Abstract:
Motion detector modules are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a motion sensor, carried by an insertable storage card, to capture a motion status signal, the motion status signal to be evaluated to determine if the motion status signal represents a characteristic motion of the motion sensor to thereby determine validity of media measurement data collected by a portable device; and an audio sensor, carried by an extension of the insertable storage card, to capture an audio signal from an environment including the portable device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,442, filed Dec. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to data acquisition, and more particularly to data acquisition from an appliance environment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Efforts to gauge and improve the effectiveness of communication activities, such as advertising activities, have long relied on gathering data from audience survey participants. Traditionally, such data gathering has involved the manual recording of media content consumption patterns by survey participants in participant diaries. Audience surveys have been conducted by providing selected and consenting members with record diaries and requiring that the audience members record their media consumption periodically over a particular time span. Unfortunately, survey participants often prove unreliable in their ability to maintain complete and accurate records of their media consumption activities. Record diaries may be forgotten or lost and, even when remembered, the significant discipline required to maintain accurate written records on a regular basis may be lacking. The metric of survey participant adherence to the data collection protocol of a survey is termed “compliance.” 
         [0004]    More recently, the development of miniaturized electronic technologies has permitted the automation of some data collection functions useful in the study of audience media consumption. Compliance is generally improved by such automation of data collection. The most sophisticated automated systems, however, still require positive action by survey participants to enable full compliance with survey protocols. In particular, existing data sensing and collection devices require periodic battery charging, data transfer connection and, most fundamentally, require that the survey participant carry the data sensing a collection device on his or her person. In practice, compliance is therefore limited by the willingness or capacity of the survey participant to properly remember and employ a Monitoring device. 
         [0005]    Consequently, despite various advances, effectively capturing complete and accurate information regarding audience media consumption remains difficult. Despite the ongoing efforts of many creative practitioners of skill in the art, this problem has remained unsolved until now. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Collecting data reflecting usage of media is rendered difficult by technical and human factors. As the variety of media sources and techniques for presenting media to consumers, and the numbers and types of media presentation venues, increase over time, the volume and scope of usage data to be collected increases. Concurrently this expansion of available information, and other daily demands, serves diminish available time and otherwise demotivate survey participants from providing data through conventional channels. 
         [0007]    Dedicated portable Monitoring devices have been developed including the hardware and software required to Monitor exposure to audio media. In the course of developing the present invention, the inventors have understood the limitations of such dedicated Monitoring devices including device expense, limited user interface and processing facilities, and difficulties and costs associated with the process of upgrading Monitoring devices. In addition, through diligent effort in the inventors have developed compliance incentives where other creative practitioners using dedicated portable Monitoring devices have failed. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, in one representative embodiment, the invention includes a Personal User Appliance (an appliance) and a sensor module adapted to be disposed within the appliance. According to one embodiment, the appliance is a mobile device, such as a cellular phone or a PDA style Smart-Phone. In one embodiment, the sensor module includes an accelerometer adapted to produce an acceleration signal corresponding to motion of the appliance-sensor module system. In one embodiment the accelerometer is adapted to detect motion related to the appliance-sensor module system being carried by a user. In still another embodiment of the invention, a signal indicating that the appliance-sensor module is being carried by user is correlated to validity of survey data. In a further embodiment of the invention, compliance by a survey participant is correlated to a reward or other benefit. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor module is integrated within a particular device form factor. In one embodiment the device form factor complies with a form factor specification for an SD chip. In another embodiment of the invention, the device form factor complies with a mini-SD chip form factor. In still another embodiment of the invention, the device form factor complies with a micro-SD chip form factor. At various points within the following discussion the term SD chip may be used to refer generically to any of the above-form factors. In other embodiments of the invention, the device form factor includes a modified SD chip form factor and another embodiment of the invention, the device form factor is adapted to comply with a battery module form factor. 
         [0010]    In various embodiments of the invention, a signal related to survey data validity and/or compliance is received at a remote location from an appliance over a communications network such as a cellular telephone network. In another embodiment of the invention, a device other than an appliance is adapted to receive stored compliance data from a sensor module. 
