Receiver monitoring system with local encoding

• US 5,850,249 A
• Filed: 10/12/1995
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nielsen Company (US), LLC
• Original Assignee: Nielsen Media Research, Inc. (Nielsen Holdings plc)
• Inventors: Straub, Kenneth L., Massetti, Enrico
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US08/542,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 348/1, 348/2, 348/5, 348/10, 455/2, 455/3.1, 455/56.1, 455/67.1
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/37 for identifying segments of broadcast information, e.g. scenes or extracting programme ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/39 for identifying broadcast space-time use of Electronic Programme Guides H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0887 for the transmission of programme or channel identifying signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

An audience measurement system meters tuning of a receiver which receives a plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels. The receiver is located in an audience site within a dwelling, and the plurality of program signals enter the dwelling through a service entrance and are supplied therefrom to the audience site. The audience measurement system includes a code inserter, a decoder, and a home unit. The code inserter inserts a local code in each of the program signals at a location which is intermediate the service entrance and the audience site. This local code includes a unique local code inserter ID and a code inserter time stamp. The decoder decodes the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp at the audience site. The home unit is located in the dwelling and collects and stores the decoded unique local code inserter ID and code inserter time stamp.

Claims

1. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of a receiver which receives a plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels, wherein the receiver is located at an audience site within a dwelling, and wherein the plurality of program signals enter the dwelling at a service entrance and are supplied therefrom to the audience site, the audience measurement system comprising:

code inserting means for inserting a code in each of the program signals at a location which is intermediate the service entrance and the audience site, wherein the code includes a unique local code inserter ID and a code inserter time stamp;

decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp at the audience site; and

,

collecting and storing means within the dwelling for collecting and storing the decoded unique local code inserter ID and code inserter time stamp and for communicating the decoded unique local code inserter ID and code inserter time stamp to a remote site.

2. The audience measurement system of claim 1 wherein the code inserted by the code inserting means further includes a channel number indicative of the channel corresponding to each of the program signals in which the code is inserted.

3. The audience measurement system of claim 1 wherein the code inserting means further comprises active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the code inserting means is arranged to insert the code on each of the active channels.

4. The audience measurement system of claim 1 wherein the code inserting means comprises first code inserting means, and wherein the audience system further comprises:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

second code inserting means for inserting a code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the code inserted by the second code inserting means includes a unique local code inserter ID and a code inserter time stamp.

5. The audience measurement system of claim 1 further comprising a clock in the dwelling which is synchronized by a clock at the remote site.

6. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of receiving means, wherein the receiving means receives a first plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels and a second plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels, wherein the receiver means is located at an audience site within a dwelling, wherein the first plurality of program signals enters the dwelling through a first service entrance and is supplied therefrom to the audience site, and wherein the second plurality of program signals enters the dwelling through a second service entrance and is supplied therefrom to the audience site, the audience measurement system comprising:

first code inserting means for inserting a code in each of the first plurality of program signals at a location which is intermediate the first service entrance and the audience site, wherein the code inserted by the first code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp;

second code inserting means for inserting a code in each of the second plurality of program signals at a location which is intermediate the second service entrance and the audience site, wherein the code inserted by the second code inserting means includes a corresponding local unique code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp;

decoding means at the audience site for decoding the unique code inserter IDs and the code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the first and second code inserting means; and

,

collecting and storing means within the dwelling for collecting and storing the decoded unique code inserter IDs and code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the first and second code inserting means and for communicating the decoded unique code inserter IDs and code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the first and second code inserting means to a remote site.

7. The audience measurement system of claim 6 wherein the code inserted by the first code inserting means further includes a channel number uniquely indicative of a channel carrying a program signal containing the code inserted by the first code inserting means, and wherein the code inserted by the second code inserting means further includes a channel number uniquely indicative of a channel carrying a program signal containing the code inserted by the second code inserting means.

8. The audience measurement system of claim 6 wherein the first code inserting means further comprises first active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, wherein the first code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the first active channel determining means, wherein the second code inserting means further comprises second active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the second code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the second active channel determining means.

9. The audience measurement system of claim 6 further comprising:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

third code inserting means for inserting a code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the code inserted by the third code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp.

10. The audience measurement system of claim 6 further comprising a clock in the dwelling which is synchronized by a clock at the remote site.

11. The audience measurement system of claim 6 wherein the audience site comprises first and second audience sites, wherein the receiving means comprises a first receiving means located at the first audience site, wherein the receiving means comprises a second receiving means located at the second audience site, wherein the first receiving means receives the first plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels, and wherein the second receiving means receives the second plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels.

12. The audience measurement system of claim 11 wherein the decoding means comprises:

first decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp corresponding to the code inserted by the first code inserting means, wherein the first decoding means is located at the first audience site; and

,

second decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp corresponding to the code inserted by the second code inserting means, wherein the second decoding means is located at the second audience site.

13. The audience measurement system of claim 12 wherein the first decoding means is coupled to the first receiving means, and wherein the second decoding means is coupled to the second receiving means.

14. The audience measurement system of claim 12 wherein the first decoding means is connected to the first receiving means, and wherein the second decoding means is connected to the second receiving means.

15. The audience measurement system of claim 12 wherein the first code inserting means further comprises first active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, wherein the first code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the first active channel determining means, wherein the second code inserting means further comprises second active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the second code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the second active channel determining means.

16. The audience measurement system of claim 12 further comprises:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

third code inserting means for inserting a code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the code inserted by the third code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp.

17. The audience measurement system of claim 12 further comprising a clock in the dwelling which is synchronized by a clock at the remote site.

18. The audience measurement system of claim 6 wherein the audience site comprises first and second audience sites, wherein the receiving means comprises a first receiving means located at the first audience site, wherein the receiving means comprises a second receiving means located at the second audience site, and wherein the first receiving means receives the first and/or second pluralities of program signals.

19. The audience measurement system of claim 18 wherein the decoding means comprises:

first decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the first and second code inserting means, wherein the first decoding means is located at the first audience site; and

,

second decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp corresponding to the code inserted by the first and second code inserting means, wherein the second decoding means is located at the second audience site.

20. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of first and second receivers, wherein the first receiver receives a first plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels, wherein the second receiver received a second plurality of program signals transmitted over a plurality of channels, wherein the first receiver is located at a first audience site within a dwelling, wherein the second receiver is located at a second audience site within the dwelling, and wherein the first and second pluralities of program signals enter the dwelling through a service entrance and are supplied therefrom to the first and second audience sites, the audience measurement system comprising:

code inserting means for inserting a code in each program signal of the first and second pluralities of program signals at a location which is intermediate the service entrance and the first and second audience sites, wherein the code inserted by the code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp;

decoding means at the first and second audience sites for decoding the unique code inserter IDs and the code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the code inserting means; and

,

collecting and storing means within the dwelling for collecting and storing the decoded unique code inserter IDs and code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the code inserting means and for communicating the decoded unique code inserter IDs and code inserter time stamps corresponding to the codes inserted by the code inserting means to a remote site.

21. The audience measurement system of claim 20 wherein the code inserted by the code inserting means further includes a channel number uniquely indicative of a channel carrying a program signal containing the code inserted by the code inserting means.

22. The audience measurement system of claim 20 wherein the code inserting means further comprises active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the active channel determining means.

23. The audience measurement system of claim 20 further comprising:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

signal source code inserting means for inserting a code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the code inserted by the signal source code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp.

24. The audience measurement system of claim 20 further comprising a clock in the dwelling which is synchronized by a clock at the remote site.

25. The audience measurement system of claim 20 wherein the decoding means comprises:

first decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter IDs and the code inserter time stamps, wherein the first decoding means is located at the first audience site; and

,

second decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter IDs and the code inserter time stamps, wherein the second decoding means is located at the second audience site.

26. The audience measurement system of claim 25 wherein the code inserting means further comprises active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the code inserting means is arranged to insert a code on each of the active channels determined by the active channel determining means.

27. The audience measurement system of claim 25 further comprises:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

signal source code inserting means for inserting a code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the code inserted by the signal source code inserting means includes a corresponding unique local code inserter ID and a corresponding code inserter time stamp.

28. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a plurality of program signals which are transmitted over a plurality of channels and which are encoded with source identification codes, wherein the receiver is located at an audience site within a dwelling, and wherein the plurality of program signals enter the dwelling at a service entrance and are supplied therefrom to the audience site, the audience measurement system comprising:

storing means for storing a line-up list, wherein the line-up list links source identification codes with corresponding channel data;

tuning means for tuning a predetermined channel;

decoding means for decoding a source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel;

comparing means for comparing a first channel datum from the line-up list with a second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel and for replacing the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ, wherein the first channel datum denotes a channel corresponding to the source identification code.

29. The audience measurement system of claim 28 wherein the comparing means is located within the dwelling.

30. The audience measurement system of claim 28 wherein the source identification codes contained in the line-up list are transmitted in signals at a first time, wherein the tuning means tunes the predetermined channel at a second time which is subsequent to the first time, and wherein the decoding means decodes the decoded source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel at the second time.

31. The audience measurement system of claim 30 wherein the comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded from the signal on the predetermined channel.

32. The audience measurement system of claim 28 wherein the comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded from the signal on the predetermined channel.

33. The audience measurement system of claim 28 further comprising code inserting means for inserting a local code in each of the plurality of program signals at a location which is intermediate the service entrance and the audience site, wherein the local code includes a unique local code inserter ID and a code inserter time stamp, and wherein the decoding means decodes the unique local code inserter ID and the code inserter time stamp.

34. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the local code inserted by the code inserting means further includes a channel number indicative of the channel corresponding to each of the program signals to which the local code is inserted.

35. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the code inserting means further comprises active channel determining means for determining those channels which are active, and wherein the code inserting means is arranged to insert the local code on each of the active channels.

36. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the code inserting means comprises first code inserting means, and wherein the audience system further comprises:

a signal source within the dwelling; and

,

second code inserting means for inserting a local code in a signal from the signal source within the dwelling at a location which is intermediate the signal source within the dwelling and a receiver which receives the signal from the signal source within the dwelling, wherein the local code inserted by the second code inserting means includes a unique local code inserter ID and a code inserter time stamp.

37. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the comparing means is located within the dwelling.

38. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the source identification codes contained in the line-up list are transmitted in signals at a first time, wherein the tuning means tunes the predetermined channel at a second time which is subsequent to the first time, and wherein the decoding means decodes the decoded source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel at the second time.

39. The audience measurement system of claim 38 wherein the comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded from the signal on the predetermined channel.

40. The audience measurement system of claim 33 wherein the comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded from the signal on the predetermined channel.

41. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of first and second receivers, wherein the first and second receivers receive a plurality of program signals which are transmitted over a plurality of channels and which are encoded with source identification codes, wherein the first and second receivers are located at corresponding first and second audience sites within corresponding first and second dwellings, and wherein the plurality of program signals enter the first and second dwellings at service entrances and are supplied therefrom to the first and second audience sites, the audience measurement system comprising:

storing means for storing a line-up list, wherein the line-up list links source identification codes with corresponding channel data;

first tuning means for tuning a predetermined channel, wherein the first tuning means is located within the first dwelling;

first decoding means for decoding a source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means, wherein the first decoding means is located within the first dwelling;

second tuning means for tuning a predetermined channel, wherein the second tuning means is located within the second dwelling;

second decoding means for decoding a source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means, wherein the second decoding means is located within the second dwelling;

comparing means for comparing a first channel datum from the line-up list with a second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means, for replacing the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ, for comparing a third channel datum from the line-up list with a fourth channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means, and for replacing the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ, wherein the first channel datum denotes a channel corresponding to a source identification code, wherein the second channel datum denotes the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means, wherein the third channel datum denotes a channel corresponding to a source identification code, and wherein the fourth channel datum denotes the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means.

42. The audience measurement system of claim 41 wherein:

the comparing means comprises first and second comparing means;

the first comparing means is located within the first dwelling;

the first comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means;

the first comparing means replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ;

the second comparing means is located within the second dwelling;

the second comparing means compares the third channel datum from the line-up list with the fourth channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means; and

,

the second comparing means replaces the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ.

43. The audience measurement system of claim 42 wherein:

the source identification codes contained in the line-up list are transmitted in signals at a first time;

the first tuning means tunes a predetermined channel at a second time which is subsequent to the first time;

the first decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means at the second time;

the second tuning means tunes a predetermined channel at a third time which is subsequent to the first time; and

,

the second decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means at the third time.

44. The audience measurement system of claim 43 wherein:

the first comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the first decoding means from the signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means; and

,

the second comparing means compares the third channel datum from the line-up list with the fourth channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means and replaces the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the third channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the second decoding means from the signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means.

45. The audience measurement system of claim 43 wherein the first and second times are the same times.

46. The audience measurement system of claim 41 wherein:

the comparing means compares the first channel datum from the line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the first decoding means from the signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means; and

,

the comparing means compares the third channel datum from the line-up list with the fourth channel datum denoting the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means and replaces the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the third channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the second decoding means from the signal on the predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means.

47. The audience measurement system of claim 41 wherein:

the storing means comprises first storing means for storing a first line-up list, wherein the first line-up list links source identification codes with corresponding channel data, and wherein the first storing means is located in the first dwelling;

the storing means comprises second storing means for storing a second line-up list, wherein the second line-up list links source identification codes with corresponding channel data, and wherein the second storing means is located in the second dwelling;

the first tuning means tunes a first predetermined channel;

the first decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel;

the second tuning means tunes a second predetermined channel;

the second decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the second predetermined channel;

the comparing means compares a first channel datum from the first line-up list with a second channel datum denoting the first predetermined channel, replaces the first channel datum in the first line-up list with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ, compares a third channel datum from the second line-up list with a fourth channel datum denoting the second predetermined channel, and replaces the third channel datum in the second line-up list with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ.

48. The audience measurement system of claim 47 wherein the first and second predetermined channels are the same predetermined channel.

49. The audience measurement system of claim 47 wherein the first and second predetermined channels are different predetermined channels.

50. The audience measurement system of claim 47 wherein:

the comparing means comprises first and second comparing means;

the first comparing means is located within the first dwelling;

the first comparing means compares the first channel datum from the first line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the first predetermined channel;

the first comparing means replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ;

the second comparing means is located within the second dwelling;

the second comparing means compares the third channel datum from the second line-up list with the fourth channel datum denoting the second predetermined channel; and

,

the second comparing means replaces the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ.

51. The audience measurement system of claim 50 wherein:

the source identification codes contained in the first line-up list are transmitted in signals at a first time;

the source identification codes contained in the second line-up list are transmitted in signals at a second time;

the first tuning means tunes the first predetermined channel at a third time which is subsequent to the first time;

the first decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel tuned by the first tuning means at the third time;

the second tuning means tunes the second predetermined channel at a fourth time which is subsequent to the second time; and

,

the second decoding means decodes a source identification code from a signal on the second predetermined channel tuned by the second tuning means at the fourth time.

52. The audience measurement system of claim 51 wherein:

the first comparing means compares the first channel datum from the first line-up list with the second channel datum denoting the first predetermined channel and replaces the first channel datum with the second channel datum if the first and second channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the first channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the first decoding means from the signal on the first predetermined channel; and

,

the second comparing means compares the third channel datum from the second line-up list with the fourth channel datum denoting the second predetermined channel and replaces the third channel datum with the fourth channel datum if the third and fourth channel data differ and if the source identification code linked to the third channel datum matches the source identification code decoded by the second decoding means from the signal on the second predetermined channel.

53. The audience measurement system of claim 52 wherein the first and third times are the same times, and wherein the second and fourth times are the same times.

54. The audience measurement system of claim 52 wherein the first and second predetermined channels are the same predetermined channel.

55. The audience measurement system of claim 52 wherein the first and second predetermined channels are different predetermined channels.

56. The audience measurement system of claim 41 wherein:

the storing means comprises first storing means for storing a first line-up list, wherein the first line-up list links a first source identification code with a first predetermined channel, and wherein the first storing means is located in the first dwelling;

the storing means comprises second storing means for storing a second line-up list, wherein the second line-up list links the first source identification code with the first predetermined channel, and wherein the second storing means is located in the second dwelling;

the first tuning means tunes the first predetermined channel;

the first decoding means decodes the first source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel;

the second tuning means tunes the first predetermined channel;

the second decoding means decodes the first source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel;

the comparing means is located at a central office, the comparing means compares the first source identification code decoded by the first decoding means to the first source identification code linked with the first predetermined channel in the first line-up list, and the comparing means replaces the first predetermined channel which is linked to the first source identification code in the second line-up list with the first predetermined channel decoded by the first decoding means if the first source identification code decoded by the first decoding means differs from the first source identification code linked with the first predetermined channel in the first line-up list.

57. The audience measurement system of claim 41 wherein:

the storing means stores a first line-up list, wherein the first line-up list links a first source identification code with a first predetermined channel;

the storing means stores a second line-up list, wherein the second line-up list links the first source identification code with the first predetermined channel;

the first tuning means tunes the first predetermined channel;

the first decoding means decodes the first source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel;

the second tuning means tunes the first predetermined channel;

the second decoding means decodes the first source identification code from a signal on the first predetermined channel; and

,

the comparing means compares the first source identification code decoded by the first decoding means to the first source identification code linked with the first predetermined channel in the first line-up list, and the comparing means replaces the first predetermined channel which is linked to the first source identification code in the second line-up list with the first predetermined channel decoded by the first decoding means if the first source identification code decoded by the first decoding means differs from the first source identification code linked with the first predetermined channel in the first line-up list.

58. A method of determining to which signal of a plurality of signals a receiver in a statistically selected dwelling is tuned, wherein the dwelling has a service entrance at which a plurality of channels carrying the plurality of signals enter the dwelling, and wherein each signal of the plurality of signals is transmitted with a corresponding source identification code, the method comprising the steps of:

a) storing a set of paired records, wherein a first record of each of the paired records comprises a source identification code, and wherein a second record of each of the paired records comprises a corresponding channel designation;

b) inserting a local code in each of the plurality of signals at the service entrance, wherein each local code comprises a channel designation uniquely associated with the channel carrying a corresponding signal;

c) decoding the source identification code and the local code from signal to which the receiver is tuned;

d) comparing the decoded source identification code with each of the first records of each set of paired records to find a matching first record; and

,

e) replacing the second record corresponding to a matched first record with the channel designation of the decoded local code if the second record corresponding to the matched first record does not match the channel designation of the decoded local code.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein step a) comprises the step of storing the set of paired records in a central office, and wherein steps d) and e) are executed by a computer in the central office.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the set of records is a first set of paired records, wherein the dwelling is a first dwelling, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

f) storing a second set of paired records in a second dwelling, wherein a first record of each of the paired records in the second set of paired records comprises a source identification code, and wherein the second record of each of the paired records in the second set of paired records comprises a corresponding channel designation; and

,

g) replacing, in the second set of paired records stored in the second dwelling, the second record, which is in the second set of paired records and which corresponds to the matched first record, with the channel designation of the decoded local code if the second record, which is in the first set of paired records and which corresponds to the matched first record, does not match the channel designation of the decoded local code.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein the set of paired records is stored in a computer memory within the dwelling, and wherein the steps d) and e) are executed by a computer operatively connected to the computer memory.

62. An audience measurement system for metering tuning of a receiver which receives a plurality of program signals, wherein the receiver is located at an audience site within a dwelling, and wherein the plurality of program signals enter the dwelling at a service entrance and are supplied therefrom to the audience site, the audience measurement system comprising:

code inserting means for inserting a unique local code inserter ID in each of the program signals, wherein the code inserting means is located near the service entrance;

decoding means for decoding the unique local code inserter ID, wherein the decoding means is located in the audience site; and

,

collecting and storing means within the dwelling for collecting and storing the decoded unique local code inserter ID.

63. The audience measurement system of claim 62 wherein the unique local code inserter ID inserted by the code inserting means further includes a channel number indicative of a channel corresponding to a program signal to which the unique local code inserter ID is inserted.

64. The audience measurement system of claim 62 wherein the code inserting means further comprises active channel determining means for determining active channels, and wherein the code inserting means is arranged to insert the code on each of the active channels.