EP0195639A2 - Fernsehzuschauerzählsysteme - Google Patents

Fernsehzuschauerzählsysteme Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0195639A2
EP0195639A2 EP19860301944 EP86301944A EP0195639A2 EP 0195639 A2 EP0195639 A2 EP 0195639A2 EP 19860301944 EP19860301944 EP 19860301944 EP 86301944 A EP86301944 A EP 86301944A EP 0195639 A2 EP0195639 A2 EP 0195639A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signature
channel
television
frequency
tuner
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19860301944
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas c/o The Roy Morgan Mewes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Morgan Gary C
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Morgan Gary C
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Morgan Gary C filed Critical Morgan Gary C
Publication of EP0195639A2 publication Critical patent/EP0195639A2/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/41—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
    • H04H60/43—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas for identifying broadcast channels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/28—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
    • H04H20/30—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel
    • H04H20/31—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information by a single channel using in-band signals, e.g. subsonic or cue signal

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a system for collecting statistics for audience research into television use.
  • the invention relates to such systems to provide information in respect of programmes being currently transmitted as well as pre-recorded programmes being replayed in the home.
  • TV meter In collecting statistics for audience research into television use, it has been common practice to use a so called TV meter to determine and record which channel is being currently viewed so long as the programme being watched is an ON-AIR or live transmission at the time that it is actually being broadcast or is being transmitted currently via cable networks in real time.
  • the conventional TV meter has a severe limitation in respect of programmes which were pre-recorded some hours, days or weeks earlier than the time at which the viewer is playing back such a programme from a tape or other recording medium as would be the case when a video cassette recorder (V.C.R.) is in use.
  • V.C.R. video cassette recorder
  • the conventional TV meter may be able to record that a V.C.R. was being used but it would be incapable of identifying the nature of the programme being played back even if the recording happened to be only a few minutes old. Neither could it identify the TV channel which had originally broadcast it or the cable channel in the case of cable TV.
  • the conventional TV meter has another serious limitation namely that although it is able to record details of live ON-AIR transmissions currently being broadcast it is not able to identify individual advertisement as they are being seen ON-AIR. It is also unable to identify a V.C.R. playback of a particular advertisement being paid for by an advertiser for whom data is being collected by the audience researcher.
  • the invention has a prime objective, the provision of so-called V.C.R. TV meters for collecting statistics for use in audience research capable of recording exactly what programme is being watched live at the time the programme is being received in a viewers home or what programme is being played back.
  • Example 1 A V.C.R. television combination may be using two different channels at the same time, one to be recorded whilst the other channel is being watched.
  • Example 2 In a multi-set home several TV's may be in use at any given moment all watching different programmes.
  • a system of television audience research comprising the steps of applying subliminal marker codes into a television/V.C.R. installation encoding said marker codes detecting and decoding said codes in the television/V.C.R. installation in real or subsequent time to obtain information as to programmes or channels being watched recorded or played back, said codes permitting collection of a range of data for the purpose of audience research.
  • subliminal codes may be added to the sound track.
  • These codes may comprise an indentifier for the advertising company eg. a serial number to identify a particular advertisement in a series of many by the same advertiser.
  • the coding is repeated frequently throughout the tape recording of the advertisement, say between 10 and 30 times, according to the duration of the advertisement, but more or less as may be deemed necessary.
  • the recording tape or film is then provided by the advertiser to the various television channels and cable networks which the advertiser has chosen to transmit his advertisement.
  • the codes could alternatively be coded subliminally using single frames of just one colour inserted into the picture information.
  • a single red frame (say) followed by 50 advertisement frames followed by (say) a green frame and another 50 advert frames then (say) a blue frame and 50 more advert frames and so on ad infinitum could provide several hundred identifiers.
  • the V.C.R./TV meter may append additional encoded details of the date and time that the advertisement has been recorded, and from which channel, or from which cable service, the broadcast or transmission originated.
  • the same method is used in the invention to add subliminal codes to the recording medium of the V.C.R. or other recorder when in the process of taping an ON-AIR or ON-WIRE programme magnetically.
  • the detector which is of the type or which could even be the same apparatus, used for recognising advertiser and advert codes will also recognise the codes appended by the V.C.R./TV meter.
