Audience Survey Or Program Distribution Use Accounting Patents (Class 455/2.01)
  • Patent number: 9875488
    Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted marketing to a user based on the user's social media interaction. The system includes one or more computing platforms providing computer-automated functionality performing method steps for accepting a digital media and digital media related data from a publisher, generating associated information unique identifiers, monitoring social media networks for member-user rankings of the digital media after it is posted, and communicating to a member-user targeted marketing information based on the user rankings. A data storage device persists the digital media, digital media related data, and information unique identifier, which may include a linking hash character, a unique identifier, an account identifier, and/or social media network system-defined elements. The publisher selects digital media and information representing digital media elements, and posts the digital media on the social media network website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: REWARDSTYLE, INC.
    Inventors: Baxter Box, Harrison Jackson
  • Patent number: 9872084
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer system which includes: a specifically programmed server, where the server includes a plurality of modules configured to perform at least: electronically and periodically obtaining, over a computer network, media data from a plurality of computer systems of media data sources, where the media data is associated with a plurality of media airings of a plurality creatives; electronically and periodically obtaining web tracking transaction data from a computer system of a web tracking electronic source; where the web tracking transaction data including web tracking metrics for web originated activities; where web originated activities include web orders placed in response to the offer associated with the creative; for each web order record in the transactional web data: attributing, by the specifically programmed server, a particular web order to a particular media airing; and displaying a real time updatable web attribution report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Monica C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9824367
    Abstract: A closed-loop marketing system and method provides the ability to measure the return on investment of marketing programs across channels, both online and offline, including impression, page view and response levels. The present invention provides mechanisms for measuring a marketing department's contribution to the sales pipeline by taking into account the effect of multiple campaigns. A multi-campaign attribution methodology takes into measures the effect of a first touch (a campaign that first brought in an account), a last touch (a campaign that was presented immediately prior to the closing of a deal or creation of a sales-ready opportunity), and any significant re-touch events (campaigns that represent lead-nurturing and/or remarketing efforts).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad Sollis, Mikel Chertudi
  • Patent number: 9813990
    Abstract: In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to monitor environmental, system and user events associated with the mobile device and/or a peer device. The occurrence of one or more events can trigger adjustments to system settings. The mobile device can be configured to keep frequently invoked applications up to date based on a forecast of predicted invocations by the user. In some implementations, the mobile device can receive push notifications associated with applications that indicate that new content is available for the applications to download. The mobile device can launch the applications associated with the push notifications in the background and download the new content. In some implementations, before running an application or communicating with a peer device, the mobile device can be configured to check energy and data budgets and environmental conditions of the mobile device and/or a peer device to ensure a high quality user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Stanley-Marbell, Gaurav Kapoor, Umesh S. Vaishampayan
  • Patent number: 9804811
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a printing system. The printing system includes a geographic location server on a network that has access to a geographic location database. The printing system also includes a user profile server that has access to a user profile database. The printing system also includes a mobile client device that can communicate with the geographic location server and the user profile server and is associated with a user profile included in the user profile database. The geographic location server and the user profile server cooperatively provide print data when the mobile client device is within a threshold distance of a geographic position of one geographic location stored within the geographic location database. The print data is based on one location-based artifact of the geographic location and user profile data, and is printed by a printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory H. Wong
  • Patent number: 9736663
    Abstract: Computer media, systems, and computer-implemented methods for enhancing SMS messaging sessions with user data are provided. A data sharing agreement between a service provider and a receiving entity, such as broadcaster or a consumer goods manufacturer, is established. A user with a wireless device sends an SMS message to the receiving entity. Data associated with the user is retrieved by the service provider in accordance with the data sharing agreement and is transmitted to the receiving entity along with the SMS message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond Emilio Reeves, Ambreen Haleem, Ryan Alan Wick
  • Patent number: 9727878
    Abstract: Multiple filtering criteria derived from consumer surveys can be used to adjust an advertising schedule to achieve improved performance. Historical performance data related to performance factors, such as gross rating points, can be filtered using the multiple filtering criteria. The filtered data can then be used as the basis for predicting future performance of an advertisement or advertising campaign. The historical data can be updated as new performance data becomes available, and the predicted future performance updated. An advertising schedule can be adjusted to maintain performance factors within designated upper and lower limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Curd, Ian Kilday, Richard Atkin
