HK1189441A - Portable multi-purpose audience measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

Portable multi-purpose audience measurement system. A metering system (1200) may include a network (1207) to provide wireless network access to the portable unit (1204) and a download station (1208) that is coupled to the portable unit (1204).

Description

Portable multifunctional audience measuring system

The application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with a primary application number of 200480033792.7 (international application number: PCT/US2004/034251, application date: 2004, 10 and 15, and invention name: a portable multifunctional audience measurement system).

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to audience measurement and, more particularly, to a portable, multi-functional audience measurement system.

Background

Determining the number and demographics of television viewers helps television program producers improve their television programs and determine the price of advertising during the program. In addition, accurate television viewing demographics may enable advertisers to target specific types and numbers of viewers.

To collect these demographics, audience measurement companies may enlist a number of television viewers to conduct audience measurement studies for a predetermined amount of time. The viewing habits of these recruited viewers and demographic data associated with these recruited viewers are collected and used to statistically determine the number and demographics of the television viewers. In some cases, an automated measurement system may be supplemented with survey information manually recorded by audience members.

The process of recruiting and hiring participants for the purpose of audience measurement can be a difficult and expensive aspect of the audience measurement process. For example, participants must be carefully selected and screened for specific characteristics so that a population of participants represents the entire viewing population. In addition, the participants must be willing to perform specific tasks that enable data collection, and ideally, the selected participants must perform these specific tasks diligently so that the audience measurement data accurately reflects their viewing habits.

For example, audience measurement systems typically require a certain amount of instant (on-going) input from participating audience members. A method of collecting viewer input involves the use of a people meter. People meters are electronic devices that are typically placed in a viewing area and in close proximity to one or more viewers. The people meter is adapted to communicate with a television meter (television meter), which is disposed, for example, in a set-top box and measures various signals associated with the television for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, determining the operational status of the television (i.e., whether the television is on or off) and identifying the program being displayed by the television. Based on any number of triggers (including, for example, a channel change or the passage of a period of time), the people meter prompts the family viewer to enter information by pressing one of a set of buttons, each of which is designated to represent a different family member. For example, the people meter may prompt the viewer to register (i.e., log in) or may prompt the viewer to indicate that they are still present in the viewer. While it may not be burdensome to require information to be entered in response to prompts on a regular basis over an hour, day, or even week or two, some participants find the prompting and data entry tasks difficult and tedious over a longer period of time.

In addition to performing viewing-related tasks, participants must also be willing to modify their media systems to enable their viewing habits to be measured, which requirements typically involve on-site personnel visiting their homes. Allowing visitors is often viewed as an infestation by people who want to be participants and requires that people who want to be participants schedule time to enable such access. Persons who want to be participants may also be reluctant to risk damage that may occur by allowing field personnel to modify an expensive home media system.

In addition, there are costs associated with hiring and training field personnel who not only install such audience measurement systems in a participant's home, but also return to the participant's home to repair and remove equipment as needed when the participant is no longer willing to participate, moved home, or the period in which the participant initially agrees to participate expires.

To reduce the cost and resources required to recruit and hire participants and to hire and train field personnel, audience measurement companies are investigating ways to make participants as convenient as possible and to minimize the amount of in-home installation/maintenance required to support in-home audience measurement.

Another aspect of audience measurement relates to not only attempting to measure viewing that occurs at home (referred to as in-home viewing), but also attempting to measure viewing that occurs outside of the home (referred to as out-of-home viewing). In today's world, the average viewer is frequently exposed to media sources outside the home. In particular, televisions and display monitors are encountered in places such as airports, shopping centers, retail establishments, restaurants, and bars, to name just a few. In order to measure the viewing of an outside television, portable devices have been developed to capture audio codes from the audio signal emitted by the television. These codes are then transmitted to a central data processing facility which uses the codes to identify the program being viewed and correctly assign the viewing to the appropriate program. Because such devices are portable, they can be used to measure viewing occurring both in and out of the home. Unfortunately, these portable audio code detection devices have inherent limitations.

In particular, these portable devices cannot distinguish between codes collected by viewing at home and codes collected by viewing outside of the home. While there may be a characteristic difference between in-home television viewing and out-of-home television viewing that may be of interest to users of audience measurement data. In particular, in-home viewers often focus most or all of their attention on the television program being viewed. In contrast, the out-of-home television viewing may involve a viewer's concentration or may involve a hurry at a glance at a television screen as the viewer passes by a television set up, for example, at an airport. In addition, in-home television viewing is typically performed on a selection basis, i.e., the viewer can control the selection of programs displayed on the in-home television, while out-of-home viewing is less likely to be performed on a selection basis, i.e., the out-of-home viewer is less likely to individually control the selection of programs displayed on the out-of-home television.

Accordingly, audience measurement companies are studying methods of distinguishing data related to in-home television viewing from data related to out-of-home television viewing.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing an exemplary television system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing an exemplary basic measurement device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing an exemplary portable measuring device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing an exemplary identification tag.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing an exemplary method of collecting audience information related to a media presentation.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram representing another exemplary method of collecting audience information related to a media presentation.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing another exemplary method of collecting audience information related to a media presentation.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram representing another exemplary method of collecting audience information related to a media presentation.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary television system.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram representing an alternative set of machine-readable instructions that may be executed to collect audience information related to a media presentation.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram representing an alternative set of machine-readable instructions that may be executed to collect audience information related to a media presentation.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a measurement system.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of an exemplary software download process.

Fig. 14-21 are flowcharts of exemplary processes for contacting a potential panelist (panel), downloading measurement software to a portable device used by the panelist, and configuring the measurement software for execution to implement a portable meter.

Fig. 22A and 22B constitute a flowchart of the portable meter process.

Detailed Description

Although the following discloses example systems including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such systems are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is to be understood that any or all of the disclosed hardware and software components can be embodied entirely in dedicated hardware, entirely in software, entirely in firmware, or in some combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software.

Additionally, although the following disclosure is made with respect to an exemplary television system, it should be understood that the disclosed system is readily applicable to many other media systems. Thus, while the following describes example systems and processes, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the disclosed examples are not the only way to implement such systems.

In the example of FIG. 1, the example television system 10, including the television service provider 12, the television 14, and the remote control device 16, is measured using an audience measurement system 18 having a base measurement device 20, a portable measurement device 22, an identification tag 24, an audience change detector 26, and a people meter 28. The components of television system 10 may be connected in any known manner, such as the manner shown in fig. 1. The television 14 is placed in a viewing area 30 located in a room 32 occupied by one or more individuals, referred to as family members 34, all of which have agreed to participate in an audience measurement research study. The viewing area 30 includes an area in which the television 14 is located through which one or more family members 34 located in the viewing area 30 can view the television 14.

The television service provider 12 may be implemented 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 via a plurality of channels and may be adapted to process and display television signals provided in any format, such as the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal format, the High Definition Television (HDTV) signal format, the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) television signal format, the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) television signal format, the Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) television signal format, the radio industry and business Association (ARIB) television signal format, and so forth. A user-operated remote control 16 allows the user to tune television 14 to a desired channel and receive signals transmitted thereon, and allows television 14 to process and present program content contained in the signals transmitted on the desired channel. The processing performed by the television 14 may include, for example: extracting a video component conveyed by the received signal and an audio component conveyed by the received signal; displaying the video component on a screen/display associated with the television 14; and emitting the audio component through a speaker associated with the television. The program content contained in the television signal may include, for example, previews of television programs, movies, advertisements, video games, and/or other programs offered by the television service provider 12 now or in the future.

The base measurement device 20 is configured as a primary fixture disposed on or near the television 14 and may be adapted to perform one or more of a variety of known television measurement methods. Depending on the type of measurement that the base measurement device 20 is adapted to perform, the base measurement device 20 may be physically connected to the television 14, or may be configured to collect signals emitted externally by the television 14, thereby eliminating the need for a direct physical connection to the television 14. Preferably, a base measuring device 20 is provided for each television 14 disposed in the room 32, such that the base measuring device 20 may be adapted to collect data related to all in-home viewing by the family members. In one embodiment, the base measuring device 20 may be implemented as a low cost electronic device that may be shipped to the viewer's home 32 (e.g., by conventional mail) and easily installed by the viewer by, for example, plugging the base measuring device 20 into a commercial power source (i.e., an outlet).

The portable measurement device 22 is adapted to perform television measurements using well-known audio code acquisition techniques and/or audio signature (signature) acquisition techniques. The portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to collect code information and signature information simultaneously. Alternatively, the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to use code technology as the primary measurement method and a signature measurement method as a secondary method, i.e. to supplement the measurements performed using code technology. In particular, if the portable measurement device 22 detects one or more audio codes, the signature method need not be performed. Conversely, if no audio codes are detected, the portable measurement device 22 may perform one or more of the well-known methods for collecting signature information for program content displayed on the television 14 to measure viewing. The portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to collect and process codes embedded in program content using encoding techniques, such as those disclosed in pending U.S. patent application serial No. 09/543,480. Preferably, each family member 34 residing in the home 32 may be assigned a different portable measuring device 22, and each family member 34 always carries the appropriate portable measuring device 22.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to communicate with a remotely located central data collection facility 42 via a network 44. Network 44 may be implemented using any type of public or private network, such as, but not limited to, the internet, a telephone network, a Local Area Network (LAN), a cable network, and/or a wireless network. To enable communication over the network 44, the base measurement device 20 may include a communication interface that enables connection to an Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), telephone line, coaxial cable, or any wireless connection, among others. Likewise, the portable measurement device 22 may include an interface that enables the portable measurement device 22 to communicate over the network 44. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, either or both of the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to transmit viewing data to the central data collection facility 42. In case only one of the basic measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 is able to transmit data to the central data collection apparatus 42, the basic measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to communicate with each other, so that there is a means by which data collected from all measuring devices (i.e. the basic measuring device 20 and/or the portable measuring device 22) may be transmitted to the central data collection apparatus 42. The central data collection facility 42 may include a server 46 and a database 48. Additionally, the central data collection facility 42 may be adapted to process and store data received from the base measuring device 20 and/or the portable measuring device 22.

