# US 8,784,207 B2 · Methods and apparatus to meter video game play > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,207 B2 - Document ID: US8784207B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/847,860 - Filed: 2013-03-20 - Published: 2013-08-22 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-20 - Assignees: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC - Applicants: Arun Ramaswamy; John C. Peiffer - Inventors: Arun Ramaswamy; John C. Peiffer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784207B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles - A63F 9/24: Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for - A63F 13/235: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet - A63F 13/79: involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories - H04N 21/441: Acquiring end-user identification {, e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card} - A63F 13/211: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes - A63F 13/215: comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone - A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback - A63F 13/335: using Internet - A63F 2300/1031: using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth®, infrared connections - A63F 2300/1037: being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback - A63F 2300/1043: being characterized by constructional details - A63F 2300/105: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes - A63F 2300/1081: Input via voice recognition - A63F 2300/208: for storing personal settings or data of the player - A63F 2300/407: Data transfer via internet - A63F 2300/5546: using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Methods and apparatus to meter video game play are disclosed. An example method includes detecting media identifying information corresponding to media presented in an environment including a video game system capable of executing a plurality of video games; identifying which of the plurality of video games is being played via a video game controller based on the media identifying information, wherein the video game controller is coupled to a sensor to detect motion data related to movement of the video game controller and to transmit the motion data without affecting operation of the video game system; and combining, via a processor, the media identifying information with the motion data received from the sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: detecting media identifying information corresponding to media presented in an environment including a video game system capable of executing a plurality of video games; identifying which of the plurality of video games is being played via a video game controller based on the media identifying information, wherein the video game controller is coupled to a sensor to detect motion data related to movement of the video game controller and to transmit the motion data without affecting operation of the video game system; and combining, via a processor, the media identifying information with the motion data received from the sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising causing the sensor to periodically transmit the motion data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein detecting the media identifying information comprises capturing an audio signal associated with the video game system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method as defined in claim 3, wherein detecting the media identifying information comprises collecting an embedded code in the audio signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A method as defined in claim 3, wherein detecting the media identifying information comprises detecting a signature in the audio signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising detecting a presence of a user in the environment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising combining presence data corresponding to detecting of the presence with the media identifying information and the motion data. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as defined in claim 1, wherein combining the media identifying information and the motion data comprises associating the media identifying information with a message including the motion data to be conveyed to a metering entity. ### Claim 9 A tangible machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least: detect media identifying information corresponding to media presented in an environment including a video game system capable of executing a plurality of video games; identify which of the plurality of video games is being played via a video game controller based on the media identifying information, wherein the video game controller is coupled to a sensor to detect motion data related to movement of the video game controller and to transmit the motion data without affecting operation of the video game system; and combine the media identifying information with the motion data received from the sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the machine to trigger the sensor to periodically transmit the motion data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the machine to detect the media identifying information by capturing an audio signal associated with the video game system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A storage medium as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to detect the media identifying information by collecting an embedded code in the audio signal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A storage medium as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions cause the machine to detect the media identifying information by detecting a signature in the audio signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) A storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the machine to detect a presence of a user in the environment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A storage medium as defined in claim 14, wherein the instructions cause the machine to combine presence data representing the detected presence with the media identifying information and the motion data. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) A storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the machine to combine the media identifying information and the motion data by associating the media identifying information with a message including the motion data to be conveyed to a metering entity. ### Claim 17 An apparatus comprising: a sensor structured to be attached to a video game controller, the sensor structured to be attached external to a housing of the video game controller, the sensor structured to detect a user interaction with the video game controller; a processor structured to execute instructions to: compare a magnitude of a motion of the video game controller detected by the sensor to a threshold; and attribute the motion to video game play if the magnitude of the motion detected by the sensor exceeds the threshold; and a transmitter structured to convey a signal representative of the detected user interaction to a meter without affecting operation of a video game system to be controlled by the video game controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the processor, when executing instructions, is structured to attribute the motion to non-video game play if the magnitude is less than the threshold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the processor, when executing instructions, is structured to associate the user interaction with an identifier assigned to the sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, further comprising a filter structured to determine if the motion corresponds to haptic feedback implemented by the video game controller. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the haptic feedback is provided in response to an aspect of a video game being played via the video game controller. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the sensor is carried by an annular housing removably attachable to a wire of the video game controller.