  • These codes though similar represent different data. This data could be a channel number code followed by a record serial number which also includes date or such other information of use to the audience researcher.
  • the television receiver may be tuned to one channel whilst the V. C . R . tuner is receiving programmes from a different channel for the purpose of recording.
  • this invention allows multiple channel identification at the one time using a single V.C.R./TV meter so that in fact any number of Television receivers or V.C.R's sharing a common antenna system or cable system may be monitored by a single V.C.R/TV meter even if all receivers and tuners are tuned to different programmes at any one time.
  • the detector is on the alert for subliminal advertiser codes present on the received signal from the originating station or cable. These are allowed to pass directly to the recording head of V.C.R. unchanged and during these moments, the subliminal channel number code and record serial numbers generated repeatedly within the V.C.R./TV meter are inhibited so as to avoid confusion, or contamination of the coded information.
  • the meter generated subliminal codes on the tapes are constantly repeated whilst the playback is continuing so that at all times the V.C.R./TV meter is aware of the identity of the material (including advertisement) being played back and equally is aware of the source of the play-back, unless that source be a film or similar pre-recorded video cassette not received by direct electromagnetic radiation or by cable. In such event the V.C.R./TV meter identifies "VIDEO" being played back knowing it to be either a FILM or VIDEO by inference because these recordings will not contain any recognisable (to the V.C.R./TV meter) subliminal codes.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a V.C.R./TV meter depicting those parts relating to the invention concept as will become clear later. Other more conventional aspects of TV meters are not shown.
  • Figure l(a) shows one possible arrangement for a V.C.R./TV meter embodying this invention.
  • Figure l(a) is an outline schematic only and its individual component parts are described in detail elsewhere in this specification in so far as they may relate to the novel features of the invention.
  • the microprocessor or computer M controls the entire apparatus and processes the data gathered.
  • encoder A Under control of microprocessor or computer M, encoder A produces channel signatures at all the possible frequencies available to the television receiver TV and V.C.R. tuner VT and the broken line from encoder EA may carry confirmatory information back to microprocessor or computer M.
  • Each channel signature is a unique code representative of one of the channels herein called an A type code.
  • This code is injected at IA into the radio frequency intelligence arriving from the antenna and for the purpose of this description it will be in the form of a sound modulated carrier but equally could be video modulated.
  • the codes may then be decoded by the A-Type Decoder DA thus releasing back to computer or microprocessor M the identity of the channels to which V.C.R. tuner VT or television receiver TV are tuned even should they be different channels.
  • Channel signatures for those channels not being used are suppressed by the tuned circuits in the two receivers which are high frequency selective.
  • the channel code (A type) produced by the decoder DA is used, whenever the recorder is operating, to activate encoder EB and inject it at IB as a video modulated carrier. It could equally be a sound modulated carrier and constitutes a type -B code. This code is then impressed on the magnetic recording which is being made. Later when play- back is operative the code becomes once again available and is recognised by decoder DB and hence passed to micro- processor M as an indication of the source (by channel identity) of the original recorded programme.
  • the microprocessor M also uses encoder EB to append date and time codes in addition to the channel code and when played back, all of this information describes the origins of the recorded programmes. These are all called B-Type codes.
  • Decoder DB has one other function and that is to decode additional information as to the programme being played back where such extra information has been encoded into the original transmission from a broadcast TV transmitter (or cable network source) as for example when an advertiser produces his video advertisement and encodes information to identify himself and his advertisement. In such a case the codes appended to the advertisement would need to be subliminal as are also the A and B type codes locally generated within the V.C.R./TV meter.
  • the advertisers code would also be produced using the format of the locally generated B Type code if it were desired to use the same decoder DB although a different format and an extra decoder to match may be added to the meter.
  • the advertiser may use an identical apparatus to that of the meter to produce his codes.
  • Figure l(b) shows the respositioning of IA of figure l(a) to suite injection into a cable system. All other circuits and operations for cable TV are the same as described for figure l(a).
  • the A-Type codes are the mechanism used in both of the above examples to provide this information.
  • V.C.R./TV meter not included in the drawing are details of the control system for Tuning, the clock timer circuits, the controls for the tape deck, and the method of recording which members of the household are viewing. These are current state of the art and as such need no discussion here.
  • FIG. 1 The arrangement of Figure 1 is mainly intended for those panel households which have their own V.C.R., though in another preferred version of the invention, the V.C.R. portion would be an integral part of the V.C.R./T V meter to be installed by the researcher in a household elected for monitoring (panel member).
  • the household's own V.C.R. is partially demobilised as it will not have an antenna connected to its internal TUNER.
  • the V.C.R. internal TUNER is replaced by TUNER G in the V .C.R./ T V meter Figure 1. All recordings made OFF-AIR by the V.C.R. are made via TUNER G and its eventual outputs at V and W.
  • Yet another preferred arrangement includes interposing on RF Modulator between V and W and sending the output of the RF Modulator into the antenna socket of the V.C.R. which is then permanently tuned on its internal VCR TUNER to the frequency of the RF MODULATOR.
  • V.C.R./TV meter Figure 1 interposing on RF Modulator between V and W and sending the output of the RF Modulator into the antenna socket of the V.C.R. which is then permanently tuned on its internal VCR TUNER to the frequency of the RF MODULATOR.
  • the household Antenna X in Figure 1 is connected to the two tuners B and G via a conventional booster splitter A, which will compensate for any cable losses within the wiring of the V.C.R./TV meter and to provide impedance matching.
  • FC in Figure 1 refers to an apparatus for injecting a marker pulse or a code (signature) for each channel in turn whilst at the same time tuning an oscillator to the frequency of that channel and injecting a subliminal marker or code into the stream of intelligence coming from source X (In this case the antenna or as an alternative a cable terminal device).
  • source X In this case the antenna or as an alternative a cable terminal device.
  • FC is described later in this specification. Up to several hundred channels may be catered for by FC.
  • Tuner B provides OFF-AIR programmes to the domestic TV receiver. Audio at D and Video at C are sent to RF Modulator F via switch E which is under the control of micro processor M.
  • Switch E is a double pole changeover switch, which may be either a relay or electronic. When viewing an OFF-AIR programme, this switch is thrown to the 'R' connection and the output of TUNER B, via processing circuits in C and D modulate the RF Modulator F to provide a signal in the VHF or UHF TV BANDS which enters the domestic TV receiver antenna terminal at some suitable channel, say.3 or 36, depending on local conditions in the area.
  • switch E contacts as Pb and R meaning play-back-mode and record-mode, does have some ambiguity of meaning.
  • the system may not actually be recording, but is available to do so if called upon.
  • the TV viewer is actually watching the received signals from TUNER B whilst the programme to be recorded via TUNER G may be the same as for TUNER B, or some other channel selected by the viewer in both instances.
  • the RECORD procedure when active, provides an Audio-out signal at W from where it is sent to the V.C.R. Audio-in terminal.
  • the Video-out signal at V serves the V.C.R. in like manner to the Audio-out signal mentioned above, save that suitable data has been added by the V.C.R./TV meter.
  • the means described here is not the only possible mechanism for coding the tape.
  • the coding is done at CHROMANANCE frequency within the Video information for the channel selected. It could equally be carried within the LUMINANCE FREQUENCY BAND or even the Audio Band via suitable filters on a separate track if the V.C.R. happens to be integral with the V.C.R./TV meter.
  • Video OFF-AIR signals from IF amplifier and detector, H are distributed to VERTICAL SYNC. SEPARATOR J and then the vertical pulses 23 (Fig. 2(b) depicting picture frame intervals are counted at K.
  • Counter K is preset to give an output impulse of one picture frame duration at predetermined intervals, say once every 30 seconds, but not necessarily so.
  • Video OFF-AIR signals also go to a fast diode switch T via a DELAY S.
  • This delay may be as much as 64 u.s. or greater, or as little as 250 n.s. Anything in excess of 64 u.s may be undesirable, as the delay plays a limiting role, even though a non-critical one.
  • the purpose of the delay is to allow the diode switch T sufficient time to transit to its other input coming from OSCILLATOR R.
  • the approximate frequency of R is 4 MHZ but not necessarily so.
  • switch T conveys the OFF-AIR video to the V.C.R. via buffer U and terminal V.
  • the switch T cuts off the OFF-AIR Video to the V.C.R. and instead switches it to oscillator R whilst preventing the vertical sync. pulse which initiated the transfer from reaching the V.C.R.
  • the microprocessor M receives an interrupt INT from the counter K via inverter L.
  • FIG. 1 shows a Modem P which may be 1200 BAUD, but this modem can operate at any rate desired.
  • Modem P turns digital data streams from the UART O into frequency shift keying tones (FSK) which are passed to Modulator Q which in turn frequency modulates OSCILLATOR R.
  • FSK frequency shift keying tones
  • the data as selected by the microprocessor M is thus mixed into the OFF-AIR Video stream for the duration of one picture frame, but not necessarily for such a precisely defined period, e.g. ONE LINE of picture frame could be opted for.
  • switch T At the termination of the period whatever its duration, switch T reverts to the quiescent state when OFF-AIR Video is once again channeled out to the V.C.R.
  • the V.C.R. produces Audio which is fed to switch E and then to the domestic TV receiver via RF Modulator F.
  • the Video signal from the V.C.R. enters the V.C.R./ TV meter via Buffer 'a' and is distributed three ways.
  • delay 'b' say of 64 u.s.
  • the purpose of the delay is to allow time for the missing pulse detector 'i' to detect the start of the frame containing coded information and to change-over the fast diode switch 'C' in time to prevent coded information going to the TV receiver via the RF modulator F.
  • Detector 'e' monitors the Video content arriving from the V.C.R., whenever it is enabled by a signal from the Q output of the missing pulse detector 'i' which also enables gate 'g'.
  • detector 'e' reproduces the frequency shift keying tones originally put on tape from TX Modem P, whenever they may be played back through the system.
  • UART 0 conveys the data to memory N via the micro-processor M.
  • Suitable codes are generated by the microprocessor M when recording is taking place.
  • Advertiser Codes are received OFF-AIR and the Video Signals containing them are fed to Detector 'e' Figure 1 and V Sync. extract 'h' Figure 1, or when the system is in either play-back or record mode via 'ADD' 1 Figure 3.
  • the grey frequency band is filtered out by narrow band NOTCH FILTER 3 and the resulting signals are applied to decoder 2.
  • decoder 2 recognises an address it has been programmed to receive it enables COUNTER 4.
  • the predetermined output of counter 4 enables Detector 'e' Figure 1 and gate 'g' Figure 1 via OR (NOR) gate 5.
  • the other input to gate 5 is the enable signal for play-back-video via the MISSING PULSE DETECTOR 'i' Figure 1.
  • the counter 4 furnishes the enable signal to the data detector 'e' and gate 'g' Figure 1.
  • the counter thus newly appended to Figure 1 can send a TO interrupt signal to microprocessor M whenever a data frame is detected OFF-AIR via.
  • TUNER G Notch Filter and Address Decoder, exactly as per the description of Figure 3 using identical components. It is not required to decode the data arriving via TUNER G. It will be automatically recorded on tape and can be decoded and stored in Memory N Figure 1 when it is played back at some later time or date.
  • the concepts underlying the invention provide the means of determining to which channel the TV receivers are tuned at any moment in time by injecting a coded message into the antenna system such that a distinctive code by way of a signature is impressed upon or intermingled with the signals being received by each TV receiver from time to time.
  • Figure 4 depicts the essential features.
  • PS represents the immediate source of the transmission being received by the TV receiver be it from an antenna or a cable terminal.
  • FS is a fast electronic changeover switch controlled by the logic system of Figure 4 which may include a microprocessor but which can be caused to briefly interrupt the received programme long enough to enable a coded message to be inserted in the stream of signals coming from source PS said message coming from encoder E which is shown in greater detail in Figure 5.
  • the coded message needs to be of such short duration that it becomes subliminal to the viewer and this message which is actually a signature for the channel being watched by the viewer may be either video or audio in character.
  • Figure 4 is representative of an audio signature system and for this case the Encoder E also enables a second electronic switch SW at precisely the same instant that switch FS is activated.
  • Switch SW cuts off the sound to the loudspeaker LS of TV receiver TV for a brief period of time momentarily diverting it to decoder D.
  • decoder D recognises a valid signature or code the logic system is providing the needed information regarding which channel is being watched at that point in time.
