Abstract: A system and method of state machine management includes loading a state machine. The state machine includes states, transitions between respective pairs of the states, and tasks for each of the state transitions. Each of the tasks represents a precondition before a corresponding state transition may occur and is identified by a task identifier and a version. The method further includes identifying a current state, providing a status of a first task associated with an outgoing state transition from the current state to an agent, receiving an update to the status of the first task, and recording the update to the status of the first task as a first task event. The task is identified by a first task identifier and a first version. The first task event records the first task identifier, the first version, a first time stamp of when the update occurred, and the agent.

Abstract: A technique for offering a reward to an audience member tuned to a broadcast signal which is performed by reproduction equipment, the broadcast signal having commercial content, program content, and commercial content identification codes respectively corresponding to advertisements contained in the commercial content, wherein the audience member captures the commercial content identification codes from the performed broadcast signal and actuates storing of a segment of a program content from the performed broadcast signal. The technique identifies the program based on the segment thereof that was stored in response to the command, and offers the audience member a reward related to the identified program.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for monitoring viewership of programs being performed on reproduction equipment in response to a received broadcast signal. The technique comprises receiving the broadcast signal to provide a received output signal, adding a selected monitoring code to the received output signal to provide a combined output signal, inputting the received output signal to reproduction equipment for performing programs in the broadcast signal and for transmitting the monitoring code, detecting the transmitted monitoring code with a code detector positioned in proximity to the reproduction equipment; and providing viewership information based on the monitoring code.

Abstract: An interactive technique for generating a supplementary, program-related output. A programming signal and a supplementary, program-related data signal containing rewards data for product or service purchases are combined into a broadcast signal which is then broadcast from a program signal source. The broadcast signal is received, and the programming signal of the received broadcast signal is performed with reproduction equipment for an audience. The rewards data is stored on a portable storage media for use in accessing rewards corresponding to the rewards data. The rewards data can be used for printing coupons used in redeeming the rewards or for use in accessing rewards validation codes for storage on the portable storage media. The portable storage media and/or the printed coupons can then be used to purchase the corresponding goods or services.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for identifying members of an audience tuned to a program broadcast by a programming signal source, comprising the steps of storing personal identification signals in a plurality of portable devices to be carried by members of the audience; periodically transmitting said identification signals from the portable devices; providing a stationary detector to detect the identification signals if they exceed a selectable response of said detector; and setting the selectable response of said detector to a level such that the identification signals are detected only if the respective portable devices are located relative to the detector in positions where persons can perceive performance of the broadcast program.

Abstract: Providing a reward as an incentive for a person to become an audience member of at least one program being performed by reproduction equipment. A programming signal used for broadcasting the program with a programming signal source is encoded with discrete code signals, such that a preset number of the code signals occur within a given period of time, to produce an output signal which is broadcast. The broadcast output signal is received, and the code signals therein are detected. The number of the code signals detected while the person is an audience member of the at least one program is compared with predetermined reward issuance criteria. A reward is issued when the reward issuance criteria are met by the number of detected code signals.