         [0011]    These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood in relation to the following detailed description of the invention, which is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows, in block diagram form, a portion of an exemplary data acquisition system including an appliance and a sensor module according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows, in cutaway perspective view, an exemplary cell phone appliance according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-3C  show, in schematic outline form, exemplary SD sensor module cards according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows, in perspective view, a sensor module adapted to be disposed in a battery compartment of an appliance according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5 , in block diagram form, a portion of an exemplary data acquisition system including a sensor module with a memory device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  shows, in block diagram form, a portion of an exemplary data collection including a sensor module with an environmental sensor signal sensor such as a microphone; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  shows an exemplary SD card sensor module including an environmental signal sensor such as a microphone; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows, in flowchart form, a portion of an operation of a data acquisition system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Having carefully considered the factors discussed above and, from this consideration, having developed a new understanding of the underlying problems and conditions, the inventors have arrived at new and effective solutions embodied in the invention as described below. This description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed inventions and sets forth the best modes presently contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their inventions. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present inventions. 
         [0021]    Various terms relied upon in disclosing the present invention are defined as follows: 
         [0022]    The terms “first,” “second,” “primary,” and “secondary” are used herein to distinguish one element, set, data, object, step, process, function, action or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position, arrangement in time or relative importance, unless otherwise stated explicitly. 
         [0023]    The terms “coupled”, “coupled to”, and “coupled with” as used herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, (b) a communications relationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation of any one or more devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof. 
         [0024]    The terms “communicate”, and “communicating” as used herein include both conveying data from a source to a destination, and delivering data to a communications medium, system, channel, device, wire, cable, fiber, circuit or link to be conveyed to a destination, and the term “communication” as used herein means data so conveyed or delivered. The term “communications” as used herein includes one or more of a communications medium, system, channel, device, wire, cable, fiber, circuit and link. 
         [0025]    The term “processor” as used herein means processing devices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components, systems and subsystems, whether implemented in hardware, software or both, and whether or not programmable. The term “processor” as used herein includes, but is not limited to computers, hardwired circuits, signal modifying devices and systems, devices and machines for controlling systems, central processing units, programmable devices, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, systems on a chip, systems comprised of discrete elements and circuits, state machines, virtual machines and combinations of any of the foregoing. 
         [0026]    The terms “panelist,” “panel member” and “participant” are interchangeably used herein to refer to a person who is, knowingly or unknowingly, participating in a study to gather information, whether by electronic, survey or other means, about that person&#39;s activity. 
         [0027]    The term “portable user Appliance” (also referred to herein, for convenience, by the abbreviation “PUA”) as used herein means an electrical or non-electrical device capable of being carried by or on the person of a user or capable of being disposed on or in, or held by, a physical object (e.g., attache, purse) capable of being carried by or on the user, and having at least one function of primary benefit to such user, including without limitation, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a Blackberry device, a radio, a television, a game system (e.g., a Gameboy® device), a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a GPS device, an iPod® device, a DVD player, a walkie talkie, a personal communications device, a telematics device, a remote control device, a wireless headset, a wristwatch, a portable data storage device (e.g., Thumb™ drive), a camera, a recorder, a keyless entry transmitter device, a ring, a comb, a pen, a pencil, a notebook, a wallet, a tool, an implement, a pair of glasses, an article of clothing, a belt, a belt buckle, a fob, an article of jewelry, an ornamental article, a pair of shoes or other foot garment (e.g., sandals), a jacket, and a hat, as well as any devices combining any of the foregoing or their functions. 
         [0028]    The term “data” as used herein means any indicia, signals, marks, symbols, domains, symbol sets, representations, and any other physical form or forms representing information, whether permanent or temporary, whether visible, audible, acoustic, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic or otherwise manifested. The term “data” as used to represent predetermined information in one physical form shall be deemed to encompass any and all representations of 
         [0029]    The terms “media data” and “media” as used herein mean data which is widely accessible, whether over-the-air, or via cable, satellite, network, internetwork (including the Internet), print, displayed, distributed on storage media, or by any other means or technique that is humanly perceptible, without regard to the form or content of such data, and including but not limited to audio, video, text, images, animations, databases, files, broadcasts, displays (including but not limited to video displays, posters and billboards), signs, signals, web pages, print media and streaming media data. 
         [0030]    The term “presentation data” shall mean media data or content other than media data to be presented to a user. 
         [0031]    The term “research data” as used herein means data comprising (1) data concerning usage of media, (2) data concerning exposure to media, and/or (3) market research data. 