  • Patent number: 9723452
    Abstract: A method for predicting crowd formation based on movement of a plurality of mobile devices is provided. The method may include collecting a plurality of location data snapshots based on the plurality of mobile devices and a plurality of cell towers. The method may include determining a plurality of device positions based on the collected plurality of location data snapshots. The method may include determining a device movement direction based on the determined plurality of device positions. The method may include determining a device velocity based on the determined plurality of device positions. The method may include identifying a mobile device subset, whereby the mobile device subset converges on a convergence area. The method may include determining if the mobile device subset converging on the convergence area exceeds a threshold value. The method may include triggering a convergence response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9721287
    Abstract: A method and system for provides a user with an ability to capture a sample of an experiential environment and deliver that sample to an interactive service to trigger one or more predetermined events. In exemplary embodiments of the invention such triggered events include the delivery of information and services to the user, the execution of tasks and instructions by the service on the user's behalf, communication events; surveillance events and other control-oriented events that are responsive to the user's wishes. In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, the triggered events include transaction-oriented events, entertainment events, and events associated with enhancements to human ability or function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Shazam Investments Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Jacques Penrose Barton, Philip Georges Inghelbrecht, Dheeraj Shankar Mukherjee, Avery Li-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9716927
    Abstract: A method of sending data from a central facility to a vehicle includes transmitting a vehicle identifier to a status server from a central facility located apart from the status server; obtaining at the central facility one or more vehicle status variables corresponding to the transmitted identity of the vehicle from the status server; and initiating a direct transmission of packet data from the central facility to the vehicle based on the content of the obtained vehicle status variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Scott Droste, Khaled Rabbah
  • Patent number: 9674574
    Abstract: Media monitoring using multiple types of signatures is disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include sending a first indication to a device meter to indicate that media monitored by the meter corresponds to first reference media in response to determining that a media signature of a first type reported by the meter matched a first reference signature associated with the first reference media. Disclosed example methods also include, after sending the first indication, comparing media signatures of a second type reported by the meter with reference signatures of the second type associated with the first reference media. Disclosed example methods further include, in response to determining that the media signatures of the second type fail to match the reference signatures of the second type, sending a second indication to the meter to indicate that the media monitored by the meter no longer corresponds to the first reference media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Francis Gavin McMillan
  • Patent number: 9609396
    Abstract: A system for retrieval of executable applications, comprising: a broadcast tele-vision receiver apparatus; and a server; wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus includes a communication unit having an interface for bidirectional communication with a network and adapted to determine channel information from a currently decoded channel carried in a broadcast television signal, the channel information identifying the currently decoded channel, the communication unit being further adapted to send the channel information to a server over the network, and to receive application information from the server, the application information describing a set of applications which are available for execution, and to receive executable code components for the set of applications corresponding to the application information, and wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus further includes a data processor adapted to execute the application while the channel is decoded; and wherein the server is adapted to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Europe Limited
    Inventors: Jose Alexandre Simoes Rodrigues, Tassilo Volker Raesig
  • Patent number: 9538217
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer system which includes: a specifically programmed server, where the server includes a plurality of modules configured to perform at least: electronically and periodically obtaining, over a computer network, media data from a plurality of computer systems of media data sources, where the media data is associated with a plurality of media airings of a plurality creatives; electronically and periodically obtaining web tracking transaction data from a computer system of a web tracking electronic source; where the web tracking transaction data including web tracking metrics for web originated activities; where web originated activities include web orders placed in response to the offer associated with the creative; for each web order record in the transactional web data: attributing, by the specifically programmed server, a particular web order to a particular media airing; and displaying a real time updatable web attribution report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Monica C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9402113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing audience retention for a video as a function of impression frequency are provided. In an aspect, a system includes a reception component configured to receive watch history information for a plurality of users regarding their watch history of a video, and a visualization component configured to generate a visualization based on the watch history information that graphically depicts viewer retention over duration of the video as a function of impression frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Shackleton, Avi Fein, Jason Carlin, Thomas James Broxton
  • Patent number: 9374675
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for predicting crowd formation based on the movement of a plurality of mobile devices is provided. The method may include collecting a plurality of location data snapshots based on the plurality of mobile devices and a plurality of cell towers. The method may include determining a plurality of device positions based on the collected plurality of location data snapshots. The method may include determining a device movement direction based on the determined plurality of device positions. The method may include determining a device velocity based on the determined plurality of device positions. The method may include identifying a mobile device subset, whereby the mobile device subset converges on a convergence area. The method may include determining if the mobile device subset converging on the convergence area exceeds a threshold value. The method may include triggering a convergence response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9306686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an audience response communication system comprising a base unit and a plurality of remote input devices. The audience response and communication system lowers the risk of undelivered data transmissions by enabling the remote input devices to sequentially transmit responses via multiple transmission channels until a vote acknowledgement message is received, or a predetermined number of attempts is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Macmillan New Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: James E. McIntyre, John W. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 9253550
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a computer system which includes: a specifically programmed server, where the server includes a plurality of modules configured to perform at least: electronically and periodically obtaining, over a computer network, media data from a plurality of computer systems of media data sources, where the media data is associated with a plurality of media airings of a plurality creatives; electronically and periodically obtaining web tracking transaction data from a computer system of a web tracking electronic source; where the web tracking transaction data including web tracking metrics for web originated activities; where web originated activities include web orders placed in response to the offer associated with the creative; for each web order record in the transactional web data: attributing, by the specifically programmed server, a particular web order to a particular media airing; and displaying a real time updatable web attribution report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Monica C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9232269
    Abstract: Interactive programming advertising methods and systems are provided. A selectable menu may be provided with a broadcast programming advertisement. The selectable menu may include one or more selectable functions that may allow for a user to interact with the broadcast programming advertisement. Data regarding the user's interaction or non-interaction with the interactive programming advertisement may be collected and utilized for providing a user with a more customized television viewing experience, for targeted programming advertisements, for measurement of new viewer generation data, as well as for other marketing activities directed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Samuel Kelter
  • Patent number: 9130685
    Abstract: Optimizing parameters includes, during a time interval, rotating from setting a first parameter to a first value for a first time period, to setting the first parameter to a second value for a second time period such that the time interval includes multiple first time periods in which the first parameter is set to the first value sequenced with multiple second time periods in which the first parameter is set to the second value; obtaining, for the time interval, a first set of ratings corresponding to the first time periods and a second set of ratings corresponding to the second time periods; averaging, for the time interval, the first set of ratings to a first average rating and the second set of ratings to a second average rating; and correlating the first average rating to the first value and the second average rating to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TLS CORP.
    Inventor: Barry Blesser
  • Patent number: 9094719
    Abstract: The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce L. Davis, Tony F. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9083988
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for identifying viewers of a television set is presented. An audio signal received by a microphone of the television metering device is monitored, the audio signal corresponding to audio of a television program presented on the television set and at least one audio tone generated by at least one audio transmitter of at least one viewer of the television set. The audio signal is analyzed to determine an identifier for the television program being presented on the television set and to identify an audio tone generated by an audio transmitter of a viewer. An identifier of the viewer associated with the audio tone is determined. An identifier for television metering device, the identifier for the television program, and the identifier of the viewer is transmitted to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Michael Rowe
  • Patent number: 9047371
    Abstract: A method for identifying with a broadcast stream. That method includes receiving one or more broadcast streams, from which it generates and stores an audio fingerprint of a selected portion of each received broadcast stream. A query is received, and the method generates an audio fingerprint of the query. From that point, the method continues by identifying audio content from the query, using the query audio fingerprint and a database of indexed audio content. The method concludes by identifying the source of the query using the query audio fingerprint and the stored audio fingerprints. Embodiments of the method further include predictively caching audio fingerprint sequences and corresponding audio item identifiers from a server after storing audio fingerprints extracted from the broadcast stream; and using the predictively cached audio fingerprint sequences to identify an audio item within the audio signal based on at least some additional audio fingerprints of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SoundHound, Inc.
