Abstract: A dynamic television audience measurement system (AMS) and method are disclosed. The system comprises a central level AMS sub-system, a local node level AMS subsystem in communication with the central level AMS sub-system, a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems in communication with the local node level AMS sub-system, and a plurality of display devices, wherein each display device is monitored by a client level AMS sub-system. The central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors, transmits the panel definitions to the local node level AMS subsystem, and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS subsystem. The local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, receives viewership reports from each client level AMS sub-systems, and transmits a merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system.

Abstract: Dynamic television audience measurement systems (AMS) and methods are disclosed. The system comprises a central level AMS sub-system, a local node level AMS sub-system, a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and a plurality of display devices, each monitored by a client level AMS sub-system. The central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors and transmits the panel definitions to and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS sub-system. The local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from and transmits the merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to and receives viewership reports from the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and merges the viewership reports into the merged viewership report. Each client level AMS sub-systems receives panel definitions from and transmits the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system and compiles the viewership report.

Abstract: A method of generating television Audience Measurement System (AMS) reports and a system executing the method are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a plurality of encoded report payloads from a plurality of client devices, storing the encoded report payloads in a database, transferring at least one encoded report payload from the database into randomly addressable memory (RAM), decoding the at least one encoded report payload in RAM, parsing the decoded data in RAM with at least one matching algorithm to determine the occurrence of events, compiling a database of parsed data, and generating an AMS report from the database of parsed data.

Abstract: Unique content identifiers allow users to find and select desired network or locally stored content or applications, solving a problem of user content search and selection in systems that provide access to large libraries of content. A method of selecting digital media content according to the invention includes the steps of providing a database of content ID codes, wherein each code uniquely and permanently identifies different, specific digital media content. One or more of the content ID codes are entered using an input device, which causes the immediate or scheduled viewing of the content associated with the input ID code. The content ID code may be numerical, alphanumerical, or may comprise some form of uniform resource identifier. The digital media content is a broadcast video program, an on-demand video program, an on-demand application program, or a game. The database, or portions thereof, may be electronically stored at the location of the display or at a location remote from the display.