         [0032]    The effective collection of valid data is enhanced by reliable technical data collection and reliable participant compliance. In various aspects, the present invention includes features that enhance both the quality of technical data collection and the quality of participant compliance. 
         [0033]    One embodiment of a system according to the invention includes a combination of a motion sensor such as an accelerometer module and a Personal User Appliance (hereinafter Appliance) as shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that while the Appliance shown in  FIG. 1  may be a cellular telephone, this illustrative example should be considered in no way limiting. As noted above, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a wide variety of devices are readily adaptable for use as an Appliance in the context of the present invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a portion of a data acquisition system  100  according to a first embodiment of the invention. The data acquisition system  100  includes an appliance  102  and a sensor module  104 . In various embodiments, the sensor module  104  is a discrete subsystem that is removably or permanently attached to the appliance  102 . In one embodiment, as illustrated, the appliance  102  is a cellular telephone including a first interface portion  106 , a processor portion  108 , a memory portion  110 , and a communications portion  112  including an antenna  114 . In a further aspect, according to the illustrated embodiment, the appliance  102  includes a microphone interface device  116 , a microphone  118 , a speaker interface device  120  and a speaker  122 . In addition, the illustrated appliance  102  includes a display portion  124  and an input portion  126 . In various embodiments the display portion  124  includes an LCD screen, or other display device as known in the art. In various embodiments, the input portion  126  includes one or more tactile or non-tactile input devices such as, for example, a key, a joystick, a trackball, a touchpad, an optical sensor, etc., such as are known in the art. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment of the invention processor portion  108  includes a commercially available microprocessor device. In various embodiments of the invention, such commercially available microprocessor devices include processor devices from Intel Corporation® and from Texas Instruments, Inc.®. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor portion  108  includes an Intel Xscale CPU®. In another embodiment of the invention, the processor portion  108  includes TI OMAP ARM CPU®. One of skill in the art will appreciate that other appliances including other processor devices would be readily adaptable to use in the present invention. 
         [0036]    According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the sensor module  104  includes a motion sensor  130  and a second interface device  132 . In one embodiment, the first  106  and second  132  interface devices are adapted to be coupled to one another to form a signaling interface  138 . 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment, the motion sensor  130  includes a motion transducer  134  and a signal processor portion  136 . In one embodiment, the signal processor portion includes an analog to digital converter device. In various embodiments, the analog to digital converter device includes one or more of a parallel encoder device, a successive approximation device, a voltage to frequency conversion device, a single-slope integration device and a dual-slope integration device, among others. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the second interface device  132  is a Secure Digital Input/Output (SDIO) controller. According to one embodiment, the SDIO controller is implemented including an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). An exemplary SDIO controller is available from Arasan Chip Systems, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., such as, for example, the SDIO control identified as AC2200, and similar devices. In various embodiments, the motion sensor module  504  is referred to as a Secure Digital Accelerometer (SDA), and is adapted to be coupled to any device that includes the SDIO Host Controller (SDHC) functionality. One of skill in the art will appreciate that many mobile devices, and especially devices including image capture functionality, now include SDHC functionality. 
         [0039]    In a further aspect of the invention, power, such as electrical power is transferred from the appliance  102  to the sensor module  104 . In one embodiment, this transfer of power takes place through an interface that is integral to the communications interface  138 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the appliance  102  includes an internal power source. In various embodiments, the internal power source includes one or more of a disposable electrochemical battery, a rechargeable electrochemical battery, a fuel cell, a capacitive power storage device, a miniature heat engine such as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) turbine, a miniature generator such as a hand-crank generator, and a electromagnetic energy capture device such as a photovoltaic device, among others known in the art. In a further embodiment of the invention, the sensor module  104  includes a power storage device. 
         [0040]    According to one embodiment of the invention, a further interface  140  between the motion detector  130  and the second interface device  132  includes a multi-master serial computer bus such as an Inter-Integrated Circuit (12C) interface. In another embodiment, interface  140  is implemented to include a software emulated 12C interface. In a further embodiment, interface  140  is implemented to include a synchronous serial data link such as a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), and in still another embodiment interface  140  is implement it to include a software emulated SPI interface. In a further embodiment, interface  140  is implemented including a parallel interface and in another embodiment interface  140  includes a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART). 
         [0041]    A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device to provide SDIO controller functionality between the motion detector  130  and the signaling interface  132 . 