    Inventors: Keyvan Mohajer, Bernard Mont-Reynaud, Joe Aung
  • Publication number: 20150133046
    Abstract: An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: 3D RADIO LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. ELLIS, Caron S. SCHWARTZ
  • Patent number: 9020414
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide for optimizing operation of a radio program operated by a host process. Aspects include analyzing the contextual information received from the plurality of client devices participating in the radio program and enabling enable the host process to manage the participation of the plurality of client devices based at least in part on the contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: LEMI Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Amidon, Alfredo C. Issa, Richard J. Walsh, Juan A. Pons, Gregory M. Evans
  • Patent number: 8990142
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for customizing, distributing and processing audio fingerprint data. One or more items of audio content are processed to generate pre-recorded audio fingerprints. After identifying one or more specific devices in accordance to panelist and/or household data from a central site, an activation message is communicated to the identified devices, together with the pre-recorded audio fingerprint in accordance with a predetermined schedule. After receiving the activation message, the portable device records the audio content, forms an audio fingerprint, and performs local matching to determine if a match exists. The matching result is then communicated back to the central site for further processing and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Wendell Lynch, Alan Neuhauser, Taymoor Arshi, Anand Jain
  • Publication number: 20140363000
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for real-time determination of attentiveness of an audience in a room to a speaker. A computer determines amounts of wireless activity of a computing device within the room of the audience over time during the presentation. Based in part on the amounts of wireless activity of the computing device, the computer determines and initiates display of measures of attentiveness of the audience over the time during the presentation, to display changes in the measures of attentiveness of the audience to the speaker during the presentation. In another embodiment, the computer determines amounts of attentiveness of the audience within the room over time during the presentation utilizing sensors located throughout the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Scott G. Bowden, Christopher J. Dawson, Sanjeev Kumar V. Marimekala
  • Patent number: 8903305
    Abstract: An adaptive clicker technique is described that provides a standardized polling control and a registration system to support mixed types of clickers and integrate the polling data. One embodiment of the adaptive clicker technique operates as follows. User inputs from more than one type of clicker device (e.g., personal interactive response system device) are received. The inputs from the more than one type of clicker device are formatted with a clicker adapter for each type of clicker to adapt user inputs to a common polling controller. The adapted inputs are then processed with the common polling controller to interface the adapted inputs with a personal response system software application to allow user polling data to be collected and assessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Curtis Beavers, Juan Dai, Ravipal Soin, Christopher H. Moffatt, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8874026
    Abstract: A system of capturing real-time audience interaction via a web-based user interface and automatically adjusting a radio station's programming through a unique direct interface with the radio station's studio operating system and/or music scheduling system. The web based user interface is accessible through a computer, mobile, cellular, and social media site or web-connected car dashboard. Audience participation is collected and processed using an algorithm to determine how a radio station's programming should be manipulated to fit the preferences of the audience. The invention allows the audience to determine which selection should play next on the air, prioritize which elements should play on the air, to play audio on demand, and to upload audio selections, and provides instant alerts, such as by SMS texting, IM, E-mail, and Social Media when a listener's selection is about to play on the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Listener Driven Radio LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Anstandig, Brian Seeders
  • Patent number: 8869229
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
  • Patent number: 8849323
    Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bookit oy Ajanvarauspalvelu
    Inventor: Jukka Kalevi Salonen
  • Patent number: 8850463
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing and recording parameters of events on portable devices with a digital television receiver, a method for remote configuration of service parameters for capturing and recording events on portable devices, as well as a portable device and server. More specifically, a system and method for capturing audience data, the method for remote configuration of audience data capture service, especially adapted for digital TV services on portable devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and personal digital assistants, among others, that helps in remotely setting up the service. Another aspect of the present architecture is the fact that it is completely based on software, using only resources that are already present in portable devices with an embedded service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Átila Leão Flores Xavier, Paulo Vicente Dutra Da Silva Santos Valente, Leonardo Gomes Franco, André Ricardo Dias, Alexandre Crivellaro, Márcio Franco Quelhas Alves, Lucas Rogério De Freitas, Daniel Tost, Eduardo Seiti De Oliveira, Gustavo Cincoetti, Felipe De Melo Xavier, Bruno De André Mazzoco, Patricia De Freitas, Rodrigo Geraldi Carraro, Adriana Keiko Kawai, Nickolas Seibel Butti
  • Patent number: 8843948
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect carrying of a portable audience measurement device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing; a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data; an attachment mechanism coupled to the housing to secure the housing to a person; and a sensor to detect a status of the attachment mechanism to enable determination of whether the device is being carried by the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8839293
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
  • Patent number: 8811885
    Abstract: A user (102) hears an audio program being broadcast and can record a sample of the audio. The sample is then conveyed to an analyzing means (106) to determine to which broadcast station the user is listening. The analyzing means monitors many broadcast channels. Thus, characteristics of the audio sample and samples taken from the broadcast channels can be compared to find a match. Broadcast information pertaining to the broadcast channel from which the match was found may then be reported back to the user, combined with an advertisement of a promotion, prize notification, discount offers, and other information specific for a certain radio station for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Shazam Investments Limited
    Inventor: Avery Li-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 8792855
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to identify wireless subscriber activity status are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a market of interest associated with wireless services, and creating a list of telephone numbers (TNs) from the identified market of interest. The example method also includes initializing each TN in the list of TNs as dormant, monitoring each TN in the list of TNs during a monitoring duration for an indication of activity, and when the indication of activity is received, associating one of the TNs in the list of TNs with an active status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Madhusudhad Reddy Alla
  • Patent number: 8787361
    Abstract: A network architecture uses an Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) server which allows paging and call routing across different types of wireless and wireline access networks. The ASAA server provides connectivity between an external voice or data network and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The external voice or data network may be a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a public data network (PDN), so that the connectivity between the external network and the WTRU is provided through the access networks using data from the ASAA server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Narayan Parappil Menon, Alan Gerald Carlton
  • Patent number: 8768256
    Abstract: A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Robin Dua
  • Publication number: 20140073236
    Abstract: Disclosed here are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for determining a reach of an audio program broadcast on a radio station. The method includes gathering one or more data logs associated with each of a subset of audio listeners, where a given data log includes a first indicia of the given audio program listened to by the given audio listener within a given time period. The method further includes identifying one or more audio program listeners from the subset of audio listeners who listened to the audio program broadcast on the radio station, the identification of a given audio program listener based on a match between a second indicia associated with the audio program and the first indicia of given audio program listened to by the given audio program listener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Adori Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Adori Labs, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8666303
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect media exposure information are described. An example apparatus includes an identifier card including a plurality of machine readable codes corresponding to one or more media stations and a metering device including a scanner to read a first one of the codes and a memory to record media exposure information identifying exposure of a user to a media station associated with the first one of the codes, the media information being stored in association with a timestamp corresponding to a time at which the first one of the codes was read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Arun Ramaswamy, Bruce Hoynoski
  • Publication number: 20130344797
    Abstract: A method of receiving signals in an audience response system on a plurality of channels comprises receiving a first number of signals on a first channel during a first period of reception for a first predetermined length of time. The method further comprises transmitting at least one acknowledgment signal. The method further comprises receiving a second number of signals on a second channel during a second period of reception for a second predetermined length of time. The method further comprises transmitting at least one additional acknowledgment signal. The method further comprises comparing the first number of signals to the second number of signals. The method further comprises adjusting a future predetermined length of time for a period of reception on one of the first and second channels based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Turning Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Hallsten, Steven R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8606617
    Abstract: A radio station market analysis program extends Cume values for individual stations to multiple stations (for a particular geographic market, a particular demographic, and a particular daypart) according to the formula C=[1??i=1,n(1?(Ci/P))]*P, where n is the number of media stations, P is the population, and Ci is each Cume value. Cume values may be provided for a limited set of input dayparts from Arbitron and Nielson, and are translated to an arbitrary daypart. The arbitrary daypart can represent a sum of component dayparts in a proposed advertising schedule. The reach of the proposed advertising schedule can be further computed based on a hyperbolic function of spot count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Weinberger, Marwan Shaban
  • Patent number: 8600291
    Abstract: An opportunity can arise while a user is engaging a first multimedia service, commonly when the service is engaged upon a personal electronic device. A trigger can have the first multimedia service changed to an alternative service based upon the opportunity. Upon completion of the opportunity, there can be an automatic return to the first service or a request to the user on how to leave the opportunity. In addition, a notice can transfer to the user that the opportunity is coming to an end and a request can be made for the user to determine how to proceed from the opportunity or that the opportunity is ending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Jason B. Kenagy
  • Patent number: 8583044
    Abstract: A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robin Dua
  • Patent number: 8548381
    Abstract: A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Robin Dua
  • Patent number: 8548373
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a digital audio signal are described. An example apparatus for identifying a digital audio signal includes an input to receive the digital audio signal, which includes data from a broadcast or a stored digital program signal. The example apparatus also includes a detector to receive the digital audio signal from the input and determine whether the received digital audio signal is uncompressed as received at the input; a decoder to receive the digital audio signal from the detector when the digital audio signal is compressed as received at the input and identify any first program-identifying code in an auxiliary field of the compressed digital audio signal; and a code reader to receive the digital audio signal from the detector when the digital audio signal is uncompressed as received at the input and receive the digital audio signal from a decompressor when the digital audio signal is compressed as received at the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: John C. Peiffer, Michael A. Hicks, David H. Wright, Paul M. Mears, Venugopal Srinivasan, Daozheng Lu, Paul C. Kempter
  • Patent number: 8540514
    Abstract: Whilst partaking in a traditional electronic questionnaire survey, responses given by any one respondent are almost always influenced by that person's emotional state due to the survey format. This emotional content skews the results thus obtained making them inaccurate, so that statistical methods become necessary to interpret the results. Such a statistical analyses requires not only a minimum sample size but also to be interpreted, which can also lead to false, non repeatable results. However, by structuring the system and method of the electronic questionnaire survey in accordance with a strict set of guidelines, it is possible to measure a respondent's views on any subject matter both emotionally and rationally, together with the respondent's level of conviction. By comparing the emotional responses with the rational responses, a truly quantifiable and repeatable measure of respondent satisfaction towards the subject matter can be achieved, which also allows benchmarking as an added benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Martin Miles Gosling
  • Patent number: 8532636
    Abstract: A system for mobile devices that facilitates the creation and dissemination of interactive media to a plurality of mobile devices and PCs/laptops that comprise a client component. The interactive media may comprise of a list of products and services that are for sale and the user can select one or more for purchase. It may also comprise a list of real estate entries with associated user interest solicitation and the user can indicate his interest in one or more of the entries. The server can help the user make an appointment to view the corresponding real estate properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Bindu Rama Rao
  • Patent number: 8478289
    Abstract: The population density for a geographic area is predicted using a Markov Random Field (MRF) model. A MRF model is defined for estimating a number of mobile devices being used within a geographic area. The MRF model includes a set of rules describing how to use current data describing mobile devices currently observed in the area, and historical data describing mobile devices historically observed in the area to produce the estimate. Values of weight parameters in the MRF model are learned using the historical data. The current and historical data are applied to the MRF model having the learned weight parameters, and cost minimization is used to estimate of the number of mobile devices currently being used within the area. This estimate is used to predict the population density for the area. The predicted population density can then be used to provide location-based services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lookingbill, Sebastian Thrun
  • 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: 8467718
    Abstract: For easily and quickly collecting data regarding macroscopic population distribution, and easily and quickly obtaining the survey results, an RNC includes: a location registration signal receiver that receives location registration signals, and a signal number counting module that counts the number of the location registration signals for each sector, and an information analyzing apparatus includes: a population distribution calculation module that calculates population distribution information based on the number of the location registration signals; and an output module that outputs the population distribution information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Suzuki, Ichiro Okajima, Hiroshi Kawakami, Manhee Jo, Daisuke Ochi, Tomohiro Nagata, Motonari Kobayashi, Yuki Oyabu