MXPA06004286A - Portable multi-purpose audience measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

As disclosed herein, media metering functionality may be imparted to a panelists device that was not previously capable of media metering. According to one example, a method of providing a communication device with media metering functionality includes asking a potential panelist to participate in a survey, receiving an affirmative response from the potential panelist, and providing metering functionality to a portable device of the potential panelist.

Description

PORTABLE SYSTEM FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF THE PUBLIC, FOR USE / GENERAL REFCE TO RELATED REQUESTS 5 This application is incorporated for refce and is a continuation in part of International Application No. PCT / US 2004/000818, filed on January 14, 2004. In addition, this application is incorporated for refce and 10 claims the benefit of the US Provisional Patent Application Series No. 60 / 511,859 filed on October 17, 2003 and the US Provisional Patent Application Series No. 60 / 578,196, filed on June 9, 2004.

FIELD OF THE DESCRIPTION The present description refers, in general, to the measurement of the public, and more specifically, to a portable system for the measurement of the public, general use. 20 BACKGROUND Determining the size and demographics of a television viewing public helps producers of television programs improve their programming and determine a price for the advertisements during such programming. In addition, the exact demographics of people watching television allows advertisers to target certain types and sizes of viewers.

To collect this demographic data, a company that measures the audience can list a plurality of people who watch television and who cooperate in a study of audience measurement during a predefined time. The habits of these people are collected that watch television, listed, as well as demographic data about the same people and data are used to statistically determine the size and demographics of an audience that watches television. In some cases, automatic measurement systems can be complemented with survey information manually documented by the members of the public that watch television.

The process of enlisting and retaining participants 20 for the purpose of audience measurement can be a difficult and expensive aspect of the audience measurement process. For example, participants can be carefully selected and screened for specific characteristics so that the population of the 25 participants represents the population that watches television in general. In addition, participants must agree to perform specific tasks that allow for the collection of data and, in theory, the chosen participants must be skilled at executing 5 of these specific tasks so that the measurement data of the audience indicate exactly his observation habits.

For example, audience measurement systems usually need some amount of continuous input from the participating audience member. One method for collecting observer inputs is the use of a person meter. A person meter is an electronic device that normally is placed in the observation area and is close to one or more of the observers. The person meter is adapted to communicate with a television meter placed in, for example, a box in the upper part of the apparatus, which measures the difft signals associated with the television for difft purposes such as, but not limited to, determining the operational state of the television, that is, whether the television is on or off, and identifying the programming that is presented on television. Based on any number of activations, including for example a channel change or an elapsed time, the person meter asks domestic observers to enter information by pressing one of a series of buttons each of which is assigned to represent a member other than the family . For example, the person meter may request observers to register, or may request observers to indicate that they are still present among the viewers. While periodically entering information in response to a request may not be annoying if it is required for an hour, a day or even a week or two, some participants over time feel that the invitations and the tasks of entering data are intrusive and annoying. .

In addition to performing tasks associated with observation, participants must also agree to have their media systems modified to allow their observation habits to be measured, a requirement that usually consists of allowing field staff access to their homes. Allowing access to the home is often seen as intrusive because they would be participants and requires that potential participants schedule a time to allow such access. The potential participant may also not want to risk the damage that may occur after field personnel modify a costly home system.

Furthermore, there are costs associated with engaging and training field staff who not only install such hearing measurement systems in the homes of the participants but also return home when necessary to repair the equipment and remove the equipment when the equipment is removed. Participants no longer wish to participate, when they have to move out of their homes or the term of the originally agreed time to participate has arrived.

To reduce the costs and resources needed to enroll and retain participants and engage and train field support, the companies that measure the audience are investigating ways to make participation as convenient as possible for the participants and to minimize the amount of internal installation and repair necessary to support the measurement of the auditorium in the home.

Another aspect of measuring the public is to try to measure not only the observation that takes place inside the home, called observation within the home, but also to see what happens outside the home, called observation outside the home. In today's world, the average observer is more frequently exposed to media sources outside the home. Specifically, televisions and presentation monitors are located in places such as airports, shopping centers, retail establishments, restaurants and bars, just to mention a few. To measure television viewing outside the home, portable devices have been created to capture sound codes of the sound signals emanating from a television set. These codes are then transmitted to a central data processing facility that uses the codes to identify the schedule that was viewed and to properly credit that observation to the appropriate program. Because these devices are mobile, they can be used to measure the observation that takes place inside the home and outside the home. Unfortunately, these mobile sound code detection devices have their own limitations.

Specifically, these mobile devices can not distinguish between codes captured as a result of observation within the home and codes captured as a result of observation outside the home. There are even peculiar differences between watching television inside the home and watching television outside the home, which can be interesting for consumers of data for audience measurement. Specifically, an observer within the home often focuses almost all or all of his attention on the television program he is watching. On the contrary, watching television outside the home may consist of the observer's concentrated attention or may instead include a brief look at the television screen when the observer walks in front of a television set, for example, at an airport. In addition, watching television within the home is usually carried out in a selective manner, that is, the viewer probably has control over the selection of the TV program that the television presents inside the home, while watching television outside the home. it is less likely to be done selectively, that is, the observer outside the home is less likely to have individual control over the selection of programming that is being presented on the television outside the home.

Thus, companies that measure audience are investigating ways to distinguish between the data associated with watching television within the home and the data associated with watching television outside the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE l ^ is a block diagram that represents an exemplary television system.

FIGURE 2 is a representation of a block diagram of an exemplary base measuring device.

FIGURE 3 is a block diagram representation of an exemplary mobile meter device.

FIGURE 4 / is a block diagram representation of an exemplary identification shaper.

FIGURE 5 is a representation in a flowchart of an exemplary method for gathering information from the audience associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 6 is a representation in a flowchart of another exemplary method for gathering information / from an audience associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 7 / is a representation in a flowchart of an exemplary method for collecting audience information associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 8 is a representation in a flow diagram of an exemplary method for collecting audience information associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 9 / is a representation of a block diagram of another exemplary television system.

FIGURE 10 is a representation of a flow diagram of an alternative set of instructions that a machine can read and which can be executed to gather information from the audience associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 11 is a representation of a flowchart of an alternative series of instructions that a machine can read and that can be executed to gather information from the audience associated with a media presentation.

FIGURE 12 is a block diagram of a measurement system. J FIGURE 13 is a flow diagram of an exemplary Software download process.

FIGURES 14 through 21 are flowcharts of the exemplary processes for bringing a group of potential participants into communication, for downloading the Measurement Software to a mobile device used by the participant and configuring the Measurement Software for a meter to work mobile.

FIGURES 22A and 22B form a flow chart of a mobile meter process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the following describes the exemplary systems that include, among other components, Software executed on the Hardware, it should be noted that these systems are only exemplary and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is conceivable that all the Hardware and Software components described can be incorporated exclusively in dedicated Hardware, exclusively in Software, exclusively in Firmware or in some combination of Hardware, Firmware and / or Software.

Furthermore, although the following description is made with respect to exemplary television systems, it should be understood that the described system can be easily applied to many other media systems. Therefore, while exemplary systems and processes are described in the following, people with ordinary skills in the field will readily realize that the examples described are not the only way to implement these systems.

In the example of FIGURE 1, an exemplary television system 10 consists of a television service provider 12, a television 14 and a remote control device 16 is measuring the use of a public measurement system 18 having a base measuring device 20, a mobile measuring device 22, an identification shaper 24, a public change detector 26 and a person meter 28. The components of the television system 10 can be coupled in any known manner, such as the which is shown in FIGURE 1. The television 14 is placed in an observation area 30 located inside a house 32 occupied by one or more persons, referred to as the members of the family 34, all of which agree to participate in a public measurement research study. The observation area 30 includes the area in which the television 14 is located and from which the television 14 can be viewed by one or more members of the family 34 located in the observation area 30.

The television service provider 12 can be instrumented using any television service provider 12 such as, but not limited to, a cable television service provider 36, a radio frequency (RF) television provider 38 and / or a satellite television service provider 40. The television 14 receives a plurality of television signals transmitted by the television service provider 12 through a plurality of channels, and can be adapted to process and display the television signals. television provided in any format, such as a television signal format from the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), a national television standards commission), a high-definition television (HDTV) signal format, a signal format television of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), commission of advanced television systems), a format of signals of television of line of alternation of phases (PAL), a format of signals of television of diffusion of digital video (DVB), a format of signals of television of the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB), association of industries and radio broadcasting companies), etcetera. The user operated remote control device 16 allows a user to cause the television 14 to be tuned to and receive signals transmitted on a desired channel, and causes the television 14 to process and present the programming contained in the signals transmitted on the desired channel. . The processing performed by the television 14 may include, for example, extracting a video component sent by the received signal and a sound component sent by the received signal, causing the video component to be presented on a screen associated with the television. and causes the sound component to be emitted by the loudspeakers associated with the television. The content of the programming carried by the television signal may include, for example, a television program, a movie, an advertisement, a video game and / or a preview of another programming that is or will be offered by the provider of the television. 12 television services now or in the future.

The base measuring device 20 is configured as a stationary apparatus mainly located on or near the television 14 and can be adapted to perform one or more of different well-known television measurement methods. Depending on the types of measurement that the base meter device 20 can perform, the base meter device 20 can be physically coupled to the television 14 or it can instead be configured to capture signals emitted externally by the television 14, so that direct physical coupling to television 14 is not necessary. Preferably, a base measuring device 20 is provided for each television 14 placed in the house 32, so that the base measuring devices 20 can be adapted to capture data regarding all the observation within the home made by the members of the family. In one embodiment, the base meter device 20 can be instrumented as a low cost electronic device that can be sent to the observer's home 32 (for example, through normal mail) and can be easily installed by the observer, for example, by connecting the base 20 meter device in a commercial power source, i.e., an electrical outlet.

The portable measuring device 22 is adapted to perform the television measurement using the t ^ ^^ a ^ ^ n techniques for capturing sound codes and / or techniques for capturing sound signatures. The mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to capture code information and signature information at the same time. Otherwise, the mobile measuring device 22 may be adapted to use the code techniques as a primary measurement method, and to use the signature measurement method as a secondary method, that is, to complement the measurement made using the code technique. Specifically, if the mobile meter device 22 detects one or more sound codes, then it is not necessary to perform the signature method. Convly, if no sound codes are detected, then the mobile meter device 22 can execute one or more well-known methods used to capture signature information from the programming content presented on the television 14 in order to measure the observation. The mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to capture and process codes that are incorporated into the programming content using a coding technique such as that described in pending patent application US Serial No. 09 / 543,480. Preferably, different mobile measuring device 22 is assigned to each member of the family 34 residing in the home 32 and each member of the family 34 carries the appropriate mobile measuring device 22 at all times.

Still referring to FIGURE 1, the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 may be adapted to communicate with a data collection facility, central, located at a remote location 42 through a network 44. The network 44 it can be implemented using any type of public or private network such as, but not limited to, the Internet, the telephone network, a local area network (LAN), a cable network and / or a wireless network. To enable communication through the network 44, the base meter device 20 may include a communication interface allowing connection to an Ethernet, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable or any wireless connection , etc. Similarly, the mobile meter device 22 may include such an interface to allow communication via the mobile meter device 22 through the network 44. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22, or both, may be adapted to send observation data to the central facility for data collection 42. In the event that only the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 can transmit data to the central facility for collection of data 42, the base and mobile measuring devices 20, 22 can be adapted to communicate the data with each other so that there is a means whereby the data collected from all the measuring devices (i.e., the base measuring device 20 and / or the mobile measuring device 22) can be transmitted to the central establishment for data collection 42. The central establishment for the data collection 42 may have a server 46 and a database 48. In addition, the central establishment for data collection 42 may be adapted to process and store the data received from the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 The mobile measuring device 22 can also communicate through the network 44 using a docking base station (not shown) having a protection network in which the mobile measuring device 22 can be deposited to allow the transfer of data through of network 44 and allow to place a stack (do not • sample) in the mobile meter device 22 to be recharged. The docking base station can be operatively coupled to the network 44 through, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, and so on.

In the example shown, the mobile meter device 22 is a mobile electronic device such as, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and / or a manual computer. Due to its mobility, the mobile measuring device 22 can be used to measure the observation that is carried out in the home, in the office and / or any other place. For example, the mobile measuring device 22 can be configured to detect a film and / or a movie preview in a cinema. Of course, the mobile meter device 22 also includes a battery (not shown) to power the electronic circuits contained therein.

A mobile telephone 22 may be configured to be used to implement the mobile meter device 22 to operate in accordance with any wireless communication protocol, such as, but not limited to, a communication protocol based on multiple access by division. code (CDMA), a protocol of . & ** &'communication based on time division multiple access (TDMA), a communication protocol based on global system for mobile communication (GSM), a communication protocol based on general packet radio services (GPRS) ), a communication protocol based on improved data GSM environment access (EDGE), a communication protocol based on universal mobile telephone service (UMTS) or any other suitable wireless communication protocol. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the communication capabilities of the mobile telephone can be used to enable communication of data from the mobile meter device 22 to the central facility for data collection 421 through the network 44. The use of a mobile telephone to implement the mobile meter device 22 may allow the member of the family 34 to more easily and conveniently fulfill the research compliance requirements. Specifically, the member of the family 34 can already carry a mobile phone on a daily basis, so that carrying a mobile measuring device 22 implemented using a cell phone does not impose other tasks on the member of the family 34 that has not already been performed by the member of the family. family 34.

A PDA or a manual computer used to implement the mobile meter device 22 can be configured to communicate with an access point (not shown) in accordance with a short-range wireless communication protocol, such as, but not limits, to the communication protocol based on Bluetooth, a communication protocol that is in accordance with one of the standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11a, 802.11b or 802. llg, or any other wireless communication protocol of short range, convenient. In turn, the access point can be operatively coupled to the network 44 through, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, a wireless telephone connection, etc. To ensure that the PDA can detect sound codes, the PDA preferably includes a microphone that has automatic gain control as do the different PDAs currently available in the market.

The public measurement system 18 can be configured so that the base measuring device 20 is adapted to be the main source for collecting all observation data within the home and the mobile measuring device 22 is used as the primary source for collecting all the data of observation outside the home. In still another embodiment, the base meter device 20 can measure all observation within the home, the mobile meter device 22 can measure all observation inside and outside the home, and the duplicate observation data series collected for observation within the home they can be compared and processed to ensure that such data is accredited to show only an individual observation. Redundant data sets can also be used to identify differences between data and eliminate data considered to be erroneous. In yet another embodiment, the public measurement system 18 can be configured so that the base measuring device 20 can detect the presence and absence of the mobile measuring device 22 and to use such information to determine if the measurement is necessary. For example, if the base meter device 20 determines that the television 14 is on but there is no mobile meter device 22 located in the observation area, then the base meter 20 can begin by measuring the programming that is being displayed on the television 14 On the contrary, if the base measuring device 20 detects a mobile measuring device 22 in the observation area 30, then the base measuring device 20 can interrupt the monitoring.

In another embodiment, if the base measuring device 20 detects a mobile measuring device 22 in the observation area 30, then the base measuring device 20 can interrupt the monitoring and start emitting a signal that can detect any mobile measuring device 22 located in the area of observation 30. The mobile measuring device 22 can respond to the signal emitted by the base measuring device 20 by causing the subsequently collected data to be identified as observation data within the home thus allowing the data collected through the mobile measuring devices 22 in connection with observation within the home, they can be distinguished from the data collected by mobile measuring devices 22 in relation to observation outside the home. The mobile measuring devices 22 can still identify data collected as observation data within the home until the signal is no longer detected by the mobile measuring devices 22, that is, one of the mobile measuring devices 22 has been removed from the observation area 30. Alternatively, the base measuring device 20 can emit the signal only . & % periodically and the mobile metering devices 22 may be adapted to identify the data that are subsequently collected during a predefined time as associated with the observation within the home, where the predefined time is related to the frequency with which the base meter device 20 emits the signal.

In another embodiment, the base measuring device 20 can be replaced with a device that does not perform any measurement function but is only capable of generating a signal that is received by the mobile measuring devices 22 located in the observation area 30. These devices Signal generators may be adapted to generate signals that capture the mobile measuring devices 22 located in the observation area 30 and the mobile measuring devices 22 may be adapted to use the signals to identify the data that are collected in connection with the observation within the home. Of course, in a modality such as this, mobile measuring devices 22 are the only measuring devices and, therefore, it is important that family members agree to carry mobile devices assigned to them for the accuracy and completeness of the data. compiled by them.

In yet another embodiment, the public measurement system 18 may be adapted to include a public change detector 26, such as that described in PCT Patent Application Series No. PCT US02 / 39619 which is incorporated for reference in the present, to identify the number of members of the family 34 that are in the observation area 30. The public change detector 26 can communicate this number to the base meter device 20 which can then compare this number with the number of devices mobile meters 22 detected by the base meter device 20 if the number of mobile meter devices 22 detected coincides with the number of members of the family 34 located in the observation area 30, then the base meter device 20 does not need to measure the observation because the observation will be captured by the mobile measuring devices 22. However, if the numbers do not match, then it is possible that one or more members of the family 34 do not carry their mobile measuring device 22 assigned, and the base measuring device 20 can be adapted to measure the observation in order to guarantee the capture of the observation data.

The base measuring device 20 may be adapted to detect the presence of one or more of the mobile measuring devices 22 in the observation area 30 by the use of a short-range signal transmitter / receiver placed in the base measuring device 20 and a short range signal transmitter / receiver placed in the mobile meter device 22. The short range signals transmitted between the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 can be, for example, infrared signals, and can be adapted to provide information identifying the member of the family 34 assigned to carry the mobile measuring device 22 and the short range signals may also be adapted to provide information to know if the short-range signal originated from a mobile measuring device 22 or originated from a short-range signal transmitter associated with, for example, one of the i shapers 24 that are to be used by one or more members of the family 34. Identification formers such as these 24 can be adapted to be incorporated in jewelry, watches, clothing, etc. to decrease the likelihood that the member of the family 34 assigned to the identification shaper 24 is opposed to using the identification shaper 24 and may be especially useful for observers who do not wish to carry the mobile measuring device 22 during their stay at home 32 or for family members 34, such as young children, who are not well suited to reliably carry a portable measuring device 22. The identification shapers 24 may also be adapted to generate signals that provide the identity of the member of the family 34 assigned to use the identification shaper 24 as well as the type of device, i.e., a mobile measuring device 22 or an identification shaper 24, from which the signals originate. The base measuring device 20 may be adapted to respond to a short-range signal emitted by a portable measuring device 22 in different forms from a short-range signal emitted by an identification shaper 24. In addition, the identification shaper 24 has no capabilities measurement. Therefore, the detection of a signal emitted by the identification shaper 24 will not eliminate the need for the base measuring device 20 to measure the observation. In contrast, the mobile measuring device 22 has measurement capabilities so that the base measuring device 20 can be configured to respond to a signal transmitted by a mobile measuring device 22 by altering its measurement procedure, i.e., the base measuring device 20. it may stop measuring and / or may emit a signal for capture by the mobile measuring device 22 as already described.

The use of identification formers 24 and mobile measuring devices 22 that can be detected by the base measuring device 20 allows members of the family 34 greater flexibility in terms of compliance with the requirements of the public measurement research enterprise. In addition, the use of the detectable identification formers 24 and mobile measuring devices 22 allows the public measurement system 18 to more accurately identify the members of the observing public even when these members are not meeting the requirements of the investigation. For example, in another embodiment, the public measurement system may be configured so that the base measuring device 20 is adapted to use the information collected from the identification formers 24 located in the observation area 30, from the mobile measuring devices. 22 located in the observation area 30 and from the public change detector 26 to deduce the identities of the members of the family 34 located in the observation area 30 that do not carry a mobile measuring device 22 and that are not using a shaper identification . , -, -. ,. -,:., ¡.: -ii tfi? I? If-24. In a modality such as this, the base measuring device 20 can compare the number of the member of the family 34 detected in the observation area 30 using the change detector of public 26 and can compare this number with the number of people identified by the signals received from the identification shapers 24 and from the mobile measuring devices 22. If these numbers are the same, then no deduction is necessary as the base measuring device 20 can identify each member of the family 34 using the signals generated by the shapers of identification 24 and mobile measuring devices 22.

In contrast, if the number of members of the family 34 identified in the observation area 30 by the public change detector 26 is greater than the number of members of the family 34 identified in the observation area 30 using the signals generated by the identification shapers 24 and the mobile measuring devices 22, then the base measuring device 20 can determine the number of members of the family 34 present in the observation area 30 that are not associated with an identification shaper 24 or a measuring device mobile 22 and z 'lsy-s & you can use a master list of members of family 34 to identify family members 34 from whom a signal from the identification shaper 24 or a signal from the mobile meter device 22 has not been received. For example, if the every 32 has two adults and a single child, the public change detector 26 identifies 3 people in the observation area 30, and the signals originating from the identification shapers 24 indicate that two of the observers located in the observation area 30 are adults, then the base 20 meter device identifies the unidentified family member 34 as the child who lives in the 32nd house. In contrast, if two adults and two children in the house measure 32, and if the signals that originate of the identification formers 24 indicate that two of the members of the family 34 located in the observation area 30 are the adults, then the base 20 measuring device identifies the unidentified family members 34 as one of the two children living in the house 32. If the public change detector 26 detects 4 people, in the observation area 30 of a house 32 that only has 3 members 34, then the base 20 measuring device can assume that a visitor is present in the observation area 30.

