IP Library Granted Patent US 8,098,152
Granted Patent B2
US 8,098,152 · App. 12/563,582 · Granted Jan 17, 2012

Universal display exposure monitor using personal locator service

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,098,152
App. No.
12/563,582
Granted
Jan 17, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for gathering data concerning exposure of predetermined survey participants to media displays are provided. A portable monitor is arranged to receive certain types of terrestrial-based signals, and in some specific cases, satellite-based signals, and to use such signals to generate location data indicative of a location of the portable monitor. The location data and stored media display data is analyzed to evaluate the survey participant's exposure to one or more media displays.

Claims (24)

1. A method comprising the steps of:

generating location data in a portable monitor configured to be carried on the person of a survey participant;

receiving media display data in the portable monitor, said media display data indicating media displays to which the portable monitor was exposed to;

receiving additional media data in the portable monitor, said additional media data indicating exposure of the portable monitor to acoustic audio; and

processing the location data, media display data and additional media data in the portable monitor to evaluate the portable monitor's exposure to media displays and acoustic audio.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating location data comprises using satellite-based signals in order to generate the location data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the satellite-based signals comprise global positioning system signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein generating location data comprises using terrestrial-based signals in order to generate the location data.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein generating location data comprises using a technique comprising at least one of an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating location data is performed periodically or from time to time.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating location data comprises using a technique comprising at least one of an angle of arrival technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional media data is indicative of the survey participant's exposure to one of broadcast or streaming media data.

9. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the location data generated by the location data generator comprises satellite-based signals.

10. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data generated by the location data generator comprises terrestrial-based signals.

11. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data generator generates location data using a technique comprising at least one of an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

12. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data is generated periodically or from time to time.

13. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the location data generator generates location data using a technique comprising at least one of an angle of arrival technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

14. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the additional media data is indicative of the survey participant's exposure to one of broadcast or streaming media data.

15. A portable monitoring system configured to be carried on the person of a survey participant, comprising:

a location data generator for generating location data in the portable monitoring system;

a first input for receiving media display data, said media display data indicating media displays to which the portable monitoring system was, exposed to;

a second input for receiving additional media data, said additional media data indicating exposure of the portable monitoring system to acoustic audio; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the location data generator, the first input and second input, wherein said processor analyzes the location data, media display data and additional media data to evaluate the portable monitor's exposure to media displays and acoustic audio.

16. The portable monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the satellite-based signals comprise global positioning system signals.

Assignments (12)
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 →
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 →
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 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: ARBITRON INC.
To: NIELSEN HOLDINGS N.V.
Reel/Frame 032554/0765 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 032554/0801 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 28, 2014
From: ARBITRON INC.
To: NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.
Reel/Frame 032554/0759 →