Abstract: A market research database includes first and second information sets. The first information set contains first market research information, and the second information set contains second market research information. The market research database also includes a set of dynamic rules. At least one rule of the set of dynamic rules is arranged to respond to first data being entered into the first information set by entering second, different data into the second information set.

Abstract: A market research database includes industry code information containing industry codes (such as UPCs), naked product information containing information about naked products, package information containing information about packages, and product definition information linking naked product information, package information, and industry codes. Accordingly, the storage of information in the database is not dependent upon UPCs or other industry codes, making access to product related information difficult. The use of naked product information, together with the way of identifying products, facilitate a third normal form database.

Abstract: An ancillary signal is injected into a program signal within the frequency band normally occupied by the program signal alone. The program signal includes a modulated carrier having a carrier frequency and a low energy density portion of the frequency band. The ancillary signal is selectively added at an injection frequency within the lower energy density portion of the frequency band so that the injection frequency is locked to the carrier frequency and to the frequency of a local oscillator.

Abstract: A correlation meter is disclosed for determining tuning status of a tunable receiver. The correlation meter receives an output of the tunable receiver, such as an acoustic audio output of the tunable receiver. An analog to digital converter converts the output of the tunable receiver to a digital sample side representation. An antenna or other signal collector receives reference side representations corresponding to channels to which the tunable receiver may be tuned. The correlation meter correlates the digital sample side representation and the reference side representations as the reference side representations are received by the correlation meter in order to determine the tuning status of the tunable receiver.

Abstract: A program monitoring system which monitors programs aired by a plurality of broadcast stations includes a plurality of the broadcast stations. Each broadcast station transmits to a central station program information concerning programs aired by the broadcast stations. The program information includes identification information for each of the programs, and information relating to a cost of airing each of the programs. The identification information concerning the programs may be different between broadcast stations. The central station receives the program information and determines therefrom identities of the programs aired by the broadcast stations and the cost of airing these programs.

Abstract: In a passive identification apparatus for identifying a predetermined individual member of a television viewing audience in a monitored viewing area, a video image of a monitored viewing area is captured. A template matching score is provided for an object in the video image. A Eigenface recognition score is provided for an object in the video image. These scores may be provided by comparing objects in the video image to reference files. The template matching score and the Eigenface recognition score are fused to form a composite identification record from which a viewer may be identified. Body shape matching, viewer tracking, viewer sensing, and/or historical data may be used to assist in viewer identification. The reference files may be updated as recognition scores decline.

Abstract: A multi-level encoded signal monitoring system and a universal broadcast code are provided. A plurality of encoders are provided for encoding a predetermined program source signal. The program source signal has a plurality of sequential segments. Each encoder is arranged for selectively encoding information on uniquely specified segments. A plurality of unique source information message data are selectively encoded on the uniquely specified segments to define the universal broadcast code with each unique encoded source information message data being representative of a level of distribution of the program signal. The predetermined program source signal is received and the encoded information on selected specified segments is decoded.

Abstract: An attachment is arranged to permit channel metering of any of a variety of receivers which incorporates serial data communication buses. The attachment includes a computer for reading channel information carried by the serial data communication bus of a monitored receiver, a field programmable gate array which may be programmed to customize the attachment to the serial data communication bus arrangement and to the data format of any of a wide variety of receivers, and an isolator to isolate the attachment from the monitored receiver.

Abstract: An audience measurement system collects data representative of tuned programs rather than of tuned channels, and includes (i) a household metering apparatus which records ancillary codes or extracts program signatures from the programs if no ancillary codes are found therein, (ii) a reference apparatus which monitors broadcast programs to be monitored, which extracts reference signatures therefrom, which records whatever ancillary codes may be associated with these broadcast programs and, if no ancillary codes are present, which compresses and stores a digital replica representative of the broadcast programs to be monitored, (iii) a data collection apparatus which compares the household and reference data to determine (a) which of the broadcast programs to be monitored were selected for viewing and/or listening, (b) which of the metered households selected the broadcast programs to be monitored for viewing and/or listening, and (c) at which times the broadcast programs to be monitored were selected for viewin

Abstract: An in-station method and apparatus for encoding television programs, including commercials, with a digital identification code recorded on a selected video scan line which is not normally visible to the television viewer, and for verifying the proper airing of such programs by such television broadcast station. The encoding and decoding is performed at the broadcast station during its normal operating procedure. The program is encoded during the normal dubbing procedure when a program video tape is dubbed to a video cartridge for use by the broadcast station's library management system. The decoder is located either at the station at an off-air monitor, or at the transmitter, where it monitors the transmitted signal from the broadcast station and records the occurrence of encoded programs or commercials. The information generated is stored locally for later transmission to a host computer where the information can be combined with information from other broadcast stations and other databases.

