Apparatus and method for automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits

Patent 4955070 Issued on September 4, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 29, 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.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Inventors

Assignee

Viewfacts, Inc.

Application

No. 212909 filed on 06/29/1988

US Classes:

455/2.01, AUDIENCE SURVEY OR PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION USE ACCOUNTING381/58, MONITORING/MEASURING OF AUDIO DEVICES455/186.1With memory control or programming

Examiners

Primary: Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
Assistant: Kuntz, Curtis

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Faegre & Benson

Foreign Patent References

2555383 FR 05/12/1985

International Classes

H04B 017/00
H04R 029/00

Abstract

An electronic monitor and system for automatically monitoring broadcast band listening habits and periodically collecting data at a central location. The electronic monitor includes a microphone circuit and a tuner circuit. The tuner circuit is tuned until a match is found between the microphone circuit and the tuner circuit and the event of a match is recorded in the portable monitor. Operation may be performed intermittently to extend battery operation. The portable monitor further has power supply monitoring circuits to prevent incorrect data and loss of data in the event of battery discharge. Digitizing and signal processing circuits are provided to perform the match and loss of match determination.