In yet another embodiment, the public measurement system 18 may include a meter of people 28 located in the observation area 30, preferably within the comfortable range of the members of the family 34, and having a series of buttons (not shown) located in this. Each button may be assigned to represent a single member of the family 34, different, living within the house 32. The person meter 28 may be adapted to periodically invite members of the family 34, through a series LED, a display screen and / or a sound, to indicate that they are present in the observation area 30 by pressing their assigned buttons. To decrease the number of invitations and thus the number of intrusions imposed on the television viewing experience of the members of the family 34, the base meter device 20 may be adapted to make the person meter 28 indicate only when members of the family 34 unidentified are located in the observation area 30 and / or to invite only the unidentified observers 34 as determined by an elimination process performed by the base 20 device using the information received from the identification formers 24 and / or mobile measuring devices 22 located in the observation area 30. For example, if the base measuring device 20 uses the public change detector 26 to detect that two members of the family 34 are located in the observation area 30, but a identification signal has only been received from the identification formers 24 assigned to the member of the adult family, male 34, then the base measuring device 20 can have the person meter 28 invite only the adult family member, female 34 and the child family member 34 in an attempt to identify the family member unidentified 34. If a response to the invitation is received, then the base 20 device can use the response to identify other observers and associate this identity with the observation data collected. If a response is not received, then the base measuring device 20 can assume that a visitor is present in the observation area 30 and can accredit the observation accordingly.

The person meter 28 can be instrumented as an independent device that is coupled in communication with the base meter device 20 or as an integrated part of the base meter device 20. In one embodiment, the person meter 28 can be instrumented as an integrated part of the meter. remote control device 16. In another embodiment, the person meter 28 can be instrumented using a PDA or a cell phone that is kept within a comfortable range for the observer's arms located in the observation area 30. In an embodiment thus, the PDA or mobile telephone can be adapted to include all the components distributed, in or associated with, the mobile measuring device 22 minus the viewer's measurement circuits. Moreover, the PDA-based or mobile-based person meter 28 can be programmed to carry out any of a series of well-known person invitation routines. Because people gauges are well known in the art and can be instrumented using any of a number of well-known configurations, more details regarding a meter gauge instrumentation 28 are not provided herein.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, in one embodiment, the base meter device 20 may be equipped with a processor 50 that executes a series of instructions 52 stored in a memory 54 to regulate the operation of base meter 20 in a form . .,. -fc.t *. * á To the file that enables the functionality described herein. The program or series of operating instructions 52 may be incorporated in a computer-readable medium, such as a programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable read-only memory, and which may be Delete (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic medium, an optical medium and / or any other appropriate type of medium. The base meter device 20 may also be equipped with a first communication interface 56 that allows communication between the base meter device 20 and the central data collection facility located at a remote location 42, through the network 44, a second communication interface 58 that allows the transfer of the observation data between the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22, a third communication interface 60 that allows communication of the identification information between the base meter device 20 and the mobile measuring device 22, one or more sensors 62 for detecting signals emitted by the television 14 and any circuitry 64 necessary to carry out one or more methods of measuring the viewers. Of course, communication interfaces 56, 58 and 60 are an option.

As persons with ordinary skill in the art will observe, there are a variety of well-known ways to configure the sensors 62 and the circuitry 64 to enable the measurement of the viewers. As a result, more details regarding this circuitry are not provided herein. On the other hand, although the sensing circuitry of the viewers 64 is shown in FIGURE 2 as a different component of the base measuring device 20, the circuitry 64 may be integrated with any of the other components of the base measuring device 20, such as the processor 50 and memory 54. The first communication interface 56 can be instrumented using any conventional communication interface that can enable communication with the central facility for data collection 42 through network 44 and includes for example an ethernet card. , a digital subscriber line, a coaxial cable or any wireless connection. The second and third communication interfaces 58, 60 enable communication between the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22, and in one embodiment, it can be instrumented in a single communication interface. The second communication interface 58 enables the transfer of the observation data between the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22. In most cases, the transfer of the data can happen regardless of the proximity between the base meter device 20 and the mobile measuring device 22, so that the second communication interface 58 can allow wireless communication between the devices 20, 22 when one is remote from the other. The primary reason for the transfer of observation data between devices 20, 22 will be for the purpose of grouping the data of the domestic observation before the data is transmitted to the central establishment for data collection 42. If desired, each N base measuring device 20 and mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to independently communicate the observation data to the central facility for data collection 42 so that the transfer of observation data between the base measuring device 20 is not necessary. and the mobile meter device 22, thereby eliminating the need for the second communication interface 58. The third communication interface 60 allows short range communication between the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 and is configured to allow such communication only when the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 is within a predefined distance from each other. By limiting the communication of the identification signals to a predefined distance, the third communication interface 60 allows the detection of a mobile measuring device 22 through a base measuring device 20, only when the mobile measuring device 22 is within the area of observation, provided, of course, that the predefined distance is shorter than the longest distance at which a member of the family 34 can be located from the base measuring device 20 and still be located in the observation area 30. As a result, the base meter device 20 will not mistakenly count a family member as a spectator, that is, located in the observation area 30, when the member of the family 34 is, in fact, located outside the area of the family. observation 30. The base measuring device 20 can further include a user interface 66 by which the member of the family 34 can report the med device. IDOR base 20 of their identities and through which the members of the family 34 can enter demographic information about themselves such as, for example, age, race, sex, income to the home, etc. The processor 50 causes the identities of each member of the family 34 and each demographic information corresponding to each member of the family 34 to be stored in the memory 54. This infraction can then be transmitted by the base measuring device 20 to the central establishment for the data collection 42. Otherwise, the remote control device 16 may be adapted to accept the entry of this identity and demographic information and transmit this information to the base meter device 20 to be stored therein. In still another embodiment, the mobile meter device 22 may include a user interface in which the user may enter this identity and demographic information as described in detail below. The information can then be transmitted by the mobile measuring device 22 to the base measuring device 20 or by the mobile measuring device 22 to the central facility for data collection 42.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, in one embodiment, the mobile meter device 22 may be equipped with a processor 70 that executes a series of instructions 72 stored in a memory 74 to regulate the operation of the mobile meter device 22 in a manner that enables the functionality described herein. The program or series of operational instructions 72 may be incorporated into a computer-readable medium, such as a programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable read-only memory, which may be erased (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic medium, an optical medium and / or any other convenient medium. Preferably, the processor 70 will be capable of integer-based numerical processing instead of floating-point processing.

The mobile measuring device 22 also includes a first communication interface 76 that allows communication between the mobile measuring device 22 and the central data collection facility 42 located in a remote location, a second communication interface 78 that allows the transfer of the observation data between the base measuring device 20 and the mobile measuring device 22, a third communication interface 80 allowing the communication of the identification information between the base measuring device 20 and the mobile measuring device 22, a screen 86, a user interface 88, one or more sensors 90 for detecting the signals emitted by the television 14 and any circuitry 92 necessary to carry out any of the measurement methods of &? * »*, # t? teleauditory including the capture and processing of sound codes and / or sound signatures from a sound signal emanating from television 14. One or more of communication interfaces 76, 78 and 80 are optional.

As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, there are a variety of well-known ways to configure the circuitry 92 to enable the methods of teleauditory measurement involving the capture and processing of sound codes and / or sound signatures. As a result, more details regarding such circuitry are not provided herein. Moreover, the memory 74 may be supplemented with one or more storage cards (not shown) in which the data may be temporarily stored, or entered into the cache, before the data is transmitted by one or more of the data. the communication interfaces 76, 78, 80 to thereby compensate for any bandwidth limitation associated with the communication capabilities of the mobile meter device 22.

The screen 86 is operatively coupled to the processor 70 and may be instrumented using a light emitting diode (LED) screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any suitable screen configured to present the visual information, such as , data indicating the operation of processor 70. For example, screen 86 may indicate that viewer 34 is registered, and / or may identify the content of programming carried by the channel selected by viewer 34 through the remote control device 16 The user interface 88 can be used by the member of the family 34 to input data and instructions to the processor 70. For example, the user interface 88 can be instrumented using a keyboard, a mouse, a track pad, a track ball and / or a voice recognition system. While the screen 86 and the user interface 88 are shown as different components, the screen 86 and the user interface 88 may instead be integrated into a single component such as, but not limited to, a touch-sensitive screen. configured to allow interaction between the member of the family 34 and the mobile meter device 22.

Of course, if the mobile meter device 22 is instrumented using a mobile cell phone, then the mobile meter device 22 will also include the components associated with a conventional cell phone. Moreover, one or more of the components of conventional cellular telephones can be adapted to carry out one or more of the functions performed by the processor 70, the instructions 72, the memory 74 and / or the first, second or third interface communication 76, 78, 80, so that one or more of the aforementioned components can be removed from the mobile measuring device 22. Similarly, if the mobile measuring device 22 is instrumented using a PDA or a manual computer, then the mobile measuring device 22 will also include the components associated with the conventional PDA or the manual computer. Moreover, one or more of the components of the conventional PDA and / or manual computer may be adapted to carry out one or more of the functions performed by the processor 70, the instructions 72, the memory 74, the first, second or third communication interfaces 76, 78, 80, so that one or more of the aforementioned components can be removed from the mobile measuring device 22.

The mobile measuring device 22 can also have an electronic compass (not shown) configured for IÍ. indicate a change of orientation by the mobile meter device 22. If the electronic compass indicates without change in orientation, then the mobile meter device 22 is being carried by a member of the family in a manner that is preventing the mobile meter device from 22 communicating with the base meter device 20. To invite the member of the family 34 carrying the mobile meter device 22 to change the shape or position in which the mobile meter device 22 carries, the mobile meter device 22 can emit an acoustic signal , presenting a visual signal and / or vibrating, to which the member of the family 34 can respond by placing the mobile measuring device 22 in a form that allows communication with the base measuring device 20 so that the base measuring device 20 can, for example, detecting the presence of the mobile measuring device 22 within the observation area 30.

Otherwise, one of the sensors 62, 90 in the base measuring device 20 and / or the mobile measuring device 22 can be instrumented using a microphone coupled to a speech recognition system (not shown) installed in the measuring device and trained to recognize the voice of one or more of the members of the family 34. If the member of the family 34 speaks within the range of detection of the microphone, the microphone collects the voice data. The base meter device 20 may use the voice data to identify the member of the family 34 speaking as located within the observation area 30. The mobile meter device 22 may use the voice data to verify or confirm that the member of the family 34 assigned to carry the mobile measuring device 22 is at least within a distance of the mobile measuring device 22 equal to the pickup range of the microphone.

