Methods and apparatus for indirect illumination in electronic media rating systems

• US 7,631,324 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B.
• Application Number:
  US11/916,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20080271065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 725/9, 725/10, 725/12
• US Class Current: 725/12
• 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, wherein the non-visible light source is positioned to reflect emitted non-visible light off of a room surface, and wherein the room surface is a ceiling.

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 image processor is responsive to non-visible light.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, further comprising a light filter to block visible light from being received by the audience image detection system.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

17. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein the motor is controlled by the audience image detection system.

18. A system as defined in claim 17, wherein the audience image detection system controls the motor to illuminate a portion of a room.

19. A system as defined in claim 18, wherein the portion of the room is adjusted as the audience member changes location.

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

21. A system as defined in claim 20, wherein the non-visible light source is adjustable to reflect emitted non-visible light off of the reflector.

8. 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, and wherein the non-visible light source is at a height to substantially reduce awareness of the illuminator.

9. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system;

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

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.

10. A system as defined in claim 9, 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.

11. A system as defined in claim 9, 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.

14. An electronic media rating system comprising:

an audience image detection system;

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

a light filter to block visible light, wherein the light filter is configurable to be bypassed.

15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein the audience image detection system controls the configuring of the bypass of the light filter based an output of a light measuring device.