Universal display exposure monitor using personal locator service

• US 8,098,152 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Arbitron Inc. (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhang, Jack K., Crystal, Jack C., Jensen, James M., Flanagan, Eugene L. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US12/563,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20100033322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/573.1, 340/426.19, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 342/457, 342/357.06, 705/1, 705/7, 705/10
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for gathering data concerning exposure of predetermined survey participants to media displays are provided. A portable monitor is arranged to receive certain types of terrestrial-based signals, and in some specific cases, satellite-based signals, and to use such signals to generate location data indicative of a location of the portable monitor. The location data and stored media display data is analyzed to evaluate the survey participant'"'"'s exposure to one or more media displays.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

generating location data in a portable monitor configured to be carried on the person of a survey participant;

receiving media display data in the portable monitor, said media display data indicating media displays to which the portable monitor was exposed to;

receiving additional media data in the portable monitor, said additional media data indicating exposure of the portable monitor to acoustic audio; and

processing the location data, media display data and additional media data in the portable monitor to evaluate the portable monitor'"'"'s exposure to media displays and acoustic audio.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating location data comprises using satellite-based signals in order to generate the location data.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the satellite-based signals comprise global positioning system signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein generating location data comprises using terrestrial-based signals in order to generate the location data.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein generating location data comprises using a technique comprising at least one of an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating location data is performed periodically or from time to time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating location data comprises using a technique comprising at least one of an angle of arrival technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional media data is indicative of the survey participant'"'"'s exposure to one of broadcast or streaming media data.

9. The portable monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the location data generated by the location data generator comprises satellite-based signals.

10. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data generated by the location data generator comprises terrestrial-based signals.

11. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data generator generates location data using a technique comprising at least one of an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

12. The portable monitoring system of claim 8 wherein the location data is generated periodically or from time to time.

13. The portable monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the location data generator generates location data using a technique comprising at least one of an angle of arrival technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an enhanced signal strength technique, a location fingerprinting technique, and an ultra wideband location technique in order to generate the location data.

14. The portable monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the additional media data is indicative of the survey participant'"'"'s exposure to one of broadcast or streaming media data.

15. A portable monitoring system configured to be carried on the person of a survey participant, comprising:

a location data generator for generating location data in the portable monitoring system;

a first input for receiving media display data, said media display data indicating media displays to which the portable monitoring system was, exposed to;

a second input for receiving additional media data, said additional media data indicating exposure of the portable monitoring system to acoustic audio; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the location data generator, the first input and second input, wherein said processor analyzes the location data, media display data and additional media data to evaluate the portable monitor'"'"'s exposure to media displays and acoustic audio.

16. The portable monitoring system of claim 15 wherein the satellite-based signals comprise global positioning system signals.