METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR SHOPPERS IN A MONITORED ENVIRONMENT

• US 20120268252A1
• Filed: 05/18/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Consumer LLC (Nielsen Holdings plc)
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Morris, Ramaswamy, Arun
• Granted Patent: US 9,269,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/52 of users

Abstract

An example disclosed method involves collecting first data with first sensors fixed at entrances or exits of aisles in a retail or commercial establishment, and collecting second data with second sensors fixed in the retail or commercial establishment. The first sensors to collect the first data by detecting a first signal type different from a second signal type detected by the second sensors. The example method also involves generating a path of travel of a person in the retail or commercial establishment using the second data, and correcting an error in the path of travel based on the first data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

collecting first data with first sensors fixed at entrances or exits of aisles in a retail or commercial establishment;

collecting second data with second sensors fixed in the retail or commercial establishment, the first sensors to collect the first data by detecting a first signal type different from a second signal type detected by the second sensors;

generating a path of travel of a person in the retail or commercial establishment using the second data; and

correcting an error in the path of travel based on the first data.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the path of travel is determined regardless of whether the person has a shopping cart.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the second sensors are Bluetooth sensors to be in communication with a mobile Bluetooth-capable device associated with the person.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first signal type is infrared, and the second signal type is radio frequency.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein correcting the error in the path of travel is based on:

one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered a first aisle at a first time;

one or more of the second sensors indicating that the person is at a first location in the first aisle at a second time, and indicating that the person is at a second location in a second aisle at a third time; and

determining that the second location is in error based on the first location being in the first aisle and the one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered the first aisle.

6. An apparatus comprising:

first sensors fixed at entrances or exits of aisles in a retail or commercial establishment to collect first data;

second sensors fixed in the retail or commercial establishment to collect second data, the first sensors to collect the first data by detecting a first signal type different from a second signal type detected by the second sensors;

a processor to generate a path of travel of a person in the retail or commercial establishment using the second data; and

a data modifier to correct an error in the path of travel based on the first data.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the processor is to determine the path of travel regardless of whether the person has a shopping cart.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the second sensors are Bluetooth sensors to be in communication with a mobile Bluetooth-capable device associated with the person.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the first signal type is infrared, and the second signal type is radio frequency.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein correcting the error in the path of travel is based on:

one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered a first aisle at a first time;

one or more of the second sensors indicating that the person is at a first location in the first aisle at a second time, and indicating that the person is at a second location in a second aisle at a third time; and

determining that the second location is in error based on the first location being in the first aisle and the one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered the first aisle.

11. A tangible computer readable storage medium comprising instructions to cause a machine to at least:

collect first data via first sensors fixed at entrances or exits of aisles in a retail or commercial establishment;

collect second data via second sensors fixed in the retail or commercial establishment, the first sensors to collect the first data by detecting a first signal type different from a second signal type detected by the second sensors;

generate a path of travel of a person in the retail or commercial establishment using the second data; and

correct an error in the path of travel based on the first data.

12. A computer readable storage medium defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to determine the path of travel regardless of whether the person has a shopping cart.

13. A computer readable storage medium defined in claim 11, wherein the second sensors are Bluetooth sensors to be in communication with a mobile Bluetooth-capable device associated with the person.

14. A computer readable storage medium defined in claim 11, wherein the first signal type is infrared, and the second signal type is radio frequency.

15. A computer readable storage medium defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to correct the error in the path of travel based on:

one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered a first aisle at a first time;

one or more of the second sensors indicating that the person is at a first location in the first aisle at a second time, and indicating that the person is at a second location in a second aisle at a third time; and

determining that the second location is in error based on the first location being in the first aisle and the one of the first sensors indicating that the person entered the first aisle.