Methods and apparatus to facilitate gathering of audience measurement data based on a fixed system factor
First Claim
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1. A method of gathering audience measurement data comprising:
- identifying, by executing an instruction with a processor, a set of sensors outputting valid audience measurement data;
determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, an aggregate amount of audience measurement data that is capable of being produced by the set of valid sensors;
when the aggregate amount of audience measurement data exceeds a threshold, selecting, by executing an instruction with the processor, a subset of the set of valid sensors according to a preference order, the preference order based on weights of the sensors corresponding to a fixed system factor, the fixed system factor to cause an increased weight to be assigned to one or more of the sensors in the set of valid sensors, the preference order to place the set of valid sensors in order of priority based on the weights associated with the sensors; and
forwarding the of audience measurement data from the subset of valid sensors.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather.
188 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of gathering audience measurement data comprising:
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identifying, by executing an instruction with a processor, a set of sensors outputting valid audience measurement data; determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, an aggregate amount of audience measurement data that is capable of being produced by the set of valid sensors; when the aggregate amount of audience measurement data exceeds a threshold, selecting, by executing an instruction with the processor, a subset of the set of valid sensors according to a preference order, the preference order based on weights of the sensors corresponding to a fixed system factor, the fixed system factor to cause an increased weight to be assigned to one or more of the sensors in the set of valid sensors, the preference order to place the set of valid sensors in order of priority based on the weights associated with the sensors; and forwarding the of audience measurement data from the subset of valid sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer readable storage device comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to at least:
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identify a set of sensors outputting valid audience measurement data; determine an aggregate amount of audience measurement data that is capable of being produced by the set of valid sensors; when the aggregate amount of audience measurement data exceeds a threshold, select a subset of the set of valid sensors according to a preference order, the preference order based on a fixed system factor, the fixed system factor specifying a preference ranking for the set of valid sensors to define the preference order for selecting the subset of valid sensors; and forward the audience measurement data from the subset of valid sensors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a memory including machine executable instructions; and a processor to execute the instructions to; identify a set of sensors capable of outputting valid audience measurement data; determine an aggregate amount of audience measurement data that is capable of being produced by the set of valid sensors; when the aggregate amount of audience measurement data exceeds a threshold, select a subset of the set of valid sensors according to a preference order, the preference order based on weights of the sensors corresponding to a fixed system factor, the fixed system factor to cause an increased weight to be assigned to one or more of the sensors in the set of valid sensors, the preference order to place the set of valid sensors in order of priority based on the weights associated with the sensors; and forward the audience measurement data from the subset of valid sensors. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification