IP Library Granted Patent US 9,692,535
Granted Patent B2
US 9,692,535 · App. 13/473,320 · Granted Jun 27, 2017

Methods and apparatus for automatic TV on/off detection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,692,535
App. No.
13/473,320
Granted
Jun 27, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatic TV ON/OFF detection. An example method includes detecting a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes comparing, using a processor, a measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device to a first threshold. The method also includes comparing the measurement to a second threshold. The method also includes storing an indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Claims (54)

1. A method to detect a power state of an information presentation device, the method comprising:

storing a first indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if a first measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold;

in response to determining that the information presentation device is in the indeterminate state:

initiating a delay period at a first time and

comparing a plurality of second measurements to the first threshold, respective ones of the second measurements indicative of the amount of power drawn by the information presentation device at respective times during the delay period; and

after the first time, at least one of:

when the information presentation device is detected at a second time as being in an OFF power state based on at least one of the plurality of second measurements being less than the first threshold, storing a second indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the OFF power state for a duration between the first and second times; or

when the information presentation device is detected at the second time as being in an ON power state based on the plurality of second measurements being greater than the first threshold, storing a third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including, when the information presentation device is in the indeterminate state:

identifying a previous power state associated with the information presentation device, the storing of the third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times being further based on the previous power state being the OFF power state.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including:

when the information presentation device is detected as being in the ON power state, interrupting the delay period.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including adjusting the second threshold based on the third indication.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third indication indicates that audio data was received from the information presentation device.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third indication indicates that video data was received from the information presentation device.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate state of the information presentation device is identifiable separate from the OFF power state which is identifiable when the first measurement is less than the first threshold.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate state of the information presentation device is identifiable separate from the ON power state which is identifiable when the first measurement is greater than the second threshold.

9. An apparatus to detect a power state of an information presentation device, comprising:

memory to store a first indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state when a first measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device is greater than a first threshold and the first measurement is less than a second threshold;

a timer to initiate a delay period at a first time in response to the indication of the indeterminate state;

a comparator to compare a plurality of measurements to the first threshold, respective ones of the plurality of measurements indicative of the amount of power drawn by the information presentation device at respective times during the delay period; and

the memory further to, at least one of:

when the information presentation device is detected in an OFF power state at a second time based on at least one of the plurality of measurements being less than the first threshold, store a second indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the OFF power state for a duration between the first and second times; or

when the information presentation device is detected in an ON power state at the second time based on none of the plurality of measurements being less than the first threshold, store a third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 , further including a checker to determine a previous power state of the information presentation device in response to the first indication that the information presentation device is in the indeterminate state, the third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times is to be further based on the previous power state being the OFF power state.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the checker is to determine that the information presentation device was in the OFF power state during the delay period when the information presentation device is detected in the OFF power state at the second time.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the checker is to determine that the information presentation device was in the ON power state when the information presentation device is detected in the ON power state at the second time.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 , wherein the checker is to determine that the information presentation device is in the OFF power state when the first measurement is less than the first threshold.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 , further including a detector to interrupt the delay period in response to detecting that the information presentation device is in the ON power state at the second time during the delay period.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 , wherein the third indication indicates that audio data was received from the information presentation device.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 , wherein the third indication indicates that video data was received from the information presentation device.

17. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

store a first indication that an information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if a first measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold;

based on a determination that the information presentation device is in the indeterminate state:

initiate a delay period at a first time and

compare a plurality of second measurements to the first threshold, respective ones of the second measurements indicative of the amount of power drawn by the information presentation device at respective times during the delay period; and

after the first time, at least one of:

when the information presentation device is detected at a second time as being in an OFF power state based on at least one of the plurality of second measurements being less than the first threshold, store a second indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the OFF power state for a duration between the first and second times; or

when the information presentation device is detected at the second time as being in an ON power state based on none of the plurality of second measurements being less than the first threshold, store a third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times.

18. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions are to further cause the machine to, when the information presentation device is in the indeterminate state:

identify a previous power state associated with the information presentation device the third indication to back credit the information presentation device as being in the ON power state for the duration between the first and second times to be further based on the previous power state being the OFF power state.

19. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions are to further cause the machine to store an indication that the information presentation device is in the OFF power state if the first measurement is less than the first threshold.

20. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions are to further cause the machine to store an indication that the information presentation device is in the ON power state if the first measurement is greater than the second threshold.

21. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions are to further cause the machine to interrupt the delay period when the information presentation device is detected as being in the ON power state during the delay period.

22. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the instructions are to further cause the machine to adjust the second threshold based on the third indication.

23. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the storing of the second indication facilitates not crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

24. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the storing of the third indication facilitates crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

25. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including selecting a duration of the delay period based on a power down duration of the information presentation device.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein the second indication is to facilitate not crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein the third indication is to facilitate crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein a duration of the delay period is based on a power down duration of the information presentation device.

29. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the second indication is to facilitate not crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

30. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein the third indication is to facilitate crediting media detected between the first and second times as being exposed to an audience.

31. The tangible computer readable medium as defined in claim 17 , wherein a duration of the delay period is based on a power down duration of the information presentation device.

Assignments (10)
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 Jul 6, 2012
From: LISS, MICHAEL JORDAN; HORNER, RICHARD LEE; VITT, JAMES JOSEPH; CONKLIN, CHARLES CLINTON
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028501/0276 →