IP Library Granted Patent US 11,019,301
Granted Patent B2
US 11,019,301 · App. 16/452,485 · Granted May 25, 2021

Methods and apparatus to perform an automated gain control protocol with an amplifier based on historical data corresponding to contextual data

Inventors: John T. Livoti (Clearwater, FL); Susan Cimino (Odessa, FL); Rajakumar Madhanganesh (Tampa, FL); Stanley Wellington Woodruff (Palm Harbor, FL)
Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
H04N5/52H03G3/3052H04L65/60H04B1/123
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,019,301
App. No.
16/452,485
Granted
May 25, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus to perform an automated gain control protocol with an amplifier based on historical data corresponding to contextual data are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include a first controller to, in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, determine the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data. Disclosed example apparatus also include a processor to perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter. Disclosed example apparatus further include a second controller to update the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

Claims (71)

1. An apparatus comprising:

storage to store historical data;

a first controller to, in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on the historical data corresponding to contextual data;

a processor to perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

a second controller to store a result of the AGC protocol in conjunction with the contextual data in the storage to update the historical data.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a first controller to, in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data, the contextual data including at least one of a time during which the AGC protocol is performed, a panelist identified by a meter, demographics of an audience identified by the meter, a location of the meter, a station identified by the meter, a media type identified by the meter, or a sound pressure level identified by the meter;

a processor to perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

a second controller to update the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the historical data includes gain levels from previous AGC protocols.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the AGC parameter is at least one of an initial gain level of the AGC protocol or a range of gain levels to apply in the AGC protocol.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein to perform the AGC protocol, the processor is to:

initialize an adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol to an initial gain level corresponding to the selected AGC parameter;

adjust the adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

after the adjustment of the adjustable gain level, select a resulting gain level of the adjustable gain level to be the result of the AGC protocol.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a first controller to, in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data, the first controller to select the AGC parameter by:

obtaining the contextual data from a meter;

identifying one or more prior gain levels included in a portion of the historical data stored in conjunction with at least a portion of the contextual data; and

determining the AGC parameter based on the one or more prior gain levels;

a processor to perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

a second controller to update the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the one or more prior gain levels include a plurality of prior gain levels, and the first controller is to determine the AGC parameter based on a weighted average of the plurality of prior gain levels.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the historical data is stored in conjunction with prior contextual data.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:

store historical data;

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on the historical data corresponding to contextual data;

perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

store a result of the AGC protocol in conjunction with the contextual data to update the historical data.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data, the contextual data including at least one of a time during which the AGC protocol is performed, a panelist identified by a meter, demographics of an audience identified by the meter, a location of the meter, a station identified by the meter, a media type identified by the meter, or a sound pressure level identified by the meter;

perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

update the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the historical data includes gain levels from previous AGC protocols.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the AGC parameter is at least one of an initial gain level of the AGC protocol or a range of gain levels to apply in the AGC protocol.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein to perform the AGC protocol, the instructions cause the one or more processors to:

initialize an adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol to an initial gain level corresponding to the selected AGC parameter;

adjust the adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

after the adjustment of the adjustable gain level, select a resulting gain level of the adjustable gain level to be the result of the AGC protocol.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, select the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data by:

obtaining the contextual data from a meter;

identifying one or more prior gain levels included in a portion of the historical data stored in conjunction with at least a portion of the contextual data; and

determining the AGC parameter based on the one or more prior gain levels;

perform the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

update the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the one or more prior gain levels include a plurality of prior gain levels, and the instructions cause the one or more processors to determine the AGC parameter based on a weighted average of the plurality of prior gain levels.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the historical data is stored in conjunction with prior contextual data.

17. A method comprising:

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, selecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data;

performing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

storing, by executing an instruction with the processor, a result of the AGC protocol in conjunction with the contextual data to update the historical data.

18. A method comprising:

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, selecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data, the contextual data including at least one of a time during which the AGC protocol is performed, a panelist identified by a meter, demographics of an audience identified by the meter, a location of the meter, a station identified by the meter, a media type identified by the meter, or a sound pressure level identified by the meter;

performing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

updating, by executing an instruction with the processor, the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the historical data includes gain levels from previous AGC protocols.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the AGC parameter is at least one of an initial gain level of the AGC protocol or a range of gain levels to apply in the AGC protocol.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein to perform the AGC protocol, further including:

initializing an adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol to an initial gain level corresponding to the selected AGC parameter;

adjusting the adjustable gain level of the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

after the adjustment of the adjustable gain level, selecting a resulting gain level of the adjustable gain level to be the result of the AGC protocol.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the historical data is stored in conjunction with prior contextual data.

23. A method comprising:

in response to a trigger to identify an automatic gain control (AGC) parameter for an AGC protocol, selecting, by executing an instruction with a processor, the AGC parameter for the AGC protocol based on historical data corresponding to contextual data by:

obtaining the contextual data from a meter;

identifying one or more prior gain levels included in a portion of the historical data stored in conjunction with at least a portion of the contextual data; and

determining the AGC parameter based on the one or more prior gain levels;

performing, by executing an instruction with the processor, the AGC protocol based on the selected AGC parameter; and

updating, by executing an instruction with the processor, the historical data based on the contextual data and a result of the AGC protocol.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the one or more prior gain levels include a plurality of prior gain levels, further including determining the AGC parameter based on a weighted average of the plurality of prior gain levels.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, 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 →
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 Feb 17, 2020
From: LIVOTI, JOHN T.; CIMINO, SUSAN; WOODRUFF, STANLEY WELLINGTON; MADHANGANESH, RAJAKUMAR
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 051834/0656 →