Motion detector module

• US 9,020,780 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): SUGLO, JANET L
• Application Number:
  US12/006,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171616A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,675 Days
• Field of Search: 702/141, 702187-188, 725 9- 10, 725/12, 725/14
• US Class Current: 702/187
• 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 method, comprising:

obtaining a motion status signal from a motion sensor of an insertable storage card to be insertably coupled to a portable device;

conveying the motion status signal to a communication controller of the insertable storage card, wherein the motion sensor and the communication controller are disposed on a body of the insertable storage card to be insertably coupled to the portable device;

capturing an audio signal via a microphone disposed on an extension portion of the insertable storage card;

conveying the motion status signal to a processor of the portable device, wherein the processor is to determine if the motion status signal represents a characteristic motion of the motion sensor to validate at least a portion of media measurement data collected via the portable device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the motion sensor comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication controller comprises a Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) controller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the insertable storage card comprises a mini card.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the insertable storage card comprises a micro card.

7. An insertable storage card, comprising:

a motion sensor, disposed on a body portion of the insertable storage card, to capture a motion status signal;

an audio sensor, disposed on an extension portion of the insertable storage card extending from the body portion, to capture an audio signal from an environment;

a communication controller, disposed on the body portion of the insertable storage card, to receive the motion status signal and the audio signal, wherein the communication controller is to transmit data to a portable device to which the insertable storage card is insertably coupled, the portable device to evaluate the motion status signal to determine if the motion status signal represents a characteristic motion of the motion sensor, wherein the characteristic motion is used to indicate a validity of at least a portion of media measurement data collected via the portable device.

8. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer.

9. The insertable storage card of claim 8, wherein the accelerometer comprises a three-axis accelerometer.

10. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the communication controller comprises a Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) controller.

11. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the insertable storage card comprises a mini card.

12. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the insertable storage card comprises a micro card.

13. The insertable storage card of claim 7, further comprising a memory device.

14. The insertable storage card of claim 13, wherein the memory device comprises a flash memory device.

15. The insertable storage card of claim 13, wherein the memory device comprises an EEPROM memory device.

16. The insertable storage card of claim 13, wherein the memory device is to assume a computer readable data state, the data state representing a stored data value.

17. The insertable storage card of claim 16, wherein the stored data value comprises a program data value.

18. The insertable storage card of claim 16, wherein the stored data value comprises an identity value.

19. The insertable storage card of claim 18, wherein the identity value comprises a serial number.

20. The insertable storage card of claim 16, wherein the stored data value comprises an encrypted stored data value.

21. The insertable storage card of claim 20, wherein the portable device is to receive an encryption key at a communications portion.

22. The insertable storage card of claim 20, wherein the portable device is to receive an encryption key at an input device.

23. The insertable storage card of claim 13, wherein the memory device is to store a device driver program.

24. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the portable device is to display a reward indication on a display device.

25. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the portable device is to output an alarm signal responsive to information associated with the motion status signal.

26. The insertable storage card of claim 7, wherein the extension portion extends from a perimeter of the body portion.