Method and apparatus for monitoring audio listening

• US 7,181,159 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2003
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marguerite M. Breen
• Original Assignee: Marguerite M. Breen
• Inventors: Breen, Julian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, John J.
• Application Number:
  US10/383,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20030170001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: 455/2.01, 455/405, 455/3.01, 455/3.02, 455/3.03, 455/3.04, 455/428, 455/422.1, 455/456.1, 455/509, 455/517, 455/414.1, 455/419, 455/420, 455/434, 455/9
• US Class Current: 455/2.01
• 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 by means of a loudspeaker;

(c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at each remote location by means of a sound transducer;

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

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

(f) storing the date and time of receipt of said selected audio signal in association with said PI information contained in said audio signal at each remote location;

(g) 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 together with said associated date and time information;

(h) storing the PI information and said associated date and time information, received from said plurality of remote locations at said central computer; and

(i) analyzing the stored PI information.

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

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

4. The method defined in claim 3, wherein said PI information comprises a PI code.

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

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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 by means of a loudspeaker;

(c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at each remote location by means of a sound transducer;

(d) automatically 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;

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.

10. The method defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of downloading instructions to said remote locations via said communication link.

11. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said PI information is inaudible information embedded in said audio signals.

12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein said PI information comprises a PI code.

13. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said PI information is audible information contained in said audio signals.

14. The method defined in claim 9, 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.

15. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said communication link is established by said central computer calling each remote location at periodic intervals.

16. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said communication link is established by each remote location calling said central computer at periodic intervals.

17. 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 said remote location by means of a loudspeaker;

(c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at said remote location by means of a sound transducer;

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

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

(f) storing the current place of receipt of said PI information at said remote location;

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

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

(i) analyzing the stored PI information.

18. The method defined in claim 17, 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).

19. The method defined in claim 17, 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.

20. The method defined in claim 17, further comprising the step of downloading instructions to said remote locations via said communication link.

21. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said PI information is inaudible information embedded in said audio signals.

22. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said PI information comprises a PI code.

23. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said PI information is audible information contained in said audio signals.

24. The method defined in claim 17, 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.

25. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said communication link is established by said central computer calling each remote location at periodic intervals.

26. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said communication link is established by each remote location calling said central computer at periodic intervals.

27. 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 said remote location by means of a loudspeaker;

(c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at said remote location by means of a sound transducer;

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

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

(f) determining the place of said remote location;

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

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

(i) analyzing the stored PI information.

28. The method defined in claim 27, 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.

29. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said step of determining the place of said remote location comprises the step of determining said place by means of the global positioning system (GPS).

30. The method defined in claim 27, further comprising the step of downloading instructions to said remote locations via said communication link.

31. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said PI information is inaudible information embedded in said audio signals.

32. The method defined in claim 31, wherein said PI information comprises a PI code.

33. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said PI information is audible information contained in said audio signals.

34. The method defined in claim 27, 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.

35. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said communication link is established by said central computer calling each remote location at periodic intervals.

36. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said communication link is established by each remote location calling said central computer at periodic intervals.