Patents by Inventor Paul Mears

Paul Mears 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: 20240127276
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 11783356
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20230177546
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 11556946
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20210295360
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to obtain a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus are also to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, associate a geographic area with the media device in response to a determination that the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic area, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 10956923
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus include means for receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for resolving addresses, the means for resolving to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, in response to determining the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, associate a geographic area with the media device, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic are, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20200380542
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus include means for receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for resolving addresses, the means for resolving to determine a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, determine a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, in response to determining the geographic location corresponds to a location of an internet service provider, associate a geographic area with the media device, determine a demographic profile associated with the geographic are, and associate the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 10685365
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20190095938
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 10078846
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20140358640
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavsky, Robert A. Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Patent number: 8812012
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Paul Mears, Joseph G. Milavasky, Robert Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, David Howell Wright
  • Publication number: 20130237107
    Abstract: A fin system for a surfboard includes a fin box and a fin having a base, wherein the base is slidably engaged to the fin box. A surfboard comprises a fin attached to a bottom of the surfboard through a slot formed from a fin box, and a dial coupled to a base of the fin so that rotation of the dial causes movement of the fin from a distal position toward a read end of the surfboard to a proximal position toward a front end of the surfboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Paul Mears
  • Patent number: 8467717
    Abstract: Portable audience measurement architectures and methods for portable audience measurement are disclosed. A disclosed system contains a plurality of portable measurement devices configured to collect audience measurement data from media devices, a plurality of data collection servers configured to collect audience measurement data from the plurality of portable measurement devices, and a central data processing server. A portable measurement device establishes a communication link with a data collection server in a peer-to-peer manner and transfers the collected audience measurement data to the data collection server. Because the portable measurement device is not dedicated to a particular local data collection server, the portable measurement device periodically or a periodically broadcasts a message attempting to find a data collection server with which to establish a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: David J. Croy, Arun Ramaswamy, Paul Mears
  • Patent number: 8028429
    Abstract: An apparatus for hanging an object from a wall comprises a generally triangular-shaped frame having a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and cross-member between the vertical and horizontal portions. The vertical portion is configured for attachment to a wall stud. The horizontal portion defines an elongate slot that extends a substantial length of the horizontal portion. A hook member is slideably coupled to the slot and is configured to support a weight of an object suspended therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Mears
  • Publication number: 20110239245
    Abstract: Portable audience measurement architectures and methods for portable audience measurement are disclosed. A disclosed system contains a plurality of portable measurement devices configured to collect audience measurement data from media devices, a plurality of data collection servers configured to collect audience measurement data from the plurality of portable measurement devices, and a central data processing server. A portable measurement device establishes a communication link with a data collection server in a peer-to-peer manner and transfers the collected audience measurement data to the data collection server. Because the portable measurement device is not dedicated to a particular local data collection server, the portable measurement device periodically or a periodically broadcasts a message attempting to find a data collection server with which to establish a communication link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Croy, Arun Ramaswamy, Paul Mears
  • Patent number: 8023882
    Abstract: Portable audience measurement architectures and methods for portable audience measurement are disclosed. A disclosed system contains a plurality of portable measurement devices configured to collect audience measurement data from media devices, a plurality of data collection servers configured to collect audience measurement data from the plurality of portable measurement devices, and a central data processing server. A portable measurement device establishes a communication link with a data collection server in a peer-to-peer manner and transfers the collected audience measurement data to the data collection server. Because the portable measurement device is not dedicated to a particular local data collection server, the portable measurement device periodically or a periodically broadcasts a message attempting to find a data collection server with which to establish a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC.
    Inventors: David J. Croy, Arun Ramaswamy, Paul Mears
  • Publication number: 20110168858
    Abstract: An apparatus for hanging an object from a wall comprises a generally triangular-shaped frame having a horizontal portion, a vertical portion and cross-member between the vertical and horizontal portions. The vertical portion is configured for attachment to a wall stud. The horizontal portion defines an elongate slot that extends a substantial length of the horizontal portion. A hook member is slideably coupled to the slot and is configured to support a weight of an object suspended therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Mears
  • Publication number: 20100151816
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for associating media devices with a demographic composition of a geographic area are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol addresses assigned to a media device associated with a panel member, determining a most used Internet Protocol address from the plurality of Internet Protocol addresses, accessing geographic information and determining a geographic location corresponding to the most used Internet Protocol address, accessing demographic information and determining a demographic profile associated with the geographic location, and associating at least one of the geographic location or the demographic profile with the media device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Jan Besehanic, Robert Luff, David Howell Wright, Paul Mears, Arun Ramaswamy, Joseph G. Milavsky
  • Publication number: 20080059988
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture determine compliance with usage guidelines of an audience measurement system. Initially, location information associated with an audience member is obtained. It is then determined whether the audience member is in compliance with the usage guidelines based on the location information. Media monitoring information corresponding to the location information is then tagged as non-compliant if the audience member is not in compliance with the usage guidelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Morris Lee, Paul Mears, Robert Luff, Arun Ramaswamy, Stanley Seagran, Weston Headley