Abstract: A scale estimating method through metric reconstruction of objects using a smart device is disclosed, in which the smart device is equipped with a camera for image capture and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The scale estimating method is adapting a batch, vision-centric approach only using IMU to estimate the metric scale of a scene reconstructed by algorithm with Structure from Motion like (SfM) output. Monocular vision and noisy IMU can be integrated with the disclosed scale estimating method, in which a 3D structure of an object of interest up to an ambiguity in scale and reference frame can be resolved. Gravity data and a real-time heuristic algorithm for determining sufficiency of video data collection are utilized for improving upon scale estimation accuracy so as to be independent of device and operating system. Application of the scale estimation includes determining pupil distance and 3D reconstruction using video images.

Abstract: A scale estimating method through metric reconstruction of objects using a smart device is disclosed, in which the smart device is equipped with a camera for image capture and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The scale estimating method is adapting a batch, vision-centric approach only using IMU to estimate the metric scale of a scene reconstructed by algorithm with Structure from Motion like (SfM) output. Monocular vision and noisy IMU can be integrated with the disclosed scale estimating method, in which a 3D structure of an object of interest up to an ambiguity in scale and reference frame can be resolved. Gravity data and a real-time heuristic algorithm for determining sufficiency of video data collection are utilized for improving upon scale estimation accuracy so as to be independent of device and operating system. Application of the scale estimation includes determining pupil distance and 3D reconstruction using video images.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method meters IP video streams. The processor implements a meter. The method includes detecting, by the processor, a video watch page; harvesting, by the processor, data from the video watch page; storing, by the processor, the harvested data as current page data; detecting, by the processor, a video play button operation indicating a video playing; and inferring, by the processor, the video playing correlates to a video referenced in the current page data.

Abstract: An audience measurement or personalized recommendation system may be actively trained for each panel member for a training period, during which the presence of each member is recorded while content is displayed. Panel members may carry or wear portable devices with wireless transmitters which may be detected by the measurement system. For example, each panel member may wear a wristband including a wireless transmitter broadcasting an identification code, and a measurement device may include a wireless receiver to receive broadcast identification codes and determine that the corresponding one or more panel members are present during display of content. An inference engine may create personalized profiles of each panel participant during the training period. After the training period, panel participants may stop carrying or wearing the devices, and the inference engine may determine, based on the profiles, which participants are likely present when content is being viewed.

Abstract: An audience measurement or personalized recommendation system may be actively trained for each panel member for a training period, during which the presence of each member is recorded while content is displayed. Panel members may carry or wear portable devices with wireless transmitters which may be detected by the measurement system. For example, each panel member may wear a wristband including a wireless transmitter broadcasting an identification code, and a measurement device may include a wireless receiver to receive broadcast identification codes and determine that the corresponding one or more panel members are present during display of content. An inference engine may create personalized profiles of each panel participant during the training period. After the training period, panel participants may stop carrying or wearing the devices, and the inference engine may determine, based on the profiles, which participants are likely present when content is being viewed.

Abstract: A method for recording product purchase behavior includes receiving, at a processor, primary product data read by a local media device from a data element associated with a product to be purchased; comparing, by the processor, the primary product data to stored product data to identify the product to be purchased; sending, by the processor, a feedback signal to the local media device; in response to the feedback signal, receiving, by the processor, secondary product data from the local media device; and storing the primary product data with the secondary product data.

Abstract: A system for generating a second factor authorization for a request to access a web site includes a data store having a computer readable medium storing a program for generating the second factor authorization, and a processor. A packet receiving unit receives the request from a user device via a local network to access the web site via an external network. A trigger database stores the web site. A device database stores a rule associated with the user device for the web site, and a corresponding paired device with the user device. A second factor determination unit requests a second factor authorization from the corresponding paired device in response to the packet receiving unit receiving the request. A communication unit communicates the request to the external network in response to a valid assertion from the paired device based on the second factor authorization.

Abstract: A method for remotely recording Web usage by a panelist includes receiving at a remote processor, a command from a local client to display a Web page; identifying the local client and the panelist operating the local client; accessing the Web page; rendering the Web page in a remote browser; sending an image of the Web page to a local browser of the local client; and recording Web usage metrics associated with a display of the image on the local browser.

Abstract: A method for conducting a media consumption study, includes at a processor of a position marker placed in a study site in a vicinity of a fixed media device; receiving a signal broadcast from a personal measurement device; determining signal information of the received broadcast signal, the signal information including identification information of the personal measurement device, and one or more signal characteristics; comparing the one or more signal characteristics to threshold values; and based on the comparison, determining the personal measurement device is in proximity to the fixed media device.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a processor, for combining multiple data sources in a product purchase study includes acquiring, by a processor, first product purchase data for a product from a first data source, the first product purchase data uniquely identifying the product; sending, by the processor, the first product purchase data to a remote server; receiving, by the processor, a signal from the remote server based on the first product purchase data, the signal comprising a request for additional product purchase data; acquiring by the processor in response to the request, second product purchase data from a second source independent of the first source to the remote server; and sending the second product purchase data to the remote server.

