Abstract: A system to facilitate measuring consumer use by using codes embedded in any raw audio or video content. The original code is then layered with additional codes either by modifying the original code or by adding additional codes in between the original code. The system recognizes a code embedded into an audio and/or video signal. This can help track consumer use and viewing.

Abstract: An eyeglass recorder includes multiple scene cameras for respectively recording frontal scenes along the viewer's horizontal line-of-sight and depending scenes at approximately a 45° angle downwardly from the viewer's horizontal line-of-sight. The viewer's eye movement is concurrently monitored to differentiate between the viewing of the recorded frontal and depending scenes and to detect saccadic eye motion for assessment of the viewer's level of interest in the viewed scenes.

Abstract: A system for pre-testing advertisements commercials and coupons to determine their impact is on respondents. The system improves upon current existing forms of advertisement which are often inaccurate regarding users' true interests, and which do not make a respondent follow through with his or her answers, making it difficult to know if his or her answers are accurate. In the system, respondents are compelled to spend their free time reading further if they have real interest in the advertisement, and/or or to give information such as their email address or home address to get further information. This type of pre-testing allows a more accurate determination of whether respondents are truly interested in the goods or services in the advertisements that they are shown.

Abstract: A method for measuring viewer attentiveness to an audio-visual presentation on one display in the presence of a visual distraction on another display simulating a “second screen”, comprising: reproducing the audio-visual presentation for viewing by a viewer on a first display; while the audio-visual presentation is being reproduced for viewing by the viewer, providing the visual distraction to the viewer on a second display; and determining whether the viewer switches from viewing the audio-visual presentation to the visual distraction and, if so, continuing to reproduce at least the audio of the audio-visual presentation.

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 system and method for augmenting a consumers purchase decision by automatically collecting purchase incentive data and/or other product information and by having the incentives and other information automatically available to the consumer at the time of purchase. A mobile digital device, such as a tablet or smartphone, is enabled with an app for storing inaudible purchase incentive data and/or other product information embedded in selected broadcast content. The mobile digital device is paired with eye-tracking or close scene gazing glasses having a camera and recognition software for generating product identification data corresponding to the product image captured by the camera while the product is being viewed, in situ. If the product identification data is correlated to the stored purchase incentive data an alert will appear in the eye-tracking glasses and the consumer can then access the mobile digital device to save and/or download the purchase incentive data.

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 method for measuring viewer attentiveness to an audio-visual presentation on one display in the presence of a visual distraction on another display simulating a “second screen”, comprising: reproducing the audio-visual presentation for viewing by a viewer on a first display; while the audio-visual presentation is being reproduced for viewing by the viewer, providing the visual distraction to the viewer on a second display; and determining whether the viewer switches from viewing the audio-visual presentation to the visual distraction and, if so, continuing to reproduce at least the audio of the audio-visual presentation.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, systems and methods are provided to facilitate the processing of inaudible codes in audio and audio/visual streams broadcast over television, radio, computer, or in piped music/muzak, for example, by computing devices, such as mobile devices and computers. The inaudible codes are associated with items of information provided by third parties, such as coupons, offers, advertising, explanatory information, etc. The mobile devices may be a smart phone, tablet, laptop computer, digital reader, etc. Codes and corresponding items may be provided to a computing device by a code/offer management system via a network, and stored by the computing device, upon the request of the respective device. When an inaudible code is received and identified by a respective device, it is compared to the stored codes and if there is a match, the corresponding offer may be identified and displayed or offered for display.

Abstract: A system for encoding an audio signal includes an audio console configured to receive a voice audio signal contained within a first audio spectrum, encode the voice audio signal with a background audio signal contained within a second audio spectrum wider than the first audio spectrum, encode the voice audio signal with a monitoring code and output a combined signal including the voice audio signal encoded with the background audio signal and the monitoring code. The combined signal is contained within an audio spectrum including the first audio spectrum and the second audio spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a payment at a point-of-sale terminal in a mobile device-based electronic payment system. The method includes initiating an app on a mobile device of a user, transmitting a first security code request to a security code server, and receiving a first security code from a security code server. A bar code is determined based at least in part on the received first security code. The bar code represents data for authenticating the user when read by a bar code scanner. The bar code is displayed on a display of the mobile device.

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.

Abstract: A technique for determining whether a program transmitted in a programming signal by a signal source was perceived by audience members within a specified time period. The programming signal is combined with a code signal to form a broadcast signal, wherein occurrence of the code signal corresponds to an occurrence of the program, and wherein the code identifies the program. The broadcast signal is monitored at a central processing facility and each received code is stored with an adjacent segment of the programming signal to create a master data base. Using a device located in the vicinity of an audience member, code signals corresponding to a program as it is being performed by program reproduction equipment and perceived by the audience member are monitored, and each code signal is stored with its said adjacent segment of the programming signal to create audience monitoring data.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring eye movement of a person viewing a scene composed of discrete areas. A plurality of video cameras are arranged so that a field of view of each of the plurality of video cameras corresponds to a respectively different one of the discrete areas of the scene. Each of the plurality of video cameras records a person within its respective field of view, and the video feed output from each of the plurality of cameras is processed to determine which of the discrete areas of the scene the recorded person is viewing.

Abstract: A technique for providing interactive television viewing. A programming signal is combined with a code signal to form a transmission signal, wherein different programming signals correspond to respective code signals. The technique includes broadcasting the transmission signal, receiving the broadcast transmission signal with a TV receiver at a viewer's location, and displaying the programming signal in the received transmission signal. At least one code signal is pre-stored at the viewer's location. Interactive program data is also pre-stored at the viewer's location, wherein different interactive program data correspond to respective ones of the pre-stored code signals.

Abstract: A system for encoding an audio signal includes an audio console configured to receive a voice audio signal contained within a first audio spectrum, encode the voice audio signal with a background audio signal contained within a second audio spectrum wider than the first audio spectrum, encode the voice audio signal with a monitoring code and output a combined signal including the voice audio signal encoded with the background audio signal and the monitoring code. The combined signal is contained within an audio spectrum including the first audio spectrum and the second audio spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a program signal received from a broadcast source that is to be performed by reproduction equipment, wherein an audio portion of the program signal is broadcast in combination with a monitoring code to provide a combined audio signal, comprising a switch, a code detector, and a component configured to receive the combined signal from the broadcast source and to provide to each of the reproduction equipment and the switch a respective output signal related to the combined signal. The code detector is adapted to receive an audio output from the reproduction equipment which has a mute mode, the reproduction equipment transmitting at least the monitoring code from the combined audio signal to the code detector if not in the mute mode and not transmitting the monitoring code to the code detector if in the mute mode.

Abstract: A technique for providing a reward as an incentive for a monitored person to be an audience member of at least one program being performed by reproduction equipment. A programming signal is provided for broadcasting the program with a programming signal source. The programming signal 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, and the output signal is then broadcast. The broadcast output signal is received at a site where the monitored person is located, and the code signals therein are detected. The detected code signals are recognized only if a signal manually-actuated by the monitored person is received within a predetermined time period. The number of the code signals recognized while the monitored person is an audience member of the at least one program is determined, and the number of recognized code signals is compared with predetermined reward issuance criteria.