The portable measuring device 22 may also communicate over the network 44 using a docking station (not shown) with cradle (cradle) in which the portable measuring device 22 may be positioned to enable data to be transferred over the network 44 and to enable charging of a battery (not shown) disposed in the portable measuring device 22. The docking station may be operatively connected to the network 44 by, for example, an ethernet connection, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, etc.

In the illustrated example, the portable measurement device 22 is a portable electronic device, such as, but not limited to, a portable telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and/or a handheld computer. Due to its portability, the portable measuring device 22 can be used to measure viewing occurring at home, office, and/or any other location. For example, the portable measuring device 22 may be configured to detect movies and/or movie previews at a movie theater. Of course, the portable measuring device 22 also includes a battery (not shown) for powering the circuitry disposed therein.

The portable telephone 22 used to implement the portable measurement device 22 may be configured to operate in accordance with any wireless communication protocol, such as, but not limited to, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based communication protocol, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) based communication protocol, a global system for mobile communications (GSM) based communication protocol, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) based communication protocol, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) based communication protocol, a Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS) based communication protocol, or any other suitable wireless communication protocol. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the communication capabilities of the portable telephone may be used to enable the transfer of data from the portable measuring device 22 to the central data collection facility 42 via the network 44. Implementing the portable measuring device 22 using a portable telephone makes it easier and more convenient for the family members 34 to meet survey compliance requirements. In particular, the family member 34 may have carried a portable telephone conventionally, so carrying the portable measurement device 22 implemented using a cellular telephone does not place any additional burden on the family member 34 that the family member 34 has not performed.

The PDA or handheld computer used to implement portable measurement device 22 may be configured to communicate with an access point (not shown) according to a short-range wireless communication protocol, such as, but not limited to, a Bluetooth-based communication protocol, a communication protocol compliant with any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g, or any other suitable short-range wireless communication protocol. In turn, the access point may be operatively connected to the network 44 by, for example, an ethernet connection, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, a wireless telephone connection, or the like. To ensure that the PDA can detect the audio code, the PDA preferably includes a microphone with automatic gain control, as is currently commercially available in a large number of PDAs.

The audience measurement system 18 may be configured such that the base measurement device 20 is adapted to be the primary source of collecting all in-home viewing data, while the portable measurement device 22 is used as the primary source of collecting all out-of-home viewing data. In another embodiment, the basic measurement device 20 can measure all in-home viewing, while the portable measurement device 22 can measure all in-home and out-of-home viewing, and duplicate viewing data sets collected for in-home viewing can be compared and processed to ensure that the data does reflect only a single viewing. Redundant data sets may also be used to identify differences between data and eliminate data that is considered erroneous. In yet another embodiment, the audience measurement system 18 may be configured such that the base measurement device 20 can detect the presence of a portable measurement device 22 and use this information to determine whether a measurement is needed. For example, if the basic measurement device 20 determines that the television 14 is on but that there is no portable measurement device 22 in the viewing area, the basic measurement device 20 may begin measuring the program displayed on the television 14. Conversely, if the base measurement device 20 detects a portable measurement device 22 in the viewing area 30, the base measurement device 20 may suspend monitoring.

In another embodiment, if the base measurement device 20 detects a portable measurement device 22 in the viewing zone 30, the base measurement device 20 may suspend monitoring and begin transmitting signals that may be detected by any portable measurement device 22 in the viewing zone 30. The portable measuring device 22 may respond to the signal emitted by the base measuring device 20 by causing the subsequently collected data to be identified as in-home viewing data, thereby distinguishing between data collected by the portable measuring device 22 associated with in-home viewing and data collected by the portable measuring device 22 associated with out-of-home viewing. The portable measuring device 22 may continue to identify the collected data as in-home viewing data until the portable measuring device 22 no longer detects the signal, i.e., one of the portable measuring devices 22 has been removed from the viewing area 30. Alternatively, the base measurement device 20 may only transmit the signal periodically, and the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to identify data subsequently collected over a predetermined period of time associated with the period in which the base measurement device 20 transmits the signal as being relevant for in-home viewing.

In another embodiment, the base measurement device 20 may be replaced with a device that does not perform any measurement function and is only capable of producing signals to be received by the portable measurement devices 22 located in the viewing area 30. These signal generating means may be adapted to generate signals that are collected by the portable measurement device 22 located in the viewing area 30, and the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to use these signals to identify data collected in connection with in-home viewing. Of course, in this embodiment, the portable measuring device 22 is the only measuring device, and thus the willingness of family members to carry the portable device assigned to them is critical to the accuracy and integrity of the data collected thereby.

In yet another embodiment, the audience measurement system 18 may be adapted to include an audience change detector 26, such as the detector disclosed in PCT patent application Ser. No. PCT/US02/39619 (incorporated herein by reference), for identifying the number of family members 34 located within the viewing area 30. The audience change detector 26 may communicate the number to the base measurement device 20, and the base measurement device 20 may then compare the number to the number of portable measurement devices 22 detected by the base measurement device 20. If the number of portable measuring devices 22 detected matches the number of family members 34 located within the viewing area 30, the base measuring device 20 need not measure the viewing because the viewing will be collected by the portable measuring devices 22. Conversely, if the numbers are not consistent, one or more of the family members 34 may not carry their assigned portable measuring devices 22, and thus the base measuring device 20 may be adapted to measure viewing to ensure collection of viewing data.

The base measurement device 20 may be adapted to detect the presence of one or more portable measurement devices 22 in the viewing area 30 by using a short range signal transmitter/receiver disposed in the base measurement device 20 and a short range signal transmitter/receiver disposed in the portable measurement devices 22. The short range signal communicated between the base measurement device 20 and the portable measurement device 22 may be, for example, an infrared signal and may be adapted to provide information identifying the family member 34 designated to carry the portable measurement device 22, and the short range signal may also be adapted to provide information relating to whether the short range signal originated from the portable measurement device 22 or originated from, for example, a short range signal transmitter associated with one of the identification tags 24 to be worn by one or more family members 34. Such identification tags 24 may be adapted to be embedded in jewelry, watches, clothing, etc. to reduce the likelihood that a family member 34 assigned to the identification tag 24 opposes wearing the identification tag 24, and may be particularly useful for viewers who do not wish to carry the portable measurement device 22 in the home 32, or for family members 34 (e.g., children) who are not adapted to reliably carry the portable measurement device 22. The identification tag 24 may also be adapted to generate a signal that provides the identity of the family member 34 designated to wear the identification tag 24 and the type of device from which the signal originates (i.e., the portable measurement device 22 or the identification tag 24). The base measurement device 20 may be adapted to respond to a short range signal emitted by the portable measurement device 22 (as opposed to a short range signal emitted by the identification tag 24). Additionally, the identification tag 24 does not have measurement capabilities. Thus, detecting the signal emitted by the identification tag 24 does not eliminate the need for viewing measurements by the base measurement device 20. Instead, the portable measuring device 22 has measuring capabilities, so that the base measuring device 20 can be configured to respond to the signals sent by the portable measuring device 22 by changing its measuring program, i.e. the base measuring device 20 can stop measuring and/or can emit signals that are collected by the portable measuring device 22, as described above.

The use of both the identification tag 24 and the portable measuring device 22, which are detectable by the base measuring device 20, enables a wide range of flexibility for the family members 34 in complying with the requirements of audience measurement research companies. In addition, the use of the detectable identification tag 24 and the portable measuring device 22 allows the audience measurement system 18 to more accurately identify audience members even when those members do not comply with survey requirements. For example, in another embodiment, the audience measurement system 18 may be configured such that the base measurement device 20 is adapted to use information collected from the identification tags 24 located within the viewing area 30, from the portable measurement devices 22 located within the viewing area 30, and from the audience change detector 26 to derive the identities of the household members 34 located within the viewing area 30 that do not carry the portable measurement devices 22 and do not wear the identification tags 24. In this embodiment, the base measurement device 20 may compare the number of family members 34 detected within the viewing zone 30 using the audience change detector 26 and may compare the number to the number of people identified by the signals received from the identification tag 24 and from the portable measurement device 22. If these numbers are the same, no deduction is necessary as the base measuring device 20 can use the signals generated by the identification tag 24 and the portable measuring device 22 to identify the individual family members 34.

Conversely, if the audience change detector 26 identifies a greater number of family members 34 within the viewing area 30 than the number of family members 34 identified within the viewing area 30 using the signals generated by the identification tag 24 and the portable measuring device 22, the base measuring device 20 may determine the number of family members 34 present within the viewing area 30 that are not associated with the identification tag 24 or the portable measuring device 22, and may use a master list (master list) of family members 34 to identify the family members 34 whose identification tag 24 signals or portable measuring device 22 signals have not been received. For example, if there are two adults and one child in the room 32, the audience change detector 26 identifies three people in the viewing area 30 and the signal from the identification tag 24 indicates that two of the viewers located in the viewing area 30 are adults, and the base measurement apparatus 20 identifies the unidentified family member 34 as a child living in the room 32. Whereas if two adults and two children live in the measured room 32, and if the signal from the identification tag 24 indicates that two of the family members 34 located within the viewing area 30 are adults, the base measurement device 20 identifies the unidentified family member 34 as one of the two children living in the room 32. If the audience change detector 26 detects four people in a viewing area 30 of a room 32 having only three members 34, the basic measurement device 20 may assume that a visitor is present in the viewing area 30.

In yet another embodiment, the audience measurement system 18 may include a people meter 28 disposed within the viewing area 30, preferably within comfortable reach of the family members 34, and having a set of buttons (not shown) disposed thereon. Each button may be designated to represent a different individual member of the family members 34 residing in the room 32. The people meter 28 may be adapted to periodically prompt the family members 34, through a set of LEDs, a display screen, and/or an audible tone, to indicate their presence within the viewing area 30 by pressing their designated buttons. To reduce the number of reminders and, thus, the number of interruptions to the television viewing of the family members 34, the basic measurement device 20 may be adapted to cause the people meter 28 to only remind when an unidentified family member 34 is located within the viewing area 30 and/or to only remind the unidentified viewer 34 as determined by an exclusion process performed by the basic measurement device 20 using information received from the identification tag 24 and/or the portable measurement device 22 located within the viewing area 30. For example, if the basic measurement device 20 detects that two family members 34 are located within the viewing area 30 using the audience change detector 26, but receives only identification signals from the identification tags 24 assigned to male adult family members 34, the basic measurement device 20 may cause the people meter 28 to prompt only female adult family members 34 and child family members 34 in an attempt to identify unidentified family members 34. If a response to the prompt is received, the base measurement device 20 may use the response to identify an additional viewer and associate the identity with the collected viewing data. If no response is received, the basic measurement apparatus 20 may assume that a visitor is present in the viewing area 30 and may credit (credit) the viewing accordingly.

