Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding broadcast or recorded segments and monitoring audience exposure thereto
US5579124A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04H60/94
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for encoding and decoding information in broadcast or recorded segment signals are described. In certain embodiments, an audience monitoring system encodes identification information in the audio signal portion of a broadcast or recorded segment using spread spectrum encoding. A personal monitoring device receives an acoustically reproduced version of the broadcast or recorded signal via a microphone, decodes the identification information from the audio signal portion despite significant ambient noise, and stores this information, automatically providing a diary for the audience member which is later uploaded to a centralized facility. A separate monitoring device decodes additional information from the broadcast signal, which is matched with the audience diary information at the central facility. This monitor may simultaneously send data to the centralized facility using a dial-up telephone line, and receive data from the centralized facility through a signal encoded using a spread spectrum technique and modulated with a broadcast signal from a third-party.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.