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).
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Patent number: 11863142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: NIELSEN COMPANY (US) LLCInventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
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Patent number: 11736681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLCInventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 11653061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLCInventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
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Publication number: 20220360765Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 11399174Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Publication number: 20220200556Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
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Publication number: 20220190799Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
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Patent number: 11133787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
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Publication number: 20210152885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
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Publication number: 20200412311Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: John T. Livoti, Rajakumar Madhanganesh, Stanley Wellington Woodruff, Ryan C. Lehing, Charles Clinton Conklin
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Publication number: 20200389643Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 10856045Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
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Patent number: 10757403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Publication number: 20200077146Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Lombardi
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Publication number: 20190174126Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 10205939Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 9991980Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLCInventor: Charles Clinton Conklin
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Publication number: 20170295364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 9692535Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLCInventors: Michael Jordan Liss, Richard Lee Horner, Charles Clinton Conklin, James Joseph Vitt
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Patent number: 9681179Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Robert Joel Stokes, James J. Vitt, Charles Clinton Conklin