The people meter 28 may be implemented as a stand-alone device communicatively connected to the base measuring device 20 or as an integrated part of the base measuring device 20. In one embodiment, the people meter 28 may be implemented as an integral part of the remote control device 16. In another embodiment, the people meter 28 may be implemented using a PDA or cellular telephone that remains within comfortable reach of a viewer located within the viewing area 30. In this embodiment, the PDA or cellular telephone may be adapted to include all components disposed in or associated with the portable measuring device 22, except for the television audience measurement circuitry. Additionally, the PDA-based or cell phone-based people meter 28 may be programmed to perform any of a variety of well-known people prompting routines. Further details regarding the implementation of the people meter 28 are not provided herein, as people meters are well known in the art and may be implemented using any of a variety of well-known structures.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the base measurement device 20 may be provided with a processor 50 that executes a set of instructions 52 stored in a memory 54 to control the operation of the base measurement device 20 in a manner that enables the functionality described herein. The program or set of operating instructions 52 may be embodied in a computer-readable medium, such as a programmable gate array, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic medium, an optical medium, and/or any other suitable type of medium. The basic measurement device 20 may also be equipped with: a first communication interface 56 enabling communication between the base measuring device 20 and the remotely located central data collection facility 42 via the network 44; a second communication interface 58 that enables the transfer of viewing data between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22; a third communication interface 60 enabling the transfer of identification information between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22; one or more sensors 62 for detecting signals emitted by the television 14; and any circuitry 64 required to perform one or more television audience measurement methods. Of course, communication interfaces 56, 58 and 60 are optional in nature.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are a variety of well-known ways of constructing the sensor 62 and circuitry 64 to enable television audience measurement. Any given configuration will depend on the television audience measurement method employed. Therefore, no further details regarding this circuit are provided here. Additionally, although the television audience measurement circuitry 64 is represented in FIG. 2 as a separate component to the base measurement apparatus 20, the circuitry 64 may be integrated with any other base measurement apparatus 20 components (e.g., the processor 50 and the memory 54). The first communication interface 56 may be implemented using any conventional communication interface capable of communicating with the central data collection facility 42 over the network 44, including, for example, an ethernet card, a digital subscriber line, a coaxial cable, or any wireless connection. The second communication interface 58 and the third communication interface 60 enable communication between the base measurement device 20 and the portable measurement device 22, and in one embodiment, they may be implemented as a single communication interface. The second communication interface 58 enables the transfer of viewing data between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22. In most cases, data transfer can occur regardless of proximity between the base measurement device 20 and the portable measurement device 22, such that the second communication interface 58 can allow wireless communication between devices 20, 22 that are remotely located relative to each other. The primary reason for transmitting the viewing data between the devices 20, 22 is to incorporate the home viewing data prior to transmission to the central data collection facility 42. If desired, each of the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to separately transmit viewing data to the central data collection facility 42 such that the transmission of viewing data between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 is not necessary, thereby eliminating the need for the second communication interface 58. The third communication interface 60 enables short-range communication between the base measurement device 20 and the portable measurement device 22 and is configured to allow such communication only when the base measurement device 20 and the portable measurement device 22 are within a predetermined distance of each other. By limiting the communication of the identification signal to a predetermined distance, the third communication interface 60 enables the portable measuring device 22 to be detected by the base measuring device 20 only when the portable measuring device 22 is within the viewing zone, provided of course that the predetermined distance is shorter than the distance at which the family member 34 may be furthest from the base measuring device 20 but still within the viewing zone 30. As a result, the basic measurement apparatus 20 does not erroneously count a family member 34 as a viewer, i.e., in the viewing zone 30, when the family member is actually located outside the viewing zone 30. The basic measurement device 20 may additionally include a user interface 66 by which family members 34 may inform the basic measurement device 20 of their identity and through which family members 34 may enter demographic information about them including, for example, age, race, gender, household income, and the like. The processor 50 causes the identity of each family member 34 and each family member 34 corresponding to the demographic information to be stored in the memory 54. This information can then be transmitted to the central data collection facility 42 by the base measurement device 20. Alternatively, the remote control device 16 may be adapted to receive input of the identity and demographic information and transmit the information to the base measurement device 20 for storage therein. In yet another embodiment, the portable measurement device 22 may include a user interface at which the user may enter the identity and demographic information, as will be described in detail below. This information can then be transmitted to the base measuring device 20 via the portable measuring device 22 or to the central data collection facility 42 via the portable measuring device 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the portable measurement device 22 may be provided with a processor 70 that executes a set of instructions 72 stored in a memory 74 to control the operation of the portable measurement device 22 in a manner that enables the functionality described herein. The program or set of operating instructions 72 may be embodied in a computer-readable medium, such as a programmable gate array, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic medium, an optical medium, and/or any other suitable type of medium. Preferably, the processor 70 is capable of integer-based numerical processing rather than floating point processing.

The portable measuring device 22 may further include: a first communication interface 76 enabling communication between the portable measuring device 22 and the remotely located central data collection apparatus 42; a second communication interface 78 that enables the transfer of viewing data between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22; a third communication interface 80 enabling the transfer of identification information between the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22; a display 86; a user interface 88; one or more sensors 90 for detecting signals emitted by the television 14; and any circuitry 92 required to perform any of the television audience measurement methods that involve the capture and processing of audio codes and/or audio signatures from audio signals emitted by the television 14. One or more of the communication interfaces 76, 78 and 80 are optional.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are a variety of well-known ways of constructing the circuit 92 to enable television audience measurement methods that involve capturing and processing audio codes and/or audio signatures. Therefore, no further details regarding this circuit are provided here. Additionally, memory 74 may be supplemented with one or more memory cards (not shown) in which data may be temporarily stored or buffered prior to transfer over one or more of communication interfaces 76, 78 and 80 to compensate for any bandwidth limitations associated with the communication capabilities of portable measurement device 22.

The display 86 is operatively connected to the processor 70 and may be implemented using a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or any other suitable display configured to present visual information (e.g., data representative of the operation of the processor 70). For example, display 86 may indicate that the viewer is logged in and/or may identify program content carried by a channel selected by viewer 34 via remote control 16.

The family member 34 may use the user interface 88 to input data and commands to the processor 70. For example, the user interface 88 may be implemented using a keyboard, mouse, track pad, trackball, and/or voice recognition system. Although the display 86 and the user interface 88 are shown as separate components, the display 86 and the user interface 88 may also be integrated into a single component, such as, but not limited to, a touch-sensitive display configured to enable interaction between the family member 34 and the portable measurement device 22.

Of course, if the portable measurement device 22 is implemented using a portable cellular telephone, the portable measurement device 22 will additionally include components associated with conventional cellular telephones. Additionally, one or more conventional cellular telephone components may be adapted to perform one or more functions performed by the processor 70, the instructions 72, the memory 74, and/or the first, second, or third communication interfaces 76, 78, 80, such that one or more of the aforementioned components may be eliminated from the portable measurement device 22. Likewise, if the portable measuring device 22 is implemented using a PDA or handheld computer, the portable measuring device 22 will additionally include components associated with a conventional PDA or handheld computer. Additionally, one or more components of a conventional PDA and/or handheld computer may be adapted to perform one or more functions performed by the processor 70, instructions 72, memory 74, first, second, or third communication interfaces 76, 78, 80, such that one or more of the aforementioned components may be eliminated from the portable measurement device 22.

The portable measuring device 22 may additionally include an electronic compass (not shown) configured to indicate the change in direction produced by the portable measuring device 22. If the electronic compass indicates no change of direction, the portable measuring device 22 is carried by the family member in the following manner: the portable measuring device 22 is prevented from communicating with the base measuring device 20. To prompt the household member 34 carrying the portable measuring device 22 to change the manner or location in which the portable measuring device 22 is carried, the portable measuring device 22 can emit an audio signal, display a visual signal, and/or generate a vibration, to which the household member 34 can respond by positioning the portable measuring device 22 in a manner that allows communication with the base measuring device 20 so that the base measuring device 20 can, for example, detect the presence of the portable measuring device 22 within the viewing area 30.

Alternatively, one of the sensors 62, 90 in the base and/or portable measuring devices 20, 22 may be implemented using a microphone connected to a voice recognition system (not shown) that is installed in the measuring device and trained to recognize the voice of one or more family members 34. The microphone collects voice data when the family member 34 speaks within the sensing range of the microphone. The base measurement device 20 may use the voice data to identify the speaking household member 34 as being located within the viewing area 30. The portable measuring device 22 may use the voice data to verify/confirm that the family member 34 designated to carry the portable measuring device 22 is at least within a distance from the portable measuring device 22 equal to the pickup range of the microphone.

