal to determine if the motion status signal represents a characteristic motion of the motion sensor, wherein the characteristic motion is used to indicate a validity of at least a portion of media measurement data collected via the portable device.

8. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

9. The insertable storage card of claim 8 , wherein the accelerometer comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

10. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the communication controller comprises a Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) controller.

11. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the insertable storage card comprises a mini card.

12. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the insertable storage card comprises a micro card.

13. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , further comprising a memory device.

14. The insertable storage card of claim 13 , wherein the memory device comprises a flash memory device.

15. The insertable storage card of claim 13 , wherein the memory device comprises an EEPROM memory device.

16. The insertable storage card of claim 13 , wherein the memory device is to assume a computer readable data state, the data state representing a stored data value.

17. The insertable storage card of claim 16 , wherein the stored data value comprises a program data value.

18. The insertable storage card of claim 16 , wherein the stored data value comprises an identity value.

19. The insertable storage card of claim 18 , wherein the identity value comprises a serial number.

20. The insertable storage card of claim 16 , wherein the stored data value comprises an encrypted stored data value.

21. The insertable storage card of claim 20 , wherein the portable device is to receive an encryption key at a communications portion.

22. The insertable storage card of claim 20 , wherein the portable device is to receive an encryption key at an input device.

23. The insertable storage card of claim 13 , wherein the memory device is to store a device driver program.

24. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the portable device is to display a reward indication on a display device.

25. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the portable device is to output an alarm signal responsive to information associated with the motion status signal.

26. The insertable storage card of claim 7 , wherein the extension portion extends from a perimeter of the body portion.

Assignments (13)
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 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: ARBITRON INC.
To: NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 032554/0759 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2008
From: ZHANG, JAMES; KRUG, WILLIAM K.
To: ARBITRON, INC.
Reel/Frame 020544/0474 →