US3947624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for conducting a television audience survey
Assignee: TOTSU CO Ltd
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Filing: 1974-11-01
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Granted: 1976-03-30
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Expires: 1994-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for conducting a television audience survey in which a channel switch position detector and a television receiver on/off detector is attached to each television receiver in a sampled household and the information obtained from the channel switch position detectors is transmitted as a pulse train signal via a transmission media to a survey center. At the survey center, the pulse train signal is demodulated to recover the transmitted information which is processed in a computer as statistical data.
Inventors
- 👤 Nobuo Miyake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/29; H04H60/32; H04H60/35; H04H60/38; H04H60/41; H04H60/43; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N2007/1739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for conducting a television audience survey comprising: means operatively coupled to the channel selector switch of each television receiver in a sampled household for detecting the position thereof and for generating a pulse code signal including a plurality of data bits indicative of said position; means for generating a characteristic train of identification pulses; means for adding and transmitting over a transmission means said train of identification pulses followed by said pulse code signal; means operatively coupled to the on/off switch of each said television receiver for detecting the operation thereof and for automatically activating said channel selector switch position detecting means, said identification pulses generating means, and said adding and transmitting means when a said television receiver is turned on so as to automatically and continuously transmit over said transmission means said train of identification pulses and said pulse code signal for each television receiver which is on; means at a survey center connected to said transmission means for receiving information thereon and responsive to the occurrence of said characteristic train of identification pulses for demodulating received pulse code signals; and computer means coupled to said receiving and demodulating means for processing said demodulated pulse code signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for conducting a television audience survey comprising: means operatively coupled to the channel selector switch of each television receiver in a sampled household for detecting the position thereof and for generating a pulse code signal including a plurality of data bits indicative of said position; means for generating a characteristic train of identification pulses; means for adding and transmitting over a transmission means said train of identification pulses followed by said pulse code signal; means operatively coupled to the on/off switch of each said television receiver for detecting the operation thereof and for automatically activating said channel selector switch position detecting means, said identification pulses generating means, and said adding and transmitting means when a said television receiver is turned on so as to automatically and continuously transmit over said transmission means said train of identification pulses and said pulse code signal for each television receiver which is on; means at a survey center connected to said transmission means for receiving information thereon and responsive to the occurrence of said characteristic train of identification pulses for demodulating received pulse code signals; and computer means coupled to said receiving and demodulating means for processing said demodulated pulse code signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said receiving and demodulating means comprises: data storage means; means for receiving said information from said transmission means; and means responsive to the occurrence of said characteristic train of identification pulses for transferring said pulse code signals from said receiving means to said data storage means, the output of said data storage means being applied to said computer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 for conducting a television audience survey in a household having plural television receivers further comprising: plural channel selector switch position detecting means, one for each of said television receivers, for generating pulse code signals indicative of the positions of the channel selector switches of said plural television receivers, said adding and transmitting means being responsive to said plural channel selector switch position detecting means and said identification pulses generating means for serially adding and transmitting after said characteristic train of identification pulses the pulse code signals from each of said television receivers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising: plural operation detecting means, one for each of said television receivers, coupled to the on/off switches of respective television receivers in said sample household, each said operation detecting means automatically activating its associated channel selector switch position detecting means, said identification pulses generating means, and said adding and transmitting means when its respective television receiver is turned on.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |