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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. An example method includes detecting, at a base meter located in proximity to a media presentation device, registration information from a portable metering device within proximity of the base meter, the registration information identifying a user associated with the portable metering device. A content identifier associated with media presented by the media presentation device is determined. A polling query is sent to the portable metering device for presentation to the user. A response to the polling query, the registration information, and the content identifier are communicated to a data collection facility.

Abstract: Extremity control in a video game such as a skateboarding video game is provided through use of a video game controller. In some embodiments multi-axis controls of the video game controller are used to control extremities of a skateboarder character and to move a skateboard used by the skateboarder character responsive to movement of the extremities. For example, the skateboarder character's hands may grab the skateboard to perform a grab trick, or the skateboarder character may shift weight to perform a manual or similar trick.

Abstract: Portable multi-purpose audience measurement systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include executing media metering software downloaded onto a portable device. Such example methods also include halting execution of the media metering software in response to determining that the portable device is being used for a native purpose.

Abstract: A video game allows dynamic transitions in the number of players. A player may join other players already playing the game without interrupting the play of the existing players, and a player may cease playing the game without interrupting the play of players who continue playing. The video game uses a method including providing game play for at least one game player including displaying video information based on game program instructions and inputs from a controller. The method also includes determining whether a further player is joining the video game, and if the further player is joining the video game, displaying player specific information associated with the further player to the video information. The method also includes determining whether a player is quitting the video game, and if the player is quitting the video game, removing display of the player specific information associated with the player.

Abstract: Portable multi-purpose audience measurement systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example method to monitor a media presentation device disclosed herein comprises sensing a media content signal output by the media presentation device using a portable device separate from the media presentation device, the portable device supporting media metering functionality and native functionality, attempting to detect a code encoded in the sensed media content signal using the portable device, and generating a signature from the sensed media content signal using the portable device when the portable device is electrically coupled to an external power supply or the portable device has at least a threshold amount of local battery power, but not generating the signature when the portable device is not electrically coupled to the external power supply and the portable device does not have at least the threshold amount of local battery power.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. An example method includes detecting, at a base meter located in proximity to a media presentation device, registration information from a portable metering device within proximity of the base meter, the registration information identifying a user associated with the portable metering device. A content identifier associated with media presented by the media presentation device is determined. A polling query is sent to the portable metering device for presentation to the user. A response to the polling query, the registration information, and the content identifier are communicated to a data collection facility.

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.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distinguish a signal originating from a local device from a broadcast signal are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes analyzing a first predetermined characteristic of a video component of the audio-video signal to generate a first indication of the source of the audio-video signal, analyzing a second predetermined characteristic of an audio component of the audio-video signal to generate a second indication of the source of the audio-video signal, and determining if the audio-video signal was generated by a local device based on the first and second indications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method includes counting a first number of individuals proximate to a media presentation device, counting a second number of signals received from one or more portable devices, each of which is associated with a respective one of one or more monitored individuals, comparing the first number of individuals to the second number of signals, and determining a third number of unidentified ones of the individuals proximate to the media presentation device based on the comparison of the first number of individuals to the second number of signals.

Abstract: Portable multi-purpose audience measurement systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises collecting demographic data of a user, including a phone number for a mobile device, via a website associated with an information gathering entity, sending a message to the mobile device, the sent message, when responded to, resulting in downloading of a metering software module to the mobile device, receiving, from the mobile device and at a system associated with the information gathering entity, information indicative of events associated with use of the mobile device, and associating the received information with the demographic data.

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.

Abstract: A video game allows dynamic transitions in the number of players. A player may join other players already playing the game without interrupting the play of the existing players, and a player may cease playing the game without interrupting the play of players who continue playing. The video game uses a method including providing game play for at least one game player including displaying video information based on game program instructions and inputs from a controller. The method also includes determining whether a further player is joining the video game, and if the further player is joining the video game, displaying player specific information associated with the further player to the video information. The method also includes determining whether a player is quitting the video game, and if the player is quitting the video game, removing display of the player specific information associated with the player.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method includes counting a first number of individuals proximate to a media presentation device, counting a second number of signals received from one or more portable devices, each of which is associated with a respective one of one or more monitored individuals, comparing the first number of individuals to the second number of signals, and determining a third number of unidentified ones of the individuals proximate to the media presentation device based on the comparison of the first number of individuals to the second number of signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method, a first media metering device associated with a media presentation device monitors for a presence of one or more other media metering devices and a monitoring operation of the first media metering device is halted based on the presence of the one or more other media metering devices.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the perforations of well casings employs a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier body. The carrier body has outwardly extending arms which terminate in spray nozzles, each of the nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the well casing with an inertial force. The nozzles are oriented on the carrier body such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier body about its central axis. The nozzles are located a fixed distance from the carrier body which is between about ½ and 1½ inches from the well casing perforations in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an arched metallic profile, in a continuous in-line process. The method comprises forming the metallic profile; and arching the formed metallic profile in a continuous in-line process. The apparatus includes a roll forming station configured to receive flat metallic composition and output a given profile. An arching device is configured to receive the metallic profile and bend the metallic profile having a desired radius of curvature wherein a portion of the arching device is displaced with respect to said roll forming station vertically and/or horizontally.

Abstract: A rule based biometric user authentication method and system in a computer network environment is provided. Multiple authentication rules can exist in the computer network. For example, there may be a default system-wide rule, and a rule associated with a particular user trying to log in. There may be other rules such as one associated with a remote computer from which the user is logging in, one associated with a group to which the user belongs, or one associated with a system resource to which the user requires access such as an application program or a database of confidential information. An order of precedence among the rules is then established which is used to authenticate the user.

Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the perforations of well casings employs a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier body. The carrier body has outwardly extending arms which terminate in spray nozzles, each of the nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the well casing with an inertial force. The nozzles are oriented on the carrier body such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier body about its central axis. The nozzles are located a fixed distance from the carrier body which is between about ½ and 1½ inches from the well casing perforations in use.

Abstract: A pattern creating implement may include a pattern creating tip on a first end, a connection member on a second end, and an engagement member between the first and second ends. The engagement member may be configured to be engaged by an implement placement member for detachably coupling the connection member to an implement receptor of a pattern creating device. According to various embodiments, a pattern creating device controls the rotational, vertical and planar movements of the pattern creating tip to transfer a digital pattern to a media. A tool may be configured to receive, resupply, and/or insert a pattern creating implement. According to one embodiment, in conjunction with an optional cap, a body of a tool may be configured to house a pattern creating implement when it is not in use.