Methods and Apparatus for Indirect Illumination in Electronic Media Rating Systems

• US 20080271065A1
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Venugopal, Nielsen, Christen Voss, Buonasera, John William
• Granted Patent: US 7,631,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for indirect illumination in electronic media rating systems are disclosed. A disclosed electronic media rating system comprises an audience image detection system and a non-visible light source to provide indirect illumination of an audience member.

Claims

1. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system; and

a non-visible light source, wherein the light source is positioned to provide indirect illumination of an audience member.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-visible light source emits infrared light.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-visible light source is positioned to reflect emitted non-visible light off of a room surface.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein the room surface is a ceiling.

6. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the image processor is responsive to non-visible light.

7. A system as defined in claim 6, further comprising a light filter to block visible light from being received by the audience image detection system.

11. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the image processor is to receive and process reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member.

12. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the image processor is to receive and process reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member.

20. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-visible light source is at least substantially located behind a cover.

21. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-visible light source is at a height to substantially reduce awareness of the illuminator.

22. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a light measuring device;

and wherein an output of the light measuring device is used to determine an operation of the non-visible light source.

23. A system as defined in claim 22, wherein if sufficient ambient room light is present, the non-visible light source is turned off, and the audience image detection system receives and processes reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member.

24. A system as defined in claim 22, wherein if insufficient ambient room light is present, the non-visible light source is turned on, and the audience image detection system receives and processes reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member.

25. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the audience image detection system is responsive to both non-visible and visible light.

26. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a light filter to block visible light.

27. A system as defined in claim 26, wherein the light filter is configurable to be bypassed.

28. A system as defined in claim 27, wherein the audience image detection system controls the configuring of the bypass of the light filter based an output of a light measuring device.

29. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a motor to adjust the non-visible light source.

31. A system as defined in claim 29, wherein the motor is controlled by the audience image detection system.

32. A system as defined in claim 31, wherein the audience image detection system controls the motor to illuminate a portion of a room.

34. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein the portion of the room is adjusted as the audience member changes location.

37. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a reflector.

38. A system as defined in claim 37, wherein the non-visible light source is adjustable to reflect emitted non-visible light off of the reflector.

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40. An indirect illuminator for an electronic media rating system comprising:

a non-visible light source; and

a mounting bracket to adjust an angle of the non-visible light source to track a position of an audience member to provide indirect illumination of the audience member.

41. An illuminator as defined in claim 40, wherein the non-visible light source emits infrared light.

42. An illuminator as defined in claim 40, wherein the angle of the non-visible light source causes illumination of a room to occur via reflection of non-visible light emitted by the non-visible light source off a room surface.

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55. A method for detecting an audience member comprising:

providing indirect illumination of the audience member with non-visible light;

receiving reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member; and

processing the received light signals to detect or identify the audience member.

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