         [0042]    In various embodiments, the motion transducer  134 , signal processor portion  136  and second interface device  132  are mutually mechanically coupled to one another at a substrate  142 . In the illustrated embodiment, a further mechanical coupling  144  exists between the appliance  102  and the sensor module  104 —for example between the substrate  142  of the sensor module  104  and a case  146  of the appliance  102 . According to one embodiment, this coupling includes a mechanical interface according to the “Secure Digital” specification. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment of the invention, the motion transducer  134  is an accelerometer such as a single-axis accelerometer, a 2-axis accelerometer or a 3-axis accelerometer. In such an embodiment, the motion transducer is adapted to sense an acceleration of the sensor module  104 . 
         [0044]    It is known to prepare miniature accelerometers using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. One exemplary accelerometer device, such as would be employed in one embodiment of the invention, is identified as KXPS5-2050, manufactured by Kionix®, Inc. of Ithaca, N.Y., and similar devices. In one aspect, it is desirable to employ an accelerometer device including an integrated digital interface. For example in one embodiment the accelerometer device includes an integrated analog to digital converter device. 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the accelerometer includes an accelerometer having a sensitivity adapted to detecting human motion. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the accelerometer is adapted to detect between about 0.01 Gravity (G) acceleration and 0.001 G acceleration. In another embodiment of the invention, the accelerometer is adapted to detect between about 1.0 G and 0.001 G acceleration. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment of the invention the motion transducer  134  is an alternative motion transducer such as, for example, a ring laser gyroscope. One exemplary ring laser gyroscope is illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/609,262, filed Jun. 30, 2000 and published under the auspices of WIPO as Publication Number WO/2002/001156, the disclosure of which is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. One of skill in the art will appreciate that a gyroscope is useful for sensing rotational motion, as opposed to linear acceleration. Like linear acceleration, rotational motion of a device can be indicative of its transportation from place to place. Accordingly, like acceleration, the detection of rotational motion can be useful in verifying compliance, such as transportation of a monitor device, by a survey participant. 
         [0047]    Certain appliances include integrated motion detectors in the form of accelerometers. For example, the iphone, and certain other smart phones include accelerometers for detecting device acceleration. It will be understood by one of skill in the art, however, that the ability to add a supplemental motion detector device to an appliance, including an appliance that has an integrated accelerometer and an appliance that has no integrated accelerometer, has particular and surprising value in the field of evaluating survey compliance. Accordingly, the present invention includes a variety of embodiments directed to providing a supplemental motion detector to an appliance that may or may not have further motion detecting capability. 
         [0048]    It is also understood that a variety of prototype hardware devices are available for coupling an external accelerometer to a cellular phone. For example, a device identified as “Turbo Motion”™ automobile alarm is presented at www.bladox.com. This device provides an accelerometer equipped mobile phone accessory for movement detection and is adapted to couple an accelerometer to a mobile phone for purposes of automobile and bicycle theft detection. The accelerometer communicates with the mobile phone through a SIM interface of the telephone. 
         [0049]    In a further example a phone system interface (PSI) board, including an accelerometer, adapted for coupling to an MMC/SD port is described in “The PSI board: Realizing a Phone-Centric Body Sensor Network (Trevor Pering et al.). 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  shows, in cutaway perspective view, a portion of a cellular telephone  200  including a receptacle  202  for receiving an SD card  204 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the illustration of  FIG. 2  is schematic, and is simplified in various details as compared to an actual SD interface, for clarity of representation. The receptacle includes a plurality of contacts  206  adapted to interface with corresponding contacts of SD card  204 . External surfaces e.g.,  208  of the SD card are adapted to be disposed adjacent to, and supported by, corresponding internal surfaces, e.g.,  210  of receptacle  202 . A detent mechanism, not shown, is adapted to be coupled with a notch  212 , or other feature of SD card  204 , so as to removably retain SD card  204  within receptacle  202 . 
         [0051]    In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle  202  is disposed inwardly of a surface  214  of a battery compartment  215  of the cellular phone  200 . As illustrated, the battery compartment includes a plurality of power contacts, e.g.,  216  adapted to couple the cell phone to a battery or other power source. A further receptacle  218  disposed within surface  214  is adapted to receive a SIM card therewithin, and includes a further plurality of contacts, e.g.,  220  therewithin. It should be noted that a further detent mechanism,  222  is adapted to retain the SIM card in an operative position and orientation. 
         [0052]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the elements of a sensor module, e.g.,  104  as shown in  FIG. 1  are incorporated into an SD card, e.g.  204 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Second interface device  128 , of  FIG. 1  includes a plurality of electrical contacts adapted to be electrically coupled to contacts  206  of  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, an operative insertion of SD card  204  into receptacle  202  of cell phone  200  allows the processor  108  to receive a signal corresponding to an acceleration of the cell phone  200 , as detected by motion transducer  124 . According to one embodiment of the invention, insertion of the SD card  204  into receptacle  202  results in plug-and-play activation of the SD card  204 . 
         [0053]    Presently at least three varieties of SD card are in common use. These include the SD card, the mini-SD card and the micro-SD card as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3 B and  3 C respectively. It should be understood that the present invention can, in various embodiments, the implemented according to any of the SD card, the mini-SD card, and the micro-SD card, as well as in any alternative technology that is, or may become, available in the art for appropriately coupling a motion transducer device to an appliance. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  shows a portion of a further embodiment of the invention including a motion detector module  400  adapted to be received in a battery compartment of an appliance such as battery compartment  215  of cellular phone  200  of  FIG. 2 . The motion detector module  400  includes a power supply device  402  such as, for example, a rechargeable battery. A casing portion  404  of the power supply device  402  is adapted to support a motion detector device  406  a power interface portion  408 , a communications device  410  and a data interface portion  412 . The power interface portion  408  and data interface portion  412  include respective contact devices, e.g.,  414 ,  416 . The power interface contact devices, e.g.  414 , are adapted to be operatively electrically coupled to corresponding power contacts (e.g.  216  as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The data interface contact devices, e.g.  416 , are adapted to be operatively electrically coupled to corresponding data contacts (e.g.  220  as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0055]    According to one embodiment, the motion detector module  400  includes a SIM receptacle  418  adapted to receive a SIM card therewithin. In another embodiment, the motion detector module  400  includes a SIM device including, for example, flash memory permanently integrated into the module  400 . In one embodiment, the flash memory is flash memory complying with the Universal Flash Storage (UFS) specification. In one embodiment of the invention, access to the discrete or integrated in device is transparent to the appliance through the motion detector module  400 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of the invention including a portion of a data acquisition system  500 . Like data acquisition system  100  of  FIG. 1 , data acquisition system  500  includes an appliance  502  and a sensor module  504 . As shown, the appliance  502  includes a first interface portion  506 , a processor portion  508 , a memory portion  510 , and a communications portion  512 . Also included are a microphone interface device  516 , a microphone  518 , a speaker interface device  520 , a speaker  522 , a display portion  524  and an input portion  526 . 
         [0057]    As illustrated, the sensor module  504  includes a motion sensor  530 , a second interface device  532  and a memory device  560 . In various embodiments, memory device  560  includes one or more of a RAM memory device, a ROM memory device, a PROM memory device (such as for example an EEPROM memory device) and a flash memory device. In a further embodiment of the invention, the memory device includes an MRAM memory device and in still another embodiment, the memory device includes a phase change memory device. In other embodiments, any appropriate computer readable medium, as known in the art, may be included in the memory device  560 . 
         [0058]    In various embodiments, memory device  560  is adapted to change state so as to receive and store data including a computer program. In one embodiment, the memory device is adapted to store identification information such as a model number or a serial number identifying a type of sensor module  504  or a particular individual module  504  respectively. In a further embodiment of the invention, memory device  504  is adapted to receive and store data from the appliance  502 . For example, in one embodiment, memory device  560  is adapted to receive data representing a still or moving photograph captured by an image capture device of the appliance  502 . In another embodiment, memory device  560  is adapted to store data representing an audio signal recorded by an audio recording functionality of the appliance  502 . In still other embodiments, memory device  560  is adapted to receive and store data generated by, or entered into the appliance  502  such as, for example, one or more of contact information data, mnemonic data, calendar data, etc. 
         [0059]    According to one embodiment of the invention, access to a storage facility of memory device  560  by appliance  502  for an otherwise available function is transparent to the appliance  502 . In such an embodiment, the appliance  502  is able to access, for example, flash memory within the sensor module  504  using a protocol identical to that which would be employed to access memory within any other or generic flash memory SD card. 
