Viewer data collection system and method for use in a direct broadcast satellite television network

Abstract

A system and method for collecting viewership data. The inventive system ( 10 ) is adapted to receive a signal having multiple channels of program content and associated channel identification information. The system ( 10 ) is adapted to parse the program content and channel identification information from the received signal. The system ( 10 ) outputs selective channels of program content in response to user input and the parsed program content. The system ( 10 ) monitors the selected channels and provides viewership data with respect thereto. The viewership data includes channel identification information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A data collection system comprising: 
 first means for receiving a signal having multiple channels of program content and associated channel identification information, said first means including means for parsing said program content and channel identification information from said signal;    second means responsive to user input and said means for parsing for selecting channels of said program content for output; and    third means for monitoring the channels selected and providing viewership data with respect thereto, said viewership data including channel identification information.    
     
     
         2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said first, second and third means are disposed in a set top box.  
     
     
         3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein said set top box is a direct broadcast satellite set top box.  
     
     
         4 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said first means includes a tuner and a demodulator and a processor.  
     
     
         5 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said second means includes a processor.  
     
     
         6 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein said signal includes virtual channel information.  
     
     
         7 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein said second means includes software adapted for execution by said processor to parse said virtual channel information from said received signal.  
     
     
         8 . The invention of  claim 7  further including means for storing said viewership data.  
     
     
         9 . The invention of  claim 8  wherein said means for storing includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         10 . The invention of  claim 1  further including means for storing said viewership data.  
     
     
         11 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein said means for storing includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         12 . The invention of  claim 1  further including means for selectively transmitting said viewership information.  
     
     
         13 . The invention of  claim 12  wherein said means for selectively transmitting includes a modem.  
     
     
         14 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein said third means includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         15 . The invention of  claim 1  further including means for processing said viewership information to provide demographic data with respect thereto.  
     
     
         16 . A direct broadcast satellite system with automatic viewership reporting comprising: 
 first means for transmitting via satellite a signal having multiple channels of program content and associated channel identification information;    second means for receiving said signal;    third means for parsing said program content and channel identification information from said received signal;    fourth means responsive to user input and said means for parsing for selecting channels of said program content for output;    fifth means for monitoring the channels selected and providing viewership data with respect thereto, said viewership data including channel identification information; and    sixth means for reporting said viewership data.    
     
     
         17 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said second, third and fourth means are disposed in a set top box.  
     
     
         18 . The invention of  claim 17  wherein said set top box is a direct broadcast satellite set top box.  
     
     
         19 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said second means includes a tuner and a demodulator.  
     
     
         20 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said third means includes a processor.  
     
     
         21 . The invention of  claim 20  wherein said signal includes virtual channel information.  
     
     
         22 . The invention of  claim 21  wherein said third means includes software adapted for execution by said processor to parse said virtual channel information from said received signal.  
     
     
         23 . The invention of  claim 22  further including means for storing said viewership data.  
     
     
         24 . The invention of  claim 23  wherein said means for storing includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         25 . The invention of  claim 16  further including means for storing said viewership data.  
     
     
         26 . The invention of  claim 25  wherein said means for storing includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         27 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said fifth means includes a smartcard.  
     
     
         28 . The invention of  claim 16  wherein said sixth means includes means for selectively transmitting said viewership information.  
     
     
         29 . The invention of  claim 28  wherein said means for selectively transmitting includes a modem.  
     
     
         30 . The invention of  claim 16  further including means for processing said viewership information to provide demographic data with respect thereto.  
     
     
         31 . A method for collecting viewership data including the steps of: 
 receiving a signal having multiple channels of program content and associated channel identification information;    parsing said program content and channel identification information from said signal;    selecting channels of said program content for output in response to user input and said parsing operation; and    monitoring the channels selected and providing viewership data with respect thereto, said viewership data including channel identification information.