Abstract: A method for acquiring and processing product purchase data for purchase of a product includes defining a product class encompassing the product; designating sub-groups of a panel including an exposed sub-group and a control sub-group and a time period of a product purchase study, the exposed sub-group comprising panelists provided with first advertisements related to the product, the control sub-group provided with second advertisements not including the first advertisements; receiving, by the processor, first product purchase data for the product and first advertisements watched data from panelists of the exposed sub-group for items of the product class; performing, by the processor, a first correlation the first product purchase data and the first advertisements watched data to determine an existence of a connection between watching the first advertisements and purchasing the product; receiving, by the processor, second product purchase data for the product from the control-subgroup; and performing, by the

Abstract: A TV audience survey system for determining the TV viewing activities of a plurality of individuals in a household includes a master device and multiple tags, each tag assigned to an individual. After an individual logs into the system and starts watching the TV, the master device communicates with the corresponding tag repeatedly to accumulate data representing the individual's TV viewing activities. Such data can be used to determine when the individual stops watching the TV for an extended period of time without logging out of the system and when the household member remains watching the TV after logging or being logged out of the system. The master device then reports the accumulated data to a remote server, which uses the data to determine whether the individual complies with the logging protocol defined by the TV audience survey system and update the TV viewership data associated with this household.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines, and particularly to vaccines active against pathogenic bacteria including Clostridia species, such as C. difficile, and Bacillus species, such as B. anthracis and B. cereus. The invention is concerned with the use of nucleic acids and proteins as antigens for use in vaccine design and construction, and to the vaccines per se. The nucleic acids and proteins are also useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for the detection of Clostridium spp. and Bacillus spp. infections.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and collecting information about channels being displayed on a display device are described. Such methods and systems provide an effective way for entities to collect reliable and detailed viewership information. Conditional access modules are associated with panelists who are part of a viewership measurement program. A conditional access module is also associated with a display device, and sends messages to a server. The messages include data that can be used to identify the channel to which the display device is tuned. The server collects and compiles data about a group of TV channels. The server determines a match between the stored data and the received message to determine what TV channel is being displayed at the display device.

Abstract: A method, performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors, includes receiving respective first set-top box (STB) information from a first plurality of STBs. The first STB information received from a respective STB in the first plurality of STBs includes tuning information for the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs, and power status information for a respective display device coupled to the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs. The method also includes filtering the power status information, and determining a viewership metric for the first plurality of STBs based on the tuning information and the filtered power status information in the first STB information.

Abstract: A method for providing efficient and accurate estimates of TV viewership ratings through a distributed computer system that includes multiple computers is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a query from a client at the distributed computer system; dynamically selecting one or more computers according to a predefined sharding function; at each of the selected computers, determining a count of qualified event records that satisfy the query; aggregating the respective counts of qualified event records determined by the selected computers; statistically projecting the aggregated count of qualified event records into an estimated total count of qualified event records on the distributed computer system; and returning the estimated total count of qualified event records to the requesting client.

Abstract: A system and method for re-serving shared content are provided. The system includes a first impression detection unit to detect a user's consumption of the shared content via the metering data; a user detection unit to detect a device associated with the user; a shared content retrieval unit to retrieve the shared content based on the user and the device; and a shared content communication unit to transmit the shared content to the detected device.

Abstract: The invention provides novel surface coat proteins of Clostridium spp. spores, and nucleic acids encoding such proteins. The invention extends to various uses of these nucleic acids and proteins, as antigens for use in vaccine design and construction, and to vaccines per se, and in diagnostic test kits and methods for the detection of Clostridium spp. infections. In addition, the nucleic acids and proteins can be used as potential targets for therapeutic drugs for the prevention or treatment of Clostridium spp. infections.

Abstract: A pistol has a disconnector for disconnecting a trigger bar from a sear to allow the sear to reset and engage and hold a hammer in a cocked position. Motion of a slide causes rotation of the disconnector through interaction between a cam surface on the slide and a cam follower on the disconnector. A contact surface on the disconnector engages the trigger bar upon rotation of the disconnector and moves the trigger bar out of engagement with the sear. A biasing spring resets the sear into engagement with the hammer which is rotated into the cocked position by motion of the slide.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (400) to generate an avatar, such as an avatar forming part of synthetic user generated content. The method comprises determining a rigid model based on an appearance error, a shape error and a dimensionality (425) of received images (405), and an appearance component and shape component of the rigid model. The non-rigid digital model may be a person specific active appearance model. Other aspects of include a computer system (200) and software (225).