         [0060]    In one embodiment, the processor portion  508  of the appliance  502  is adapted to receive a signal corresponding to the computer program and to responsively execute a computer operation. According to one embodiment of the invention, this information is received from memory device  560  where, in one embodiment, it is stored in binary format. In a further embodiment, information stored within memory device  560  is encrypted according to encryption methods known in the art. In one embodiment, information is received at processor  508  from memory device  560  by way of memory device  510 . In one embodiment, the encrypted information includes all or a portion of a mission-critical data acquisition software including, audio watermark decoding software. In one embodiment, the combination of the appliance  502  and sensor module  504  is adapted for acquiring data for media rating purposes. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory device  560  includes device driver program information. In one embodiment of the invention, the device driver program information includes Microsoft Windows CE® operating system compatible device driver program information. In another embodiment of the invention the device driver program information includes Microsoft Mobile 2003® operating system compatible device driver program information. In still another embodiment of the invention the device driver program information includes Linux operating system compatible device driver program information, or a device driver program compatible with an alternative UNIX based operating system or other operating system. 
         [0062]    According to one embodiment of the invention a transfer of information from the memory device  560  to the processor device  508  is controlled by an interface  538  formed by cooperation of interface devices  532  and  506 . In one exemplary embodiment, interface device  532  is an SDIO processor that, in cooperation with interface device  506 , controls both motion sensor  530  and memory device  560 . In still another embodiment of the invention, interface device  532  is a general-purpose microcontroller and in another embodiment a general-purpose microprocessor device. 
         [0063]    According to one embodiment of the invention, a data signal, including a computer program, received at processor device  508  from memory device  560  is operative to control a computer operation of processor device  508 . Thus one of skill in the art will appreciate that either a specialized or an otherwise conventional appliance  502 , such as a cell phone, can be coupled at an interface, such as a standard SD interface to a sensor module  504 . According to one embodiment of the invention, this coupling is effected by a user of no particular technical expertise, which user inserts an SD card including sensor module  504  into an otherwise conventional SD slot of the appliance  502 . 
         [0064]    Upon receipt of the SD card module  504  into the SD slot of the appliance  502 , a communication of signals is initiated between processor  508  and memory device  560 . Responsive to this communication of signals, information (for example data and/or program information) is received at processor  508  from memory device  560 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the data and/or program information is first received at memory device  510  from memory device  560  and thereafter received, in whole or in part, at processor  508  from memory device  510 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the transfer of data and/or program information takes place according to a master/slave relationship in which the appliance  502  serves as master device and the sensor module  504  serves as slave device. According to another embodiment of the invention, the transfer of data and/or program information takes place according to a master/slave relationship in which the appliance  502  serves as slave device, the sensor module  504  serves as master device and the interface  538  may or may not be an SD interface. 
         [0065]    In one embodiment of the invention a first computer program is operative to control processor  508  prior to receipt of data and/or program information at processor  508  from memory device  560 . Thereafter, in one embodiment of the invention a combination of the first computer program and the received data and/or program information is operative to control the processor  508 . In a further embodiment, after receipt of the data and/or program information at processor  508 , the received data and/or program information assumes complete control of the processor  508 . 
         [0066]    In one embodiment of the invention encrypted data and/or program information stored in memory device  560  is decrypted at interface device  532 . In a further embodiment of the invention, encrypted data and/or program information stored in memory device  560  is decrypted at interface device  506  and in still further embodiments of the invention, encrypted data and/or program information stored in memory device  560  is decrypted at processor  508  or in a further device, such as a dedicated decryption device. 
         [0067]    According to one embodiment of the invention, decryption of data/and/or program information from memory device requires entry of a decryption key value by a user. For example, in one embodiment a decryption key value is entered by a user into an interface device of an appliance such as user input device  526  of embodiment  500  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In another embodiment of the invention, decryption key information is received at communication portion  512  from a remote location. Accordingly, operation of a sensor module according to the invention can be controlled by the provision of an encryption key value to a survey participant or automatically by transmission of an encryption key value to a sensor-equipped appliance, for example. 
         [0068]    In one embodiment of the invention, data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory device  560  is operative to control a communication of a motion sensor signal from motion sensor device  530  to processor  508 . According to one embodiment, the motion sensor signal includes a motion/no-motion signal. In a further embodiment of the invention, the motion sensor signal includes information related to a magnitude and/or a duration of at least one motion or acceleration of motion sensor device  530 . 
