Patents by Inventor Charles Clinton Conklin

Charles Clinton Conklin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11863142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIELSEN COMPANY (US) LLC
    Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Patent number: 11736681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example method includes determining respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, comparing a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and outputting a positive indication when the measurement is within an acceptable difference range, the acceptable difference range based on the amount of power drawn by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 11653061
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for handling exceptions reported by media device meters. An example apparatus includes a static display detector to determine whether current measurements for a media presentation device at a time corresponding to an exception reported by a media device meter indicate the media presentation device was in a static display state at the time corresponding to the exception. The example apparatus includes a muted viewing detector to determine whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception based on an audio level associated with the media presentation device, and an exception modifier to determine whether to modify the exception based on whether the media presentation device was in the static display state and whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
  • Publication number: 20220360765
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example method includes determining respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, comparing a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and outputting a positive indication when the measurement is within an acceptable difference range, the acceptable difference range based on the amount of power drawn by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 11399174
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, a calculator to determine a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, and a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Publication number: 20220200556
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Publication number: 20220190799
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Patent number: 11133787
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Publication number: 20210152885
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for handling exceptions reported by media device meters. An example apparatus includes a static display detector to determine whether current measurements for a media presentation device at a time corresponding to an exception reported by a media device meter indicate the media presentation device was in a static display state at the time corresponding to the exception. The example apparatus includes a muted viewing detector to determine whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception based on an audio level associated with the media presentation device, and an exception modifier to determine whether to modify the exception based on whether the media presentation device was in the static display state and whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
  • Publication number: 20200412311
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine automated gain control parameters for an automated gain control protocol are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first tuner to amplify an audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second tuner to amplify the audio signal. Disclosed example apparatus also include a first controller to tune the first tuner to apply a first gain representative of a first range of gains to the audio signal to determine a first amplified audio signal and tune the second tuner to apply a second gain representative a second range of gains to the audio signal to determine a second amplified audio signal, the second range of gains lower than the first range of gains. Disclosed example apparatus also include a second controller to select the first range of gains to be utilized in an automated gain control protocol when the first gain results in clipping of the first amplified audio signal and the second gain does not result in clipping of the second amplified audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Publication number: 20200389643
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, a calculator to determine a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, and a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 10856045
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for handling exceptions reported by media device meters. An example apparatus includes a static display detector to determine whether current measurements for a media presentation device at a time corresponding to an exception reported by a media device meter indicate the media presentation device was in a static display state at the time corresponding to the exception. The example apparatus includes a muted viewing detector to determine whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception based on an audio level associated with the media presentation device, and an exception modifier to determine whether to modify the exception based on whether the media presentation device was in the static display state and whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
  • Patent number: 10757403
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, the counts indicating respective numbers of times the respective measurements were detected. The example apparatus also includes a calculator to identify a first threshold based on at least one of the counts, and determine a second threshold. The example apparatus also includes a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and a state detector to store an indication that the device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Publication number: 20200077146
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for handling exceptions reported by media device meters. An example apparatus includes a static display detector to determine whether current measurements for a media presentation device at a time corresponding to an exception reported by a media device meter indicate the media presentation device was in a static display state at the time corresponding to the exception. The example apparatus includes a muted viewing detector to determine whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception based on an audio level associated with the media presentation device, and an exception modifier to determine whether to modify the exception based on whether the media presentation device was in the static display state and whether the media presentation device was in a muted viewing state at the time of the exception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
  • Publication number: 20190174126
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example apparatus includes a chart generator to determine respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, the counts indicating respective numbers of times the respective measurements were detected. The example apparatus also includes a calculator to identify a first threshold based on at least one of the counts, and determine a second threshold. The example apparatus also includes a comparator to compare a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and a state detector to store an indication that the device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 10205939
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes measuring power drawn by the information presentation device during a calibration period to generate a log of measurement values, determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, respective counts indicating respective numbers of times respective different ones of the measurement values were detected during the calibration period, and determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first threshold based on at least one of the counts. The method also includes determining whether the presentation device is in an ON state based on a comparison of measured power drawn by the information presentation device after the calibration period to the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 9991980
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking a sequence of events associated with a digital recording device are disclosed. An example method involves monitoring data conveyed via a data bus communicatively coupled to a processor and a data storage device associated with the digital media device. The example method also involves identifying event information associated with the digital media device based on the data and identifying the viewing information based on the event information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventor: Charles Clinton Conklin
  • Publication number: 20170295364
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes measuring power drawn by the information presentation device during a calibration period to generate a log of measurement values, determining, by executing an instruction with a processor, respective counts indicating respective numbers of times respective different ones of the measurement values were detected during the calibration period, and determining, by executing an instruction with the processor, a first threshold based on at least one of the counts. The method also includes determining whether the presentation device is in an ON state based on a comparison of measured power drawn by the information presentation device after the calibration period to the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 9692535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatic TV ON/OFF detection. An example method includes detecting a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes comparing, using a processor, a measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device to a first threshold. The method also includes comparing the measurement to a second threshold. The method also includes storing an indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
  • Patent number: 9681179
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying an operating state of an AV device are described. An example method includes extracting, at a first AV device, data communicated via a data bus coupling a processor of the first AV device to a HDMI interface, the HDMI interface coupled to a second AV device different than the first AV device; analyzing a temporal sequence of the extracted data to determine if additional information is needed from the second AV device to identify a current operating state of the second AV device; when the temporal sequence is missing an expected message related to the current operating state of the second AV device, causing an AV network controller of the first AV device to request information from the second AV device; and analyzing a response from the second AV device including the requested information to identify the current operating state of the second AV device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joel Stokes, James J. Vitt, Charles Clinton Conklin