US5826164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Technique for surveying a radio or a television audience
Assignee: Winmore Inc
•
Filing: 1995-10-26
•
Granted: 1998-10-20
•
Expires: 2015-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A surveying technique transmits a combined signal made up of a programming signal and a surveying signal, both of which are in the audible range. The surveying signal is uniquely coded to identify a signal source such as a radio station or television channel. At the receiver, the surveying signal is separated from the programming signal and then modified so as to be reproduced outside the audible range for detection by a portable unit worn by a person being monitored for his listening and/or viewing habits. The detection of the inaudible survey signal by the portable unit identifies the signal source to which the person was tuned.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee S. Weinblatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; H04H20/30; H04H20/31; H04H60/00; H04H60/35; H04H60/38; H04H60/39; H04H60/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for surveying an audience to determine whether a tuning device is tuned to a given signal source which is transmitting a survey signal at preset intervals and is characteristic of said signal source, comprising: means to detect a first occurrence of the survey signal received by said tuning device and to store a first time signal in response to said first occurrence; means to inhibit storing a time signal in response to receptions of said survey signal following said first time signal; means to generate a stop signal upon stoppage of said survey signal being received; and means to store a second time signal in response to said stop signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for surveying an audience to determine whether a tuning device is tuned to a given signal source which is transmitting a survey signal at preset intervals and is characteristic of said signal source, comprising: means to detect a first occurrence of the survey signal received by said tuning device and to store a first time signal in response to said first occurrence; means to inhibit storing a time signal in response to receptions of said survey signal following said first time signal; means to generate a stop signal upon stoppage of said survey signal being received; and means to store a second time signal in response to said stop signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first time signal is a start time and said second time signal is an end time indicative of an interval of time during which the receiver unit was tuned to the signal source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3906450A
Cited
US4025851A
Cited
US4258386A
Cited
US4230990A
Cited
US4230990C1
Cited
US4599644A
Cited
EP0135192A2
Cited
US4613904A
Cited
EP0172095A1
Cited
US4845755A
Cited
US4718106A
Cited
GB2196167A
Cited
US4931871A
Cited
US4945412A
Cited
US5023929A
Cited
US5168372A
Cited
US5382970A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |