System for determining satellite radio listener statistics

• US 6,947,703 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Navigauge, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Navigauge, Inc.
• Inventors: Layman, Bruce E., Ceresoli, Carl D., Eaton, Len, Strugatsky, Mike
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US10/315,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.02, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 348/211.2, 348/208.14, 701213-216, 705/10, 705/14
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/90 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/31 Arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/32 Arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g. malfunction or breakdown of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/44 for identifying broadcast stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 for using the result on distributors' side

Abstract

The system for determining satellite radio listener statistics obtains comprehensive satellite radio listener statistics based on parameters such as satellite radio status (e.g., on/off status), satellite radio volume, satellite radio station preset information, current satellite radio station, and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system coordinates. The system for determining satellite radio listener statistics includes a satellite radio data device that monitors and stores all events related to the listener'"'"'s interaction with the satellite radio, including automatic detection of the selected radio station through a connection to a satellite radio. The stored data is then transmitted to a central station'"'"'s server for immediate storage, compilation and analysis.

Claims

1. A system for allowing a user to obtain comprehensive satellite radio listener statistics, from a plurality of satellite radios each having a tuner, a receiver and a data connection between said tuner and said receiver, comprising:

means, connected to said data connection, for detecting a satellite radio data packet on said data connection between said tuner and said receiver;

means for using said satellite radio data packet to create satellite radio listener data which represents one or more interactions by a user with said receiver;

means, connected to each of said plurality of satellite radios, for receiving said satellite radio listener data from said satellite radios;

means for transmitting said satellite radio listener data;

central station means capable of receiving said satellite radio listener data from each of said means for transmitting, and producing statistics based on received said satellite radio listener data; and

interface means, provided by said central station means, for delivering reports to said user containing statistics based on said received said satellite radio listener data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said satellite radio listener data includes global positioning system coordinates and at least one of the following:

satellite radio status;

station preset information; and

current satellite radio station setting.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface means further comprises:

an Internet connection means.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

a means for monitoring said data connection of said satellite radios.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

a means for synchronizing signals of said data connection with said monitoring means.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said satellite radio data packet includes a message a header, a command, a data and a terminator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for detecting further comprises:

a means for storing said satellite radio data packet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for using further comprises:

a means for parsing said satellite radio data packet.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said means for using further comprises:

a means for converting data parsed from said satellite radio data packet to another format.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said means for parsing further comprises:

a means for time and date stamping data parsed from said satellite radio data packet.

11. A method for generating comprehensive satellite radio listener statistics, comprising:

detecting a satellite radio data packet on a data connection between a tuner and a receiver of a satellite radio device;

using said satellite radio data packet to create satellite radio listener data which represents one or more interactions by a user with said receiver;

receiving said satellite radio listener data from said satellite radio data device at a central station;

producing at said central station statistics based on said received satellite radio listener data; and

generating, a report containing said statistics based on said satellite radio listener data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said satellite radio listener data is selected from the group consisting of radio status, station preset information, and current satellite radio station setting.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving satellite radio listener data further comprises:

global positioning and time stamping data.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

synchronizing signals of said satellite radio data packet when detecting said satellite radio data packet on said data connection between said tuner and said receiver.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said receiving satellite radio listener data further comprises:

retrieving said satellite radio data packet.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said using said satellite radio data packet further comprises:

storing said satellite radio data packet.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said using said satellite radio data packet further comprises:

parsing data from said satellite radio data packet.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said using said satellite radio data packet further comprises:

converting said data parsed from said satellite radio data packet to another format.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said using said satellite radio data packet further comprises:

time and date stamping said data parsed from said satellite radio data packet.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said generating said report further comprises:

making said report available over at least a portion of the global internet.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein said using said satellite radio data packet is performed periodically on a pre-determined time interval.