IP Library Granted Patent US 11,357,433
Granted Patent B2
US 11,357,433 · App. 15/192,659 · Granted Jun 14, 2022

Methods and apparatus to gather and analyze electroencephalographic data

Inventors: Bradley R. Lawrence (Tampa, FL); Michael A. Hicks (Clearwater, FL)
Assignee: Nielsen Consumer LLC
A61B5/291A61B5/165A61B5/6803A61B5/6814A61B5/7221A61B5/6844
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,357,433
App. No.
15/192,659
Granted
Jun 14, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset disclosed herein includes a cap to be worn on a head of a person and a first electrode carried by the cap. The first electrode holder defines a first opening therethrough. The example headset includes a first electrode that insertable into the first opening. The first electrode has a first length and is adjustable in the first opening to a first plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The first electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening. The example headset also includes a second electrode that is interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the first opening. The second electrode has a second length, greater than the first length, and is adjustable in the first opening to a second plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The second electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening.

Claims (40)

1. A headset comprising:

a cap to be worn on a head of a person, the cap including a first opening; and

an electrode holder including:

a base in the first opening of the cap, the base including a second opening aligned with the first opening; and

a grip cantilevered from the base the grip extending upward from the cap and away from a central axis of the second opening such that a gap is defined between the grip and the cap, the gap sized to receive a finger of a user, the gap maintained while an electrode is inserted through the second opening toward the head of the person.

2. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the grip is a first grip and the gap is a first gap, the electrode holder further including a second grip extending upward from the cap and away from the central axis of the second opening such that a second gap is defined between the second grip and the cap.

3. The headset of claim 2 , wherein the second grip extends away from the central axis of the second opening in a direction opposite of the first grip.

4. The headset of claim 2 , wherein the finger is a first finger, wherein the first gap is positioned to receive the first finger of the user, and the second gap is positioned to receive a second finger of the user.

5. The headset of claim 1 , further including the electrode.

6. The headset of claim 5 , wherein the electrode includes a housing and a pin extending from a first end of the housing.

7. The headset of claim 6 , wherein the housing includes a handle having a plurality of grips or ribs.

8. The headset of claim 7 , wherein the handle is operable to change a position of the electrode relative to the second opening.

9. The headset of claim 7 , wherein the handle is an insulator.

10. The headset of claim 5 , wherein the electrode holder is a first electrode holder, further including a second electrode holder having a third opening defined through the cap, the electrode insertable into the third opening.

11. The headset of claim 5 , wherein the electrode is removable from the cap.

12. The headset of claim 5 , wherein the electrode is a first electrode, further including a second electrode interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the second opening.

13. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the base has a groove in an outer surface of the base, and the cap extends into the groove.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a cap be worn on a head of a person, the cap including a first opening;

an electrode holder including:

a base coupled to the cap at the first opening, the base including a second opening aligned with the first opening;

a first grip cantilevered from the base, the first grip extending upward from the base and away from a central axis of the second opening; and

a second grip cantilevered from the base, the second grip extending upward from the base and away from the central axis of the second opening; and

an electrode insertable into the second opening of the base, the first grip and the second grip to provide leverage when changing a position of the electrode relative to the second opening.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second grip extends away from the central axis of the second opening in a direction opposite of the first grip.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the electrode includes a housing, a pin extending from a first end of the housing, and a handle coupled to a second end of the housing.

17. A method comprising:

placing a cap of a headset on a head of a person, the cap including a first opening, the headset including an electrode holder, the electrode holder including:

a base in the first opening of the cap, the base including a second opening aligned with the first opening;

a grip cantilevered from the base the grip extending upward from the cap and away from a central axis of the second opening such that a gap is defined between the grip and the cap, the gap sized to receive a finger of a user; and

a retainer coupled within the second opening;

inserting an electrode into the second opening while the cap is disposed on the head of the person, the gap maintained while the electrode is inserted into the second opening and toward the head of the person, the electrode including an elongated sheath having a plurality of ribs to engage the retainer; and

adjusting a depth of the electrode within the second opening by removably securing the electrode in one of a plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the second opening defined by an interface between the plurality of ribs and the retainer, the grip to provide leverage when changing the depth of the electrode.

18. The method of claim 17 , further including indicating, via a display screen, when the electrode is inserted in the second opening and engaged with the retainer.

19. The method of claim 18 , further including indicating, via the display screen, when the electrode is in contact with the head of the person.

20. The method of claim 17 , further including:

analyzing a quality of a signal gathered by the electrode;

performing a comparison of the quality to a threshold quality;

determining that the quality is acceptable or unacceptable based on the comparison; and

indicating, via a light, whether the quality is unacceptable.

Assignments (8)
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 Mar 25, 2021
From: NIELSEN CONSUMER LLC; BYZZER INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055742/0719 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2021
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER LLC
Reel/Frame 055557/0949 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2021
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: NIELSEN CONSUMER LLC
Reel/Frame 055265/0878 →
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2016
From: LAWRENCE, BRADLEY R.; HICKS, MICHAEL A.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 039045/0479 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 14206529 · Mar 12, 2014
Related Publication 20160302683A1 · Oct 20, 2016