According to the system disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 10/125,577, one of the sensors 90 disposed in the portable measuring device 22 may be adapted to sense when the portable measuring device 22 is proximate to a television that is operating (i.e., the television 14 is on). For example, sensor 90 may be implemented using an audio sensor (e.g., a capacitive microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, or any other suitable transducer configured to convert sound waves into electrical signals). Additionally, sensor 90 may be configured to detect a horizontal scan flyback transformer frequency sweep signal of 15.75 kilohertz (kHz) to determine whether a conventional television 14 has been turned on, or sensor 90 may be configured to detect a frequency sweep signal of 31.50kHz to detect whether a high definition television (or other line-of-sight television) has been turned on. When such a frequency signal is detected, the sensor 90 provides an indication to the processor 70 that the processor 70 may respond to the signal by causing the circuit 92 to collect viewing data. Without an indication that the portable measurement device 22 is near the operating television 14, the portable measurement device 22 may cause the circuitry 92 to stop collecting viewing data. The reason the portable measuring device 22 includes such a sensor 90 is that even when the portable measuring device 22 is not located within the viewing area 30, the audio codes may pass through the wall and may be detected by other sensors 90 associated with the audience measurement circuitry 92. Thus, the indication provided by the sensor 90 prevents the portable measuring device 22 from collecting audio codes generated by the television 14 that are located in a different room than the family member 34 carrying the portable measuring device 22, and thus are not relevant to the viewing by the family member 34 carrying the portable measuring device 22.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the identification tag 24 includes a communication interface 96, the communication interface 96 being adapted to communicate with the third communication interface 60 disposed in the base measurement apparatus 20 and being controlled by a controller 98. In addition, the communication interface 96 is connected to a storage device 100. When the identification tag 24 comes within range of the third communication interface 60 provided in the basic measurement device 20, the identification tag 24 receives a signal requesting identification information from the third communication interface 60 provided in the basic measurement device 20. In response to the request, controller 98 causes an identification signal to be transmitted to base measurement device 20 via communication interface 96. As described above, the identification signal may identify the family member 34 designated to carry/wear the identification tag 24, and may further identify the signal as being generated by the identification tag 24 (as opposed to the portable measuring device 22). Alternatively, the identification tag 24 may be adapted to continuously or periodically generate a signal such that when the identification tag 24 comes within range of the base measurement device 20, the base measurement device 20 detects the signal and responds to the signal by sending a request for identification information. Alternatively, the signal continuously or periodically transmitted by the identification tag 24 may include identification information so that the base measurement device 20 need only receive the signal without performing a request for additional information. In one embodiment, communication interface 96 may be adapted to send and receive information, and thus communication interface 96 includes a receiver and a transmitter. In another embodiment, the identification tag 24 may be adapted to transmit information only, and thus the communication interface 96 may include only a transmitter. The means for implementing the controller 98 and the memory device 100 will depend on the type of communication to be performed by the identification tag 24. Specifically, if the identification tag 24 only transmits information, the complexity of the controller 98 will be reduced. Likewise, the amount of information to be stored in the memory device 100 will have an impact on whether static or dynamic memory is required. Although various configurations of the controller 98 and the memory device 100 may be implemented by one skilled in the art, regardless of the level of functionality embedded in the identification tag 24, further details regarding these configurations are not provided herein. In this way, the identification tag 24 allows the base measurement device 20 to detect the presence of a family member 34 carrying/wearing the identification tag 24 when the family member 34 comes within a communication range of the base measurement device 20, which preferably extends only to the boundary of the viewing area 30.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 5, as described above, the portable measuring device 22 may be used as a primary source of viewing data, while the base measuring device 20 may be used as a supplemental source of viewing data. In this embodiment, the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to perform the method represented by a set of blocks 102 (which may be implemented using software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70). Likewise, the base measurement apparatus 20 may be adapted to perform a method represented by a set of blocks 104 (which may be implemented using software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50). When the portable measurement device 22 is located within the viewing area 30 of any operating television 14, the method 102 causes the portable measurement device 22 to enable operation of the audience measurement circuitry 92 (blocks 106 and 108) regardless of whether the operating television 14 is located in a room, and when the portable measurement device 22 is not located within the viewing area 30 of any operating television, the method 102 causes the portable metering device 22 to disable the audience measurement circuitry 92 (blocks 106 and 110). The portable measurement device 22 collects the viewing data when the audience measurement circuitry 92 is enabled, and does not collect the viewing data when the audience measurement circuitry 92 is not enabled. Thus, according to this block 102, the portable measuring device 22 collects viewing data for viewing by any television that is operating, whether the viewing is related to in-home viewing or out-of-home viewing.

In contrast, the method 104 causes the base measurement device 20 to collect viewing data only when the television 14 associated with the base measurement device 20 is operating and the base measurement device 20 does not detect the portable measurement device 22 within the viewing area 30. The base measurement device 20 detects whether the associated television 14 is operating (block 112), and if the television 14 is operating, the base measurement device 20 determines whether any signals indicative of the presence of the portable measurement device 22 within the viewing area 30 are detected (block 114). If a portable measuring device 22 is detected within the viewing area 30, the base measuring device 20 determines the identity of the family member 34 associated with the detected portable measuring device 22 (block 116), and then causes the people meter 28 to prompt all other family members 34 to indicate whether any of these members 34 are present within the viewing area 30 by, for example, pressing their designated buttons (block 118). If one or more of the family members 34 respond to the prompt (block 120), thereby indicating that one or more members 34 are watching the television 14, the base measurement device 20 enables the audience measurement circuitry 64 to cause it to collect viewing data (block 122). The base measuring device 20 may then continue to collect viewing data until there are no family members 34 within the viewing area 30 that do not carry the portable measuring device 22 or until the television is turned off. The base measurement device 20 may detect the continued presence of the family members 34 within the viewing area 30 by causing the people meter 28 to continue to periodically prompt the family members 34 according to any well-known people measurement prompting scheme (i.e., periodically, after a channel change, etc.). Conversely, if no family member 34 responds to the prompt, the basic measurement device 20 need not collect viewing data because the only family member 34 within the viewing area 30 carries the portable measurement device 22 that is already collecting viewing data according to the method 102. And the method 102 loops back to block 118 and continues to prompt other family members 34 who may subsequently enter the viewing area 30, assuming, of course, that the television 14 is still operating (block 124). If the television is not operating, method 102 returns to block 112. If no portable measuring device 22 is detected at block 114, the method skips block 116 and executes block 118 to alert all family members. In this way, the block 104 enables the basic metering device 20 to collect viewing data only if one or more family members are located within the viewing area 30 but are not carrying the portable metering device 22. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the methods 102 and 104 are performed independently; yet allows the basic measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 to be used in a complementary manner to collect all in-home and out-of-home viewing in a manner that is convenient for the family members 34. The methods 102 and 104 are intended to be used by embodiments of the audience measurement system 18 that do not have an identification tag 24.

The method of FIG. 5 may be modified such that the base measurement device 20 periodically or continuously emits signals that are received by the portable measurement devices 22 located within the viewing area 30. Preferably, the signal uniquely identifies the primary measurement device 20 that sent the signal. For example, block 116 of FIG. 5 may be modified such that in addition to identifying the family members 34 associated with the portable measurement device 22 located within the viewing zone 30, the base measurement device 20 also emits a signal that, when detected by the portable measurement device 22 located within the viewing zone 30, causes the portable measurement device 22 to identify the data collected while located within the viewing zone 30 as in-home viewing data, i.e., data collected in connection with viewing while in-home. Block 108 of method 102 may be modified to cause the portable measurement device 22 to identify the viewing data as in-home viewing data. Thus, the methods 102 and 104 modified as described above allow viewing data collected by the portable measurement device 22 associated with in-home viewing to be so identified. Upon receiving this data, the central data collection facility 42 can distinguish between viewing data collected in connection with in-home viewing and viewing data collected in connection with out-of-home viewing.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the portable measuring device 22 may be used as the sole source of measured viewing data, while the base measuring device 20 may be replaced by a signal generating device. In this embodiment, the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to perform the method represented by a set of blocks 126, which blocks 126 may be implemented using software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70. Likewise, the modified base measurement device 20 may be adapted to perform the method represented by the set of blocks 128, which blocks 128 may be implemented using software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50. The method 128 may begin at block 130 where the modified base measurement device 20 continuously or periodically emits signals that are received by any portable measurement device 22 located within the viewing area 30 of the television 14. In another embodiment, the modified base measurement device 20 may be adapted to only emit in-home viewing signals in response to sensing one or more portable measurement devices 22 within the viewing zone 30. Of course, in this embodiment, the modified base measurement device 20 would include signal sensing 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 measurement device 20 need not include processors and instructions, but may be implemented using, for example, signal transmitters and receivers, data registers (for holding data uniquely identifying the modified base measurement device 20), and simple logic circuitry that causes the device to operate in accordance with the method 128.

Method 126 may begin at block 132 where the portable measurement device 22 determines whether it is located within the viewing area 30 of the operating television at block 132. This may be performed using, for example, information provided by one of a plurality of sensors 90, which sensors 90 are adapted to sense a frequency signal generated by a flyback transformer associated with the television as described above. If the portable measurement device 22 is located within the viewing area of an operating television, audience measurement circuitry 92 is enabled and begins collecting viewing data (block 134). In addition to enabling audience measurement circuitry 92, portable measurement device 22 also determines whether the signal generated by the modified base measurement device 20 is detected, thereby indicating that portable measurement device 22 is located within viewing area 30 in home 32. If the signal is detected, the viewing data collected by the portable measuring device 22 is identified as in-home viewing data (block 138). If the signal is not detected, the viewing data collected by the portable measuring device 22 is identified as out-of-home viewing data (block 140).

In another embodiment, the audience measurement system 18 may include a base measurement device 20 adapted to collect viewing data viewed from all homes and a portable measurement device 22 adapted to collect viewing data viewed from all homes and from outside of all homes. In this embodiment, the portable measurement device 22 may be adapted to perform the method represented by a set of blocks 142, which blocks 142 may be implemented using software instructions 72 stored in the memory 74 and executed by the processor 70. Likewise, the base measurement device 20 may be adapted to perform the method represented by the set of blocks 144, which may be implemented using software instructions 52 stored in the memory 54 and executed by the processor 50. According to the method 142 shown in FIG. 7, the portable measuring device 22 collects viewing data as long as the portable measuring device 22 is within the viewing area 30 of the operating television 14 (blocks 146, 148). Using method 144, the basic measurement device 20 collects viewing data whenever the television 14 associated with the basic measurement device 20 is operating (blocks 156, 160). In addition, the base measurement device 20 causes the people meter 28 to perform any of a variety of prompting methods for the family members 34 to provide information regarding their identity and whether the family members 34 are located within the viewing area 30 (block 158). The viewing data sets collected by the portable measuring devices 22 and the base measuring devices 20 are both communicated to the central data collection facility 42 through either of the communication interfaces 56, 76 adapted to enable communication with the central data collection facility 42 (blocks 152, 162). At the central data collection facility 42, the viewing data set provided by the portable measuring device 22 and the viewing data set provided by the base measuring device 20 are compared and identified as being associated with a single viewing event performed by a single person (blocks 166, 168). The data sets may also be compared to identify possible errors in the data (block 170).

