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: 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: Apparatus, system and method for accessing supplementary data on a device capable of receiving multimedia are disclosed. After multimedia is received, ancillary code is detected from an audio portion of the multimedia. The ancillary code includes a plurality of code symbols arranged in a plurality of layers in a predetermined time period, wherein data associated with the supplementary data is arranged in at least one of the plurality of layers. Supplementary data is accessed using the data associated with the supplementary data.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing market research studies using techniques for maximizing privacy for persons. Exposure data relating to television, radio, outdoor advertising, digital signage, newspapers and magazines, retail store visits, interne usage and panelists' beliefs and opinions relating to consumer products and services are received along with facial image data that is secured to allow only partial reproduction of the image data and/or otherwise minimize further identification of the person beyond a market study identity. Further privacy features are employed to allow for blind participation in a given market study.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mapping locations of wireless transmitters for use in gathering market research data. A layout map includes location data representing a plurality of locations within a market research area. Transmitter data representing respective ones of the wireless transmitters is provided and the transmitter data is associated with the location data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing an ability of a Portable User Appliance (PUA) and/or a research data gathering system coupled therewith including a method for testing an ability of a PUA to carry out a research operation, comprises communicating a testing message to the PUA and/or research data gathering system coupled therewith, the testing message comprising one of a test command to test its ability to carry out a research operation, and test data to establish, enable or provide a capability thereof to test its ability to carry out a research operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing data provided by portable user appliances (PUAs) that are configured to provide research data that includes media exposure data. Each of the PUAs include a detector or sensor that reports a configuration and/or usage of the PUA. The configuration and/or usage is processed to determine if the PUA is in compliance with a predetermined usage criteria. Under one example, each panelist is equipped with a plurality of PUAs such as smart phones, computers or other devices, and compliance is measured for each panelist across the plurality of PUAs while research data is collected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing contextual information to research data relating to media exposure. Ambient fingerprints are formed on a device, where the fingerprints are 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: An audio beacon system, apparatus and method for collecting information on a panelist's exposure to media. An audio beacon is configured as on-device encoding technology that is operative in a processing device (e.g., cell phone, PDA, PC) to enable the device to encode an environmental sound and transmit it for a predetermined period of time. The acoustically transmitted data is received and processed by a portable audience measurement device, such as Arbitron's Personal People Meter™ (“PPM”), or other specially equipped portable device to enable audience measurement systems to achieve higher levels of detail on panel member activity and greater association of measurement devices to their respective users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding information in broadcast or recorded segment signals are described. In certain embodiments, an audience monitoring system encodes identification information in the audio signal portion of a broadcast or recorded segment using spread spectrum encoding. A personal monitoring device receives an acoustically reproduced version of the broadcast or recorded signal via a microphone, decodes the identification information from the audio signal portion despite significant ambient noise, and stores this information, automatically providing a diary for the audience member which is later uploaded to a centralized facility. A separate monitoring device decodes additional information from the broadcast signal, which is matched with the audience diary information at the central facility.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for accessing supplementary data and/or executing software on a device capable of receiving multimedia are disclosed. After multimedia is received, ancillary code is detected and a signature is concurrently extracted from an audio portion of the multimedia. The ancillary code includes a plurality of code symbols arranged in a plurality of layers in a predetermined time period, and the signature is extracted from features of the audio of the multimedia. Supplementary data is accessed and/or software is executed using the detected code an/or signature.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for performing an action such as accessing supplementary data and/or executing software on a device capable of receiving multimedia are disclosed. After multimedia is received, a monitoring code is detected and a signature is extracted in response thereto from an audio portion of the multimedia. The ancillary code includes a plurality of code symbols arranged in a plurality of layers in a predetermined time period, and the signature is extracted from features of the audio of the multimedia. Supplementary data is accessed and/or software is executed using the detected code and/or signature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mapping locations of wireless transmitters for use in gathering market research data. A layout map includes location data representing a plurality of locations within a market research area. Transmitter data representing respective ones of the wireless transmitters is provided and the transmitter data is associated with the location data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for employing matching techniques for cross-platform monitoring. A content sequence is produced for determining network content accessed at certain times by a computer registered to a particular user. Another content sequence is produced for determining media exposure at certain times for a portable user device registered to the same user. The content sequences are then processed and compared in a resolution server to validate the content sequences against each other, and to populate either or both sequences with missing data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing an ability of a Portable User Appliance (PUA) and/or a research data gathering system coupled therewith are disclosed. A method for testing an ability of a PUA to carry out a research operation, comprises communicating a testing message to the PUA and/or research data gathering system coupled therewith, the testing message comprising one of a test command to test its ability to carry out a research operation, and test data to establish, enable or provide a capability thereof to test its ability to carry out a research operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to presence of individuals within commercial establishments, relating to usage of publications by those individuals, and relating to exposure to products by those individuals. Participants in one or more studies carry a portable monitor having a commercial establishment presence detection monitor, a publication usage monitor, and/or a product exposure monitor.

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.

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.