Abstract: A multi-level encoded signal monitoring system and a universal broadcast code are provided. A plurality of encoders are provided for encoding a predetermined program source signal. The program source signal has a plurality of sequential segments. Each encoder is arranged for selectively encoding information on uniquely specified segments. A plurality of unique source information message data are selectively encoded on the uniquely specified segments to define the universal broadcast code with each unique encoded source information message data being representative of a level of distribution of the program signal. The predetermined program source signal is received and the encoded information on selected specified segments is decoded.

Abstract: A market research system and method are provided. A plurality of cooperating establishments are included in a market research test area. Each cooperating establishment is adapted for collecting and storing market research data. A computer system remotely located from the plurality of cooperating establishments stores market research data collected from the cooperating establishments. The collected market research data includes monitored retail sales transactions and captured video images of retail customers.

Abstract: A market research system and method are provided. A plurality of cooperating establishments are included in a market research test area. Each cooperating establishment is adapted for collecting and storing market research data. A computer system remotely located from the plurality of cooperating establishments stores a library of bar coded indicia and market research data collected from the cooperating establishments. A unique bar coded indicia is assigned to multiple displays within each of the plurality of cooperating establishments. A corresponding assigned bar coded indicia is applied to the displays within each cooperating establishment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the channel to which a receiver is tuned includes a controller having a microprocessor, a ROM for storage of programs, a RAM for storage of data and a data storage and communication device; a controlled panel mounted adjacent a light emitting diode (LED) display on the receiver that displays the channel to which the receiver is tuned; and a light detection device mounted in association with the panel. The panel normally is maintained transparent so that the LED display may be readily seen through the panel. In order to determine the number being displayed on the LED display, selected portions of the panel are sequentially rendered transparent while the remaining portions of the panel are maintained opaque. The controller determines which selected portions of the panel have light being transmitted therethrough from the LED display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a particular transmitting station from which program signals are received and translated by a monitored receiver within a test area and including mobile receivers. A stored transmitter characteristic table includes a corresponding transmitting station identification stored with a predefined subarea of a plurality of predefined subareas within the test area for each predetermined tuned frequency of the monitored receiver. A tuned frequency of the monitored receiver is identified and the particular transmitting station corresponding to the identified tuned frequency is identified responsive to both the identified tuned frequency of the monitored receiver and the stored transmitter characteristic table. The identified transmitting station data is stored with time of occurrence data.

Abstract: A market research system is provided for management of manufacturer's discount coupon offers. The market research system includes an automated coupon processing system for processing coupon redemption data. The coupon redemption data includes offer identification. At least one manufacturer provides a coupon release input. A central controller is coupled to the coupon processing system and the manufacturer for receiving the coupon redemption data and the coupon release input. The central controller defines a knowledge database responsive to the received coupon redemption data. Responsive to the defined knowledge database, the central controller generates a response template library. The central controller selects a response template from the generated response template library responsive to a received coupon release input and transmits the selected response template to the manufacturer.

Abstract: A co-channel communication system allows transmission of one or more data signals in an active or visible portion of a video raster in a manner that is imperceptible to a viewer. More particularly, the data signal is transmitted over a preselected active video lines of a video raster. In order to reduce the perceptibility of the data signal, the video lines over which the data signal is transmitted is varied according to a random sequence. In an alternate embodiment, the data is also modulated at relatively low modulation levels, for example, by converting the data signal to a spread spectrum signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying one of a plurality of operational modes of a monitored video cassette recorder (VCR). A sensor is positioned near the monitored VCR for detecting a radiated signal of the monitored VCR. The detected signal is appplied to a filter for filtering the detected signal and for providing a plurality of predetermined band-pass filtered signals. A neural network is used for processing the plurality of predetermined band-pass filtered signals to identify the operational mode of the VCR.

Abstract: An image recognition system and method are provided for identifying a pattern of a plurality of predetermined patterns in a video image. A plurality of feature image signatures are stored corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined patterns. A universal feature image signature is stored that includes each of the stored feature image signatures. A predefined series of portions of a captured video image is sequentially compared with the universal feature image signature to identify matching portions. Each of the identified matching video image portions is compared with the stored feature image signatures to identify the predetermined pattern.