Alternatively, the method 144 described above may be performed such that the method 144 may rely on the signal provided by the identification tag 24 carried by the family member 34 located in the viewing area to identify the family member 34, rather than the basic measurement device 20 causing the people meter 28 device to prompt the family member 34 for information. In this embodiment, the base measurement device 20 receives information from all of the identification tags 24 located within the viewing area 30. This information is then stored by the base measuring device 20 and used by the base measuring device 20 to associate the collected viewing data with the appropriate family member or members.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the basic measurement device 20 may be adapted to determine when one or more family members 34 are located within the viewing zone 30 but do not carry the portable measurement device 22 or the identification tag 24. Prior to performing the method, the base measurement device 20 obtains a signal from the audience change detector 26 from which the base measurement device 20 determines the number of family members 34 located within the viewing zone 30. In addition, the base measuring device 20 detects the number of portable measuring devices 22 and the number of identification tags 24 located within the viewing area 30. This information obtained by the base measurement device 20 is used as an input to a method 172, which method 172 may begin at block 174, where the base measurement device 20 adds the total number of portable measurement devices 22 located within the viewing area 30 to the total number of identification tags 24 located within the viewing area 30 to obtain a total number of identified family members located within the viewing area (block 174). The total number of identified family members located within the viewing area 30 is then subtracted from the number of family members located within the viewing area 30 determined from the information provided by the audience change detector 26 to obtain the total number of unidentified family members located in the viewing area (block 176). If it is determined at block 178 that the total number of unidentified family members is equal to zero, the base measuring device 20 need not perform any additional processing associated with determining the identity of the viewer, since all of the viewer identities are known from the signals received by the base measuring device 20, the portable measuring device 22, and the identification tag 24. Whereas if the total number of unidentified family members is greater than zero, the basic measurement device 20 may be adapted to inform the central data collection facility 42 of: the number of unidentified family members located within the viewing area 30, the time that the unidentified family member is located within the viewing area 30, the program displayed by the television 14 during the time, and the identity of any family member not included in the family member list (identified by one of the identification signals received by the base measuring device 20 from one of the portable measuring devices 22 and/or identification tags 24 located within the viewing area 30) (block 180).

In another embodiment, the base measuring device 20 and the portable measuring device 22 can be configured to provide interactive feedback collected from viewers of the media presentation to the central data collection facility 42. For example, a product and/or service company may provide a query (polling) associated with an advertisement of the product and/or service company to the central data collection facility 42, which in turn may transmit the query to the measuring devices (i.e., the base measuring device 20 and/or the portable measuring device 22). The product and/or service company may upload the query to the central network via the internet and/or any other suitable connection. In response to detecting a Source Identification (SID) associated with a product and/or service company, the measurement device may generate a query on the display. The information provided by the measuring device to the central data collection facility 42 may include the viewer's response to a query generated by the measuring device, information used by the viewer to change the settings of the measuring device, or an expression of the viewer's likeness or dislikeness of the media presentation being consumed in response to the query from the media presentation source. That is, viewers of a television program may provide opinions about the content of the television program. As a result, the measuring device can communicate information associated with the viewer and the media presentation, as well as interactive feedback by the viewer associated with the media presentation, to the central data collection facility 42 to process such data.

Referring to fig. 9, the measurement devices described above may operate in conjunction with one another to collect audience information associated with a media presentation. The exemplary television system 500 of fig. 9 includes a television provider 510, a television 520, a base measurement device 530, and a portable measurement device 535. The television service provider 510 may be any television service provider such as, but not limited to, a cable television service provider 512, a Radio Frequency (RF) television provider 514, and/or a satellite television service provider 516. Television 520 may be any suitable television configured to transmit audio and video components of a media presentation, such as, but not limited to, a program, an advertisement, a video game, and/or a movie preview. The base measuring device 530 may be the measuring device 20 shown in FIG. 2, and the portable measuring device 535 may be the measuring device 22 shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., one of a cellular telephone, PDA, or handheld computer). The base measurement device 530 and the portable measurement device 535 may communicate with each other via a first communication link 570 (e.g., a hardwired link and/or a wireless link). For example, the docking station 572 may be configured to hold and communicatively connect the portable measurement device 535 to the base measurement device 530 via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. Thus, the base measurement device 530 and the portable measurement device 535 may communicate with each other. In addition, the base measurement device 530 may communicate with the central data collection facility 560 via a second communication link 575 (e.g., a hardwired link and/or a wireless link). The central data collection facility 560 may include a server 580 and a database 590.

Exemplary machine readable instructions executable by the base measuring device 530 and the portable measuring device 535 are shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10. In the illustrated example, the base measurement device 530 first detects a registration including information related to the viewer 540 from a portable measurement device 535, a tuning device or remote control device (e.g., the device denoted 16 in FIG. 1), and/or an optional identification device 544 (e.g., an ID tag or a cellular telephone) (block 610). For example, the viewer 540 may manually register with the base measuring device 530 using the portable measuring device 535 or a tuning device. Alternatively, the viewer 540 may automatically register with the measuring device 535 through the identification device 544.

Upon receiving the registration, the base measurement device 530 attempts to detect the content identifier 550 associated with the media presentation as described above (block 620) and identifies the content identifier 550 (block 625). After detecting and identifying the content identifier, the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 prompts the viewer 540 to respond to the query (block 630). For example, the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 may utilize an audible alarm, a visual alarm, and/or a vibratory alarm to attract the attention of the viewer 540. The visual alert may be a green, red, blue or any other suitable color LED. The visual alert may also be any suitable device that generates a visual signal to attract the attention of the viewer 540. The audible alarm may be a piezoelectric device, a speaker, or any other suitable device that generates an audible signal to attract the attention of the viewer 540. The vibratory alert may be implemented as any known vibratory device, such as those used in conventional cellular telephones and/or pagers. The base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 may use any or all of an audible alert, a visual alert, and a vibratory alert to attract the attention of the viewer 540. For example, when the media presentation requires user interaction, the base measurement device 530 and/or the portable measurement device 535 may prompt the viewer 540 to disconnect the portable measurement device 535 from the docking station 572. The viewer 540 may then remove the portable measurement device 535 from the docking station 572 in response to the query. Accordingly, the base measurement device 530 and/or the portable measurement device 535 generate an interrogation on a display disposed in or associated with the base measurement device 530 and/or the portable measurement device 535 (block 640). The portable measurement device 535 may receive an input through a user interface (e.g., the interface represented as 88 in fig. 3) in response to the query (block 650).

The portable measurement device 535 transmits the response data of the viewer 540 related to the query to the basic measurement device 530 via the second communication link 575 (block 660). Upon receiving the response data, the base measurement device 530 transmits information related to the viewer and the media presentation to the central data collection facility 560 via the first communication link 570 to collect the data (block 670).

Another set of exemplary machine readable instructions that may be executed by the base measurement device 530 and the portable measurement device 535 is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 11. In the illustrated example, the television 520 broadcasts advertisements for products and/or services companies, organizations, and/or any other entities to users (block 710). The television 520 also broadcasts an advertisement identifier, such as the SID described above, via various advertisements (block 720). For this example, a soft drink company may embed a corresponding SID in an advertisement for a soft drink produced by the company. In addition, the company may upload queries, such as but not limited to survey questions related to advertisements, to the central data collection facility 560 via the internet. The advertisement identifier and the challenge are then downloaded to the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 (block 730). Alternatively, the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 may retrieve such data from the central data collection facility 560. The base measurement device 530 attempts to detect the ad identifier (block 740). Based on the advertisement identifier, the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 identify at least one survey question related to the advertisement (block 750) and present the at least one survey question to the user (block 760). Of course, in this embodiment, the base measuring device 530 and/or the portable measuring device 535 are programmed with information that each measuring device uses to associate the advertisement identifier with the appropriate one or more survey questions. Such information may be provided, for example, in a database format. In addition, the base measurement device 530 may be adapted to receive the database 590 from the central data collection facility 560 and transmit the database 590 to the portable measurement device 535 via the docking station 572 or a wireless communication link using one or more of the appropriate communication interfaces installed in the respective devices.

The foregoing describes various configurations in which portable measuring device(s) can be used in conjunction with optional base measuring device(s). Although these basic measuring devices may have the above-described structure, one or more portable measuring devices may be configured to operate as the basic measuring devices. For example, a portable measuring device (which may be implemented, for example, by a cellular phone, PDA, etc.) may be programmed to operate like a basic measuring device, which, while being portable, remains in the home, business, or any other location where the aforementioned basic measuring device may be located. Using a portable measuring device to implement the basic measuring device is advantageous because the portable measuring device is compact and easy to transport to the investigator's home. In addition, due to their small profile, portable measuring devices can be easily placed, for example, in the vicinity of a primary television being viewed in a room.

To implement a basic measurement device using a portable measurement device, the panelist may be instructed to power the device from a sustainable power source (e.g., a wall outlet) through a transformer. The physical location of the device may also be indicated to the panelist to ensure that the media exposure (media exposure) is measured using the correct received signal. For example, the panelist may be instructed to position the device to receive audio from a television. The panelist may be instructed to activate the device either before or after placement of the device.

The activation of the portable measurement device may include the execution of a number of routines, which may include previously downloaded media monitoring routines. Alternatively, device startup may include downloading software/firmware to implement the measurement function before first using the device as a basic measurement device. As described in detail below, downloading the software/firmware may include, but is not limited to, downloading the software over a wired or wireless network. Additionally, downloading may involve downloading the required software onto an intermediate device, such as a personal computer, and then migrating the software onto the portable measurement device over a wired connection (universal serial bus, parallel bus, and/or ethernet) or a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, 802.11x, etc.). In addition to software/firmware being easily downloaded (directly or indirectly) to the portable measurement device, software upgrades, patches and/or repair procedures (fix) may also be downloaded to the portable measurement device.

