Patents by Inventor Igor Sotosek

Igor Sotosek 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: 12389069
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus are to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus are also to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus are further to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20250209475
    Abstract: Disclosed is a media-presentation device with soft-meter functionality. The media-presentation device includes a media-input interface through which to receive media for presentation, and a media-presentation interface through which to present the received media. Further, the media-presentation device includes a processor, data storage, and a meter application including program instructions stored in the data storage and executable by the processor to carry out soft-meter operations including (i) obtaining, based on calling one or more application-programming interfaces (APIs) exposed in the media-presentation device, media-presentation data regarding the presented media and (ii) providing for receipt by a cloud-based computing system a report based on the obtained media-presentation data, to facilitate establishment of ratings statistics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Matjaz Finc, Igor Sotosek, Meryem Berrada, Ronny Lerch, Robert Edward Taylor
  • Publication number: 20250028384
    Abstract: An example method is for use in connection with a media device and a motion-detecting device mounted to the media device, and includes: obtaining motion data associated with the motion-detecting device; providing the obtained motion data to a trained classifier, wherein the trained classifier is configured to use at least motion data as runtime input data to generate at least device type data as runtime output data; responsive to providing the obtained motion data to the trained classifier, receiving from the trained classifier corresponding device type data generated by the trained classifier; using at least the received device type data to identify a device type of the media device; using at least the identified device type of the media device as a basis to select a set of configuration parameters for the motion-detecting device; and causing the motion-detecting device to be configured according to the selected set of configuration parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Igor Sotosek, Girish Khavasi
  • Publication number: 20240414400
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for estimating audience exposure based on engagement level. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to identify a user activity associated with a user during exposure of the user to media based on an output from at least one of a user device, a remote control device, an image sensor, or a motion sensor, classify the user activity as an attention-based activity or a distraction-based activity, assign a distraction factor or an attention factor to the user activity based on the classification, and determine an attention level for the user based on the distraction factor or the attention factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Matjaz Finc, Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 12088882
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for estimating audience exposure based on engagement level. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to identify a user activity associated with a user during exposure of the user to media based on an output from at least one of a user device, a remote control device, an image sensor, or a motion sensor, classify the user activity as an attention-based activity or a distraction-based activity, assign a distraction factor or an attention factor to the user activity based on the classification, and determine an attention level for the user based on the distraction factor or the attention factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Matja{hacek over (z)} Finc, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20240230731
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and tangible computer readable storage media are disclosed to determine an operational status of a device. Disclosed example apparatus include memory and processor circuitry to execute computer readable instructions to at least measure with a first sensor, a first magnetic field in at least three dimensions, the first magnetic field including a device magnetic field caused by a wire attached to a device to supply electricity to the device, the first sensor proximately arranged to the wire, measure with a second sensor, a second magnetic field associated with an environment at least a first distance from the wire, and compare (a) the first magnetic field as measured by the first sensor arranged proximate to the wire and (b) the second magnetic field as measured by the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20240171816
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus are to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus are also to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus are further to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 11940475
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and tangible computer readable storage media are disclosed to determine an operational status of a device. Disclosed example apparatus include memory and processor circuitry to execute computer readable instructions to at least measure with a first sensor, a first magnetic field in at least three dimensions, the first magnetic field including a device magnetic field caused by a wire attached to a device to supply electricity to the device, the first sensor proximately arranged to the wire, measure with a second sensor, a second magnetic field associated with an environment at least a first distance from the wire, and compare (a) the first magnetic field as measured by the first sensor arranged proximate to the wire and (b) the second magnetic field as measured by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20240073484
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for estimating audience exposure based on engagement level. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, machine readable instructions, and processor circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to identify a user activity associated with a user during exposure of the user to media based on an output from at least one of a user device, a remote control device, an image sensor, or a motion sensor, classify the user activity as an attention-based activity or a distraction-based activity, assign a distraction factor or an attention factor to the user activity based on the classification, and determine an attention level for the user based on the distraction factor or the attention factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Matjaz Finc, Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 11838585
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus are to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus are also to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus are further to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20230094632
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus are to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus are also to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus are further to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 11558135
    Abstract: Example apparatus disclosed herein determine that an output media signal from a monitored media device corresponds to at least a first media signal from a first source device in communication with the monitored media device, and a second media signal from a second source device in communication with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also access motion data reported by one or more of a first accelerometer associated with a first remote control device, a second accelerometer associated with a second remote control device, a third accelerometer associated with a third remote control device, the first remote control device associated with the first source device, the second remote control device associated with the second source device, the third remote control device associated with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also identify, based on the motion data, a source of the output media signal from the monitored media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Joze Arh, Igor Sotosek, Bla{hacek over (z)} Rem{hacek over (s)}kar, Marko Panger
  • Publication number: 20220405595
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to predict in-tab drop using artificial intelligence are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface to obtain (A) contextual data obtained from servers and (B) validated in-tab totals, the validated in-tab totals corresponding to a number of meters in a location that have transmitted metering data within a threshold duration of time; a filter to filter at least one of the contextual data based on the location; and a model trainer to train a model using filtered contextual data and the validated in-tab totals, the model trainer to train the model to estimate an in-tab total for the location based on input contextual data corresponding to the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 11523178
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus include activity detection circuitry to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus also include probe circuitry to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus further include state detection circuitry to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20220337492
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to provide network provider recommendations based on demographics. An example apparatus includes a network performance analyzer to determine a service performance of a first network provider based demographic information and network measurement data, the demographic information corresponding to subscribers of the first network provider, the network measurement data corresponding to services of the first network provider, and a report generator to generate a report of the service performance of the first network provider, the report including a recommendation for a demographic group to use a second network provider based on the service performance not satisfying a threshold, the second network provider different from the first network provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20220268820
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and tangible computer readable storage media are disclosed to determine an operational status of a device. Disclosed example apparatus include memory and processor circuitry to execute computer readable instructions to at least measure with a first sensor, a first magnetic field in at least three dimensions, the first magnetic field including a device magnetic field caused by a wire attached to a device to supply electricity to the device, the first sensor proximately arranged to the wire, measure with a second sensor, a second magnetic field associated with an environment at least a first distance from the wire, and compare (a) the first magnetic field as measured by the first sensor arranged proximate to the wire and (b) the second magnetic field as measured by the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Patent number: 11360131
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and tangible computer readable storage media are disclosed to determine an operational status of a device. Disclosed example apparatus include a first sensor to be positioned a first distance from a wire to measure a first magnetic field associated with the wire, and a second sensor to be positioned a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the wire to measure a second magnetic field, the second distance to reduce detectability of the first magnetic field by the second sensor. Disclosed example apparatus further include a comparator to compare the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to determine an operational status of the device, and a meter to collect audience measurement data based at least in part on the operational status of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20220167045
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect an operational state (such as an on/off state) of a media device are disclosed herein. Disclosed example apparatus include activity detection circuitry to monitor for activity on a first bus of an (HDMI) port of the media device. Disclosed example apparatus also include probe circuitry to inject a message with a first address on the first bus in response to detection of no activity on the first bus for at least a threshold duration. Disclosed example apparatus further include state detection circuitry to detect the operational state of the media device based on whether a response to the message is received on the first bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Bostjan Valencic, Igor Sotosek
  • Publication number: 20210288733
    Abstract: Example apparatus disclosed herein determine that an output media signal from a monitored media device corresponds to at least a first media signal from a first source device in communication with the monitored media device, and a second media signal from a second source device in communication with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also access motion data reported by one or more of a first accelerometer associated with a first remote control device, a second accelerometer associated with a second remote control device, a third accelerometer associated with a third remote control device, the first remote control device associated with the first source device, the second remote control device associated with the second source device, the third remote control device associated with the monitored media device. Disclosed example apparatus also identify, based on the motion data, a source of the output media signal from the monitored media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Joze Arh, Igor Sotosek, Blaz Remskar, Marko Panger
  • Publication number: 20210271964
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to predict in-tab drop using artificial intelligence are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an interface to obtain (A) contextual data obtained from servers and (B) validated in-tab totals, the validated in-tab totals corresponding to a number of meters in a location that have transmitted metering data within a threshold duration of time; a filter to filter at least one of the contextual data based on the location; and a model trainer to train a model using filtered contextual data and the validated in-tab totals, the model trainer to train the model to estimate an in-tab total for the location based on input contextual data corresponding to the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Igor Sotosek