Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Hicks

Michael Alan Hicks 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: 8649610
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for auditing signage are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves directing an operator to a signage location and capturing an image of a signage at the signage location. The example method also includes detecting an actual characteristic of the signage based on the image and comparing the actual characteristic to an expected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Michael Alan Hicks
  • Publication number: 20130067505
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for auditing signage are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves directing an operator to a signage location and capturing an image of a signage at the signage location. The example method also includes detecting an actual characteristic of the signage based on the image and comparing the actual characteristic to an expected characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Alan Hicks
  • Patent number: 8315456
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for auditing signage are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves directing an operator to a signage location and capturing an image of a signage at the signage location. The example method also includes detecting an actual characteristic of the signage based on the image and comparing the actual characteristic to an expected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company
    Inventor: Michael Alan Hicks
  • Patent number: 8181848
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metering printed media are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus comprises a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to adhere to a first leaflet of a printed media at a first location; a second RFID tag to adhere to a second leaflet of the printed media at a second location of the second leaflet, the first and second locations being substantially a same location; and a first RFID absorber to adhere to a third leaflet of the printed media such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the first and the third leaflets, the second RFID tag is inactive, and such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the second and the third leaflets, the first RFID tag is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Asa Olmsted, Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Alan Hicks, Robert A. Luff
  • Publication number: 20090257620
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for auditing signage are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves directing an operator to a signage location and capturing an image of a signage at the signage location. The example method also includes detecting an actual characteristic of the signage based on the image and comparing the actual characteristic to an expected characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Alan Hicks
  • Publication number: 20090201132
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metering printed media are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus comprises a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to adhere to a first leaflet of a printed media at a first location; a second RFID tag to adhere to a second leaflet of the printed media at a second location of the second leaflet, the first and second locations being substantially a same location; and a first RFID absorber to adhere to a third leaflet of the printed media such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the first and the third leaflets, the second RFID tag is inactive, and such that, when the printed media is positioned to expose the second and the third leaflets, the first RFID tag is inactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne Asa Olmsted, Charles Clinton Conklin, Michael Alan Hicks, Robert A. Luff
  • Publication number: 20090192921
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to survey a retail environment are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method involves moving a cart in a retail establishment having a camera. The method also involves capturing a first image of a first area and a second image of a second area. A stitched image is generated based on the first and second images. The stitched image is associated with product codes based on products appearing in the stitched image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Alan Hicks
  • Publication number: 20080170755
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for collecting media site data for use with media exposure measurement systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves displaying a first image of a scene and receiving a user-provided selection of a location in the first image. An object of interest in the scene is then identified based on the user-provided selection in the first image. The example method also involves obtaining a distance value representative of an approximate distance between an image capturing device and the object of interest in the scene. A zoom level of the image capturing device is then set based on the distance value to capture at least a portion of the object of interest in the scene. A second image of the object of interest is captured using the image capturing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Kamal Nasser, Michael Alan Hicks