After the portable measuring device is placed, activated and equipped with measuring software, the portable measuring device may emit an audible and/or vibratory and/or visual alarm or the like to indicate that the portable measuring device received a valid audio code from, for example, a television in proximity to the location where the portable measuring device is placed. These provide an indication to the panelist that the feedback confirming receipt of the audio code indicates that the portable measurement device has been properly positioned relative to the monitored television (or other media device).

As described above, the portable measuring device may be configured to serve as a base measuring device to provide a base measuring function in a small, easily distributed, easily located package of portable measuring devices. As part of the process of configuring the portable measuring device to function as a base measuring device, the panelist downloads software or firmware into the portable measuring device. In addition to the measurement functionality provided by the firmware/software, the firmware/software may disable the earpiece speaker of the portable measurement device to prevent audio feedback that may corrupt data acquisition of the device. Additionally, the firmware/software may enable a high gain mode of the microphone to enable a speakerphone microphone feature, rather than the normal directional mode microphone traditionally used on devices such as cellular telephones.

Many devices that can be configured to operate as portable measuring devices that serve as basic measuring devices include interfaces (input/output (I/O) ports) through which data can pass. For example, cellular telephones include a basic plug (plug) I/O port through which data may be continuously passed to provide program information to the cellular telephone. In addition, devices such as PDAs and the like also include such interfaces. In one example, software/firmware downloaded onto the portable measurement device may configure an I/O port in the portable measurement device to receive measurement data directly. For example, a cellular telephone may be configured to receive incoming "raw" Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) data through an I/O port and provide it to measurement software/firmware, thereby providing a hardwired alternative to wireless audio detection through a microphone.

As shown in fig. 12, in general, the measurement system 1200 may include a meter provider 1202, a portable unit 1204, and a content provider 1206. As further shown in fig. 12, the measurement system 1200 may include a network provider 1207 to provide wireless network access to the portable unit 1204 and/or a download station 1208 connected to the portable unit 1204. Typically, the meter vendor 1202 assigns measurement functionality to the portable unit 1204, and as described below, the portable unit 1204 may be implemented using a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a pager, or any other portable device. The portable unit 1204 can then take measurements of the information provided by the content provider. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the information provided by the content provider may be television and/or radio signals and/or signals provided over any other communication network such as the internet. More generally, the information may be audio, video or data information. For example, when a television processes a television program, an audio code embedded in the television program may be generated by the television. These codes may be collected by the portable unit 1204. Alternatively, the portable unit 1204 itself may be used to tune and watch television programs, and has the ability to monitor the tuned television program.

The meter vendor 1202 may be, for example, a website hosted by an information collection facility (service) (e.g., Nielsen MediaResearch) or any other similar facility. An organization associated with the meter supplier 1202 contacts a potential panelist, such as the owner of the portable unit 1204. The organization may utilize the network provider 1207 to send a request to join a panel (panel) to a potential panelist and receive a corresponding response in which the potential panelist may accept or decline the request. If a potential panelist elects to join the panelist group, the network provider 1207 may automatically download the appropriate measurement software (e.g., "push") to the portable unit 1204, for example, from a website hosted by the meter provider 1202, as described below. Alternatively, the network provider 1207 may provide, for example, a software download menu option by which the panelist may use the portable unit 1204 to request that measurement software be downloaded to and executed by the portable unit 1204 (e.g., "pull"), as described below.

As described above, the portable unit 1204 may be implemented using a PDA, a cellular phone, a pager, or any other known device. The device may already be owned by the panelist or may be provided to the panelist. If provided, the panelist may or may not be permitted to use the device for its originally intended purpose and have it perform the measurement function. As described above, the portable unit 1204 includes one or more memories into which measurement software can be written. The performance of the portable unit 1204 may then be modified by executing measurement software so that in addition to the conventional functions of the portable unit 1204 (e.g., PDA features, phone call processing, page reception, etc.), the portable unit 1204 will have content measurement functions including signature and/or code processing, prompting audience members for a variety of purposes including: 1) is you actively watching television (or any source of measured content) or just in its vicinity? 2) Do you subjectively sustain a positive/negative reaction to what is being presented? 3) Do you react positively/negatively to the trademark being displayed? And so on. All of these prompts are optional and may or may not be included in the measurement software.

As shown in fig. 12, the measurement software may be provided directly to the portable unit 1204 via a network provider 1207. Alternatively, the measurement software may be transferred to the download station 1208 via the network connection 1209, the download station 1208 may be implemented using a standard personal computer or other device capable of displaying and/or receiving information. In this configuration, measurement software may be transferred from the meter vendor 1202 to the download station 1208 via an internet connection 1209. Still alternatively, the panelist may use the portable unit 1204 to request that the measurement software be distributed onto media such as a floppy disk 1210 or an optical disk 1212. The panelist, upon receiving the media, may use the download station 1208 to transfer the measurement software to the portable unit 1204. The transfer of the measurement software to the portable unit 1204 may be performed using a hard-wired (e.g., USB) connection. Alternatively, the transfer process may be performed in a similar manner as downloading a ringtone or other feature onto a cellular telephone.

A software download process 1300 is shown in fig. 13, which may be performed by the portable unit 1204 or the download station 1208 to obtain software to perform the measurement function. To obtain measurement software, the panelist navigates to a software provider site (block 1302) and indicates a desire to receive measurement software (block 1304). As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, indicating a desire to receive measurement software may include logging into a software provider site, entering a code or any other indication that the meter provider 1202 provided to the panelist. In addition, the panelist may provide a number of other pieces of information to the meter vendor 1202. For example, the panelist may provide demographic information, portable unit 1204 specifications, panelist name and address, and the like. In addition, the panelists may be actively recruited by phone call, email, or other method of actively contacting the panelists. Alternatively, the panelist may voluntarily participate in the survey at a website, physical location, or the like.

After the panelist indicates a desire (or willingness) to receive measurement software (block 1304), the panelist receives measurement software (block 1306). For example, the panelist may download the measurement software directly to the portable unit 1204, or may download the measurement software to the download station 1208 for later upload to the portable unit 1204. Alternatively, the meter vendor 1202 may ship the media (e.g., floppy 1210 or optical 1212) to a panelist, which then enters it into the download station 1208.

Upon receiving the measurement software (block 1306), the panelist installs it into the portable unit 1204 (block 1308). For example, if the software is downloaded to the portable unit 1204, the panelist may command the portable unit 1204 to begin the software installation. Alternatively, the panelist may install the measurement software onto the portable unit 1204 using the download station 1208. The installation and/or start-up of the measurement software may be performed automatically after downloading the measurement software.

After receiving (block 1306) and installing (block 1308) the measurement software, the portable unit 1204 initializes and runs the measurement software (block 1310). After installation, the measurement software may prompt the panelist to enter demographic information. In addition, once executed, the measurement software enables the portable unit 1204 to perform measurement functions in addition to the conventional functions associated with the portable unit 1204. The measurement software may run for a limited period of time and automatically uninstall itself when cooperation of that particular panelist is no longer needed. Alternatively, offloading by the panelist may be required when collaboration is no longer required or when they no longer wish to do the panelist.

As previously mentioned, an exemplary process 1400 for contacting potential panelists, downloading measurement software to a portable device (e.g., portable unit 1204) used by the panelist, and configuring the measurement software to execute on the portable device is shown in fig. 14. The example process 1400 may be performed by the meter provider 1202, the portable unit 1204, and/or the network provider 1207 of fig. 12, and may be performed periodically when a new audience measurement study is commissioned, to fill in gaps in existing audience measurement studies, and so forth. The exemplary process 1400 begins by contacting a panelist candidate and requesting that the candidate participate in an audience measurement study (block 1402). As described below in connection with fig. 15, the panelist candidate may be contacted by telephone call, text message, etc., and the candidate may also respond to the request by telephone call, text message, etc.

The process 1400 then determines whether a positive response has been received from the panelist candidate (block 1404). If a positive response is not received (e.g., if the panelist does not respond or a negative response is sent/provided denying participation in the study) (block 1404), then the process 1400 ends. However, if a positive response is received (block 1404), the process 1400 causes the panelist to join the study and authorize the download of the appropriate measurement software to the portable unit 1204 corresponding to the new panelist (block 1406). This may include noting the phone number or Internet Protocol (IP) address of the portable unit used by the panelist. An exemplary process for implementing the functionality of block 1406 is shown in FIG. 16 and will be discussed in more detail below. The process 1400 then determines whether a network-initiated download of the measurement software to the portable unit 1204 is possible and supported by the portable unit 1204 and the network provider 1207 (block 1408). In some cases, for example, a network-initiated software download may be preferred over a user-initiated software download to minimize the effort required by the panelist to download and configure the measurement software on the portable unit 1204.

If a network-initiated software download is possible (block 1408), the process 1400 performs a network-initiated software download of the appropriate measurement software onto the portable unit 1204 for use by the panelist (block 1410). However, if a network-initiated software download is not possible (block 1408), the process 1400 performs a user-initiated software download of the measurement software onto the portable unit 1204 (block 1412). Exemplary processes for implementing the functionality of block 1410 are shown in fig. 17-19. Additionally, an exemplary process for implementing the functionality of 1412 is shown in FIG. 20.

After the process at block 1410 or block 1412 has been completed and the measurement software is downloaded to the portable unit 1204, the process 1400 then configures the measurement software for execution on the portable unit 1204 (block 1414). An exemplary process for implementing the functionality of block 1414 is shown in FIG. 21, and is discussed in more detail below. The exemplary process 1400 then ends. After installation, the measurement software may prompt the panelist to enter demographic information. In addition, once executed, the measurement software enables the portable unit 1204 to perform measurement functions in addition to the conventional functions associated with the portable unit 1204. As previously described, the measurement software may run for a limited period of time and then automatically uninstall itself once collaboration by that particular panelist is no longer required. Alternatively, the panelists may be required to manually unload when collaboration is no longer required or when they no longer wish to do a panelist.

