MXPA01005637A - Metering viewing of video displayed in windows - Google Patents

Abstract

A metering system useful in metering viewing of video displayed in a window on a screen of a viewingdevice includes a software meter and a creditor. The software meter determines identifying data related to the video displayed in the window, and the creditor applies a set of crediting rules in determining whether to credit the identifying data. The software meter determines whether the viewing device has a COM interface, an API interface, or has to be interrogated in another way, and determines channel data from a channel related object of the COM interface, from application related data associated with a video application through the API interface, or from other interrogation. The software meter also determines an ancillary identification code relating to the displayed video.

Description

MEASUREMENT OF THE VIDEO DISPLAY PRESENTED IN VENTANAS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the measurement of video, data elements containing enhanced video and / or broadcasting applications presented in display windows of a receiver, such as an enhanced television, a television provided with a TV box. by cable, a computer, and / or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The video and / or audio reproduced through conventional televisions and / or radios has been measured for many years. A known aspect of such measurement is to add an auxiliary identification code for television and / or radio programs, and to detect and decode an auxiliary identification code when the coded program is viewed or heard at a statistically selected verification site. An example of such a system that implements this type of measurement can be found in the following patents: US patent. No. 5,481,294 to Thomas et al., Who describe, inter alia, auxiliary identification codes added to the vertical blanking interval of an NTSC television broadcast; patent of E.U.A. No. 5,629,739 to Dougherty, who is particularly concerned about the addition of an auxiliary identification code to a low-energy portion of the audio spectrum of an NTSC signal; and the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,404,377 of Moses, who teaches an audio coding arrangement using signal masking in order to reduce the ability to perceive the auxiliary identification code. Another aspect to measure video and / or audio reproduced by conventional televisions and / or radios is to extract a characteristic signature (or a group of characteristic signatures) of the selected program to see and / or listen, and compare the characteristic signature (or group of signatures) features) with reference signatures (or groups of reference signatures) collected from known broadcast sources. This aspect is taught by Lert and Lu in the patent of E.U.A. No. 4,677,466. In yet another aspect to measure video and / or audio reproduced by televisions and / or conventional radios is to compare the program (or some component or its artifact) during playback with all the programs available for a domestic sampled at the time of playback. A review of the apparatus and methods useful for this aspect of measurement is found in the teachings of Thomas and others in the U.S. patent. No. 5,629,739 and Lu and others in the U.S. patent. No. 5,594,934. In addition, Wheeler, et al., In the patent application of E.U.A. No. 08 / 786,270, filed on January 22, 1997, teach a video signal source detection arrangement, which determines the source of a video and / or audio signal that is being presented by a television receiver . This detection arrangement implements a variety of aspects of tuning measurement. For example, it may be used to read an auxiliary identification code transmitted with television programming, to obtain signature features of television programming, or to perform real-time correlation by matching a signal with a contemporary reference signal obtained by a television tuner. television controlled by the measuring equipment. Also, Chan, in the patent application of E.U.A. Series No. 08 / 654,309, filed May 28, 1996, teaches a sensor arrangement for non-intrusively obtaining a representation of video and synchronization signals from a television receiver. The above patents are directed primarily to the measurement of conventional receivers, wherein program signals (eg, television and / or radio signals) are transmitted to receivers over air, through cables or through satellite distribution. The receivers are used tuners, which tune into selected channels from among the various channels offered to the receivers. In the future, however, the program signals will be received by receivers that are capable of performing functions in addition to the synchronization and presentation of television and / or radio programs. Said additional functions may include, for example, the reception of IP or HTML, electronic programming guides, electronic commerce, integrated telephony and / or the like. Said additional functions may also include the offer of internet access, integrated game consoles, and / or the like. The receivers offering these additional functions can be computers, receivers enhanced with hardware and / or internal software, receivers provided with cable TV boxes that support additional functions, or the like. Therefore, future broadcasts will likely include a data stream in addition to a video stream and / or an audio stream. The data stream may include closed caption, auxiliary program / source identification codes, electronic programming guides, storage / news / sports indicators, ad badges, chat sessions, history line information or other audio streams / video, and / or other data. The data flow, video stream and audio stream can be transmitted in terrestrial, or cable, or satellite, or telephone lines. Broadcast sources that contain data streams in addition to video streams and / or audio streams can be television stations, radio stations and internet servers. For a television or radio broadcast, the data may be transmitted through a television or radio station at a known frequency, or as packets within the signal, where a tuner may tune. However, for an internet broadcast, there are at least two possible models In a model, a page is requested through URL, and the directed internet server sends that requested page and / or flow to the one requested In the other model , an internet server spreads its data through multicast IP A user can connect, or tune, a multicast IP address in order to receive broadcasting Many radio stations currently broadcast their programming worldwide on the internet using an IP address multicast A receiver, such as a computer, an enhanced television, an enhanced radio, or a cable box, receives a multi-stream signal from a television station, a radio station, or an internet server, and demultiplexes the multiple stream signal received to your data stream and its video and / or audio streams A multiple stream signal from an internet server can be divided into separate flows since each object on a page has a label that can be used to identify the nature of the object. However, it should be noted that, in the context of the internet, video, audio and data must be formed in flow instead of being transmitted according to the usual internet model for storage and playback Storage and playback for broadcasting is not possible unless the data is stored (or recorded) for subsequent playback Each flow is passed to a corresponding system of the receiver For example, the audio stream is passed to a speaker, the video stream is passed to a presentation screen, and the data flow is passed to an appropriate data processing equipment. This data processing equipment may include a data demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data stream in a programming guide, an auxiliary identification code, a closed header, live indicators and the like, which are further processed through other appropriate components of the Data processing equipment. A meter to measure television and / or radio programs in the context of computers, cable TV boxes, improved televisions and improved audio equipment will be necessary in the future.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of the present invention proves the vision with respect to a display window that is displayed on a screen. The method comprises the following steps: a) applying a predetermined credit value to the viewing window; and b) credit the display with respect to the display window only if the display window satisfies the predetermined credit rule. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for measuring video presented in a window on a display of a display device comprises the following steps: a) determining whether the display device has a COM interface or an API interface; b) if the display device has a COM interface to determine the channel data of a related object channel of the COM interface; and c) if the display device has an API interface, request the API interface in order to determine the channel data associated with a video application. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a software meter is arranged to measure the video presented in a window on a display of a display device, and the software meter is executed by a processor. The software meter comprises first and second program code. The first program code is executable in order to determine the tuning of data from a video application related to the presented video. The second of program code is executable in order to determine an auxiliary identification code in relation to the presented video. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a measurement system measures the display of the video presented in a window on a screen of a display device, and comprises a software meter and a creditor. The software meter is arranged to determine the identification of data in relation to the video presented in the window. The creditor is willing to apply a credit rule to determine if the identification data is credited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an illustrative distribution system in which programs and data are distributed to sites of panelists, which are measured in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a representative group of reception equipment that can be used in the panelist sites of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a measurement system that can be used to collect display data and other data in accordance with the present invention; Figures 4 and 5 are flow diagrams of a program that can be executed by the software meter of Figure 3 according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a program that can be executed by the credit rule block of Figure 3 according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a flow chart of a program that can be executed by the transmission data block of Figure 3 according to the present invention; and Figures 8 and 9 are a flow diagram of a program that can be executed by the central facility of Figure 1 according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1 a distribution system 10 is shown as an illustrative environment for the present invention. The distribution system 10 includes a plurality of statistically selected panelist sites 12, such as through a central facility 14 for the purpose of participating in a viewing or listening investigation. Therefore, these statistically selected panelist sites 12 can be collectively referred to as a panel. Staff at central facility 14, or elsewhere, may implement random digit dialing, for example, in order to find the panelist sites 12 for participation in the viewing research or to listen as panel members. The central facility 14 in some cases, may be referred to as a data collection site. As described below, the panelist sites 12 include viewing or listening equipment, which can be measured in order to determine which programs are being viewed or heard. In all cases, the visualization is considered as the visualization of all elements that appear on the screen or are reproduced by the speaker. This display includes, but is not limited to, the traditional audio / video signal, still images (bitmaps, jpegs, animated graphics exchange format, etc.), text, additional audio / video streams, advertising logos in rotation, data entry controls (edit boxes, buttons, etc.), broadcasting applications, and hyperlinks associated with any of these elements. In order to simplify the discussion that follows, the display data and listening data may alternatively be referred to as media data, it being understood that the present invention may be used to measure video display and / or audio hearing. The media data collected at each of the panelist sites 12 can be transmitted to the central facility 14 where the data can be assembled into reports to be disseminated to interested parties, as discussed below. The video and audio data can be provided to the panelists through web sites 16, through a cable source 18, of radio broadcasters over the air through antennas 20 through a video server 22, through an audio server 24, through broadcasters 26, or the like. As shown in Figure 1, one or more of the panelists 12 can reach the video, audio and data through an Internet Service Provider 28. The sites of panelists 12, the central facility 14, the websites 16, the cable source 18, the video server 22, the audio server 24, the broadcasters 26 and the internet service provider 28 can be interconnected from a network 30, which, for example, can be a public telephone system, an internal network, a cable system, a combination of a telephone system, an internal network, a cable system, or the like. A representative panel site 100 is shown in Figure 2 and may include any combination of the equipment shown there depending on the number and type of receivers belonging to the panel members. For example, the panel site 100 may include televisions 102 and 104, which can be televisions enhanced with hardware and / or software allowing them to process a data flow in addition to a video stream and an audio stream. The panel site 100 may also include a television 106 equipped with a cable TV box 108 which allows the television 106 to be used with a data stream in addition to a video stream and an audio stream. In addition, the panelist site 100 may include computers 110, 112 and 114. In current meter equipment installed by the assignee of the present invention and used to measure conventional receivers, site units and a household unit are typically provided in a site. occupied by a member of the panel. The number of site units that is provided in a location depends on the number of receivers that can be measured used by the occupants of that site. Accordingly, a site unit is provided for each measured receiver, and all site units in place are coupled to the household unit. The site units measure their corresponding receivers and pass the measured data to the household. The home unit assembles the measured data from each of the site units and then sends that data assembled and stored to the central facility 14. For example, the domestic unit can be arranged with marking capability to mark the central facility at a predetermined time or interval during the day. Alternatively, the home unit can respond to survey messages from the central facility in order to provide the cumulative measured data from the site units to the central facility in response to the survey messages. Accordingly, a site unit 116 for the television 102 is provided, a site unit 118 for the television 104 is provided, a site unit 120 is provided for the cable TV box 108, a site unit 122 is provided. for the computer 110 and a site unit 124 for the computer 112 is provided. In addition, a modem 126 is provided for the computer 114. The site units 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 are conveniently coupled to a home unit 130. , which in turn is coupled to the network 30. The modem 126 is directly coupled to the network 30. With this arrangement, the domestic unit 130, in addition to assembling, storing measured data to the central facility 14, also passes the video, audio and data streams of network 30 through site units 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 to televisions 102 and 104, to cable TV box 108 and to computers 110 and 112 .

According to the present invention, the site units, 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 each can implement a measurement system 150 described below in order to measure the tuning and other activities with respect to their receiving equipment. correspondent. Also, since the computer 114 is capable of implementing the measurement system 150, the computer 114 does not require a site unit and can communicate directly with the central facility 14 through the network 30. in reality, depending on the capabilities of the televisions 102 and 104, the cable TV box 108 and the computers 110 and 112, the site units 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 can be eliminated and the televisions 102, and 104, the TV box by cable 108, and computers 110 and 112, each can implement measurement system 150. In this case, domestic unit 130 can also be eliminated. However, it should be noted that, if the domestic unit 130 is eliminated, the number of units interacting directly with the central installation 14 increases dramatically. Alternatively, the site units 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 may be retained although the televisions 102 and 104, the cable TV box 108 and the computers 110, and 112 each implement the measurement system 150. In this case, the site units 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124 can simply perform the function of collecting measured data for sending to the domestic unit 130 or to the central facility 14, directly. As shown in Figure 2, it is assumed that the computer 110 has a universal serial bus (USB) where the site unit 122 is connected, and where the computer 112 has a serial port where the network is connected. site unit 124. However, it should be noted that different connection types, or in addition to a universal serial bus and a serial port can be used with the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the measurement system 150 includes a software meter 200 that periodically interrogates a television tuner application 202 (such as WebTV for the Windows 98 ™ Windows display application) in order to determine the channel and other information with respect to a program, or other data content being presented on a presentation screen within a window or viewing windows. The operation of the software meter 200 may be initiated in response to the sound of a timer, as shown, after adequate notification supplied to the software meter 202 or the like. A television tuner application 202, for example, runs under the Windows-based operating system, each of the televisions 102 and 104, the cable TV box 108 and the computers 110, 112 and 114. The software meter 200 receives channel information from the television tuner application 202. The software meter 200 also receives other information from either the television tuner application 202 or operating system messages. This other information may include size, occlusion and position information for all video and data objects relative to the viewing window. Alternatively or in addition, the software meter 200 may receive auxiliary identification codes of a device unit 204 in those cases where an auxiliary identification code is transmitted along with programs and data to the panelist sites 12. The channel and another Information is passed to a block of credit rules 206, which applies a group of credit rules to the channel and other information in order to determine if the channel and other information must be accredited. A transmission block 208 sends the credited channel and other information directly to the central facility 14 over the network 30. Alternatively, the transmission block 208 may be arranged to send the accredited channel and other information to the home unit 130 for subsequent transmission to the central facility 14. In addition, the transmission block 208 receives user ID information from a user identification block 210. A conventional Nielsen media research (NMR) meter can be used for the user identification block 210 and can be linked to a corresponding site or computer unit. The user registers by pressing a personal identification button or keypad on the NMR people meter. Alternatively, the software meter 200 itself can be arranged to prompt the user to enter the user identification, when the user is using a computer or an enhanced television with a manual input capability. In this regard, when the user identification block 210 detects inactivity (such as no activity on the keyboard or no oppression on the mouse) for a specific period of time, the user identification block 210 may be arranged to incite the user in order to determine if the user is already using the receiver. Similarly, the user identification block 210 may be arranged to incite a viewer to enter the identification of viewers after changing the channel. Other alternatives for the user identification block 210, such as a passive identification device, or a speech or image recognition device are possible. A flow diagram representing a program that can be executed by the software meter is shown in Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, a first portion 200A of the software meter 200 is executed in order to derive data particular in relation to the channel, size of the display window, position of the display window, occlusion of the display window and the like, to be sent to the credit rule block 206. Accordingly, in response to the sound of a 300 timer , a channel change event, and / or similar action, the first portion 200A in a block 301 determines whether the television tuner application 202 has a COM interface. For example, Windows 98 ™ Web TV for the Windows viewer application is composed of COM objects. Each COM object has a public interface that can be requested for status information. One of these interfaces is "Get current channel". This interface provides actual tuned channel information of a corresponding television receiver. Accordingly, the software meter 200 in block 302 periodically invokes the appropriate COM object in order to determine whether the corresponding tuner has changed the channels. If the channel has changed, the new channel is annotated in block 302 and processing continues. (Although not shown in Fig. 4, if the channel has not been changed, the first portion 200A may be arranged to return to the block. 