Patent ID: 8631427
Filing Date: 2014-01-14
Classification: H04H

Abstract:
1. A method 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; automatically setting a threshold of processing circuitry in the stationary detector to detect the identification signals only if they exceed said threshold, wherein the threshold is set by positioning a portable device outside of the positions where persons can perceive performance of the broadcast and actuating the stationary detector into a sensitivity mode such that the stationary detector sequentially selects, without manual intervention, higher thresholds until an identification signal from the portable device is no longer picked up; and setting directionality of an antenna in the stationary detector such that the identification signals are detected only if the respective portable devices are located relative to the stationary detector in positions where persons can perceive performance of the broadcast program.