Method and apparatus for monitoring audio listening

• US 20030170001A1
• Filed: 03/06/2003
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marguerite M. Breen
• Original Assignee: Marguerite M. Breen
• Inventors: Breen, Julian H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85

Abstract

A method and apparatus receive, detect, collect and analyze program-identifying (“PI”) information contained in a plurality of broadcast or recorded electronic audio signals. Each audio signal represents the sounds (audio portion) in a plurality of sequential program segments, such as program material or commercials. The method comprises the steps of receiving a selected one of the audio signals at each of a plurality of remote locations; reproducing the sounds represented by the selected audio signal at each remote location; converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at each remote location; detecting the PI information from the second signal at each remote location; storing the detected PI information at each remote location; establishing a wireless communication link between each remote location and a central computer at another location and transmitting the PI information to the central computer; storing the PI information received from the plurality of remote locations at the aforesaid central computer; and analyzing the stored PI information to obtain a statistical estimate of the relative number of persons who listened to the sounds in each given program segment.

Claims

1. A method for receiving, detecting, collecting and analyzing program-identifying (“

PI”

) information contained in a plurality of broadcast or recorded electronic audio signals, each audio signal representing sounds in a plurality of sequential program segments, said method comprising the steps of;

(a) receiving a selected one of said audio signals at each of a plurality of remote locations;

(b) reproducing the sounds represented by said selected audio signal at each remote location;

(c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at each remote location;

(d) detecting the PI information from the second signal at each remote location;

(e) storing the detected PI information at each remote location;

(f) establishing a wireless communication link between each remote location and a central computer at another location and transmitting the PI information to said central computer;

(g) storing the PI information received from said plurality of remote locations at said central computer; and

(h) analyzing the stored PI information to obtain a statistical estimate of the relative number of persons who listened to the sounds in each given program segment.

2. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the date and time of receipt of said selected audio signal in association with said PI information contained in said audio signal and transmitting said date and time to said central computer together with said PI information.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein each remote location has an associated, location-identifying (“

LI”

) code, and further comprising the step of transmitting said LI code to said central computer when transmitting said PI information from the respective remote location.

4. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading instructions to said remote locations via said communication link.

5. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said PI information is inaudible information embedded in said audio signals.

6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein said PI information comprises a PI code.

7. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said PI information is audible information contained in said audio signals.

8. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the place of receipt of said PI information in association with said PI information and thereafter transmitting the place of receipt to said central station together with said PI information.

9. The method defined in claim 8, wherein said step of storing the place of receipt comprises the step of determining said place of receipt by means of the global positioning system (GPS).

10. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the place of said remote location when establishing a communication link between said remote location and said central station, and transmitting said place to said central station together with said PI information.

11. The method defined in claim 10, wherein said communication link includes a public cellular telephone network having a plurality of wireless transmission towers, and wherein said place of said remote location is determined by identifying the nearby wireless transmission tower which is employed in the communication link.

12. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said communication link is established in a public cellular telephone network, and wherein said PI information is transmitted via said cellular telephone network to said central computer.

13. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said communication link is established by said central computer calling each remote location at periodic intervals.

14. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said communication link is established by each remote location calling said central computer at periodic intervals.

15. A portable apparatus for detecting, storing and forwarding program identifying (“

PI”

) information contained in a plurality of broadcast or recorded electronic audio signals, each audio signal representing sounds in a plurality of sequential program segments, said apparatus comprising, in combination;

(a) means for converting the sounds represented by a selected one of said audio signals into a second electronic signal;

(b) means for detecting the PI information from the second signal;

(c) means for storing the detected PI information; and

(d) communication means for establishing a wireless communication link to a central computer via the public telephone network and for transmitting the PI information to said central computer.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein means (a), (b) and (c) comprise a Portable People Meter (“

PPM”

).

17. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein said communication means comprises a cellular telephone device.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 15, further comprising a battery for powering electronic components in said apparatus and a battery charging device for periodically charging said battery.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 15, further comprising a global positioning receiver and detector for determining the location of said apparatus, and wherein said communication means includes means for transmitting the location of said apparatus to said central computer.

20. The apparatus defined in claim 15, further comprising means, connected to said communications means, for receiving and storing instructions from said central computer.