One of the sensors 90 located in the mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to detect when the mobile measuring device 22 is in close proximity to an operating television, that is, a television 14 that is turned on, according to the system described in US Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 125,577. For example, the sensor 90 can be instrumented using a sound sensor, such as a condenser microphone, a piezoelectric microphone or any other suitable transducer configured to convert acoustic waves into electrical signals. Moreover, the sensor 90 may be configured to detect a sweep signal from the horizontal output transformer of 15.75 kilohertz (kHz) to determine if a conventional television 14 is on., or sensor 90 can be configured to detect a sweep signal having a frequency of 31.50 kHz to detect whether a high definition television (or other dual line television) is on. By detecting a signal frequency such as these, the sensor 90 provides an indication to the processor 70 which can respond to the signal by causing the circuitry 92 to collect observation data. In the absence of an indication that the mobile measuring device 22 is in close proximity to an operating television 14, the mobile measuring device 22 may cause the circuitry 92 to interrupt the collection of observation data. The mobile measuring device 22 has a sensor like this because the sound codes can travel through the walls and be detected by other sensors 90 associated with the audience measurement circuitry 92 even when the mobile measuring device 22 is not indicated in the observation area 30. Thus, the indication provided by the sensor 90 prevents the portable measuring device 22 from collecting the sound codes generated by a television 14 located in a room other than that of the member of the family 34 carrying the mobile measuring device 22 and that, therefore, is not m ,. associated with the observation made by the member of the family 34 carrying the mobile measuring device 22.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, the identification shaper 24 includes a communication interface 96 adapted to communicate with the third interface 60 located on the base meter device 20 and controlled by the control unit 98. Furthermore, the communication interface 96 is coupled to a storage device 100. When the identification shaper 24 falls within the range of the third communication interface 60 located in the base meter device 20, the identification card 24 receives a signal requesting identification information from the third communication interface 60 located in the base meter device 20. In response to the request, the control unit 98 causes an identification signal to be transmitted by the communication interface 96 to the base meter device 20. As described above, the signal of identification can identify the member of the family 34 assigned to carry or use the conformad or identification 24 and can further identify the signal that was generated by an identification shaper 24 (as opposed to a mobile meter device 22). Otherwise, the .- ... ... i, i, «< jmjumumMwfcii identification shaper 24 can be adapted to continuously or periodically generate a signal so that when the identification shaper 24 falls within the range of the base meter device 20, the base meter device 20 detects the signal and responds to the signal by emitting a request for identification information. Otherwise, the signal that is issued continuously or periodically by the identification shaper 24 may include identity information so that the base meter 20 only needs to receive the signal without carrying out a request for additional information. In one embodiment, the communication interface 96 may be adapted to transmit and receive information so that the communication interface 96 includes a receiver and a transmitter. In another embodiment, the identification shaper 24 can only be adapted to transmit information, and therefore, the communication interface 96 can only have one transmitter. The devices that are used to implement the control unit 98 and the storage device 100 will depend on the type of communication that will be carried out by the identification shaper 24. Specifically, if the identification shaper 24 only transmits information, the information will be reduced. complexity of the control unit 98. Similarly, the amount of , * * * information that will store the storage device 100 will affect whether a static memory or a dynamic memory is needed. Regardless of the level of functionality incorporated in the identification shaper 24, any number of configurations of the control unit 98 and the storage device 100 can be implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art, so that more details regarding these Configurations are not provided here. Thus, the identification shaper 24 allows the base meter device 20 to detect the presence of the member of the family 34 carrying or using the identification shaper 24 when the member of the family 34 enters the communication range of the base meter device 20. which preferably extends only as far as the limit of the observation area 30.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 5, as already described, the mobile meter device 22 can be used as a primary source of observation data, and the base meter device 20 can be used as a complementary source of the observation data. . In such an embodiment, the mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to carry out a method.., represented by a series of blocks 102 that can be implemented using the Software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70. In the same way, the base measuring device 20 can be adapted to carry out a method as represented by a series of blocks 104 that can be instrumented using Software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50. The method 102 causes the mobile measuring device 22 enables the operation of the circuitry measuring the public 92 when the mobile measuring device 22 is within the viewing area 30 of any television that is operating 14 (blocks 106 and 108) regardless of whether the television is operating 14 is located within the home or to disable the circuitry that measures the public 92 when the mobile meter device 22 is not within the viewing area 30 of any working television (blocks 106 and 110). If the circuitry for measuring viewers 92 is enabled, the mobile meter device 22 collects observation data and when the circuitry for measuring viewers 92 is not enabled, no observation data is collected. Thus, according to the series of blocks 102, the mobile measuring device 22 collects observation data from the observation made through . ,, * '^^ __ ^ iE operation of any television regardless of whether the observation is associated with observation within the home or outside the home. In contrast, method 104 causes the base meter device 20 to only collect observation data when the television 14 associated with the base meter device 20 is operating, and the base meter device 20 does not detect a mobile meter device 22 within the area of observation 30. The base measuring device 20 detects whether the associated television 14 is working (block 112), and if the television 14 is working, then the base measuring device 20 determines whether any signal indicating the presence of a measuring device has been detected. mobile 22 within observation area 30 (block 114). If a mobile measuring device 22 is detected within the observation area 30, then the base measuring device 20 determines the identity of the member of the family 34 associated with the detected mobile measuring device 22 (block 116) and then makes the meter of persons 28 invite other family members 34 for indicating if any of these members 34 is present in the observation area 30, for example, pressing the button assigned (block 118). If one or more of the members of the family 34 responds to the invitation (block 120), thereby indicating that the member or members 34 are watching television 14, then the base meter device 20 enables the viewer measurement circuitry 64 thereby making observational data collected (block 122). The base measuring device 20 can then continue collecting observation data until there are no members of the family 34 located in the Located in observation area 30 that is not carrying a mobile measuring device 22 or until the television is off. The base measuring device 20 can detect the continuous presence of the members of the family 34 in the observation area 30 by having the person meter 28 continue to periodically invite the members of the family 34 according to any invitation scheme of the meter. people, well known, that is, periodically, after a channel change, etc. In contrast if none of the members of the family 34 respond to the invitation, then the base meter device 20 does not need observation data collection because the only member of the family 34 within the observation area 30 is carrying a mobile measuring device 22 which is already collecting observational data according to the method " < «*, *? J» «, μ j * a &**? Ua ^ 102. In contrast, method 102 returns to block 118 and continues inviting the other members of the family 34 who can subsequently enter the area of observation 30, of course, as long as the television 14 is still functioning (block 124). If the television stops working, method 102 returns to block 112. If block mobile devices 22 are not detected in block 114, then the method jumps to block 116 and executes block 118 to invite all members of the family. Thus, the series of blocks 102 causes the mobile measuring device 20 to collect the observation data only if one or more of the family members is located within the observation area 30 but is not carrying a mobile measuring device 22. As observe people with ordinary skills in the technique, methods 102 and 104 are performed independently; but, it allows the base meter device 20 and the mobile meter device 22 to be used in a complementary manner so that observation data is reopened in the home and outside the home in a manner convenient for members of the family 34. Methods 102 and 104 are intended to be used in a mode of the teleauditory measurement system 18 without the identification shapers 24.

The method of FIGURE 5 may be modified to make the measuring device emits base 20 periodically or continuously a signal receiving device mobile meter 22 located within the viewing area 30. Preferably, the signal only identifies the base meter device 20 that transmitted the signal. For example, block 116 of FIGURE 5 may be modified so that in addition to identifying members of family 34 associated with mobile meter device 22 located in observation area 30, base meter 20 also emits a signal that , when detected by the mobile measuring device 22 located in the observation area 30, make the mobile measuring device 22 identify the collected data while it is in the observation area 30 as observation data within the home, ie, the data collected in relation to the observation that took place in the home. The block 108 of method 102 can be modified to cause the mobile meter device 22 to identify the observation data as observation data within the home. Thus, the methods 102 and 104 modified as already described make the observation data collected by the mobile measuring device 22 in relation to observation within the home to be identified as such. When these data are received, the central facility for data collection 42 can distinguish between observation data collected in relation to observation within the household and observational data collected in relation to observation outside the home.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the mobile measuring device 22 can be used as the sole source for measuring observation data, and the base measuring device 20 can be replaced with a signal generating device. In such an embodiment, the mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to carry out a method represented by a series of blocks 126 which can be carried out using Software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70. In the same way , the modified base measuring device 20 can be adapted to perform a method represented by a series of blocks 128 which can be carried out using the Software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50. The method 128 can start in a block 130 in which the modified base meter device 20 continuously or periodically emits a signal to be received by any mobile measuring device 22 located within the observation area 30 of the »A * television 14. In another embodiment, the modified base meter device 20 can be adapted to emit only the observation signal within the home in response to the detection of one or more mobile meter device 22 within observation area 30. From then, in this embodiment, the modified base 20 device will include signal detection capabilities as well as signal generation capabilities. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any of these embodiments of the modified base meter device 20 need not include a processor and instructions but instead can be instrumented using, for example, a signal transmitter and receiver and a data logger to preserve the data. that only identify the modified base 20 device and simple logic circuitry that makes the device operate in accordance with method 128.

The method 126 may begin in a block 132 in which the mobile measuring device 22 determines whether it is located within the viewing area 30 of a working television. This can be done using, for example, the information provided by one of the sensors 90 adapted to detect a frequency signal produced by a horizontal output transformer associated with the television as already described. If the mobile measuring device 22 is located within the observation area of a working television, then the circuitry for measuring the viewers 92 is enabled and begins collecting observation data (block 134). In addition to enabling the circuitry for the measurement of viewers 92, the mobile meter device 22 determines whether a signal generated by the modified base meter device 20 has been detected, thereby indicating that the mobile meter device 22 is located within an area of observation 30 located in the home 32. If the signal is detected, the observation data collected by the mobile meter device 22 is identified as observation data within the home (block 138). If a signal like this is not detected, then the observation data collected by the mobile meter device 22 is identified as observation data outside the home (block 140).

In another embodiment, the viewer measurement system 18 may include a base measuring device 20 adapted to collect observation data of everything that is observed within the home, a mobile measuring device 22 adapted to collect observation data of everything that is Look inside the home and everything that is observed outside the home. In a mode such as this, the mobile measuring device 22 can be adapted to perform a method represented by a series of blocks 142 which can be implemented using software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70. Similarly, the base measuring device 20 can be adapted to perform a method represented by a series of blocks 144 that can be practiced using Software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50. According to the method 142 shown in FIGURE 7, the mobile measuring device 22 collects observation data when the mobile measuring device 22 is within the observation area 30 of a working television 14 (blocks 146, 148). When the method 144 is used, the base measuring device 20 collects observation data when the television 14 associated with the base measuring device 20 is operating (blocks 156, 160). More still, the base meter device 20 makes the person meter 28 perform any of a variety of invitation methods to make the members of the family 34 provide information about their identities and whether the members of the family 34 are located within the family. 25 of the observation area 30 (block 158). The series of . í.í ??,. The observation data collected by the mobile measuring device 22 and the base measuring device 20 are transported to the central facility for data collection 42 through any of the communication interfaces 56, 76 adapted to enable communication with the central facility for data collection 42 (blocks 152, 162). In the central data collection facility 42, the series of observation data provided by the mobile meter device 22 and the series of observation data provided by the mobile meter device 22 are compared and identified as being associated with a single observation experience. performed by a single person (blocks 166, 168). The data series can also be compared to identify possible errors in the data (blocks 170).

In another version, the above-described methods 144 may be performed so that instead of the base measuring device 20 causing the person measuring device 28 to invite the members of the family 34 to give information, the method 144 may depend on signals provided by the identification formers 24 carried by the members of the family 34 located in the observation area, for »• *, * * identify the members of the family 34. In a mode such as this, the base meter 20 receives information from all the identifiers 24 located in the observation area 30. This information is then stored by the device base 20 meter and is used by the base 20 measuring device to associate the observation data collected with the member or family members, as appropriate.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, the base measuring device 20 may be adapted to determine when one or more members of the family is located in the observation area 30 but does not carry a mobile measuring device 22 or an identification shaper 24. Before carrying out the method, the base meter 20 obtains a signal from the public change detector 26 from which the base meter device 20 determines the number of member of the family 34 located in the observation area 30. In addition, the base meter device 20 detects the number of mobile measuring devices 22 and the number of identification formers 24 located in the observation area 30. This information, once obtained by the base measuring device 20, is used as input for a method 172 which can start in a block 174 in which the base measuring device 20 added the total number of mobile measuring devices 22 located in the observation area the total number of identification formers 24 located in observation area 30 to obtain a total number of identified family members, located in the observation area (blocks 174). The total number of identified family members, located in the observation area 30, is then subtracted from the number of family members located in the observation area 30 determined by the information provided by the public change detector 26 obtaining with a total number of unidentified family members, located in the observation area (block 176). If the total number of unidentified family members is equal to zero, determined in a block 178, then the base 20 measuring device does not need to perform any additional processing related to the determination of the identities of the viewers since all the identities of the the viewers are known from the signals received by the base measuring device 20, the mobile measuring devices 22 and the identification formers 24. On the other hand, if the total number of unidentified members of the family is greater than zero, then the base 20 meter device can be adapted to inform the central establishment for data collection 42 of the number of unidentified family members, located in observation area 30, the time during which the unidentified family members were located in observation area 30, the schedule that was presented by television 14 during the aforementioned time and the identities of the members of the family not included among a list of family members identified by one of the identification signals received by the base meter device 20 from one of the mobile meter device 22 and / or the identification formers 24 located in the observation area 30 (block 180).

In another embodiment, the base and mobile meter devices 20, 22 may be configured to provide interactive feedback gathered from a viewer of the media presentation to the central facility for data collection 42. For example, a product and / or service company. can provide probing questions related to an advertisement for that product and / or service company to the central data collection facility 42 which in turn can communicate the polling questions to the measuring device (i.e., to the base 20 and / or to the mobile measuring device 22). The product and / or service company can upload the polling questions to the central network through the Internet and / or any other convenient connection. In response to the detection of the originator identifier (SID) associated with the product and / or service company, the meter device may generate probing questions on the screen. The information provided to the central facility for the collection of data 42 through the measuring device may include responses from the viewer to the questions generated by the meter device information used by the viewer to change the settings of the measuring device, or expressions of liking or dislike. of a media presentation that is being consumed by the viewer in response to probing questions from the source of the media presentation. That is, a viewer of a television program can provide an opinion regarding the content of the television program. As a result, the measuring device can transmit the information related to the viewer and the presentation of means, and the interactive feedback of the viewer associated with the presentation of means to the central establishment for the collection of data 42 for the processing of this data. i. »;; t». «'- i ..- C: .-? ¿? í?; i5.-_.» t. -?, »,. M6.A, *. *,» 4 *, * *. «. *. *...?? collect information from the tele-audit associated with a media presentation. The exemplary television system 500 of FIGURE 9 consists of a television signal provider 510, a television 520, a base meter device 530 and a mobile meter device 535. The television service provider 510 can be any provider of television services. television such as, but not limited to, a 512 cable television service provider, a radio frequency (RF) television service provider and / or a 516 satellite television service provider. be any suitable television configured to emit an acoustic component and a visual component of a media presentation such as, but not limited to, a program, an advertisement, a video game and / or a movie preview. The base meter device 520 may be the base meter device 20 shown in FIGURE 2, and the mobile meter device 535 may be the mobile meter device 22 shown in FIGURE 3 (i.e., the cell phone, the PDA or the laptop). The base measuring device 530 and the mobile measuring device 535 can be in communication through a The first communication link 570, such as a wired link and / or a wireless link. For example, a docking station 572 can be configured to contain and couple by communication the mobile meter device 535 to the base meter device 530 via a universal bus (USB) serial port. Accordingly, the base measuring device 530 and the mobile measuring device 535 can be communicated with each other. Moreover, the base meter device 530 may be in communication with a central facility for data collection 560 via a second communication link 575 such as the wired link and / or a wireless link. The central facility for data collection 560 may have a server 580 and a database 590.

Exemplary computationally readable instructions that can be executed by the base meter device 530 and the mobile meter device 535 are shown in the flow chart of FIGURE 10. In the example shown, the base meter device 530 first detects a record that includes the information associated with a viewer 540 from the mobile meter device 535, a tuner device or a remote control device (for example, as shown in FIG. ttt? 16, FIG. 1), and / or an optional identification device 544 (e.g., in the ID shaper or cell phone) (block 610). For example, the viewer 540 may manually register with the base meter device 530 using the mobile meter device 535 or the tuner device. Otherwise, the viewer 540 can automatically register with the mobile meter device 535 through the identification device 544.

After receiving the registration, the base meter device 530 attempts to detect a content identifier 550 associated with a media presentation as already described (block 620) and identify the content identifier 550 (block 625). After a content identifier is detected and identified, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 alerts the viewer 540 to respond to the probing questions (block 630). For example, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 can draw the attention of the viewer 540 with an audible alert, a visual alert and / or a vibration alert. The visual alert can be a green, red, blue or any other convenient color LED. The visual alert may also be any appropriate device that produces a visible signal to attract the attention of the spectator 540. The audible alert may be a piezoelectric device, a loudspeaker or any other appropriate device that generates an audible signal to attract the attention of the viewer 540 The vibration alert can be incorporated into any well-known vibration device such as those used in cell phones and / or conventional pagers. The base meter device 530 or the mobile meter device 535 can use the visual alert, the audible alert or the vibration alert to call the attention of the viewer 540. When a media presentation requests the interaction of a consumer, for example, the device base meter 530 and / or mobile meter device 535 can invite viewer 540 to disconnect mobile meter device 535 from docking station 572. Viewer 540 can then remove mobile meter device 535 from docking station 572 to respond to the probing questions. Accordingly, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 generates the probing questions on a screen located in or otherwise associated with the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 (block 640). The mobile meter device 535 may receive an input through a user interface (e.g. as shown in 88 of FIGURE 3) in response to polling questions (block 650).

The mobile meter device 535 transmits response data associated with the polling questions of the viewer 540 to the base measuring device 530 via the second communication link 575 (block 660). After receiving the response data, the base meter device 530 communicates information associated with the viewer and the presentation of means to the central facility for the collection of data 460 to collect this data through the first communication link 570 (block 670) .

The mobile meter device 535 transmits response data associated with the polling questions of the viewer 540 to the base measuring device 530 via the second communication link 575 (block 660). After receipt of the response data, the base meter device 530 communicates information associated with the viewer and the presentation of means to the central facility for the collection of data 560 to collect this data through the first communication link 570 (block 670). ). : . . ,. - ...-. ^^ aMtJt ^^^^ i .toVÉrtt ^ áaffi iKátej.

Another series of machine-readable, exemplary instructions that can be executed on the base meter device 530 and the mobile meter device 535 are shown in a flow chart of FIGURE 11. In the example shown, television 520 broadcasts advertisements of a company, organization and / or any other company of products and / or services to a consumer (block 710). Television 520 also broadcasts an advertisement identifier, the SID described above, with each advertisement (block 720). For example, a soft drink company may incorporate a corresponding SID in an advertisement for a soft drink produced by the company. Furthermore, the company can upload questions such as, but not limited to, survey questions associated with the announcement to the central facility for the collection of 560 data through the Internet. Then, the advertisement identifier and the questions are downloaded to the base meter device 530 and / or to the mobile meter device 535 (block 730). Otherwise, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 can retrieve this data from the central establishment for data collection 560. The base meter device 530 attempts to detect the advertisement identifier (block 740). Based on the advertisement identifier, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 identifies at least one survey question associated with the advertisement (block 750), and presents the consumer with at least one survey question ( block 760). Of course, in this mode, the base meter device 530 and / or the mobile meter device 535 are programmed with information used by the respective meter device to associate the advertisement identifier with the appropriate question or survey questions. This information can be provided, for example, in a database format. Moreover, the base meter device 530 can be adapted to receive the database 590 from the central facility for data collection 560 and transmit the database 590 to the mobile meter device 535 through the docking station 572 or through a wireless communication link using one or more of the appropriate communication interfaces installed in each device.

The foregoing has described various configurations in which the mobile measuring device or devices can be used in conjunction with base measuring device or devices. While base measuring devices such as these may have the configurations described above, one or more mobile measuring devices may be configured to function as base measuring devices. For example, mobile measuring devices, such as those that can be • Instrument by cell phones, PDAs and similar 5, may be programmed to function as base meter devices that, although portable, remain within a home, company or any other location where the base meter device may be located before described. It is advantageous to use mobile measuring devices to instrument base measuring devices because the mobile measuring devices are compact and easily transported to the homes of the participants. In addition, due to factors of its small form, the devices mobile meters can be easily placed in a place near, for example, a primary television that is observed in the home.

To instrument a base meter device with a mobile meter device, a participant would be instructed to power the device from a sustainable power source, such as a wall socket, through a transformer. The participant could also receive instructions for the physical placement of the device in order to guarantee the reception ... ^ - ^. í¡ = * ^ s appropriate signals that are used to measure exposure to the media. For example, the participant may receive instructions to locate the device in order to receive sound from a television set. Before or after placing the device, the participant would receive instructions to activate the device.

The activation of the mobile measuring device may consist of the execution of some routines that may consist of monitoring routines of media that were previously downloaded. Otherwise, before using the device for the first time as a base measuring device, activation of the device may consist of downloading Software or Firmware to implement the functionality of the meter. As described below in detail, the download of the Software or Firmware may consist, but is not limited to, downloaded from Software through the wired or wireless network. In addition, the download may include downloading the desired Software to an intermediate device, such as a personal computer, and then transporting the Software to the mobile meter device through a wired connection (universal serial bus, parallel bus and / or ethernet). . Or wireless (for example Bluetooth, 802. llx, etc.). In addition to the ease with which the Software or Firmware can be downloaded (directly or indirectly) to the mobile meter device, updates, patches and / or adjustments to the program can also be downloaded to the mobile meter device.

After the mobile meter device is placed, activated, and enabled with the Meter Software, the mobile meter device can emit an audible alert and / or vibration and / or a visual alert to indicate that the mobile meter device is receiving valid acoustic codes from, for example, a television next to the place where the mobile measuring device is placed. These indications, which provide the participant with feedback confirming receipt of the acoustic codes, indicate that the mobile measuring device is properly positioned with respect to the television (or other media device) that is being monitored.

As already mentioned, the mobile measuring devices can be configured to be used as base measuring devices to provide basic measurement functionality in a small package, which can be easily distributed and located from a mobile measuring device. As part of the process of configuring a mobile meter device to use it as a base meter device, the participant downloads Software or Firmware to the mobile meter device. In addition to the measurement functionality provided by the Firmware or Software, the Firmware or Software may disable the hearing aid of the mobile measuring device to prevent sound feedback from corrupting the device's data capture. In addition, the Firmware or Software can enable a high gain microphone mode to enable the properties of the loudspeaker-type microphone, instead of the normal, directional microphone that is normally used with devices such as cell phones.

Many devices that can be configured to function as mobile measuring devices used as base meter devices include an interface (gateway / exit (I / O)) through which data can pass. For example, cell phones have base I / O connection ports through which serial data can be passed to provide programming information to the cell phone. In addition, devices like PDAs in the same way have these interfaces. In one example, the Software or Firmware downloaded to the mobile measuring devices can configure the 1/0 ports on the mobile measuring device to accept measuring data directly. For example, the cellular phone can be configured to accept incoming "unprocessed" pulse-code modulation (PCM) data through the 1/0 port and provide the same to the measurement software or firmware, thereby providing a wired alternative to the detection of wireless sound through the microphone.

As shown in FIGURE 12, in general, a measurement system 1200 may consist of a meter provider 1202, a mobile unit 1204 and a content provider 1206. As further shown in FIGURE 12, the measurement system 1200 it may include a network provider 1207 to provide wireless network access to the mobile unit 1204 and / or a drop station 1208 that is coupled to the mobile unit 1204. In general, the provider of the meter 1202 provides measurement functionality to the unit mobile 1204 which, as described below, can be instrumented using a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager or any other mobile device. The mobile unit 1204 can then measure information provided by the content provider. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the information provided . * kíj i, m by the content provider can be television and / or radio signals and / or signals provided on any other communication network, such as the Internet. In a broader sense, the information can be sound, video or data information. For example, the sound codes incorporated in television programming can be generated by a television when the television processes the programming. Such codes can be captured by the mobile unit 1204. In another version, the unit 1204 can be used to tune in and watch television programming, as well as to have the possibility of monitoring the television programming being tuned.

The measurement meter 1202 can be, for example, a website hosted by an information gathering service, such as Nielsen Media Research or any other similar service. A service associated with the measurement provider 1202 contacts a potential participant, such as the owner of the mobile unit 1204. The service can use the network provider 1207 to send a request to the potential participant to join the group and receive a corresponding response in which the potential participant can accept or reject the request. If he *, "* I S potential participant chooses to join the group, then the provider of network 1207, as described below, can automatically download the appropriate measurement software from, for example, a website hosted by the meter provider 1202 to the mobile unit 1204 (for example "by imposition"). Otherwise, the provider of the network 1207 may provide, for example, a Software drop-down menu option by which the participant, as described below, may use the mobile unit 1204 to request that the Software be downloaded. measurement in and executed by the mobile unit 1204 (for example "by extraction").

As already mentioned, the mobile unit 1204 can be instrumented using a PDA, cell phone, pager or any other known device. This device can either be owned by the participant or can be provided to the participant. If provided, the participant may or may not receive permission to use the device for its originally proposed purpose as well as having it to perform the measurement function. As described in the above, the mobile unit 1204 has the memory and / or memories in which the measurement software can be written. The behavior of the mobile unit 1204 can then be modified by the execution of the measurement Software so that in addition to the normal functionality of the mobile unit 1204 (for example the characteristics of PDA, telephone call processing, reception of location and the like) , mobile unit 1204 will include content measurement functionality that includes signature processing and / or codes, invitation to audience members for a variety of purposes such as: 1) Are you really watching television (or any source)? of measured content) or near it? 2) What is your positive or negative subjective response to the content to which you have just been exposed? 3) What is your positive or negative reaction to the brand to which you have just been exposed? etc. All of these invitations are optional and may or may not be included in the Measurement Software.

As shown in FIGURE 12, the measurement software can be provided directly to the mobile unit 1204 through the network provider 1207. In the other version, the measurement software can be transferred to the download station 1208 which can be be instrumented using a normal personal computer or other device capable of displaying and / or receiving * to information about a network connection 1209. In an arrangement like this, the measurement software can be transferred from the meter provider 1202 to the download station 1208 through an Internet connection 1209. As another alternative, the participant you can use the mobile unit 1204 to request the distribution of the measurement software on the media, such as a diskette 1210 or a compact disc 1212. The participant, after receiving the means, would use the descent station 1208 to transfer the software of measurement to the mobile unit 1204. The process of transferring the measurement Software to the mobile unit 1204 may be carried out using a wired connection (for example USB). In another version, the transfer process can be done in a way similar to the way in which ringtones or other features can be downloaded to cell phones.

A software download process 1300, which may be carried out in the mobile unit 1204 or the download station 1208 to obtain the software to execute the measurement functionality is shown in FIGURE 13. To obtain the measurement software, the participant navigate to the Software provider site (block 1302) and express your desire to receive the Measurement Software (block 1304). As those of ordinary skill in the art will readily observe, the manifestation of the desire to receive Measurement Software may include registering with the Software provider's site, entering a code given by the meter provider 1202 to the participant or any other manifestation. . In addition, the participant may provide some other types of information to the meter provider 1202. For example, a participant may provide demographic information, specifications of the mobile unit 1204, the name and address of the participant, etc. In addition, the participant can be actively recruited through phone calls, email or other method to actively contact them. Otherwise, the participant can volunteer on a website, physical location, etc.

After the participant has shown his desire (or accessed) to receive the Measurement Software (block 1304), the participant receives the Measurement Software (block 1306). For example, the participant can download the Metering Software directly to the mobile unit 1204 or can download the Metering Software to the download station 1208 and then upload it to the mobile unit 1204. As 1 iS, i ..: ¿.., and another alternative, the provider of the meter 1202 can send means (eg diskette 1210) or compact disc 1212) to the participant who will then introduce the same to the descent station 1208.

Upon receipt of the Measurement Software (block 1306), the participant installs the same in the mobile unit 1204 (block 1308). For example, if the Software was downloaded to the mobile unit 1204, the participant can instruct the mobile unit 1204 to begin the installation of the Software. Otherwise, the participant can use the drop station 1208 to install the Measurement Software in the mobile unit 1204. The installation and / or activation of the Measurement Software can happen automatically after downloading it.

After the measurement software has been received (block 1306) and installed (block 1308), the measurement software is installed and executed in the mobile unit 1204 (block 1310). After installation, the Measurement Software can invite the participant to enter the demographic information. In addition, once executed, the Measurement Software enables the mobile unit 1204 to perform measurement functions in addition to the traditional functions associated with the unit ,. & L. &.,.,.,.,. , huxJS? Uttm Üi e4 J, i mobile 1204. The measurement software can be run for a limited time and then automatically uninstalled, once the cooperation of this participant is no longer needed. Otherwise, it may be necessary for the participant to uninstall it manually when their cooperation is no longer needed or when they no longer wish to be a participant.

As indicated above, an exemplary process 1400 for contacting a potential participant, downloading Measurement software to a mobile device (e.g., mobile unit 1204) used by the participant and configuring the measurement software to run on the device The mobile process is shown in FIGURE 14. The exemplary process 1400 may be carried out by the measurement provider 1202, the mobile unit 1204 and / or the provider of the network 1207 of FIGURE 12 and may be executed periodically, when commissioned. a new audience measurement study, to fill a vacancy in an existing audience measurement study, etc. The exemplary process 1400 begins by contacting a candidate participant and requesting that the candidate participate in a public measurement study (block 1402). As described below in relation to FIGURE 15, the candidate participant ^ - ?. * S can be contacted by a phone call, a text message, etc., and the candidate can respond to the request also by phone call, text message, and so on.

The process 1400 then determines whether an affirmative response was received from the participating candidate (block 1404). If an affirmative answer is not received (for example if the participant does not respond or sends / provides a negative response rejecting their participation in the study) (block 1404), then process 1400 ends. However, if an affirmative answer is received ( block 1404), then process 1400 adds the participant to the study and authorizes the download of the appropriate measurement software to mobile unit 1204 corresponding to the new participant (block 1406). This may include noting a telephone number or an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the mobile unit used by the participant. An exemplary process for implementing the functionality of block 1406 is shown in FIGURE 16 and discussed in more detail below. The process 1400 then determines whether the download initiated in the measurement software network to the mobile unit 1204 is available and supported by the mobile unit 1204 and the provider of the network 1207 (block 1408).

In some cases, the download of the Software initiated by the network may be preferable over the download of Software initiated by the user, for example, to minimize the amount of effort of the participant, necessary to download and configure the Measurement Software in the mobile unit 1204.

If the download of Software initiated by the network is available (block 1408), the process 1400 performs a software download initiated by the appropriate measurement software network to the mobile unit 1204 used by the participant (block 1410). However, if the download of Software initiated by the network is not available (block 1408), process 1400 performs a download of software initiated by user of the measurement software to mobile unit 1204 (block 1412). Exemplary processes for implementing the functionality of block 1410 are shown in FIGS. 17-19. In addition, an exemplary process to implement the 1412 functionality is shown in FIGURE 20.

After processing in block 1410 or block 1412 is terminated and the measurement software is downloaded to mobile unit 1204, process 1400 then configures the measurement software for execution in mobile unit 1204 (block 1414). An exemplary process for implementing the functionality of block 1414 is shown in FIGURE 21 and discussed in more detail below. The exemplary process 1400 then ends. After installation, the Measurement Software may invite the participant to enter demographic information. In addition, once it is in operation, the Measurement Software enables the mobile unit 1204 to perform the measurement functions in addition to the normal functions associated with the mobile unit 1204. As already mentioned, the Measurement Software can work during a limited time and then automatically uninstalled, once the cooperation of this specific participant is no longer needed. Otherwise, it may be necessary for the participant to uninstall manually when their cooperation is no longer needed or when they no longer wish to be a participant.

An exemplary process 1500 for contacting a candidate participant and requesting that the candidate participant be incorporated into a public measurement study is shown in FIGURE 15. The exemplary process 1500 can be used to implement the functionality of block 1402 of FIGURE 14. The exemplary process 1500 begins by statistically generating a candidate participant to be contacted for possible inclusion in a public measurement study (block 1502). For example, according to the type of mobile unit 1204, the process 1500 can generate a random telephone number based on one or more area codes assigned to a specific cellular telephone service provider, an Internet protocol (IP) address. randomization based on a network address or range of addresses associated with a particular Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) service provider, etc. The process 1500 then determines whether a text message or a voice call should be used to contact the participating candidate through the mobile unit 1204 (block 1504). For example, such a determination can be made based on the capabilities of the mobile unit 1204, the expected technical progress level of the candidate participant, the level of automation available for the process 1500 for communication with the candidate participants, and so on.

If the process 1500 determines that a voice call should be used (block 1504), then a voice call is placed through the network provider 1207 to the mobile unit 1204 corresponding to the candidate participant determined in block 1502 (block 1406) . The voice call may include an automated message requesting that the recipient be a participant in the audience measurement study. The message may then invite the recipient to indicate their acceptance or rejection of the request and process the response of the recipient (block 1506). For example, the recipient may be invited to respond through a touchtone response by processing a specific value of a keypad included in the mobile unit 1204. In addition or otherwise, the recipient may be invited to respond through acknowledgment. of voice speaking a specific word or phrase. In any case, after the response of the recipient is processed (block 1508), the exemplary process 1500 ends.

However, if the process 1500 determines that a text message should be used (block 1504), then a text message, such as an "instant message", is sent through the provider of the network 1207 to the corresponding mobile unit 1204. to the candidate participant determined in block 1502 (block 1510). For example, the text message can be sent through a short message service (SMS), electronic mail, and so on. The text message may request that the recipient be a participant in the u? i »**. ? Study of public measurement. The message can then invite the recipient to accept the request, for example by replying directly to the text message, by calling a toll-free number included in the text message, and so on. If the recipient responds through a text message (e.g. a direct response to the text message sent in block 1510) (block 1512), then the mobile unit 1204 can send the text message via SMS, e-mail , etc. (block 1514). The exemplary process 1500 ends then. However, if the recipient responds via a telephone call (block 1512), then the recipient can use the mobile unit 1204 to make a telephone call to the number provided in the text message sent in block 1510 (block 1516). The telephone call can be answered by an automated answering system again requesting that the recipient participate in the audience measurement study. The answering system can then invite the user to accept or reject the request and process the response of the recipient (block 1508) as already mentioned. The exemplary process 1500 ends then.

An exemplary 1600 process to add a participant to a public measurement study and •.? ", ...-...., .. - ..» -, »."::. , ¿, ..., ¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¡¿¿¿¿¿¡¿¿¿¿¿¿¡¿Authorizing the download of the appropriate measurement software to a mobile unit (eg mobile unit 1204) corresponding to the new participant is shown in FIG. 16. Exemplary process 1600 can be used to implement the functionality of block 1406 of FIGURE 14. Exemplary process 1600 begins by adding the participant to the sample set corresponding to the audience measurement study (block 1602). For example, the 1600 process may add the candidate's name and other identifying information to a public survey study database. In addition or otherwise, the process 1600 may add descriptive information regarding the mobile unit 1204 (e.g. telephone number, IP address, device type, device capabilities and others) used by the participant to the study database of public measurement. The exemplary process 1600 then authorizes the download of the appropriate Measurement Software to the mobile unit 1204 corresponding to the new entrant (block 1604). For example, this authorization can be effected by sending an authorization message from the measurement provider 1202 to the network provider 1207. Then the exemplary process 1600 ends.

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An exemplary process 1700 for performing a download initiated in the measurement software network to a mobile unit (e.g. mobile unit 1204) is shown in FIGURE 17. The exemplary process 1700 can be used to implement block functionality 1410 of FIGURE 14. The exemplary process 1700 begins by instructing network provider 1207 to retrieve the Measurement Software from meter provider 1202 (for example by downloading the Software from a server, Web site, etc. and preparing the Measurement Software for download to mobile unit 1204 (for example by placing the Software on a network provider server, gateway, etc.) (block 1702.) Then process 1700 causes network provider 1207 to initiate a data transfer with mobile unit 1204 ( for example through a protocol of imposition by air (OTA), such as OTA-WSP (wireless transfer protocol), OTA-HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol), etc.), (block 1704). The process 1700 then causes the provider of the network 1207 to download the measurement software to the mobile unit 1204 (block 1706). After the descent is finished (block 1706), the process 1350 instructs the network provider 1207 to store (cache) a request for the participant to install the measurement software (block 1708). The request is stored (in cache memory) until the mobile unit 1204 enters an appropriate mode of operation during which the Software can be installed (such as a standby mode during which the mobile unit 1204 is not performing any other function , etc.). After the mobile unit 1204 enters a mode like this (block 1708), the process 1700 can then cause the Application Management Software (AMS) running on the mobile unit 1204 to invite the participant to install and / or run the downloaded Measurement Software (block 1710). For example, a JAVA application handler (JAM) is an AMS that can be used if the Measurement Software is a JAVA application. The exemplary process 1700 ends then.

While the aforementioned description included various techniques for transferring measurement software to a mobile unit, a specific example is now described in relation to FIGS. 18 and 19. The example of FIGS. 18 and 19 uses wireless communication capabilities provided by a data transport protocol that can be extended, such as the Extensible Markup Language (XML). More information regarding the communications with protocol of data transport that can be extended can be found in the International Application PCT / US2004 / 000818, presented on January 14, 2004, and entitled "Mobile architecture of measurement and methods for mobile measurement of public ", the benefit of which is claimed and the content of which is expressly incorporated herein for reference.

Configurations such as those described in relation to FIGS. 18 and 19 may operate based on the ability of the infrastructure (e.g. base stations) and mobile units (e.g., mobile unit 1204) to detect each other when approaching a the other. After detection, the infrastructure and mobile units try to negotiate communications. Of course, if a part is not recognized (for example, the mobile unit does not recognize the infrastructure), the communication may be rejected (for example, the mobile unit may refuse to negotiate communications with the infrastructure). As will be evident, these systems can work using any number of different protocols, such as Bluetooth, 802. llx, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), multiple access by code division (CDMA), infrared (IR) or Similar.

Systems like these are advantageous for the distribution of measurement functionality to üí *? tei¿, .srf, > á.M? Ífci :, k > j? i i "mobile units because as the infrastructure for these systems becomes customary, it will be easier to distribute the measurement software to a mobile unit wherever the mobile unit is located. In addition, as described in the aforementioned international application, these communication systems and protocols provide convenient means by which measurement information (e.g. codes and signatures associated with the media) acquired by a mobile unit can be distributed back. to an establishment that processes such information.

Returning now to FIGURE 18, an exemplary, 1800 initiated network down process that can be carried out by one or more infrastructure stations is shown. Of course, the operations of one or more infrastructure stations can be coordinated so that the network acts as a unit with multiple access points defined by the places of the infrastructure. Process 1800 is a form in which block 1410 of FIGURE 14 can be instrumented. The 1800 process begins looking for candidate mobile units (block 1802). A candidate unit can be any mobile unit identified for receipt of the Measurement Software. For example, any mobile unit identified in block 1406 of FIGURE 14 can be mentioned as a candidate mobile unit. The search can be a coordinated search in which the network recognizes each candidate mobile unit and uses multiple network infrastructure sites to scan the candidate mobile units.

If a candidate mobile unit is not detected (block 1802), the 1800 process continues to search for candidates. When a candidate mobile unit is found (block 1802), the network attempts to establish a wireless communication link with the candidate mobile unit (block 1804). For example, the infrastructure site or node that identified the presence of the candidate mobile unit may attempt to establish wireless communications with the candidate unit. Of course, as already mentioned and described in relation to FIGURE 19 below, the candidate mobile unit can reject the network link (block 1806), in which case the 1800 process returns to the scan or sweep.

If the link is accepted (block 1806), the 1800 process retrieves the measurement software, which can be stored locally for the network or can be stored elsewhere, such as the meter provider (for example, meter provider 1202). FIGURE 12) (block 1802). For example, the measurement software can be stored in a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk, an optical disk or similar, so that the measurement software is available and its waiting time is minimized. After the recovery is Measurement software (block 1808), the measurement software is transferred to the candidate mobile unit (block 1810) so that the candidate mobile unit can install and run the measurement software.

FIGURE 19 shows a process 1900 that is a counterpart for the process 1800, which can be executed by a candidate mobile unit (e.g., the mobile unit 1204 of FIGURE 12). The mobile unit, which as already mentioned, can be a PDA, cell phone, Bluetooth-enabled device or similar, receives an identity question from a network (block 1902). One source of the identity question may be the network and the infrastructure search for candidate mobile units, such as those identified by block 1406 of FIGURE 14.

In response to the identity question (block 1902), process 1900 determines whether the entity that asks the question is recognized (block 1904). For example, the 1900 process may reject communications links from any entity for which the user has not granted prior approval. Prior approval may be received, for example, when a potential participant was contacted and indicated willingness to participate in the survey (blocks 1402 and 1404 of FIGURE 14). At a time like this, the candidate mobile unit may have stored an identifier of the entity that would subsequently contact the candidate mobile unit to provide the measurement Software. In another version, the participant can be invited through, for example, text messages, to inform and accept the measurement software. If the entity is not recognized (block 1904), the connection is rejected (block 1906) and process 1900 ends.

In another version, if the entity is recognized and the download of the Measurement Software is considered acceptable (block 1904), the 1900 process answers the question and establishes a wireless communication link with the infrastructure (block 1908). Subsequently, the Measurement Software is received (block 1910) and executed (block 1912) before the end of the 1900 process.

An exemplary process 2000 for performing a user-initiated download of the Measurement Software to a mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 1204) is shown in FIGURE 20. Exemplary process 2000 can be used to implement the functionality of block 1412 FIGURE 14. The exemplary process 2000 begins when the provider of the network 1207 enables the mobile unit 1204 to access the Measurement Software (block 2002). For example, process 2000 can instruct the network provider 1207 to retrieve the Measurement software from the meter provider 1202 (for example, downloading the Software from a server, site Web, etc.) and prepare the measurement software for downloading to the mobile unit 1204 for example by placing the Software on a network provider server, gateway, etc. The process 2000 then instructs the participant to use a Discovery (DA) application running on the mobile unit 1204 (such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) scanner to select the Measurement Software to download (block 2004). The process 2000 then causes the mobile unit 1204 to initiate a data transfer with the provider of the network 1207 (for example through HTTP, WSP, etc.) (block 2006). The process 2000 then causes the provider of the 1207 network download the measurement software to iAi J the mobile unit 1204 (block 2008). Then the exemplary process 2000 ends.

An exemplary process 2100 for configuring measurement software for execution in a mobile unit (eg, mobile unit 1204) is shown in FIGURE 21. Exemplary process 2100 can be used to implement the functionality of block 1414 of FIGURE 14 The exemplary process 2100 begins by instructing the AMS running on the mobile unit 1204 to install the Measurement Software (block 2102). The Measurement Software is then initialized and executed in the mobile unit 1204 (block 2104), for example, in response to an instruction from the participant operating the mobile unit 1204, as a result of the automatic activation by the use of a register by imposition in the AMS, et cetera. The exemplary process 2100 ends then.

A mobile meter process 2200, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, referred to as FIGURE 22, represents the instructions that may be implemented by the mobile unit 1204 once the Measurement Software is downloaded to it. Process 2200 may be executed periodically or may be driven by the presence of one or more specific events. The process "• F" »*» < r 2200 begins by determining whether mobile unit 1204 is being used for natural purposes (block 2202). For example, if the mobile unit 1204 is a cellular telephone, the 2200 process will determine whether the participant is in a telephone call or is performing some other common function for the cellular telephone. The execution of the process 2200 is interrupted until the mobile unit 1204 is no longer in use. A possible event that can trigger the activation of the Measurement Software is the determination of the location. For example, if the meter is near a known media source (by television in the home), it can be activated automatically. This is only useful for measuring inside the home more than outside the home, from exposure to media content.

When the mobile unit 1204 is not in use (block 2202), the process 2200 determines whether the mobile unit is connected to a power source or has sufficient or acceptable battery power (block 2204). If the mobile unit 1204 does not have enough power (block 2204), it is determined if the stack of the mobile unit 1204 is nearly depleted (block 2206). If the battery is almost exhausted (block 2206), the process interrupts its execution. Otherwise, if the stack is nearly depleted (block 2206), the process can sleep for a period H and try again afterwards. Conversely, if the stack of the mobile unit 1204 is not nearly depleted, the mobile unit 1204 J ^ sleep glove A seconds (block 2208). The magnitude of A seconds is discussed later in relation to other time episodes. In general, the objective is not to spend too much on the device's battery so that the participant can continue to use the device for its proposed original purpose. 10 If it is determined that the mobile unit 1204 has sufficient power (block 2204), it is determined whether it is time to send data (block 2210). The time for sending data can be determined by the elapsed time 15 or by a data buffer or memory fill with the data to be sent. If it is time to send data (block 2210), it is determined whether mobile unit 1204 is coupled (block 2212). For example, mobile unit 1204 may be coupled in a protection network that is coupled to drop station 1208. If unit 1204 is coupled (block 2212), it is determined whether the coupled network is available (block 2214). For example, the coupled network can be a network connection between the drop station 1204 and the meter provider 1202, if the meter provider 1AJUÍ. 1202 will retrieve the data stored within the mobile unit 1204. Otherwise, the coupled network could be a connection to another entity that is going to receive the stored information.

If the coupled network is available (block 2214), the stored data is sent (block 2216) and the mobile meter for B seconds (block 2218). In another version, if the device is not coupled (block 2212), or the coupled network is not available (block 2214), it is determined if a wireless network is available (block 2220). If the wireless network is available (block 2220), the data is sent (block 2216) and the mobile unit 1204 sleeps for B seconds (block 2218). Otherwise, the mobile unit 1204 sleeps for C seconds (block 2222).

If it is not time to send data (block 2210), it is determined whether mobile unit 1204 has room to store additional data (block 2224). If there is no available space (block 2224), it is determined whether the device is docked (block 2212) and process 2200 continues from there as described. In another version, if there is space to store data (block 2224), sound is collected (block 2226). Although it is mentioned coughs, tÁÍ * xi i i, specifically sound, can be collected from video or others in block 2226. This then determines if the sound is present (block 2228) by determining if sound is detected. If sound is not detected (block 2228), mobile unit 1204 sleeps for B seconds (block 2230). If sound is detected (block 2230), it is determined whether the television is on (block 2232). If it is determined that the television is not turned on (block 2232), the mobile unit 1204 sleeps for B seconds (block 2230).

Otherwise, if it is determined that the television is on (block 2232), it is determined whether a code has been detected during the last F seconds or not within G seconds (block 2234). If the test of block 2234 is not satisfied, the sound, video or reception date signatures are generated (block 2236). Otherwise, if the test of block 2234 does not fail, it is determined whether a sound code is detected (block 2238). If no sound code is detected (block 2238), signatures are generated (block 2236). In another version, if a sound code is detected (block 2238), it is determined whether the mobile unit 1204 the battery is plugged in or has high energy (block 2240). If the energy is sufficient (block 2240), signatures are generated (block 2236). Otherwise, there may be X an option mode in which signatures are generated even when no codes are detected.

After signatures have been generated (block 2236) or if it is determined that the mobile unit is not plugged in or the battery is sufficiently high (block 2240), the mobile unit 1204 determines whether position information is available (block 2242) . The position information can be provided, for example, by transmitters of the satellite-based global or terrestrial positioning system. If position information is not available (block 2242), it is determined whether urgency / 911 location information is available (block 2244). If position information or emergency position information / 911 is available, the location of mobile unit 1204 is determined 2246.

After the location is determined (block 2246) or if the urgency / 911 location is not available (block 2244), the on / off television codes, sound codes, signatures and locations are stored (block 2248). . After storage of the specified information (block 2248), the mobile unit 1204 sleeps for seconds (block 2250).

As already mentioned, in the 2200 process, different sleeping times are specified. In general, the X can be mentioned as the accuracy with which the measurement is desired, which can be, for example, 60 seconds. If such an assumption is made, the values of A-F are defined as follows: A = (X * 5) seconds + configurable constant 1 B = 0 seconds + configurable constant 2 C = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + configurable constant 3 D = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + configurable constant 4 E = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + configurable constant 5 F = X seconds + configurable constant 6 G = (X * 5) seconds + configurable constant 7, where f (remaining life of the stack) represents a variable that is a function of the life of the stack. H = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + configurable constant 8.

The methods and apparatus described herein are particularly suitable for use with a television. However, the teachings of the description ÁÁÁÁ? U electronic devices, such as a personal computer, a radio or any other device that can present media programming, can be applied to other media presentation devices, without departing from the scope or spirit of media. In addition, although the public measurement system described herein is described as being used to measure the observation of a television in relation to an observation area located inside a house, the system can be used to measure the observation that is made in any place. Thus, the family members described with respect to the household can instead be office workers and the system can be used to measure their expectations of office-related expectations.

While some exemplary methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture that come within the scope of the appended claims literally or in their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A method for providing media measurement functionality to a mobile device, the method consists of: obtaining the consent of a potential participant to participate in a public measurement panel; initiate data transfer between a server and the mobile device to lower the media measurement functionality to the mobile device based on the consent obtained from the potential participant; and downloading media measurement functionality to the mobile device to monitor the exposure to media content presented from outside the mobile device.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the mobile device consists of at least one mobile telephone, a digital personal assistant or a pager.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that obtaining the consent of the potential participant consists of receiving the , ..., _. ,,, _, > . , _... ^ ..., ^? ^ »^. ^.» ^. »... pii? 'Ftfnf? Tf_. '- - • "jf. | -: f? F if. consent of the potential participant through the mobile device.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that obtaining the consent of the potential participant consists of at least one of the following: processing an access of a Web site or receiving an affirmative response to a request to participate in the panel of audience measurement

5. The method as defined in claim 4, characterized in that the request consists of at least one of the following: placing a voice call or sending a text message, and wherein receiving the affirmative answer consists of at least one of the following: receive a voice call or receive a text message.

6. The method as defined in claim 4, characterized in that the request consists in contacting the potential participant through the mobile device.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the initiation of data transfer between the server and the mobile device consists of at least one of the following: establishing a wireless connection between the server and the mobile device, establishing a Internet connection between the server and the mobile device, or establish a connection between the server and the mobile device according to an extensible data transport protocol.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the lowering of the media measurement functionality to the mobile device consists of at least one of the following: imposing or extracting the measurement software to the mobile device.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, further consists in authorizing the server to lower the media measurement functionality for the mobile device based on the consent obtained from the potential participant.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the media measurement functionality configures the mobile device to capture at least code information or signature information . ni-i 'mS.st & tea . iittii? ßAÁ, Á? *, i.?, corresponding to the media content presented from outside the mobile device.

11. A manufacturing item that stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed, causes the machine: to obtain the consent of a potential participant to participate in a public measurement panel; initiating a data transfer between a server and the mobile device to lower the media measurement functionality to the mobile device based on the consent obtained from the potential participant; and lowering the media measurement functionality to the mobile device to monitor the exposure to media content presented external to the mobile device.

12. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, characterized in that the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to initiate data transfer between the server and the mobile device by at least one of the following: establishing a wired connection between the server and the mobile device , establishing an Internet connection between the server and the mobile device, or establishing a connection between the server and the mobile device in accordance with an extensible data transport protocol.

13. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, characterized in that the machine-readable instructions, when executed, further cause the machine to lower the media measurement functionality to the mobile device by at least the imposition or removal of the Software from measurement to the mobile device.

14. A system for monitoring the expression to a media content, the system consists of: a mobile device configured to receive media measurement functionality to monitor the exposure to media content presented external to the mobile device; and a meter provider configured to authorize the data transfer to send the media measurement functionality to the mobile device based on the consent obtained from a user of the mobile device. tt0 * d? ¡a ta¡as? í? «BíßS ié ^ ^ máníX

15. The system as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the mobile device consists of at least one mobile telephone, a digital personal assistant or a pager.

16. The system as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the mobile device is configured to receive the media measurement functionality using the data transfer to at least impose or extract measurement software to the mobile device.

17. The system as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the meter provider is further configured to obtain the user's consent through the mobile device.

18. The system as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the meter provider is further configured to establish an Internet connection to send the media measurement functionality to the mobile device when the meter provider authorizes the transfer of the data.

* .J- "19. The system as defined in claim 14 further comprises a network provider configured to establish a wireless connection to send the media measurement functionality to the mobile device when the meter provider authorizes the transfer of the data.

20. The system as defined in claim 14, characterized in that the media measurement functionality configures the mobile device to capture at least code information or signature information corresponding to the media content presented external to the mobile device. ? ^ ÁA? $ M ^ áit? E < Yes, what?