  • Switch SW is not always essential in that in another version of the invention decoder D may be permanently connected to the sound output of the TV receiver TV or may even be picking up the sound coming from loud speaker LS via a microphone. In this event the decoder is programmed to look for an address code from the encoder E which precedes the signature code. The decoder will thus ignore normal programme audio and only become active when its address decode circuits signal that a channel signature is due to arrive.
  • Figure 5 explains in greater detail one way in which the appropriate signature may be generated by the encoder E so that whatever signature is recognised by decoder D becomes significant.
  • Read only memory ROM may be programmed to hold signature codes for up to several hundred channels. Such that for example address 1 of the ROM holds a signature for channel 1 and address N of the ROM holds the signature for channel N. Of course this form of address mapping is not mandatory.
  • Sequencer logic S is programmed to step the two oscillators 01 and 02 through all the channels one by one or it may in fact skip channels not being used in a particular locality and only those necessary may be programmed.
  • the appropriate oscillator 01 or 02 for a given channel is tuned by the tuning voltages V tv and V tu as switched by the sequencer S such that the frequency of the oscillator selected becomes identical to the frequency of the transmitter or cable system carrying the programme for that channel.
  • the sequencer addresses the read only memory to select the signature code appropriate to that channel and the Read signal causes that signature to be fed into the USART U which converts the signature into a bit-serial signature is converted by modem Mm into audio tones which are then imposed upon the oscillator selected via modulator Mr.
  • the switch-enable control signals are of sufficient duration such that switches FS and SW (fig 4) cause a momentary interruption to the reception of the programme coming from source PS of figure 4 and inject the signature into the TV receiver TV figure 4 antenna terminal at the same time diverting the sound output of the TV receiver TV from loudspeaker LS to decoder D figure 4.
  • Figure 6 shows the outline of another preferred version of the invention which obviates the need for an actual coded signature transfer.
  • this version only a marker pulse is required so that an economy of injected information is achieved resulting in greater numbers of channels available for identification within the available timescale.
  • the sequencer S acts exactly as in the previous example to inject a marker pulse at each step as it passes through all channel frequencies in turn. This marker pulse will only be detected when the frequency selected by the sequencer S matches the frequency to which the viewer has tuned receiver TV.
  • the channel identity data is now available as a direct channel count in the form of a digital code at the input to the random access memory RAM and when the Marker Pulse Detector R recognises a valid marker it activates the WRITE signal which permits the channel identity of the station currently being viewed to be recorded or otherwise processed.
  • the fast switch FS figures 4 and 6 is not mandatory as alternative methods of impressing the signature or marker pulse upon a continuous stream of itelligence coming from source PS are readily available.
  • Figure 7 is included to illustrate the concept of more than one receiver being monitored with different channels being watched.
  • the encoder E would step through or glide through 200 frequencies effectively pausing at each sufficiently long to transmit the code for that frequency or the marker.
  • the 2 00 markers could be served up in two milli-seconds or less which would be adequate for a measuring system requiring readings once per minute.
  • 200 coded signatures would of course require a longer scan period.
  • readings for particular channels may from time to time be required to be done at say 3 second intervals.
  • the encoder could be programmed to select those channels more frequently than the others at certain times of the day or as commanded by a central computer using radio to remote control the V.C.R./TV meter, or even using the cable system itself for such purpose.
  • the distribution amplilfier DA would be a normal part of the building TV system for say flats or units or multi-set households.
  • Decoders 1 to 12 are fitted with short term memory to latch the codes as and when received and to hold that code until a new one arrives.
  • Multiplexer MP is a convenient way of channeling the results to a common processor.
  • the injection oscillators may be held at the channel 'n' frequency until such times as the marker or code is no longer returned to the computer.
EP19860301944 1985-03-18 1986-03-17 Fernsehzuschauerzählsysteme Withdrawn EP0195639A2 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU9788/85 1985-03-18
AU978885 1985-03-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0195639A2 true EP0195639A2 (de) 1986-09-24

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EP19860301944 Withdrawn EP0195639A2 (de) 1985-03-18 1986-03-17 Fernsehzuschauerzählsysteme

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EP (1) EP0195639A2 (de)
JP (1) JPS61269596A (de)
NO (1) NO860998L (de)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2586881A1 (fr) * 1985-09-03 1987-03-06 Video Res Systeme pour detecter des donnees d'enregistrement d'un magnetoscope.
