Abstract: A method for providing a wagering system regarding at least a partial result in at least one broadcast event. The method includes determining a prize payout amount for a winning wager based, at least partially, upon an audience rating of the broadcast event; and crediting the prize payout amount to an electronic account of a wagering party having the winning wager. The winning wager does not include a financial risk by the wagering party.

Abstract: A personal computer appliance programmed to provide an investor with means for integrating current market data into a customized structure comprised of an investor's personal investment parameters and for alerting the investor of a correlation of market data with selected parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, include an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, include an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, include an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with television signals. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a task or situation presented in the television program by entering a response vocally or on a keyboard. The system may include a video game machine suitable for playing commercially available games such as an NINTENDO game or a SEGA game, and wherein such game may be played back from a recording.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, simulcast, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard.

Abstract: A system and method for wagering and for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at the remote station.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with television signals. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a task or situation presented in the television program by entering a response vocally or on a keyboard. The system may include a video game machine suitable for playing commercially available games such as an NINTENDO game or a SEGA game, and wherein such game may be played back from a recording.

Abstract: A retail outlet with billing facilities has an integrated couponing system, including a printer to record on shoppers' coupons pay-off values randomly determined by the couponing system within predetermined parameters. Discount and other pay-off values are recorded on coupons associated with product categories. Value consideration is given a shopper by deducting the coupon value from the shopper's bill before shopper takes possession of the merchandise. Random prizes add excitement to the shopping experience.

Abstract: A system and method for wagering and for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at the remote station.

Abstract: A system for generating product coupons at remote locations. The system includes an apparatus for receiving and storing product information signals broadcast from a central location. The apparatus is connected to a television at the remote location and has a coupon generating unit. The coupon generating unit can generate a product coupon having selectively entered product information thereon. The system further comprises a switch such that stored product information signals can be displayed on the television.

Abstract: Methods for the evaluation of stimuli such as broadcast commercials intended to promote purchases by shoppers are disclosed. The methods quantify the effectiveness of controlled variables of stimuli and of inducements associated therewith. The immediate impact and degree of erosion of the impact of stimuli on families and on individual household members are measured. Inducements can take the form of printouts, such as monetary coupons, dispensed in homes of broadcast audience members who have responded to a task. The system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast or telephone programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal, such as a signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed therewith. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of an audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the program by entering a response or a selection on a keyboard.

Abstract: Tokens and coupons are generated in a television viewer's home by the viewer entering selected product information and authentication data transmitted to and displayed on the television into a home generating unit. The tokens and coupons can be presented to stores or redemption facilities for prizes and discounts on selected products. The matrix used to record the product information and verification data may also be provided with a code for use in giving additional prizes to purchasers whose code matches a predetermined code. The generating unit may also comprise a memory for storing information regarding the coupons generated by the unit for later review by marketing and manufacturing companies.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as televison programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations.

Abstract: An illuminating system for projecting light upwardly from a light chamber without being directly visible to nearby observers. The system has a cavity disposed above the light chamber forming a vertical passageway for light. The cavity has a light blocker in the passageway for restricting the upward passage of light such that the restricted light beam passing through the cavity does not substantially impinge upon the inner surface of the cavity walls near their upper ends.

Abstract: In an illuminating apparatus having an electric light source housed in a container permitting light to escape upwardly towards an object supported above and in close proximity to the light source, the improvement comprising two horizontal, vertically spaced sheets having apertures in vertical register disposed above the light source, said sheets acting as light baffles, so that light escapes upwardly in the shape of spreading light beams. The neck surfaces of the apertures are minimized and made non-reflective, so that observers are protected from the glare of the light source and from reflections of light from components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a voice signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing desired responses, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations.