Methods and apparatus to count audience members

• US 9,066,136 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2014
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Media Research, Inc. (Nielsen Holdings plc)
• Original Assignee: The Nielsen Company LLC (MOOD Media Corporation)
• Inventors: Donato, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): SHANG, ANNAN Q
• Application Number:
  US14/253,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20140229961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 725 10- 21, 725/46, 348/327, 348/565, 348/587, 348/592, 348/906, 709217-232, 382/103, 382115-119
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/45 for identifying users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to count audience members are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part; determining a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part; determining, using a processor, a first probability that the first person is in a current audience based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold, prompting the audience to enter user identification.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determining a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determining, using a processor, a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompting the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein determining the first probability includes applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further including determining a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the determining of the first viewing count is further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.

5. A computer readable storage device comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

determine a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determine a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determine a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompt the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

6. A storage device as defined in claim 5, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first probability by applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

7. A storage device as defined in claim 5, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

8. A storage device as defined in claim 5, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first viewing count further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.

9. A measurement apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory including computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to at least;

determine a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part;

determine a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part;

determine a first probability that the first person is in a current audience of a receiver measured by the measurement apparatus based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and

when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold indicating that the first person is likely in the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus, prompt the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus to enter user identification.

10. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first probability by applying a lead-in factor when the first person is logged in to the measurement apparatus during a day part immediately preceding a current day part.

11. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine a source identifier associated with media being presented to the current audience of the receiver measured by the measurement apparatus.

12. A measurement apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions are to cause the processor to determine the first viewing count further based on a number of times that the first person was historically logged in to a second measurement apparatus during the day part.