Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for reading ancillary code embedded into digital audio, where a processing device executes a decoder application that includes a decoder application interface that is communicatively coupled to a media player application within one or more frameworks of the processing device. As digital audio is received and sampled, the decoder application is configured to transform the digital audio from a time domain to a frequency domain and to process frequency characteristics to determine the presence of ancillary audio codes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system, apparatus and method for monitoring media exposure data and correlating media exposure data to locations. Location data may be generated utilizing measurements of radio waves from WiFi and/or Bluetooth. Identification may also be transmitted when WiFi and/or Bluetooth transmission are received. As media is reproduced or received on/near a portable device, media exposure data is generated. Subsequent location data is monitored and processed to determine specific locations that may include commercial establishments. The locations are then correlated to the media exposure data to determine user actions related to media exposure.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for determining semantic information from audio, where incoming audio is sampled and processed to extract audio features, including temporal, spectral, harmonic and rhythmic features. The extracted audio features are compared to stored audio templates that include ranges and/or values for certain features and are tagged for specific ranges and/or values. The semantic information may be associated with audio codes to determine changing characteristics of identified media during a time period.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for determining semantic information from audio, where incoming audio is sampled and processed to extract audio features, including temporal, spectral, harmonic and rhythmic features. The extracted audio features are compared to stored audio templates that include ranges and/or values for certain features and are tagged for specific ranges and/or values. Extracted audio features that are most similar to one or more templates from the comparison are identified according to the tagged information. The tags are used to determine the semantic audio data that includes genre, instrumentation, style, acoustical dynamics, and emotive descriptor for the audio signal.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for determining semantic information from audio, where incoming audio is sampled and processed to extract audio features, including temporal, spectral, harmonic and rhythmic features. The extracted audio features are compared to stored audio templates that include ranges and/or values for certain features and are tagged for specific ranges and/or values. The semantic information may be associated with audio signature data Extracted audio features that are most similar to one or more templates from the comparison are identified according to the tagged information. The tags are used to determine the semantic audio data that includes genre, instrumentation, style, acoustical dynamics, and emotive descriptor for the audio signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gathering research data that includes information pertaining to audio signals received on a portable device, such as a cell phone. Frequency domain data is received or produced, a signature is extracted from the frequency domain data and an ancillary code is read from the frequency domain data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing devices that produce identifiable characteristics from audio media. A device receives audio and produces initial time data. Subsequent time data is received at a coupling interface from a portable device that has access to accurate time sources. The subsequent time data is processed to determine if it is more accurate than the initial time data. If so, the clock of the device is updated to reflect the second time data. The device then processes the audio media to generate at least one identifiable characteristic relating to the audio, which may include ancillary codes and/or audio signatures. The identifiable characteristics are then transmitted together with the subsequent time data for detection.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modifying operation of a portable processing device configured to scan for wireless signals under a first scan rate. As wireless signals are received in the portable processing device, characteristics of the wireless signals are analyzed, and if the characteristics match one or more characteristics, the operation of the portable processing device is modified. Under one exemplary embodiment, the first scan rate is modified to a second scan rate, where the second scan rate being different from the first. Under another exemplary embodiment, monitoring capabilities in the portable processing device are activated or modified to collect research data on media data. The characteristics may include identification information or messages/commands that are transmitted wirelessly.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modifying operation of a media terminal device using characteristics of audio, wherein the characteristics may include ancillary code embedded in audio and/or audio signatures. When audio codes are read and/or signatures are extracted, they are processed to determine if they correspond to a predetermined characteristic that has a linked command. If correspondence is found, the command is executed to affect one or more operational layers of the media terminal device to modify at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for initiating participation of a user of a portable device (PUA) in a research operation using a respective one of a plurality of PUA's providing communication services pursuant to a single agreement with a communication service provider. Data identifying the PUA user is associated with data identifying a group of persons receiving communication services pursuant to the single agreement, and demographic data of the PUA user is associated with the data identifying the PUA user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying and/or measuring usage of media data gathered at a user location using remote decoding and/or pattern matching techniques. A data set is formed based on the media data, which includes some, but not all, of the information represented by the media data. The data set is communicated to a remotely located processing system for detecting a code based on the data set and/or conducting a pattern matching process based on the data set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system, apparatus and method for monitoring media exposure data and correlating media exposure data to locations. Location data may be generated utilizing measurements of radio waves from WiFi and/or Bluetooth. Identification may also be transmitted when WiFi and/or Bluetooth transmission are received. As media is reproduced or received on/near a portable device, media exposure data is generated. Subsequent location data is monitored and processed to determine specific locations that may include commercial establishments. The locations are then correlated to the media exposure data to determine user actions related to media exposure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for establishing media data exposure for a computer processing device, where media data received in the computer processing device. The computer processing device pairs itself with a plurality of portable computing devices using a Bluetooth connection when media data is received. A signal strength characteristic of the Bluetooth connection is established in the computer processing device for each of the paired plurality of portable computing devices. Each signal strength characteristic with the received media data is then established to determine which signal strength characteristic is the strongest when the media data was received in the computer processing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an anonymous peer-to-peer (“P2P”) privacy panel for audience measurement is disclosed. A plurality of processing devices are configured to record and process research data pursuant to a research operation. Each of the users associated with each processing devices provide user data to a central site, where the user data includes demographic information, previous media exposure data, and other data. In accordance with user data, a customized P2P network is created where media exposure data including audio codes, signatures and data objects is obfuscated and communicate among portable devices in the network. By utilizing a P2P network, together with obfuscation techniques, panelist privacy is greatly increased.

Abstract: An audience measurement system for gathering data reflecting usage of media data by a user by means of a user system. The user system preprocesses the gathered data into micro-level report objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing portable device presence utilizing environmental ambient audio fingerprints. Portable devices provide media exposure data and environmental ambient fingerprints to a processing device, where the environmental ambient signatures provide at least one characteristic of the ambient audio surrounding each portable device. The environmental ambient signatures are then processed to determine if they match. Portable devices associated with matching signatures are identified. Ambient fingerprints may also be used to establish a logical location where media exposure took place. The ambient signatures are alternately combined with monitored data to provide more robust data sets for contextual processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying users of touch screens according to a touch/gesture profile. The profile includes stored electrical characteristics of contact with the touch screen. The profile is correlated with applications opened and/or accessed, along with any associated metadata, as well as media exposure data derived from audio received at the device. The correlated information may be used to confirm identification of one or more individuals using a device for audience measurement purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying users of portable user devices according to one or more accelerometer profiles created for a respective user. During a media session, the portable computing device collects media exposure data, while at the same time, collects data from the accelerometer and compares it to the user profile. The comparison authenticates the user and determines the physical activity the user is engaged in. Additional data may be collected from the portable computing device to determine one or more operational conditions of the device itself, including the detection of multiple devices being physically carried by one user. Gross motion strings may also be generated by devices and compared to see if strings match, thus suggesting multiple devices are being carried by one user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying users of portable user devices according to one or more accelerometer profiles created for a respective user. During a media session, the portable computing device collects media exposure data, while at the same time, collects data from the accelerometer and compares it to the user profile. The comparison authenticates the user and determines the physical activity the user is engaged in. Additional data may be collected from the portable computing device to determine one or more operational conditions of the device itself. Accelerometer data may also be used to determine probabilities that one or more users were actually exposed to a media event.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to publication usage by participants in publication readership studies. Some methods and systems employ portable monitors carried by participants of the studies along with publications fitted with various devices, such as piezoelectric transducers, RFID tags and others devices and circuits.