Patents by Inventor Christen V. Nielsen

Christen V. Nielsen 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).

  • Publication number: 20140240092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a user of an electronic device are disclosed. An example method includes capturing body characteristic data associated with a user via a sensor on a computing device. The body characteristic data is captured as the user interacts with the computing device for a purpose different from user identification. The example method includes determining an identifier associated with the user based on the captured body characteristic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8799937
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20140211952
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect media identifying data are disclosed. An example method includes collecting audio data through a sound hole. The sound hole has a chamfered opening. The sound hole has an effective length-to-width ratio which is equal to or less than about 1.25 and analyzing the audio data to obtain media identifying data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20140007153
    Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include performing audio code detection on an audio signal corresponding to an output of a presentation device. Such disclosed example methods also include determining a first result based on whether a valid audio code is detected in the audio signal, and determining a second result based on an audio gain level used to adjust the audio signal prior to performing audio code detection on the audio signal. Such disclosed example methods further include combining the first result and the second result to determine a third result indicating whether the presentation device is ON or OFF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Dan Nelson
  • Patent number: 8526626
    Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to determine whether a presentation device is ON or OFF comprises determining an audio signature based on an audio signal corresponding to an output of the presentation device, comparing the audio signature to a set of reference signatures corresponding to a set of known media content, and determining a result indicating whether the presentation device is ON or OFF based on whether the audio signature matches any of the set of reference signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Dan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130227595
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to identify audience members. An example method includes detecting selection an identification key on a remote control. The identification key is input by a user using an input on the remote control. The remote control is to control a consumer electronic device. The example method includes generating an audio signal to identify the user based on the identification key. The audio signal is electronically detectable. The example method includes outputting the audio signal via a speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Kevin Keqiang Deng
  • Patent number: 8505042
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying viewing information associated with a digital media device are disclosed. In an example method, data conveyed via a data bus communicatively coupled to a processor and a data storage device associated with the digital media device is monitored. Event information associated with the digital media device is extracted from the data and the viewing information is identified based on the event information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Charles C. Conklin, Christen V. Nielsen, Joseph G. Milavsky
  • Publication number: 20130156273
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to capture images are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a resolution determiner to determine that a first frame of image data is to undergo processing at a first resolution and that a second frame of image data is to undergo processing at a second resolution lower than the first resolution; and a controller to activate an illuminator when an image sensor is to capture the first frame and to deactivate the illuminator when the image sensor is to capture the second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8375404
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data and a packaging sensor to detect a stimulus generated within the package. A packaging detector compares the detected stimulus to a criterion to determine whether the device is located within the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Larry D. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8248234
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a media detector carried by a housing to collect media exposure data; a distance comparator to compare a first distance to an object at a first time and a second distance to the object at a second time; and a compliance detector to validate the media exposure data based on the comparison of the distance comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120159529
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8156517
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (U.S.), LLC
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20120011528
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a media detector carried by a housing to collect media exposure data; a distance comparator to compare a first distance to an object at a first time and a second distance to the object at a second time; and a compliance detector to validate the media exposure data based on the comparison of the distance comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8040237
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing; a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data; a first status sensor to detect a first distance between the housing and an object at a first time, wherein the first status sensor is to detect a second distance between the housing and the object at a second time; and a distance comparator to generate a first signal indicative of a relationship between the first distance and the second distance to enable determination of whether the device is being carried by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7882514
    Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to determine whether a presentation device is ON or OFF comprises determining a plurality of metrics based on monitoring at least one output of the presentation device, wherein each metric in the plurality of metrics comprises a decision indicating an operating state of the presentation device, and combining the plurality of metrics to determine whether the presentation device is one of ON or OFF, wherein combining the plurality of metrics comprises at least one of weighting the plurality of metrics or determining a majority vote of the plurality of metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Dan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100274372
    Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to determine whether a presentation device is ON or OFF comprises determining an audio signature based on an audio signal corresponding to an output of the presentation device, comparing the audio signature to a set of reference signatures corresponding to a set of known media content, and determining a result indicating whether the presentation device is ON or OFF based on whether the audio signature matches any of the set of reference signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Dan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100275225
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device are disclosed. An example method of collecting audience measurement data comprises collecting tuning data within a receiving device, and modulating an LED associated with the receiving device to export the collected tuning data from the receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Mark Richard Cave
  • Patent number: 7786987
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect operating states of a display based on visible light are disclosed. An example device to detect an operating state of a display includes at least one optical sensor and a logic circuit. The at least one optical sensor is disposed to detect visible light emanating from a screen of the display and to convert the visible light into an electrical signal. The logic circuit is coupled to the at least one optical sensor to generate an output signal indicative of the operating state of the display based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Christen V. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7779435
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device are disclosed. An example method of collecting audience measurement data comprises collecting tuning data within a receiving device, and modulating an LED associated with the receiving device to export the collected tuning data from the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Mark Richard Cave
  • Publication number: 20100169904
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data and a packaging sensor to detect a stimulus generated within the package. A packaging detector compares the detected stimulus to a criterion to determine whether the device is located within the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Larry D. Patterson