An exemplary process 1500 for contacting a candidate for a panelist and requesting that the candidate participate in an audience measurement study is shown in fig. 15. The exemplary process 1500 may be used to implement the functionality of block 1402 of FIG. 14. The exemplary process 1500 begins by statistically generating panelist candidates to be contacted that are likely to participate in an audience measurement study (block 1502). For example, depending on the type of portable unit 1204, process 1500 may generate a random phone number based on one or more area codes assigned to a particular cellular telephone service provider, a random Internet Protocol (IP) address based on a network address or address range assigned to a particular wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) service provider, or the like. The process 1500 then determines whether the panelist candidate should be contacted by the portable unit 1204 using a text message or a voice call (block 1504). For example, the determination may be made based on the performance of the portable unit 1204, a desired level of technical proficiency of the panelist candidate, an automation level available to the process 1500 for communicating with the panelist candidate, and so forth.

If the process 1500 determines that a voice call should be used (block 1504), a voice call is placed through the network provider 1207 to the portable unit 1204 corresponding to the panelist candidate determined at block 1502 (block 1506). The voice call may include an automated message requesting the recipient to be a panelist in an audience measurement study. The message may then prompt the recipient to indicate acceptance or denial of the request and process the recipient's response (block 1508). For example, the recipient may be prompted to respond by a key press response by pressing a particular value of a numeric keypad contained in portable unit 1204. Additionally or alternatively, the recipient may be prompted to respond through speech recognition by speaking a particular word or phrase. In either case, after the recipient's response is processed (block 1508), the exemplary process 1500 ends.

However, if the process 1500 determines that a text message should be used (block 1504), a text message, such as an "instant message," is sent to the portable unit 1204 corresponding to the panelist candidate determined at block 1502 through the network provider 1207 (block 1510). For example, the text message may be sent via Short Message Service (SMS), email, and the like. The text message may request that the recipient be a panelist in an audience measurement study. The message may then prompt the recipient to accept the request by, for example, replying directly to the text message, calling a toll-free telephone number contained in the text message, etc. If the recipient responds with a text message (block 1512), e.g., a direct reply to the text message sent at block 1510, the portable unit 1204 may send the text message via SMS, email, etc. (block 1514). The exemplary process 1500 then ends. However, if the recipient responds by a telephone call (block 1512), the recipient may place a telephone call using the portable unit 1204 to the number provided in the text message sent at block 1510 (block 1516). The telephone call may be answered by an automated answering system that again requests responders to participate in the audience measurement study. The response system may then prompt the user to accept or reject the request and process the response of the responder, as described above (block 1508). The exemplary process 1500 then ends.

An exemplary process 1600 for adding a panelist to an audience measurement study and authorizing the download of appropriate measurement software to a portable unit (e.g., portable unit 1204) corresponding to the new panelist is shown in fig. 16. The example process 1600 may be used to implement the functionality of block 1406 of FIG. 14. The example process 1600 begins by adding the panelist to a sample set corresponding to an audience measurement study (block 1602). For example, process 1600 may add the candidate's name and other identifying information to the audience measurement research database. Additionally or alternatively, the process 1600 may add descriptive information (e.g., phone number, IP address, device type, device capabilities, etc.) about the portable unit 1204 used by the panelist to the audience measurement research database. The example process 1600 then authorizes the download of the appropriate measurement software to the portable unit 1204 corresponding to the new panelist (block 1604). This authorization may be performed, for example, by sending an authorization message from the meter provider 1202 to the network provider 1207. The example process 1600 then ends.

An exemplary process 1700 for performing a network-initiated download of measurement software to a portable unit (e.g., portable unit 1204) is shown in fig. 17. The example process 1700 may be used to implement the functionality of block 1410 of FIG. 14. The example process 1700 begins by instructing the network provider 1207 to obtain measurement software from the meter provider 1202 (e.g., by downloading the software from a server, website, etc.) and prepare the measurement software for download to the portable unit 1204 (e.g., by placing the software on a network provisioning server, gateway, etc.) (block 1702). Process 1700 then causes network provider 1207 to begin data transfer (e.g., via a push space transport protocol (OTA), such as OTA-WSP (wireless session protocol), OTA-HTTP (hypertext transport protocol), etc.) with portable unit 1204 (block 1704). The process 1700 then causes the network provider 1207 to download the measurement software to the portable unit 1204 (block 1706). After the download is complete (block 1706), the process 1350 instructs the network provider 1207 to store (cache) a request for the panelist to install the measurement software (block 1708). The request is stored (buffered) until the portable unit 1204 enters an appropriate operating mode (e.g., a standby mode, during which the portable unit 1204 does not perform any other function) in which the software may be installed. After the portable unit 1204 enters this mode (block 1708), the process 1700 may then cause Application Management Software (AMS) executing on the portable unit 1204 to prompt the panelist to install and/or execute the downloaded measurement software (block 1710). For example, if the measurement software is a JAVA application, a JAVA Application Manager (JAM) is an AMS that can be used. The example process 1700 then ends.

Although the above description includes a number of techniques for transferring measurement software to a portable unit, one specific example will now be described in connection with fig. 18 and 19. The examples of fig. 18 and 19 utilize wireless communication capabilities provided by an extensible data transfer protocol such as extensible markup language (XML). Further details regarding extensible data transfer protocol communications may be found in international application PCT/US2004/000818 entitled "Portable Measurement Architecture and Methods for Portable audio Measurement" filed on 14.1.2004, the priority of which is claimed herein and the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Structures such as those described in connection with fig. 18 and 19 may operate based on the capabilities of the infrastructure (e.g., base station) and the portable unit (e.g., portable unit 1204) to detect the presence of each other when they are in proximity to each other. After detecting each other's presence, the infrastructure and portable unit attempt to negotiate communication. Of course, if a party is not identified (e.g., the portable unit does not identify the infrastructure), then the communication may be denied (e.g., the portable unit may deny negotiating communication with the infrastructure). It will be readily appreciated that such a system may operate using any number of different protocols, such as Bluetooth, 802.11x, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Infrared (IR), etc.

Such a system is advantageous for assigning measurement functions to portable units, because when the infrastructure for such a system becomes ubiquitous, it is very easy to distribute measurement software to portable units wherever they are located. In addition, as described in the above-mentioned international application, these communication systems and protocols provide a convenient means by which measurement information (e.g., media-related codes and signatures) obtained by a portable unit can be distributed back to the device in possession of the information.

Turning now to fig. 18, an exemplary network initiated download process 1800 that can be performed by one or more infrastructure stations is illustrated. Of course, the operation of one or more infrastructure stations may be adapted so that the network acts as a unit with multiple access points defined by the infrastructure location. Process 1800 is one manner in which block 1410 of fig. 14 may be implemented. Process 1800 begins by searching for candidate portable units (block 1802). The candidate unit may be any portable unit that is identified to receive measurement software. For example, any portable unit identified at block 1406 of FIG. 14 may be referred to as a candidate portable unit. The search is an adjusted search in which the network knows the various candidate portable units and uses multiple infrastructure locations of the network to scan for candidate portable units.

If no candidate portable unit is detected (block 1802), the process 1800 continues with scanning for candidate portable units. When a candidate portable unit is found (block 1802), the network attempts to establish a wireless communication link with the candidate portable unit (block 1804). For example, an infrastructure location or node that identifies the presence of a candidate portable unit may attempt to establish wireless communication with the candidate unit. Of course, as described above and as described below in connection with FIG. 19, the candidate portable unit may reject the link from the network (block 1806), in which case the process 1800 returns to the scan.

If the link is accepted (block 1806), the process 1800 obtains measurement software, which may be stored locally in the network or may be stored at another location, such as the location of a meter vendor (e.g., the meter vendor 1202 of FIG. 12) (block 1808). For example, the measurement software may be stored in a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, optical disk drive, or the like, thereby facilitating acquisition of the measurement software and minimizing latency. After the measurement software is acquired (block 1808), the measurement software is transferred to the candidate portable unit (block 1810) so that the candidate portable unit can install and execute the measurement software.

Fig. 19 shows a process 1900 corresponding to the process 1800, which may be performed by a candidate portable unit (e.g., the portable unit 1204 of fig. 12). As described above, the portable unit, which may be a PDA, cellular telephone, Bluetooth enabled device, or the like, receives an identity query from the network (block 1902). One source of the identity query may be the network and infrastructure searching for candidate portable units, such as the unit identified by block 1406 of fig. 14.

In response to the identity query (block 1902), the process 1900 determines whether the entity that made the query is approved (recognize) (block 1904). For example, process 1900 may deny a communication link from any entity that the user did not authorize prior permission. For example, prior permissions may be received when a potential panelist is contacted and indicates that it is intended to participate in the survey (blocks 1402 and 1404 of fig. 14). At this point, the candidate portable unit may have stored an identifier of the entity that is to contact the candidate portable unit later to provide the measurement software. Alternatively, the panelist may be prompted to confirm and receive the measurement software, such as by text messaging. If the entity is not approved (block 1904), the connection is denied (block 1906) and the process 1900 ends.

Alternatively, if the entity is recognized and the download of the measurement software is deemed acceptable (block 1904), process 1900 responds to the query and establishes a wireless communication link with the infrastructure (block 1908). The measurement software is then received (block 1910) and executed (block 1912) before the process 1900 ends.

An exemplary process 2000 of initiating the download of measurement software to a user of a portable unit (e.g., portable unit 1204) is illustrated in fig. 20. The example process 2000 may be used to implement the functionality of block 1412 of fig. 14. The example process 2000 begins by enabling the network provider 1207 to enable the portable unit 1204 to access the measurement software (block 2002). For example, the process 2000 may instruct the network provider 1207 to obtain measurement software from the meter provider 1202 (e.g., by downloading the software from a server, website, etc.) and prepare the measurement software for download to the portable unit 1204 (e.g., by placing the software on a network provisioning server, gateway, etc.). The process 2000 then instructs the panelist to select measurement software to download using a Discovery Application (DA), such as a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser, executing on the portable unit 1204 (block 2004). The process 2000 then causes the portable unit 1204 to initiate a data transfer (e.g., via HTTP, WSP, etc.) with the network provider 1207 (block 2006). The process 2000 then causes the network provider 1207 to download the measurement software to the portable unit 1204 (block 2008). The exemplary process 2000 then ends.

An exemplary process 2100 for configuring measurement software to execute on a portable unit (e.g., portable unit 1204) is shown in fig. 21. The example process 2100 may be used to implement the functionality of block 1414 of fig. 14. The exemplary process 2100 begins by instructing the AMS executing on the portable unit 1204 to install measurement software (block 2102). Then, as a result of automatic startup by using push registration or the like in the AMS, the measurement software is initialized and executed by the portable unit 1204, for example, in response to a command issued by a panelist operating the portable unit 1204 (block 2104). The exemplary process 2100 then ends.

The portable meter process 2200 as shown in fig. 22A and 22B (collectively fig. 22) represents instructions that the portable unit 1204 can execute once the measurement software is downloaded into the portable unit 1204. Process 2200 may be performed periodically or may be driven by the occurrence of one or more specific events. Process 2200 begins by determining whether portable unit 1204 is being used for its native purpose (block 2202). For example, if portable unit 1204 is a cellular telephone, process 2200 would determine whether the investigator is making a phone call or performing some other function inherent to the cellular telephone. The process 2200 is not stopped until the portable unit 1204 is not in use. One possible event that may drive the start of the measurement software is location determination. For example, if the meter is close to a known media source (TV at home), it may start automatically. This is only useful for in-home measurements of exposure to media content, not for out-of-home measurements.

When the portable unit 1204 is not in use (block 2202), the process 2200 determines whether the portable unit is plugged into a power source or has sufficient/acceptable battery power (block 2204). If the portable unit 1204 is not sufficiently powered (block 2204), a determination is made as to whether the battery of the portable unit 1204 is nearly depleted (block 2206). If the battery is nearly depleted (block 2206), the process stops executing. Alternatively, if the battery is nearly depleted (block 2206), the process may sleep for a period of time H and attempt again at a later time. Conversely, if the battery of the portable unit 1204 is not nearly depleted, the portable unit 1204 sleeps for a seconds (block 2208). The size of a seconds will be explained below with reference to other time events. In summary, the goal is not to drain the battery excessively so that the panelist can use the device for the originally intended purpose.

If it is determined that the portable unit 1204 is sufficiently powered (block 2204), then it is determined whether it is time to transmit data (block 2210). The data transfer time may be determined by the passage of a period of time or by a data buffer or memory storing the data to be transferred. If it is time to transfer the data (block 2210), a determination is made as to whether the portable unit 1204 is docked (block 2212). For example, the portable unit 1204 may dock in a cradle connected to the download station 1208. If the portable unit 1204 is docked (block 2212), a determination is made as to whether the docked network is available (block 2214). For example, if the meter vendor were to receive data stored within the portable unit 1204, the network interfaced may be a network connection between the download station 1208 and the meter vendor 1202. Alternatively, the interfaced network may be a connection with another entity that is to receive the stored information.

If the docked network is available (block 2214), the stored data is sent (block 2216) and the portable meter sleeps for B seconds (block 2218). Alternatively, if the device is not docked (block 2212) or the docked network is not available (block 2214), a determination is made as to whether a wireless network is available (block 2220). If the wireless network is available (block 2220), data is transmitted (block 2216) and the portable unit 1204 sleeps for B seconds (block 2218). Alternatively, the portable unit 1204 sleeps for C seconds (block 2222).

If it is not time to transmit the data (block 2210), a determination is made as to whether the portable unit 1204 has space to store additional data (block 2224). If there is no space available (block 2224), a determination is made as to whether the device is docked (block 2212) and process 2200 proceeds therefrom as described. Alternatively, if there is space to store the data (block 2224), audio is collected (block 2226). Although audio is specifically mentioned, video or other data may also be collected at block 2226. It is then determined whether audio is present by determining whether audio is detected (block 2228). If no audio is detected (block 2228), the portable unit 1204 sleeps for D seconds (block 2230). If audio is detected (block 2230), a determination is made as to whether the television is on (block 2232). If it is determined that the television is not on (block 2232), the portable unit 1204 sleeps for D seconds (block 2230).

Alternatively, if it is determined that the television is on (block 2232), a determination is made as to whether the code was detected within the last F seconds or not within G seconds (block 2234). If the test in block 2234 is not satisfied, a signature of the audio, video, or data being received is generated (block 2236). Alternatively, if the test of block 2234 did not fail, a determination is made as to whether an audio code was detected (block 2238). If no audio code is detected (block 2238), a signature is generated (block 2236). Alternatively, if an audio code is detected (block 2238), a determination is made as to whether the portable unit 1204 is plugged into a power source or has a high battery charge (block 2240). If the amount of power is sufficient (block 2240), a signature is generated (block 2236). Alternatively, there may be an optional mode in which the signature is generated even when the code is detected.

After the signature is generated (block 2236) or if it is determined that the portable unit is not plugged in or has a high battery power (block 2240), the portable unit 1204 determines whether location information is available (block 2242). The location information may be provided, for example, by a terrestrial or satellite based global positioning system transmitter. If location information is not available (block 2242), a determination is made as to whether emergency/911 location information is available (block 2244). If location information or emergency/911 location information is available, the location of the portable unit 1204 is determined 2246.

After the location is determined (block 2246) or if an emergency/911 location is not available (block 2244), the television on/off code, audio code, signature, and location are stored (block 2248). After the specified information is stored (block 2248), the portable unit 1204 sleeps for E seconds (block 2250).

As described above, a plurality of sleep times are specified in the process 2200. In general, X may be referred to as a desired measurement accuracy, which may be, for example, 60 seconds. If this assumption is made, the values of A-F are defined as follows:

a = (X5) seconds + settable constant 1

B =0 sec + settable constant 2

C = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + a settable constant of 3

D = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + settable constant 4

E = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + a settable constant of 5

F = X seconds + settable constant 6

G = (X5) seconds + settable constant 7, where f (remaining battery life) represents a variable as a function of battery life.

H = X seconds + f (remaining battery life) + settable constant 8

The methods and apparatus disclosed herein are particularly well suited for use with televisions. However, the teachings of this disclosure may be applied to other electronic device media presentation devices, such as personal computers, radios, or any other device capable of presenting media programs, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In addition, although the audience measurement system described herein is disclosed as being used to measure television viewing associated with viewing zones located in a home, the system may be used to measure viewing at any location. Thus, a family member for a family may be an office worker, and the system may be used to measure their office-related viewing habits.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

This application is incorporated by reference and is a continuation of international application No. PCI/US2004/000818 filed on 14.1.2004. In addition, U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/511,859 filed on day 10/17 2003 and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/578,196 filed on day 6/9 2004 are incorporated by reference and claimed priority.

Claims (19)

1. A method of media measurement by a portable device, the method comprising:

downloading media measurement software to the portable device;

executing the media measurement software on the portable device;

in response to determining that the portable device is being used for an intended purpose, stopping execution of the media measurement software; and

in response to determining that the portable device is not being used for its intended purpose, execution of the media measurement software is continued to monitor media signals output by a media presentation device separate from the portable device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or a pager.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein continuing execution of the media measurement software comprises:

determining whether an amount of power available to power the portable device is sufficient to continue executing the media measurement software; and is

In response to determining that the amount of power available to power the portable device is insufficient to continue executing the media measurement software, performing at least one of: stopping execution of the media measurement software or sleeping execution of the media measurement software for a first period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein continuing execution of the media measurement software comprises: activating a high gain mode of a microphone of the portable device to enable the microphone to detect a media signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the media signal comprises an audio signal, and continuing execution of the media measurement software causes the portable device to monitor the audio signal by at least one of: detecting an audio code included in the audio signal or determining an audio signature from the audio signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading media measurement software to the portable device comprises at least one of: establishing a wireless connection between the portable device and a server providing the media measurement software to the portable device; establishing an internet connection between the portable device and the server; or establishing a connection between the portable device and the server that conforms to an extensible data transfer protocol.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein downloading media measurement software to the portable device comprises at least one of: pushing the media measurement software to the portable device or pulling the media measurement software to the portable device.

8. An apparatus for media measurement, the apparatus comprising:

means for downloading media measurement software to the portable device;

means for executing the media measurement software on the portable device;

means for stopping execution of the media measurement software in response to determining that the portable device is being used for an intended purpose; and

means for continuing execution of the media measurement software to monitor media signals output by a media presentation device separate from the portable device in response to determining that the portable device is not being used for its intended purpose.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or a pager.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for continuing execution of the media measurement software comprises:

means for determining whether an amount of power available to power the portable device is sufficient to continue executing the media measurement software; and

means for, in response to determining that the amount of power available to power the portable device is insufficient to continue executing the media measurement software, performing at least one of: stopping execution of the media measurement software or sleeping execution of the media measurement software for a first period of time.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for continuing execution of the media measurement software comprises: means for activating a high gain mode of a microphone of the portable device to enable the microphone to detect a media signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the media signal comprises an audio signal, and continuing execution of the media measurement software causes the portable device to monitor the audio signal by at least one of: detecting an audio code included in the audio signal or determining an audio signature from the audio signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for downloading media measurement software to the portable device comprises means for performing at least one of: establishing a wireless connection between the portable device and a server providing the media measurement software to the portable device; establishing an internet connection between the portable device and the server; or establishing a connection between the portable device and the server that conforms to an extensible data transfer protocol.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for downloading media measurement software to the portable device comprises means for performing at least one of: pushing the media measurement software to the portable device or pulling the media measurement software to the portable device.

15. A system for monitoring exposure rates of media content, the system comprising:

a meter vendor for providing media measurement software; and

a portable device to:

downloading the media measurement software;

executing the media measurement software;

in response to determining that the portable device is being used for an intended purpose, stopping execution of the media measurement software; and

in response to determining that the portable device is not being used for its intended purpose, execution of the media measurement software is continued to monitor media signals output by a media presentation device separate from the portable device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or a pager.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable device is further configured to:

determining whether an amount of power available to power the portable device is sufficient to continue executing the media measurement software; and

in response to determining that the amount of power available to power the portable device is insufficient to continue executing the media measurement software, performing at least one of: stopping execution of the media measurement software or sleeping execution of the media measurement software for a first period of time.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable device is further configured to: activating a high gain mode of a microphone of the portable device to enable the microphone to detect a media signal.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the media signal comprises an audio signal and continuing execution of the media measurement software causes the portable device to monitor the audio signal by at least one of: detecting an audio code included in the audio signal or determining an audio signature from the audio signal.