IP Library Granted Patent US 9,066,136
Granted Patent B2
US 9,066,136 · App. 14/253,596 · Granted Jun 23, 2015

Methods and apparatus to count audience members

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,066,136
App. No.
14/253,596
Granted
Jun 23, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus to count audience members are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part; determining a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part; determining, using a processor, a first probability that the first person is in a current audience based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold, prompting the audience to enter user identification.

Claims (26)

1. A method comprising:

determining a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determining a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determining, using a processor, a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompting the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining the first probability includes applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 , further including determining a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the determining of the first viewing count is further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.

5. A computer readable storage device comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

determine a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determine a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determine a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompt the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

6. A storage device as defined in claim 5 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first probability by applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

7. A storage device as defined in claim 5 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

8. A storage device as defined in claim 5 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first viewing count further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.

9. A measurement apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory including computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to at least:

determine a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determine a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determine a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompt the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

10. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first probability by applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

11. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

12. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9 , wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first viewing count further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.

Assignments (12)
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 May 12, 2014
From: DONATO, PAUL
To: NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH, INC.
Reel/Frame 032870/0168 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 12, 2014
From: NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH, INC.
To: NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 032874/0941 →
MERGER Recorded May 12, 2014
From: NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH, LLC
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 032870/0171 →