Motion detector module

• US 20090171616A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhang, James, Krug, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,020,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/127 for acceleration values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/33 Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/41 for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas

Abstract

In a data acquisition system a sensor module includes a motion sensor and a communication controller. The motion sensor and communication controller are prepared in a form factor adapted to be received within, or otherwise readily used with, the user appliance. A data signal produced by the motion sensor is adaptable for compliance validation.

Claims

1. A sensor module for data validation comprising:

a motion sensor; and

a communication controller coupled to said motion sensor, said communication controller being adapted to receive a motion status signal from said motion sensor and transmit a further signal to an appliance to indicate a validity state of a collected data value.

2. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

3. A sensor module as defined in claim 2 where said accelerometer comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

4. A sensor module as defined in claim 2 wherein said motion sensor is adapted to produce a digital output.

5. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said communication controller comprises an SDIO controller.

6. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said motion sensor and said communication controller are disposed within an SD card.

7. A sensor module as defined in claim 6 wherein said SD card comprises a mini-SD card.

8. A sensor module as defined in claim 6 wherein said SD card comprises a micro-SD card.

9. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 further comprising a memory device.

10. A sensor module as defined in claim 9 wherein said memory device comprises a flash memory device.

11. A sensor module as defined in claim 9 wherein said memory device comprises an EEPROM memory device.

12. A sensor module as defined in claim 9 wherein said memory device is adapted to assume a computer readable data state, said data state representing a stored data value.

13. A sensor module as defined in claim 12 wherein said stored data value comprises a program data value.

14. A sensor module as defined in claim 9 wherein said memory device is adapted to store a device driver program.

15. A sensor module as defined in claim 14 wherein said device driver program is adapted for execution by a processor of said appliance.

16. A sensor module as defined in claim 14 wherein said device driver program is adapted to be compatible with a Microsoft Windows SE operating system.

17. A sensor module as defined in claim 14 wherein said device driver program is adapted to be compatible with a Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system.

18. A sensor module as defined in claim 14 wherein said device driver program is adapted to be compatible with a UNIX-based operating system.

19. A sensor module as defined in claim 18 wherein said UNIX-based operating system includes a Linux-based operating system.

20. A sensor module as defined in claim 12 wherein said stored data value comprises an identity value.

21. A sensor module as defined in claim 20 wherein said identity value comprises a serial number.

22. A sensor module as defined in claim 12 wherein said stored data value comprises an encrypted stored data value.

23. A sensor module as defined in claim 22 wherein said appliance is adapted to receive an encryption key at a communications portion thereof.

24. A sensor module as defined in claim 22 wherein said appliance is adapted to receive an encryption key at an input device thereof.

25. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said appliance is adapted to display a reward indication on a display device thereof.

26. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said appliance is adapted to output an alarm signal responsive to said validity state.

27. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said motion sensor and said communication controller are adapted to be disposed within a battery compartment of said appliance.

28. A sensor module as defined in claim 1 wherein said motion sensor comprises an integrated gyroscope.

29. A method of detecting survey participant compliance comprising:

applying an acceleration to an appliance;

receiving said acceleration at an accelerometer mechanism, a portion of the accelerometer mechanism being substantially rigidly coupled to said appliance;

receiving a compliance signal at a communications interface of said appliance, said compliance signal corresponding to said acceleration;

receiving a surveyed environmental signal at said appliance; and

determining compliance based on respective times of receiving said compliance signal and said environmental signal.

30. A method of operating a survey device comprising:

receiving a sensor module including a computer readable medium and a motion sensor into an appliance;

detecting said sensor module;

receiving a program at a processor of said appliance from said computer readable medium;

executing said operative program;

detecting a motion status with said motion sensor; and

receiving said motion status signal at said processor.

31. A method of manufacturing a survey device comprising:

receiving a device substrate;

receiving an integrated motion sensor device;

receiving an interface controller device;

mechanically coupling the integrated motion sensor device to the device substrate;

mechanically coupling the interface controller device to the device substrate;

signalingly coupling the integrated motion sensor device to the interface controller device; and

signalingly coupling the interface controller device to an output device of the device substrate.

32. A method of manufacturing a survey device as defined in claim 31 wherein said interface controller device comprises an SDIO controller device.

33. A method of manufacturing a survey device as defined in claim 31 wherein said motion controller device comprises an integrated accelerometer device.

34. A method of manufacturing a survey device as defined in claim 31 wherein said device substrate comprises an SD card device substrate.

35. A method of manufacturing a survey device as defined in claim 31 wherein said integrated motion sensor device and interface controller device comprise a single integrated device.