Interactive system and method for collecting data and generating reports regarding viewer habits

• US 20020032904A1
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David S. Lerner
• Original Assignee: David S. Lerner
• Inventors: Lerner, David S.
• Application Number:
  US09/865,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032904A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for collecting and transmitting data concerning the viewing habits of a viewer. The present invention instantaneously records the data concerning the viewing habits of the viewer while he or she watches programming on a television or streaming media on a conventional personal computer (PC) monitor.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and storing data regarding the viewing habits of a user comprising the steps of:

(a) storing user selections on a memory device;

(b) transmitting user selections stored on the memory device over a network for storage on a further memory device; and

(c) creating a statistical data base based upon the user selections.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said memory device is a television, a computer monitor, or a controller for a television or a computer.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said controller is a remote controller.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said controller is placed into a cradle which optionally charges said controller, and which downloads stored information for simultaneous or subsequent transmission to a collector of said information.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said data regarding said viewing habits is specific to a given viewer or location of viewing.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said data regarding said viewing habits is specific to the viewing habits of a viewer or group of viewers of television program content.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said data regarding said viewing habits is specific to the viewing habits of a viewer or group of viewers of content on the INTERNET.

8. A television, computer or remote controller of a television, computer comprising hardware and software for accurately measuring the time period and providing an indication of the content of the material viewed.

9. An interactive system comprising a remote 101 to control a television or computer 102 which contains software and hardware known to track stations or URL'"'"'s as the user selects different channels or sites on the world wide web, such that the location and time spent at each location or channel is recorded for subsequent or simultaneous transmission of the viewing data to a server system.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said data is directly transmitted by the remote 101, or wherein said data is downloaded to a cradle 103 for transmission to a computer 104 for analysis of the data.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein said computer 104 transmits the data or analysis thereof to remote locations via the distributed global computer network, the INTERNET 105 or via discrete private linkups over telephone lines, wide area networks, local area networks or combinations thereof.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the remote 101 is rechargeable, and the cradle 103 is adapted to recharge the remote.

13. The system according to claim 11 wherein said data is downloaded to the cradle 103 for transmission to a computer 104, or wherein the cradle signals the remote 101 to transmit the data to a computer 104 via an infrared receiver linked to the computer, or via a wired connection.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein the receiving computer 104 processes the data into a defined format for direct review and/or transmits either the raw data, the processed data, or both to a remote viewing data collection host computer where the information may be further processed and analyzed as needed.

15. The interactive system according to claim 9 comprising a memory which as each button is depressed on a remote 201 is recorded into the memory of the remote 201 for subsequent or simultaneous transmission of the viewing data to a server system, wherein said data is directly and automatically transmitted by the remote 201 to a computer 204 via an IR receiver, or wherein the viewer activates the transmission of the data to the computer 204.

16. The interactive system according to claim 15 wherein the computer 204 transmits the data or analysis thereof to remote locations via the distributed global computer network, i.e. the INTERNET 205 or via discrete private linkups over telephone lines, wide area networks, local area networks or combinations thereof.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the receiving computer 204 processes the data into a defined format for direct review and/or transmits either the raw data, the processed data, or both to a remote viewing data collection host computer where the information may be further processed and analyzed as needed.

19. The remote according to claim 18 adapted for use in connection with a digital video recorder.

18. A remote controller for a television or a computer which comprises hardware and software for recording channels or URLs and periods of time during which a viewer of the television or computer views content at said channel or URL and wherein said remote is adapted for transmission of the recorded data to a computer system for analysis of said viewer data.