METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INDIRECT ILLUMINATION IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA RATING SYSTEMS

• US 20100045972A1
• Filed: 10/27/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Nielsen Company (US) LLC (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: Srinivasan, Venugopal, Nielsen, Christen Voss, Buonasera, John William
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/51
• 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 example method includes reflecting infrared light off of a room ceiling to indirectly illuminate the audience member, receiving reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member, blocking visible light prior to receiving the reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member, and processing the received reflections to detect the audience member.

Claims

1. A method for improving accuracy in detecting an audience member, comprising:

reflecting infrared light off of a room ceiling to indirectly illuminate the audience member;

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

blocking visible light prior to receiving the reflections of the indirect illumination off of the audience member; and

processing the received reflections to detect the audience member.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising using an output of a light measuring device to control the indirect illumination.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising:

turning off the indirect illumination when sufficient ambient room light is present;

receiving reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member; and

processing the ambient light reflections to detect the audience member.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving reflections of ambient room light off of the audience member; and

processing the ambient light reflections to detect the audience member.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising adjusting an angle of the infrared light relative to the room ceiling.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising reflecting the infrared light off of the room ceiling at least one of constantly, periodically, or aperiodically.