Apparatus and methods for monitoring television viewers
August 24, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3379885 3507988 3712716 Eye-motion operable keyboard-accessory Observer-identification of a target or other point of interest in a viewing field Eye movement monitoring apparatus Automatic visual field mapping apparatus Head movement correction technique for eye-movement monitoring system Method of and apparatus for monitoring video-channel reception Media survey apparatus and method using thermal imagery InventorApplicationNo. 235927 filed on 08/24/1988US Classes:725/12, By passive determination and measurement (e.g., by detecting motion or ambient temperature, or by use of video camera)382/117, Using a characteristic of the eye725/14, By passively monitoring receiver operation725/21Combined with detecting VCR operationExaminersPrimary: George, Keith E.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesH04H 009/00G06K 009/00 AbstractThis invention discloses apparatus and methods for monitoring the television viewing acts of individuals by transmitting a signal toward the individual and detecting the reflection of the signal from the individual's eyes to determine the time intervals and total times the individual is viewing the television. This viewing information is then correlated with the program information from the television. The apparatus and method of this invention can be used to identify each individual viewing the television and track and correlate the viewing information for each individual. The signals reflected from each individual's eyes can also be used to determine changes in blink rate and/or pupil dilation in order to determine the emotional response of each individual to the program being viewed. This invention also provides a system for monitoring the times at which particular programs are viewed by particular individuals even when the individual records the program on a VCR and views the program at a later time. | |
