Patents Assigned to Arbitron Inc.
  • Patent number: 8000677
    Abstract: An encoding system for encoding a first ancillary code in media data and monitoring for reception of a second ancillary code that has a higher priority than the first ancillary code, such that upon detection of the higher priority ancillary code the encoding system modifies a characteristic and/or characteristics of the first ancillary code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell D. Lynch, James M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7961881
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for including a code having at least one code frequency component in an audio signal are provided. The abilities of various frequency components in the audio signal to mask the code frequency component to human hearing are evaluated and based on these evaluations an amplitude is assigned to the code frequency component. Methods and apparatus for detecting a code in an encoded audio signal are also provided. A code frequency component in the encoded audio signal is detected based on an expected code amplitude or on a noise amplitude within a range of audio frequencies including the frequency of the code component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Arbitron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jensen, Wendell D. Lynch, Michael M. Perelshteyn, Robert B. Graybill, Sayed Hassan, Wayne Sabin
  • Patent number: 7962315
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Arbitron Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jensen, Jack C. Crystal, Alan R. Neuhauser, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh, Douglas J. Visnius, Eugene L. Flanagan, III
  • Publication number: 20110134129
    Abstract: Listening information indicating a number of audience members who switched stations during each of the designated periods of time is displayed on a graph having a plot representing the listening information. The graph is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion about a normalized line representing an average number of audience members who listened during designated periods of time. Additional plots can also be presented, including plots arranged so that portions above the normalized line represent a greater than average number of listeners, and portions below the normalized line represent a lower than average number of listeners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: CLEAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., ARBITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Brice Kirkendall-Rodriguez, Philippe Generali, Gary Marince
  • Patent number: 7908133
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for gathering research data. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Arbitron Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Neuhauser
  • Publication number: 20100226494
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are disclosed for protecting encoded media data. A minimum set of information needed to encode a single message for an encoded audio signal is loaded separately from the media data into an encoder. A media license file is generated to protect the encoded data, where the underlying information relevant to the media data may be hidden through encryption or other means in order to foster security. The algorithm(s) for encoding may be provided using a shared library, combined with an encoding payload that provides the minimum information set required to form the single message. A partial decoder may apply pattern matching information in the encoded payload in order to confirm that the encoding is actually present and is proper. Accordingly, the payload must be successfully decoded and verified before the underlying data may be decoded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Lynch, Ronald Smith
  • Patent number: 7650793
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jensen, Jack C. Crystal, Alan R. Neuhauser, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh, Douglas J. Visnius, Eugene L. Flanagan, III
  • Patent number: 7640141
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gathering audience measurement data relating to exposure of an audience member to audio data. Audio data is received in a user system and is then encoded with audience measurement data. The encoded audio data is reproduced by the user system, picked up by a monitor and decoded to recover the audience measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Kolessar, James M. Jensen, Wendell D. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7627872
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Arbitron Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hebeler, Prasad V. Kunchakarra, Thomas L. Dietz, III
  • Publication number: 20090292587
    Abstract: Processes and systems for use in media and market research are provided. In certain embodiments, media usage activities relating to interactivity between two or more media are measured and correlated to produce a metric for rating the interactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventor: Joan G. FITZGERALD
  • Publication number: 20090264092
    Abstract: An encoding system for encoding a first ancillary code in media data and monitoring for reception of a second ancillary code that has a higher priority than the first ancillary code, such that upon detection of the higher priority ancillary code the encoding system modifies a characteristic and/or characteristics of the first ancillary code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: ARBITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Wendell D. Lynch, James M. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20090193052
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering research data using multiple monitoring devices are provided. At least a pair of the monitoring devices each read ancillary codes contained within media data and which represents research data. The decoded data read by at least one of the pair is associated with a further set of data offering a correspondence between each of the sets of decoded data. Such correspondence allows a determination that the data decoded by each of the pair of monitoring devices is the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: ARBITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Joan G. FitzGerald, Carol J. Frost, Eugene L. Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20090171767
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for carrying out a research operation in which each of a plurality of panelists carries a portable research data gathering device. Each of the portable research data gathering devices is configured to gather research data only during a time period or time periods of a monitoring day of the research operation having a total duration which is less than the duration of the monitoring day. Methods and systems are also provided for setting up and/or managing such a research operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Kolessar
  • Patent number: 7471987
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for gathering data concerning media usage by predetermined audience members. An audience measurement code in acoustic energy produced by a media receiver is detected by a portable media monitor. The monitor also detects a location code produced in a vicinity of the media receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Crystal, James M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7463144
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Crystal, James M. Jensen, Alan R. Neuhauser, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh
  • Patent number: 7460827
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a critical band encoding technology (CBET) system having at least one portable people meter (PPM) and a home base station and/or household hub, the CBET system containing a radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system, comprising at least one RF transmitter for receiving a control signal, modulating an RF signal to a present modulation frequency upon receipt of the control signal, and wireless transmitting the modulated signal; and an RF receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted modulated signal, determining the modulation frequency, and transmitting the modulation frequency to a remote location, wherein the transmission power of the RF transmitter is preset to transmit the modulated data within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Schuster, Douglas L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7443292
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Jensen, Jack C. Crystal, Alan R. Neuhauser, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh
  • Publication number: 20080204273
    Abstract: A monitor for receiving survey data includes a wireless communication facility. Wireless communication facilities adapted to communicate with an appliance having a corresponding wireless communication facility. A signal corresponding to survey data acquired by the monitor is received at the appliance and forwarded over a communications network to a data collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Arbitron,Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Crystal, Alan R. Neuhauser, William K. Krug
  • Patent number: 7408460
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack C. Crystal, James M. Jensen, Alan R. Neuhauser, Jack K. Zhang, Daniel W. Pugh
  • Patent number: RE42627
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for decoding a message symbol in an audio signal. This message symbol is represented by first and second code symbols displaced in time. Values representing the code signals are accumulated and the accumulated values are examined to detect the message symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Arbitron, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Neuhauser, Wendell D. Lynch, James M. Jensen