METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COOPERATOR INSTALLED METERS

• US 20090055854A1
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: Ramaswamy, Arun, Wright, David Howell, Nielsen, Christen Voss, Stokes, Robert Joel
• Application Number:
  US12/088,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20090055854A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/43 for identifying broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/52 of users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for cooperator installed meters are disclosed. An example method includes receiving audience information, configuring the audience meter based on the audience information, placing the audience meter in a sleep mode, and shipping the audience meter to a location associated with the audience information.

Claims

1. A method to configure an audience meter comprising:

receiving audience information;

configuring the audience meter based on the audience information;

placing the audience meter in a sleep mode; and

shipping the audience meter to a location associated with the audience information.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving audience information comprises receiving at least one of a name, an age, an occupation, a gender, or an indication of technical competence.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising selecting an audience meter type based on the received audience information.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the audience meter type comprises at least one of a cabled meter or a non-cabled meter.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein shipping the audience meter further comprises sending at least one audience meter connector if the audience meter is cabled.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein configuring the audience meter comprises storing at least one instruction in a memory of the audience meter, the at least one instruction comprising at least one of an audience meter installation instruction or an audience meter training instruction.

10. A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising presenting the at least one instruction to the audience in response to a signal indicative of receipt of the audience meter.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising entering an installation mode in response to receiving the signal.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising placing the audience meter in an installation mode when the audience meter is received by an audience member.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein the audience meter presents at least one installation instruction to the audience member.

16. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the audience meter employs at least one sensor to confirm compliance of the at least one installation instruction.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, a voltage sensor, or a current sensor.

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21. An audience installed audience meter comprising:

a memory to store an installation instruction; and

a setup director to present at least one of installation instructions in response to an input from at least one audience member.

22. A meter as defined in claim 21, further comprising an input/output (I/O) module to receive a request from the at least one audience member to present the user instructions.

24. A meter as defined in claim 21, further comprising an input/output (I/O) module to present the user instructions to the at least one audience member.

25. A meter as defined in claim 24, wherein the I/O module comprises at least one of a speaker to present the installation instructions, a port connector to transmit the instructions to an information presenting device, or a display to display the instructions to the at least one audience member.

28. A meter as defined in claim 21, further comprising a proximity detector to confirm compliance with the installation instructions.

29. A meter as defined in claim 28, wherein the proximity detector comprises an audio detector to determine a proximity to an information presenting device.

31. A meter as defined in claim 21, further comprising a processor to detect a line voltage, the setup director to invoke the at least one installation instruction to plug-in the meter when line voltage is absent.

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39. A mailable meter comprising:

a housing;

an input device;

an output device; and

processor programmed to have a pre-shipment mode, a shipment mode, a setup mode, and a post-setup mode.

40. A mailable meter as defined in claim 39, further comprising configuring the mailable meter for a household member, the mailable meter configured in the pre-shipment mode.

44. A mailable meter as defined in claim 39, further comprising providing video overlay information to an audience member during at least one of the setup mode or the post-setup mode.

45. A mailable meter as defined in claim 44, wherein the video overlay information provided in the setup mode comprises at least one of textual installation instructions or installation diagrams.

46. A mailable meter as defined in claim 45, wherein the installation diagrams comprise at least one of a video splitter, an audio splitter, a radio frequency (RF) coaxial connector, or an audio/video (A/V) connector diagram.

48. A mailable meter as defined in claim 39, further comprising storing, during the setup mode, at least one of a voice signature, an image signature, or a radio frequency (RF) signal.

49. A mailable meter as defined in claim 48, wherein the at least one of the voice signature, the image signature, or the RF signal is associated with an audience member.

51. A mailable meter as defined in claim 39, wherein the processor executes in a sleep mode during the shipment mode of the mailable meter.

54. A mailable meter as defined in claim 39, further comprising playing audio setup instructions to an audience member in response to starting the setup mode.

55. A mailable meter as defined in claim 54, wherein the audio setup instructions are played via audio speakers built-in to the mailable meter.

56. A mailable meter as defined in claim 55, wherein the audio setup instructions request the audience member acknowledge receipt of the instructions via an audience member input button.

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