301 after an appropriate waiting period). If the channel has changed, the first portion 200A in a block 302 can also be arranged to obtain other appropriate information. For example, the first portion 200A may be arranged in block 302 to construct an SQL request in order to request program and channel names for the new channel from a Microsoft companion access database. The first portion 200A is also arranged in the block 302 to build other requests in order to obtain other information such as size of the viewing window, position of the viewing window, occlusion of the viewing window, and the like. . Then, the first portion 200A in a block 304 determines whether an electronic programming guide is available with respect to the receiver being measured. If an electronic programming guide is available, the station and / or program names are retrieved from the electronic programming guide in block 306 based on the detected channel. If the television tuner application 202 does not have a COM interface, as determined in block 301, the first portion 200A in a block 308 determines whether the television tuner application 202 has a known application interface (API), which It is a function that can be requested. If the television tuner application 202 has a known API, calling it directly will return the actual or current channel. Also, the first portion 200A can be arranged in block 302 to request the other information discussed above, and the functions of blocks 304, and 306 are invoked. Some applications, such as the Intel Intercast application, have no known COM interface or API. Therefore, another process must be invoked. For example, Microsoft supplies the ToolHelp collection which allows an application to view processes, windows, paths, buffers that are running or are distributed at any time. Accordingly, the first portion 200A in a block 310 can be arranged to check system messages sent from the operating system in order to search for particular processes, modules, paths, tasks, windows, or components. In this way, the channel information, position of the viewing window, size of the viewing window, occlusion of the viewing window, and the like can be determined. In this way, the software meter 200 in block 310 locates the windows that are being presented in the corresponding display screen. A callback function is then provided in block 312 to the Windows operating system in order to receive each of the main window handlers of all currently running processes. In this way, the callback function provided in block 312 obtains the text of each window handle, by calling the control window "obtain window text". The first portion 200A of the software meter 200 in a block 314 searches for a television application among the window handlers obtained in block 312. If there is no window handler indicating a television application, it is assumed that no television program it is currently tuned and the program flow, therefore, returns to block 301 after an appropriate waiting period. However, if the target television application is in block 314, the first portion 200A in a block 316 then locates the daughter windows associated with the television application found in block 314. The daughter windows are subjected to essentially the same processing . In this manner, the first portion 200A in a block 318 provides a callback function in order to investigate the handlers of each of the daughter windows of the specified process. Therefore, the window control return call function provided in block 318 obtains the text of each daughter window manipulator. The first portion 200A in a block 320 determines whether one of the window handlers indicates that the corresponding window contains channel information. If one of the daughter windows contains channel information, that channel information is read in a block 322. The processing in blocks 312-322 can also be used to obtain other information, such as the position of the display window, the size of the viewing window, the occlusion of the viewing window, and the like. The channel information read in block 322 is provided to block 304. Accordingly, if an electronic program guide is available, the channel information read in block 322 is used to look at program and station names in the program guide. electronic programming If no electronic programming guide is available, as determined in block 304, or if an electronic program guide is available and program and station information may be derived therefrom, the channel, program, station, and channel information may be derived from it. / or other information is formatted in a block 324, and the formatted information is provided to the credit rule block 206. A second portion 200B of the software meter 200 is shown in Figure 5. This second portion 200B can be introduced from the block 324. If this second portion 200B is input to the block 324, and if a television tuner card device unit is not provided with the receiver associated with the software meter 200 as determined in a block 400, the program flow returns to block 301 after an appropriate waiting period. However, assuming that a television tuner card device unit is provided with the receiver associated with the software meter, each frame of video data is accepted by the unit. The vertical template interval (VBI) of each frame is digitized in block 400, and the digitized VBI interval is sent to a WDM flow unit 402. The second portion 200B in a block 404 investigates the VBI flow in order to determine if the VBI flow contains an auxiliary identification code. Auxiliary identification codes are often provided by broadcasters in the vertical program template ranges. If no auxiliary identification code is found, the second portion 200B returns block 301 after an appropriate waiting period. On the other hand, if the auxiliary identification code is found, then the auxiliary identification code is extracted in block 406 and is decoded in a block 408. Then, the auxiliary identification code is formatted and sent to the credit rule block 206 together with channel information, program, station, and / or other information formatted in block 324. Credit rule block 206 is shown in Figure 6.

The size of a display window containing a television program is obtained in a block 500. A first rule (or criterion) that is applied by the block 206 of credit rules in a block 502, refers to the minimization of the viewing window containing a television program. According to this rule, if this display window has been reduced to a minimum, then the display is not accredited and, rather, the channel is set to NO_CANAL in a block 504. On the other hand, if the display window has not reduced to a minimum, a second rule is applied in a block 506. This second rule refers to the size of the viewing window containing a television program. According to this rule, if the size of the display window fails to satisfy a minimum window size requirement as determined in block 506, the channel is set to NO_CANAL in block 504. If the size of this display window satisfies the minimum size requirement, a third rule is applied in relation to window occlusion. In order to apply this rule, the amount of window occlusion (i.e., the amount through which another window overlaps and occludes a viewing window containing a television program) is calculated in a block 506. A block 510 implements the third rule by comparing the amount of window occlusion calculated in block 508 with a predetermined maximum amount of window occlusion. If the amount of window occlusion calculated in block 508 is greater than the predetermined maximum amount of window occlusion, the channel is set to NO_CANAL in block 504. However, if the amount of window occlusion calculated in the block 508 is no greater than the predetermined maximum amount of window occlusion a fourth rule relative to the percentage of the display screen filled by a display window containing a television program, is applied. In order to apply this fourth rule, the size of the display screen is obtained in a block 512, and a percentage of this display screen size occupied by the display window containing the television program is calculated in a block 514. A block 516 implements the fourth rule by comparing the calculated percentage in block 514 with a predetermined minimum percentage. If the percentage of the display screen occupied by the viewing window containing a television program is not greater than the predetermined minimum percentage, the channel is set to NO_CANAL in block 504. On the other hand, if the window containing that a television program has not been reduced to a minimum as determined by block 502, if the size of this display window satisfies a minimum window size requirement as determined in block 506, if the amount of window occlusion calculated in the block 508 is not greater than the predetermined maximum amount of the window occlusion as determined in block 510, and if the percentage of the display screen occupied by the display window containing the television program that the predetermined minimum percentage as determined in block 516, the channel is not set to NO_CANAL and, rather, the channel (and other information) associated with the channel The program displayed in the program display window is reported in a block 518 to the transmission block 208. The transmission block 208 is shown in Figure 7. The path over which the channel and other information is reported to the central facility 14 depends on the type of port that is available. Accordingly, the type of transport device determined in a block 600. In this way, the transmission block 208 determines which method of data transmission to use. If the transport is through TCP / IP as determined in a block 602, the transmission block 208 obtains the IP address of the server in the central installation 14 from the memory, as well as the receptacle in which this server is being listened. The data is then cryptically encoded and transmitted to the server in the central facility 14 in a block 604. Accordingly, this method gathers and transmits data in "almost" real time. If the transport is to the domestic unit 130 over a serial port, the serial port is opened in a block 606 and the appropriate data is written to the serial port in a block 608 to be supplied to the domestic unit 130. If the transport is to the domestic unit 130 over a USB port, the USB port is opened in a block 610 and the appropriate data is written to the USB port in a block 612 to be supplied to the household 130. If the transport is to the unit 130 is located on a parallel port, the parallel port is opened in a block 614 and the appropriate data is written to the parallel port in a block 616 to be supplied to the household 130. If the transport is to the household 130 over a port 1394, the port 1394 is opened in a block 618 and the appropriate data is written to the port 1394 in a block 620 to be supplied to the household unit 130. The transmission block 208 can also send data to the domestic unit 130 through power lines or an RF modem. Perhaps the most efficient way to transmit to the collection facility 14 today is through the internet. Personal computers that run any version of Windows ™ have a component called Winsock which can send and receive data over the Internet. If the user is online, the data gathered by the software meter 200 can be sent in real time. For devices that are not permanently connected, a storage and shipping method regulates the data and sends them when a connection is made, or to the domestic unit 130, which sends the data to the central facility 14 at a later time. In the case of a cable TV box that does not have a return channel, or a computer that does not have a modem, the data can be sent over a serial port, a USB port, a parallel port, a 1394 port or similar, using the fixed DSS command and / or the NUB protocol to a corresponding site unit or directly to the household. The data transmitted by the transmission block 208 may comprise any of the following: household identifiers; device identifiers; display identifications; aspects of date / time; and specific viewed data such as URL, a program identification, a source identification, a station name, a program name, program identification codes, signatures taken from the viewed program, game information, PC configuration information / STB ad badges, display area information, and the like. The server in the central facility 14 performs at least one data collection function and one data dissemination function, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, respectively. As shown in Figure 8, the data collection function receives data in a TCP / IP 700 audio block in the case of data transmitted over the internet. These received data are validated / authenticated, cryptically decoded and formatted in a block 702. The data is then loaded through a data loader 704 into a database 706. For serial data, the serial data comes through a modem in a block 708 and are formatted in a block 710. These data are loaded by the database loader 704 in the database 706. When a client requests a report from the central facility 14, the request may come on the Internet as an HTTP request made by typing a URL in an examiner. When the request is received by the central installation 14, the client is validated in a block 720 by verifying the registration identification and the password of the clients. If the registration identification and password provided by the client do not agree, the client does not receive the requested report. On the other hand, if the customer has entered an appropriate combination of a registration identification and a password, so that the client is given access to the database 706, a short form is presented to the client in a block 724, with In order to gather the necessary information for the question owned by the client. This question is formatted in a block 726 and is used in a block 728 to request the database 706 and to extract the required information from it. This information is appropriately formatted in a report in a block 730 and the report is returned to the client in a block 732. For example, the report can be returned as data formatted by HTML. Certain modifications of the present invention have been discussed above. Other modifications will occur to those who practice the present invention. For example, as described above, the software meter 200 may respond to the sound of a timer in order to interrogate the television tuner application 202. Rather, the software meter 200 may be arranged to verify operating system messages. in order to detect channel information or other pertinent information. Also, the measurement described above is performed through the software meter 200. Rather, the measurement can be performed through hardware or through a combination of hardware and software. Similarly, the credit described above is performed by software implemented by credit rules in block 206. Rather, the credit can be made through hardware or through a combination of hardware or software. The transmission block 208 can also be arranged. In addition, if a receiver with plural tuners is provided, programs in plural windows can be presented for viewing and / or listening. In this case, the present invention can be arranged to measure each of these viewing windows. In addition, as described above, certain credit rules are applied by the credit rule block 206. Furthermore, if there are two or more viewing windows, the credit rule block 206 may be arranged to accredit the display only with respect to to the display window associated with the audio supplied to the receiver's announcers, with the size of the viewing window, with the position / z order of the viewing window, or similar. In addition, the software represented by the flowcharts described here and mentioned above, can be written in Java so that the software essentially independent of the hardware. Accordingly, the description of the present invention should be constructed only as illustrative and for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the invention. The details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and exclusive use of all modifications that are within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

Claims (83)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method to accredit the visualization with respect to a viewing window that is presented on a screen, where the viewing window has a size, where the screen has a size, and where the method comprises the following steps: a) apply a default credit rule to the viewing window; and b) credit the display with respect to the display window only if the display window satisfies the predetermined credit rule. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimizing, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises a minimum window size, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the viewing window only if the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises an amount of occlusion of the display window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with with respect to the display window only if the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the display window only if the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first display window is a viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein the audio is reproduced with respect to one of the first and second display windows, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display only with respect to one of the first and second display windows associated with the audio. The method according to claim 1, wherein the viewing window is a first viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein one of the first and second viewing windows is larger , and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display only with respect to the largest of the first and second display windows. The method according to claim 1, wherein the viewing window is a first viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein one of the first and second viewing windows is a more superior viewing window, and wherein step b) comprises the step crediting the display only with respect to the uppermost viewing window. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization and a minimum display window size, and wherein step b) comprises the step crediting the display only with respect to the display window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the size of the viewing window is larger than the minimum window size. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization and an amount of occlusion of the display window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization and a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein step b) comprises crediting the display with respect to to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises a minimum window size and an occlusion amount of the display window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the viewing window only if the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises a minimum window size and a percentage of the screen occupied by the visualization window, and wherein step b) it comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the display window only if the size of the display window is greater than the minimum window size and the percentage of the screen occupied by the display window is greater than a minimum percentage. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises an amount of occlusion of the viewing window and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window, wherein step b ) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the viewing window only if the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization, minimum window size and an amount of occlusion of the viewing window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the visualization with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum or and the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization, minimum window size and a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein step b ) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the display window only if the display window is not reduced to the minimum and the size of the display window is larger than the minimum window size and the percentage of the screen occupied by The display window is greater than a minimum percentage. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises a minimum window size, an amount of occlusion of the viewing window and a percentage of the screen occupied by the window of visualization, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the visualization with respect to the viewing window only if the size of the viewing window is larger than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window. display is less than a maximum occlusion and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization, an amount of occlusion of the viewing window and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of Accredit the visualization with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization, minimum window size, an amount of occlusion of the viewing window and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window, and wherein step b) comprises the step of crediting the display with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum, and the size of the viewing window is larger than the size minimum of the window and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein steps a) and b) are implemented by software written in Java. 21. A method for measuring video presented in a window on a screen of a display device, comprising the following steps: a) determining whether the display device has a COM interface or an API interface; b) if the display device has a COM interface, determine the channel data from a related object channel of the COM interface; and c) if the display device has an API interface, request the API interface in order to determine channel data associated with a video application. The method according to claim 21, comprising the additional step of: d) determining a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the channel data determined in step b) or c). The method according to claim 21, comprising the additional step of: d) if the display device has neither a COM interface nor an API interface, determine the channel data of the window controls within an application display. The method according to claim 23, comprising the additional step of: e) determining a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the channel data determined in step b) or c). 25. The method according to claim 23, comprising the additional steps of: e) finding main windows; f) find a main video application window of the main windows found in step e); g) finding daughters windows from the main video application window found in step f); h) find a daughter window related to the channel of the daughter windows found in step g); and i) determining channel data of the daughter window related to the channel found in step a). 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein step f) comprises the following step: using a call back function to find the main video application window of the main windows. 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein step h) comprises the following step: using a callback function to find the daughter window related to channel. The method according to claim 25, wherein step h) comprises the additional step of: determining a program and / or station of an electronic program guide based on the channel data determined in step 29. The method according to claim 21, wherein the display device is a computer. 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the display device is a television. 31. The method according to claim 21, wherein the display device is a combination of a television and a cable TV box. 32. The method according to claim 21, wherein steps a), b) and c) are implemented by software written in Java. 33. A software meter arranged to measure video presented in a window on a display of a display device, the software meter being executed by a processor, the software meter comprising: a) a first executable program code for determining tuning data of a video application in relation to the presented video; and b) a second executable program code for determining an auxiliary identification code in relation to the presented video. 34. The software meter according to claim 33, wherein the second program code determines the auxiliary identification code of a device unit. 35. The software meter according to claim 32 wherein the device unit is a device unit for a video tuning card. 36. The software meter according to claim 33, further comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 37. The software meter according to claim 33, wherein the first program is arranged to (i) determine whether the display device has a COM interface or an API interface, (ii) determine channel data of an object related to channel of a COM interface and the display device has the COM interface; and (iii) determining application channel data related to data associated with a video application if the display device has an API interface. 38. The software meter according to claim 37, wherein the first program code is arranged to determine channel data of the window text if the display device has neither a COM interface nor an API interface. 39. The software meter according to claim 38, further comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 40. The software meter according to claim 38, wherein the first program code is arranged to (i) find main windows, (ii) find a main video application window of the main windows, (iii) find daughter windows of the main video application window, (iv) find a daughter window related to daughter window channels and (v) determine channel data of the daughter window related to channels. 41. The software meter according to claim 40 wherein, the first program code is arranged to use a call back function in order to find the main video application window of the main windows. 42. The software meter according to claim 40, wherein the first program code is arranged to use a callback function to find the daughter window related to the channel. 43. The software meter according to claim 40, further comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 44. The software meter according to claim 33, wherein the software meter is written in Java. 45. A measurement system for measuring the video display presented in a window on a screen of a display device comprising: a software meter arranged to determine identification data related to the video presented in the window; and a creditor willing to apply a credit rule to determine if the identification data is credited. 46. The method of measurement according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit the identification data only if the display window is not reduced to a minimum. 47. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise a minimum window size and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only if the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size. 48. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise an amount of occlusion of the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit the identification data only if the amount occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. 49. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit identification data only if the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 50. The measurement system according to the claim 45, wherein the viewing window is a first viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein the audio is reproduced with respect to one of the first and second viewing windows, and where the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only with respect to one of the first and second display windows associated with the audio. 51. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the viewing window is a first viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein one of the first and second viewing windows it is a larger viewing window, and where the creditor understands a program code to accredit identification data only with a larger viewing window. 52. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the viewing window is a first viewing window, wherein a second viewing window is presented on the screen, wherein one of the first and second viewing windows it is a more superior viewing window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only with respect to the uppermost window. 53. The measurement system according to the claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization and minimum window size, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the size of the window of display is greater than the minimum window size. 54. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization and an amount of occlusion of the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit identification data only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. 55. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit the identification data. only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 56. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise a minimum window size and an amount of display window occlusion, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit the data of identification only if the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. 57. The measurement system according to the claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise a minimum window size and a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only if the display window is greater than the minimum window size and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 58. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise an amount of occlusion of the display window and a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a code of program to accredit identification data only if the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion, and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 59. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization, minimum window size, and an amount of occlusion of the viewing window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to credit identification data only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion. 60. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization, minimum window size, and a percentage of the screen occupied by the display window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum and the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a percentage minimum. 61. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise a minimum window size, an occlusion amount of the viewing window, and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window and in where the creditor comprises a program code to accredit identification data only if the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion, and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 62. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the predetermined credit rule applied in step a) comprises minimization, an amount of occlusion of the display window, and a percentage of the screen occupied by the window of display, and where step b) the step credited the view with respect to the viewing window only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum window and the amount of occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion , and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 63. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the credit rules comprise minimization, minimum window size, an amount of occlusion of the viewing window, and a percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window, and wherein the creditor comprises a program code to accredit the identification data only if the viewing window is not reduced to the minimum window and the size of the viewing window is greater than the minimum window size, and the amount of Occlusion of the viewing window is less than a maximum occlusion, and the percentage of the screen occupied by the viewing window is greater than a minimum percentage. 64. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the software meter has a first program code to determine whether the display device has a COM interface or an API interface, and a second program code to determine channel data of an object related to the COM interface channel or of the application related data associated with a video application through the API interface. 65. The measurement system according to claim 64, wherein the software meter has a third program code for determining a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the channel data. 66. The measurement system according to claim 64, wherein the software meter has a third program code for determining channel data of the window text if the display device has neither a COM interface nor an API interface. . 67. The measurement system according to claim 66, wherein the software meter has a fourth program code for determining a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the channel data. 68. The measurement system according to claim 66, wherein the software meter has a fourth program code for finding main windows, wherein the software meter has a fifth program code to find a main application window of video of the main windows, where the software meter has a sixth program code to find daughters windows from the main video application window, where the software meter has a seventh program code to find a daughter window with relation to the channel of the daughter windows, and where the software meter has an eighth program code to determine channel data of the daughter window related to the channel. 69. The measurement system according to claim 68, wherein the fourth program code uses a call back function to find the main video application window of the main windows. 70. The measurement system according to claim 68, wherein the sixth program code uses a callback function to find the daughter window related to the channel. 71. The measurement system according to claim 68, wherein the software meter has a ninth program code for determining a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the channel data. 72. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the software meter comprises: a) a first executable program code for determining tuning data from a video application related to the presented video; and b) a second executable program code for determining an auxiliary identification code in relation to the presented video. 73. The measuring system according to claim 72, wherein the second program code determines the auxiliary identification code of a device unit. 74. The measurement system according to claim 73, wherein the device unit is a device unit for a video tuning card. 75. The measurement system according to claim 72, comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 76. The measurement system according to claim 72, wherein the first program code is arranged to (i) determine whether the display device has a COM interface or an API interface, (ii) determine channel data of a object related to channel of a COM interface, if the display device has a COM interface, and (iii) determine channel data of the application-related data associated with a video application if the display device has an API interface. 77. The measurement system according to claim 76, wherein the first program code is arranged to determine channel data of the window text if the visualization device has neither a COM interface nor an API interface. 78. The measurement system according to claim 77, comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 79. The measurement system according to claim 77, wherein the first program code is arranged to (i) find main windows, (ii) find a main video application window of the main windows and (ii) find daughters windows of the main video application window, (iv) find a daughter window related to a channel of the daughters windows, and (v) determine channel data of the daughter window related to the channel. 80. The measurement system according to claim 79, wherein the first program code is arranged to use a call back function in order to find the main video application window of the main windows. 81. The measurement system according to claim 79, wherein the first program code is arranged to use a callback function to find the daughter advantage related to the channel. 82. The measurement system according to claim 79, comprising a third program code arranged to determine a program and / or station of an electronic programming guide based on the tuning data. 83. The measurement system according to claim 45, wherein the software meter is written in Java.