Cable television viewing statistics
US8413200B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S705/901
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A cable television method for a cable television network involves sending a polling message to a modem forming a part of a television set top box from a cable television headend via a cable television cable connection to the set top box; wherein the polling message instructs the cable television set top box to report a currently tuned channel of the television set top box; receiving a response message from the cable television set top box transmitted by the modem and containing the currently tuned channel of the television set top box; and compiling the currently tuned channel information from a plurality of set top boxes received in response messages to determine actual program viewing statistics for a television time slot during which the polling responses were sent. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.