         [0069]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory device  560  is operative to control a user interface activity of processor  508 . For example, data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory  560  is operative to control a text output, a graphical output, or a combined text and graphical output displayed on display device  524 . In one embodiment of the invention, real-time data, such as accelerometer data, received from the motion sensor device  530  is displayed on display device  524 . In a further embodiment, data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory device  560  is operative to control an audible or inaudible output from speaker  522 . In a still further embodiment data and/or program information received at processor  508  from memory device  560  is operative to control a receipt of input information entered by a user at input device  526  and, in still further embodiments, to control a receipt of an audible or in audible sonic signal at microphone  518 . 
         [0070]    According to one embodiment of the invention, a signal related to an output of motion sensor device  530  is transmitted from communication portion  512  and received, for example through a telephone network or other communications network, at a remote location. Responsively, a reward signal or other indication related to participant compliance is displayed on display device  524 . In another embodiment of the invention, a reward signal or other indication related to participant compliance is produced in the form of an audible output by speaker device  518 . Advantageously, in various embodiments, the sensor module is adapted to be disposed entirely within the appliance, such that use of the appliance including the sensor module is substantially indistinguishable from use of the appliance without the sensor module. That is, inclusion of the sensor module does not discourage a survey participant from carrying the appliance, and may encourage the survey participant to carry the appliance so that valid survey data acquisition can be acquired. 
         [0071]    In a further aspect, a data signal received at processor  508  from memory device  560  is operative to identify a particular sensor module  504  to appliance  502  and/or to the data acquisition system  500  more generally. Thus, one of skill in the art will appreciate that, in one embodiment, sensor module  504  is adapted to be readily removed from a first appliance  502  and inserted for operative interface into a second compatible appliance, whereupon the second compatible appliance forms a portion of the data acquisition system  500 . 
         [0072]    In one embodiment of the invention, a state of memory device  560  is changed to store a record of a motion signal produced by motion Sensor  530 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, a motion history is stored in memory device  560  until sometime after a motion is sensed by the motion sensor  530 . Thereafter, a further signal corresponding to this stored motion history is received at processor  508  from memory device  560 . In still another embodiment of the invention, motion data stored in memory device  560  is received by a further device after the sensor module  504  is removed from appliance  502 . 
         [0073]    According to still another embodiment of the invention, environmental signal data, received for example by way of microphone  518  is stored in memory device  560 . Thereafter, environmental signal data and motion data are both retrieved from memory device  560 , either by way of processor  508 , or by removing module  504  from appliance  502  and transferring data from memory device  560  to a further device. 
         [0074]    Referring again to paragraph 0008 above, one will appreciate the beneficial aspects of being able to operate sensor module  504  in conjunction with a plurality of different appliances  502 . In various circumstances, making sensor module  504  operative with different appliances will increase a likelihood of participant compliance, i.e., the likelihood that a participants will carry the module on or about his or her person during a particular data acquisition time interval. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6A  shows, in block diagram form, a portion of a further embodiment  600  of the invention including an appliance  602  and a sensor module  604 . This sensor module  604  includes and environmental signal input device  606 . In one embodiment, the environmental signal input device  606  includes a microphone interface device  608  and a microphone  610 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the microphone  610  is signalingly coupled to an interface device  632  through microphone interface device  608 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the microphone  610  includes a MEMS microphone device. In one embodiment of the invention, microphone  610  includes a plurality of transducer devices. In a further embodiment of the invention microphone interface device  608  includes an analog to digital converter device. In the illustrated embodiment, the other components of appliance  602  and sensor module  604  correspond to those illustrated in, for example, embodiment  500  of  FIG. 5 . In various embodiments, the environmental signal input device  606  is adapted to receive an audible or inaudible sonic signal, an optical signal, a radio frequency signal and a microwave signal or other environmental signal, respectively. 
         [0076]      FIG. 6B  shows a portion of one embodiment of the invention including an SD card  660  (here a micro SD card, although this is merely exemplary) having an SDIO portion  632 , a motion sensor portion  630  (illustrated as an accelerometer portion) and a microphone portion  662 . Also illustrated are exemplary SDIO contacts  664 . According to the illustrated embodiment the SD card includes an extension portion  666  disposed outwardly of a conventional perimeter  668  of an SD card. The microphone portion is disposed on the extension portion and is consequently advantageously positioned to receive an environmental sonic signal during operation of the SD card. 
         [0077]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , in other embodiments, the combination of the appliance  502  and sensor module  504  are operative to motivate compliance by, for example, outputting an audible or visual alarm signal in response to particular environmental conditions. For example, in one embodiment and audible alarm is generated by speaker  522  when motion sensor  530  does not detect motion above a certain threshold during a particular time interval. One such compliance motivation operation is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 7  illustrates, in flowchart form, an exemplary operation  700  of a data acquisition system according to one embodiment of the invention. According to operation  700 , a sensor module (like module  504  of embodiment  500 , for example) is received  702  into a slot of an appliance  502 . Processor  508  detects  704  the presence of the module in the slot and initiates communication between processor  508  and memory device  560 . In other embodiments, communication is initiated by another device, such as, a device within sensor module  504 . Thereafter, data, including program data is received  706  at processor  508  from memory device  560 . The motion sensor  504  produces a motion status signal corresponding to acceleration or other characteristic motion of the sensor. The processor  508  executes  708  a portion of the program data and responsively receives  710  the motion status signal to detect motion status of the motion sensor  504 . 
         [0079]    The processor evaluates  714  the motion status signal. If this evaluation indicates that the sensor module  504  has experienced motion, the processor waits  716  for a particular time interval and then receives and evaluates a further motion status signal, repeating the cycle. If evaluation  714  of the motion status signal indicates that the sensor module  504  has not detected motion (indicating noncompliance) the processor  508  causes an alarm signal to be output  718 . 
         [0080]    During output of the alarm signal the processor  508  evaluates additional information  720  to determine whether an alarm termination event has occurred. For example, if the sensor module  504  detects motion, this would constitute an alarm termination event in some embodiments. If no alarm termination event is detected, the alarm signal is maintained for a particular time interval  722 . Thereafter, the processor  508  evaluates again for an alarm termination event. According to one embodiment of the invention, if an alarm termination event is detected, the processor  508  acts to terminate  724  the alarm signal. In one embodiment of the invention, the duration of alarm signal output is limited to a particular fixed or adjustable maximum time. 
         [0081]    In various embodiments of the invention, supplementary factors are evaluated prior to or during the alarm output. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, motion status is repeatedly evaluated subsequent to the receipt of a negative motion status signal and prior to the output of an alarm signal. In another embodiment of the invention, the motion status signal is evaluated in conjunction with a chronological time signal generated either by the appliance  502  or the sensor module  504 . Thus, for example, even when motion is absent, an alarm signal is generated only during certain hours of the day. In one embodiment, an alarm signal is generated only during what would be waking hours of a survey participant. In another embodiment, an alarm signal is generated only during likely departure hours went a survey participant is likely to leave home or leave work. In still another embodiment of the invention, parameters of a chronological time signal are adjustable by a survey participant using, for example, input device  526  of appliance  502 . 
         [0082]    In various embodiments of the invention, a reward or other motivation is provided to a survey participant based on a confirmation of compliance provided by a sensor module according to the present invention. In various embodiments, such a reward includes, for example, a partial or total discount of a fee associated with operation of an appliance. In one example free cell phone minutes are provided. In another example Internet access is provided. In still another embodiment reward points are provided, the reward points being redeemable for valuable consideration. One of skill in the art will appreciate a wide variety of reward systems are compatible with, and fall within the scope of, the present invention. 
         [0083]    In various embodiments, the invention includes preparing a sensor module including receiving a device substrate, such as, for example, an SD device substrate, receiving an integrated accelerometer device, receiving an integrated SDIO controller device, mechanically coupling the integrated accelerometer device to the substrate, mechanically coupling the SDIO controller device to the substrate, signalingly coupling the integrated accelerometer device to the SDIO device and signalingly coupling the SDIO device to a contact device of the device substrate. In a further embodiment of the invention, a memory device is received and mechanically coupled to the substrate. In one embodiment, the memory device is directly coupled to the SDIO controller device and in another embodiment of the invention, the memory device is indirectly coupled to the SDIO controller device. 
         [0084]    While the exemplary embodiments described above have been chosen primarily from the field of media consumption research systems, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the principles of the invention are equally well applied, and that the benefits of the present invention are equally well realized in a wide variety of other research systems including, for example, environmental chemical, biological and/or radiological agent sensing systems. Further, while the invention has been described in detail in connection with the presently preferred embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.