Interactive video distribution systems – Use surveying or monitoring – By passively monitoring receiver operation
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-20
2001-09-04
Black, Thomas (Department: 2171)
Interactive video distribution systems
Use surveying or monitoring
By passively monitoring receiver operation
C725S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286140
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a system and a method for monitoring and storing information pertaining to television viewer or user behavior and, in particular, to a system and a method for monitoring viewer or user behavior and responses to televised programs, advertising commercials and services.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Television viewership information and viewer behavioral characteristics and information are important factors and criteria for determining the costs and effectiveness of television programs and advertising commercials. Television viewership is currently tracked by various means, most notable of which is the Nielsen rating system which measures rankings by households. These rankings have come to be commonly known as “Ratings”. A “Share” represents the percentage of television sets in use.
The demographics which are utilized by Nielsen consist of adults from the 18-49 age group. This age group is one of the most sought after by advertisers.
The Nielsen rating system, however, has come under criticism from industry sources questioning its accuracy and effectiveness of demographic targeting for purposes of determining advertising revenues. Further, existing market research services and measurement procedures can, at best, be characterized as being inadequate for capturing accurate and detailed viewer patterns. As a result of hardware limitations and the communication constraints associated therewith, it has been difficult to incorporate the features of real-time monitoring systems into systems which attempt to formulate behavioral patterns and histories. Most of the systems which have been designed in the past, with this objective in mind, have tended to be application specific and have required customization.
Prior art systems have also been characterized by the lack of sample information, sample size, biases in selecting marketing research samples and errors in data interpretation.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and a method which overcomes shortcomings of the prior art viewer tracking devices, techniques and methods.
The present invention is directed to a television viewer or user monitoring system and method which monitors television viewer or user (hereinafter collectively referred to as “viewer”) behavior and behavior patterns. The system comprises a signal receiving device which receives television signal broadcasts. The television signals are broadcast by a television station transmitter. The television signals are transmitted to the signal receiving device via an appropriate communication system.
The system also comprises a control device which may be a remote control device for providing control over the signal receiving device. The control device provides the means by which a television viewer may control the operation of the signal receiving device so as to turn the signal receiving device on or off, to change channels, to increase or decrease the volume level and/or to MUTE or UNMUTE the sound on the television as well as the viewer's ability to enter data into the system on an interactive basis.
The system also comprises a television for user viewing. The signal receiving device is connected to the television so as to transmit or relay the television signals thereto.
The system of the present invention will operate in conjunction with a plurality of signal receiving devices, and associated televisions and remote control devices, for a multitude of television viewers.
The signal receiving device comprises a central processing unit (CPU) which serves to provide control over the signal receiving device. The signal receiving device also comprises a random access memory (RAM) device and a read only memory (ROM) device which are connected with the CPU. The signal receiving device also comprises a receiver, for receiving broadcast signals from a broadcasting station, television station, or service provider, and a transmitter, for transmitting signals to the broadcasting station, or service provider. The receiver and the transmitter are connected to the CPU. The signal receiving device also comprises a transmitter, for relaying the received television signals to the television, which transmitter is also connected to the CPU.
The signal receiving device also comprises an input device, for enabling a user to enter commands into the signal receiving device such as, for example, to turn the device on or off, to change channels, to adjust volume and/or to MUTE or UNMUTE the sound. The input device is also connected to the CPU. The signal receiving device also comprises an output device which provides a visual indication of the state of operation of the signal receiving device. The output device is also connected to the CPU.
The signal receiving device also comprises a polling signal receiver which is connected to the CPU and which receives signals which are transmitted to the signal receiving device from the central processing computer. The signal receiving device also comprises a polling signal transmitter which is connected to the CPU and which transmits data and/or information from the signal receiving device to the central processing computer. As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the data and/or information which is transmitted from the signal receiving device is the data and/or information indicative of and/or reflecting viewer behavior.
The signal receiving device also comprises a remote control receiver which receives signals which are transmitted to the signal receiving device from the remote control device. The remote control receiver is also connected to the CPU.
The signal receiving device also comprises a plurality of monitoring devices which serve to monitor various operational states of the signal receiving device. These monitoring devices comprise an ON/OFF monitoring device, which monitors the ON/OFF state of the signal receiving device and generates a digital signal representative of this operational state; a CHANNEL monitoring device, which monitors the television or broadcast channel or frequency being viewed by the television viewer and which generates a digital signal representative of the channel being viewed; a MUTE or UNMUTE monitoring device, which monitors the occurrence of a MUTE or UNMUTE operational state and which generates a digital signal representative of a MUTE or UNMUTE state; and a VOLUME CHANGE monitoring device which will monitor decreases and increases in volume and volume level. Each of the above described monitoring devices are connected to the CPU.
The signal receiving device also comprises a real-time event clock for maintaining accurate real-time event time keeping and time measurements. The event clock is connected to the CPU. The signal receiving device also comprises a data latching device which is connected to the CPU and to each of the ON/OFF monitoring device, the CHANNEL monitoring device, the MUTE/UNMUTE monitoring device and the VOLUME CHANGE monitoring device as well as the real-time event clock.
Monitoring devices may also be utilized for monitoring the utilization of functions such as “SELECT” and “DISPLAY” as well as other viewer selectable functions such as those related to events related to on-line and interactive services and products as well as recreational activities and games.
Upon the occurrence of a pre-specified event, such as the turning of the signal receiving device on or off, the changing of a television channel, the changing of volume level and/or the MUTING and UNMUTING of sound, the data from each of the monitoring devices, as well as the time measured by the real-time event clock, will be read by, and stored within, the data latching device in order to provide a time-stamped operational state of the signal receiving device.
A data structure is utilized which contains the data representative of the time-stamped data obtained from the monitoring devices. The data structure consists of a bit data stream in which pre-assigned bits store the time stamp data, on/off data, channel data, MUTE/UNMUTE data, vol
Black Thomas
Greenberg & Traurig, LLP
Le Uyen
LandOfFree
System and method for measuring and storing information... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for measuring and storing information..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for measuring and storing information... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2453784