US4885632A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-12-05 Agb Television Research System and methods for monitoring TV viewing system including a VCR and/or a cable converter
WO1990002453A1 (en) * 1988-08-24 1990-03-08 Sebastiano Scarampi Apparatus and method for monitoring television viewers
US4931865A (en) * 1988-08-24 1990-06-05 Sebastiano Scarampi Apparatus and methods for monitoring television viewers
US5319453A (en) * 1989-06-22 1994-06-07 Airtrax Method and apparatus for video signal encoding, decoding and monitoring
WO1994017609A1 (en) * 1991-07-19 1994-08-04 John Barrett Kiefl Television viewer monitoring system
US5382970A (en) * 1991-07-19 1995-01-17 Kiefl; John B. Television viewer monitoring system including portable data meter for each viewer
US5404160A (en) * 1993-06-24 1995-04-04 Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. System and method for identifying a television program
FR2718917A1 (fr) * 1994-04-14 1995-10-20 Marchand Renaud Procédé d'identification de sources d'image à des fins d'audimétrie et dispositif pour sa mise en Óoeuvre.
US5512933A (en) * 1992-10-15 1996-04-30 Taylor Nelson Agb Plc Identifying a received programme stream
WO1998032251A1 (en) * 1997-01-22 1998-07-23 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Source detection apparatus and method for audience measurement
AU764269B2 (en) * 1997-01-22 2003-08-14 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Source detection apparatus and method for audience measurement
US7742737B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2010-06-22 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc. Methods and apparatus for identifying a digital audio signal
US8151291B2 (en) 2006-06-15 2012-04-03 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to meter content exposure using closed caption information
US8260113B2 (en) 1992-11-16 2012-09-04 Arbitron Inc. Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
US8732738B2 (en) 1998-05-12 2014-05-20 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Audience measurement systems and methods for digital television
US8763022B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2014-06-24 Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual devices
US9015740B2 (en) 2005-12-12 2015-04-21 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual devices
US9124769B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2015-09-01 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to verify presentation of media content
US10785534B2 (en) 2016-11-04 2020-09-22 The Nielsen Company (Us), Llc Methods and apparatus to measure audience composition and recruit audience measurement panelists

Families Citing this family (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4164709B2 (ja) * 1998-01-31 2008-10-15 ソニー株式会社 番組選択履歴情報取得装置、番組選択履歴情報取得方法及び受信装置

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2586881A1 (fr) * 1985-09-03 1987-03-06 Video Res Systeme pour detecter des donnees d'enregistrement d'un magnetoscope.
US4885632A (en) * 1988-02-29 1989-12-05 Agb Television Research System and methods for monitoring TV viewing system including a VCR and/or a cable converter
WO1990002453A1 (en) * 1988-08-24 1990-03-08 Sebastiano Scarampi Apparatus and method for monitoring television viewers
US4931865A (en) * 1988-08-24 1990-06-05 Sebastiano Scarampi Apparatus and methods for monitoring television viewers
US5646675A (en) * 1989-06-22 1997-07-08 Airtrax System and method for monitoring video program material
US5319453A (en) * 1989-06-22 1994-06-07 Airtrax Method and apparatus for video signal encoding, decoding and monitoring
WO1994017609A1 (en) * 1991-07-19 1994-08-04 John Barrett Kiefl Television viewer monitoring system
US5382970A (en) * 1991-07-19 1995-01-17 Kiefl; John B. Television viewer monitoring system including portable data meter for each viewer
US5512933A (en) * 1992-10-15 1996-04-30 Taylor Nelson Agb Plc Identifying a received programme stream
US8260113B2 (en) 1992-11-16 2012-09-04 Arbitron Inc. Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
US5404160A (en) * 1993-06-24 1995-04-04 Berkeley Varitronics Systems, Inc. System and method for identifying a television program
WO1995028778A1 (fr) * 1994-04-14 1995-10-26 Renaud Marchand Procede d'identification de sources d'image a des fins de mesure d'audience et dispositif pour sa mise en ×uvre
FR2718917A1 (fr) * 1994-04-14 1995-10-20 Marchand Renaud Procédé d'identification de sources d'image à des fins d'audimétrie et dispositif pour sa mise en Óoeuvre.
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NO860998L (no) 1986-09-19
JPS61269596A (ja) 1986-11-28

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