Apparatus and method for automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits
First Claim
1. A method of automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits using an electronic monitor and comprising the steps of:
- (a) acoustically sensing an audio frequency signal free of an injected identification signal within suitable range of the electronic monitor;
(b) electronically tuning a broadcast band tuner in the electronic monitor to sense the audio frequency content of an output signal of the tuner;
(c) autocorrelating each of the signals sensed in steps (a) and (b) to obtain a set of correlation coefficients for each signal;
(d) detecting a match between the acoustically sensed signal and the tuner output signal by comparing the sets of correlation coefficients obtained in step (c); and
(e) recording in the electronic monitor the time a match is found.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic monitor and system for automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits and periodically collecting data at a central location. The electronic monitor includes a microphone circuit and a tuner circuit. The tuner circuit is tuned until a match is found between the microphone circuit and the tuner circuit and the event of a match is recorded in the portable monitor. Operation may be performed intermittently to extend battery operation. The portable monitor further has power supply monitoring circuits to prevent incorrect data and loss of data in the event of battery discharge. Digitizing and signal processing circuits are provided to perform the match and loss of match determination.
191 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method of automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits using an electronic monitor and comprising the steps of:
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(a) acoustically sensing an audio frequency signal free of an injected identification signal within suitable range of the electronic monitor; (b) electronically tuning a broadcast band tuner in the electronic monitor to sense the audio frequency content of an output signal of the tuner; (c) autocorrelating each of the signals sensed in steps (a) and (b) to obtain a set of correlation coefficients for each signal; (d) detecting a match between the acoustically sensed signal and the tuner output signal by comparing the sets of correlation coefficients obtained in step (c); and (e) recording in the electronic monitor the time a match is found. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. Apparatus for automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits comprising:
(a) a portable self-powered electronic monitor, said monitor comprising; (i) sensor means for sensing energy in the audio frequency spectrum and providing an output representative thereof, (ii) first signal conversion means connected to said sensor means output for providing a first electronic signal representative thereof; (iii) electronic tuner means for receiving a selectable broadcast band signal free of an injected identification signal and for providing a second electronic signal representative thereof; (iv) autocorrelation means for autocorrelating said first and second eletronic signals and for providing first and second sets of correlation coefficients respectively indicative thereof; and (v) control means connected to said tuner means for controlling the tuning of said tuner means by changing the tuning of said tuner means and comparison means for comparing said first with said second set of correlation coefficients until a match is found between said first and second electronic signals, and recording as data a time at which said match is found. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of monitoring and logging broadcast audience signal reception by a receiver comprising:
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(a) electronically monitoring an audio frequency spectrum for a reception by a broadcast audience member of a broadcast signal free of an injected identification signal; (b) electronically setting a tuner in the electronic monitor successively to broadcast signal radio frequencies each modulated by a respective audio signal; (c) electronically autocorrelating each of the audio signals of steps (a) and (b) to obtain correlation coefficients respectively indicative thereof; (d) comparing the respective correlation coefficients until a match is found; and (e) electronically logging as recorded data in the monitor a date, time-of-day, and radio frequency at which a match is found. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification