Abstract: Systems and methods for providing television ratings based upon data from consumer-owned set-top boxes. Consumers can decide to share television viewing data with a ratings provider. Consumers also can decide to share viewing data periodically or continuously, and whether they will share their demographic data with the ratings provider. The ratings provider can aggregate all of the data and associated demographic data of consumers sharing viewing data continuously, and compare the aggregated data with the viewing data of consumers sharing viewing data periodically, thereby validating the aggregated data. A ratings provider collecting viewing behavior from set-top boxes owned by service providers, and also from opt-in consumer-owned set-top boxes, can extrapolate from the sample sets viewership behavior attributes of the consumers who own set-top boxes and have elected not to opt-in for data collection.

Abstract: Presenting answers to a plurality of recipients comprises presenting media content to the recipients, presenting a question based on the content to the recipients, and presenting answers to the recipients. The answers presented to one recipient are different from the answers presented to another recipient. The answers can be different for each recipient based on a random order assigned to the choices for each recipient. The answers can be different for each recipient based on different choices presented to each recipient. The correct answer presented to a recipient can change over time depending on the choices presented to the recipients. Each recipient can submit a response to the question by selecting one of the answers, where a correct response suggests or verifies that the correctly-responding recipient was exposed to the content. Correctly-responding recipients can qualify for a prize. The media content can comprise one or more advertisements or entertainment content.

Abstract: A system for characterizing an audience can comprise instruments that monitor representative audience members for media exposure and an engine that deduces information about the audience as a whole. A set of instruments can monitor each representative audience member's media exposure. An in-home instrument, such as a set top box or a hand-held remote control, can monitor exposure to in-home television and radio. An in-vehicle instrument can monitor billboard and onboard radio exposure. A manual instrument, such as a diary, can monitor other media exposure. The engine can process exposure data from the instruments for each monitored member to form a comprehensive media exposure profile of venue and system targeted (“VAST”) ratings. The profile can segment exposure according to delivery system, media type, and venue. The engine can extrapolate the data obtained for each monitored member to provide segmented exposure and demographic information about the audience as a whole.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interacting with automobile race and advertising content include providing race viewers with data related to races occurring in real-time. The data provided can include audio communications between drivers and their teams, statistics related to the race, and historical data related to drivers participating in the race. Race viewers can use a remote control with the form factor and functionality of a standard remote control to receive such data and otherwise interact with the automobile race and advertising content. Race viewers also can utilize the remote control to interact with automobile race content and advertising content broadcast during the race by answering questions related to the content. Race viewers can earn rewards by paying close attention to the broadcasts and advertisements and answering questions correctly. Thus, both the viewing experience of automobile race viewers and the value of advertising shown during such broadcasts can be enhanced.

Abstract: A first entity can recruit a second entity to collaborate in a promotional activity, such as marketing a product or spreading commercial information via a multi-level marketing program. If the first entity achieves success, the second entity can benefit. Thus, in response to the first entity meeting some objective connected with the promotional activity, the second entity can receive financial gain or something else desirable. The success achieved by the first entity can comprise receipt of a prize, meeting a sales goal, exposing a message to a target audience, recruiting participants into the program, etc. The benefit received by the second entity can comprise money, a prize, admission to a contest, a product, redeemable points, credits, a service, or something else of interest or economic value. A third entity that secured the first entity's participation can also receive a benefit in response to the first entity's success.

Abstract: A network can provide consumers with remotely accessible video content selections, each presenting one or more sales offers. Consumers can send or transmit a prompt, request, message, or demand that triggers the transmission or downloading of video content for viewing, such as on television systems in consumer homes. As consumers place orders for a featured product in response to viewing the downloaded video content, the stock, supply, availability, or inventory of that product can change. While the video plays or shows, the television systems can receive dynamic, live, or up-to-date information, for example, current inventory data that reflects consumer orders. The television system can present that information, or a derivative thereof, to the consumer, for example, notifying the consumer of a limited-supply condition, showing an inventory count in a field of the video, or offering a substitute product when a stock level becomes depleted.

Abstract: A business entity can replace original advertising content in which the business has little or no economic interest with alternative advertising content in which the business has more economic interest. A media program, such as a television show, can have associated original advertising content that can provide economic benefit to the program's producers, affiliates, or sponsors. The original advertising content can appear during a commercial break or a program intermission. A machine or a human can monitor the program to detect the commercial break or an occurrence of some other advertising event connected with presentation of the original advertising content. In response to detecting the commercial break, presentation of the original advertising content can be manually or automatically interrupted, suspended, or stopped.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving orders for products, such as groceries, from a consumer and delivering the ordered products to the consumer's homes include receiving orders generated by scanning a product's bar code. Based on the bar code information, information for the used product, competing products, and complimentary products can be presented to the Consumer. The consumer selects a product, and the selection is communicated to the product deliverer for scheduled home delivery to the consumer. The consumer can scan the bar code, receive product options, and transmit orders to the home grocery delivery provider by utilizing a hand-held device to communicate data corresponding with a desired product to a server computer, which can communicate with a store that will deliver the product to the consumer. The grocery provider can stock common home delivery items in a separate store section to allow quick in-store shopping of those common items.

Abstract: Signals associated with a media channel can convey programming to a television system. The programming can comprise segments of entertainment content and segments of commercial or advertising content. The signals can comprise distinctive waveform features between the segments of entertainment content and advertising content. For example, an abrupt change in the amplitude or phase of the waveform can provide an indication of a transition between a segment of entertainment content and a segment of advertising content. A signal processing system can monitor or analyze the signals to detect the distinctive waveform features. In response to detecting a feature and determining that the media channel has transitioned between conveying entertainment content and conveying commercial content, a media control system can present alternative or replacement content on the television system. The alternative content can comprise interactive advertising, for example.

Abstract: A network can provide a user with remotely accessible video content. Sending or transmitting a prompt, request, message, or demand from a user site can trigger the transmission or downloading of video content for viewing, such as on a home television system. The user can interact with the downloaded video content via sending and receiving communications or messages. The interaction can comprise presentation of a question or query to the user about the downloaded video content. Submitting a response to the question that is correct or that meets another criterion can qualify the user to receive a reward. The possibility of receiving the reward can provide the user an incentive to focus on the video content and to answer the question. The reward can comprise a tangible or intangible item having at least some economic value.

Abstract: A remote control that tunes an appliance, such as a television or a radio, can scan marks on physical media, such as barcodes on products, publications, and print media. The remote control can present a user with a question regarding advertising content on a physical medium to immerse the user in such advertising content. The user can receive a reward, such as a coupon for a discounted purchase, for correctly answering the question. The remote control can generate a shopping list by scanning and identifying products that a consumer or household consumes. A remote server that is affiliated with a particular manufacturer or distributor can maintain the shopping list as a consumer service. The shopping list service can be a vehicle for promoting product brands associated with the manufacturer or distributor.