Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a critical band encoding technology (CBET) system having at least one portable people meter (PPM) and a home base station and/or household hub, the CBET system containing a radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system, comprising at least one RF transmitter for receiving a control signal, modulating an RF signal to a present modulation frequency upon receipt of the control signal, and wireless transmitting the modulated signal; and an RF receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted modulated signal, determining the modulation frequency, and transmitting the modulation frequency to a remote location, wherein the transmission power of the RF transmitter is preset to transmit the modulated data within a predetermined range.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/398,694, filed Jul. 26, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system and method, and in particular, to a radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system utilizing RF modulation.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The Arbitron Company (Arbitron) is a world leader in the measurement of audience participation in the listening and viewing of radio and television broadcasts. The audience participation data (data) is of critical importance to the broadcast stations and their sponsors. Currently, the data is collected through paper diaries and electronic set-top frequency detection. Both technologies are prone to errors and provide a limited amount of useable information. In addition, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of digital formats for all types of multi-media broadcasts, so that the computer is also starting to play a major role in an individual&#39;s multimedia listening and viewing experience.  
           [0006]    Arbitron has, therefore, developed a new and innovative technology called Critical Band Encoding Technology (CBET) that encompasses all forms of audio and video broadcasts in the measurement of audience participation. This technology dramatically increases the both the accuracy of the measurement and the quantity of useable and effective data across all types of signal broadcasts. CBET is an encoding technique that Arbitron developed and that embeds identifying information (ID code) within the audio portion of a broadcast. The encoding is done prior to broadcasting, i.e. at the broadcast station, and without audible distortion to the original audio signal. An audio signal is broadcast within the actual audio signal of the program, in a manner that makes the ID code inaudible, to all locations the program is broadcast, for example, a car radio, home stereo, television, etc. This embedded audio signal or ID code is then picked up by small (pager-size) specially designed receiving stations called Portable People Meters (PPM), which capture the encoded identifying signal, and store the information along with a time stamp in memory for retrieval at a later time. A microphone contained within the PPM receives the audio signal, which contains within it the ID code.  
           [0007]    Arbitron provides each member of a family with a Portable People Meter (PPM) that has a unique product number to monitor the listening/viewing exposure to broadcast media such as TV and radio. The family participants wear their specific PPM throughout the day, in a fashion similar to a pager. The PPM is constantly sampling the acoustic environment and listens for a unique ID code that has been embedded within a broadcast audio signal (inaudible to human hearing). An Arbitron encoder at the broadcast station generates this unique ID code. The ID code uniquely identifies the broadcast station, and when it is recorded along with the time stamp in the PPM, allows Arbitron to easily determine which program the specific family member is listening to or viewing. A base station is provided for each PPM. A PPM is placed into a base station for recharging of the PPM and downloading of the ID code and time stamp information stored in the PPM. An IR link is utilized to transmit the ID code and time stamp information from the PPM to the base station. A household hub is provided to collect via a hardwired connection, the information collected by the base stations. The information, i.e. the ID code and time stamp, is then retrieved by Arbitron. This is done by utilizing a modem connection between the hub and an Arbitron processing center. The majority of this type of media exposure is thought to occur within the home setting, but the current system cannot differentiate when a PPM is within a home setting or not, nor can it determine what percentage of the data acquired results from at home exposure. As the participant goes about their day to day activities, they become exposed to audio from a variety of sources—for example, their radio at work, in the car, or at home. Arbitron and others in this business want to know what percentage of all the data logged or collected (broadcast station ID codes and corresponding time stamps) within each individual&#39;s PPM units came from exposure within the home environment. Being able to quantify the location of data acquisition would be beneficial to Arbitron.  
           [0008]    The CBET technology for encoding the identifying information and the PPM data acquisition technology for capturing the embedded signals are currently being tested in various pilot studies. Preliminary results indicate strong performance, however, additional information is now being requested by the sponsors regarding the location of the participant&#39;s multimedia exposure, specifically, are they in their home or not. This location data is user-specific and, therefore, cannot be encoded in the pre-broadcast signal. Other technologies have been considered in an effort to determine the participant&#39;s listening environment, but have not been found beneficial.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide an RF modulation detection and identification system.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an RF modulation based detection and identification system.  
           [0011]    The foregoing aspects of the present invention are realized by a system for a critical band encoding technology (CBET) system having at least one portable people meter (PPM) and a home base station and/or household hub, the CBET system containing a radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system, comprising at least one RF transmitter for receiving a control signal, modulating an RF signal to a preset modulation frequency upon receipt of the control signal, and wireless transmitting the modulated signal; and at least one RF receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted modulated signal, determining the modulation frequency, and transmitting the modulation frequency to a remote location. Time stamp information will be included within the data stream.  
           [0012]    The system can be further enhanced as the transmission power of the RF transmitter is preset to transmit the modulated data within a predetermined range.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the basic proximity detection and identification system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an RF transmitter circuit included in a PPM according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RF receiver circuit located in hub  120  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.  
         [0018]    The radio frequency (RF) proximity detection and identification system and method disclosed herein comprises a system and method that determines the presence of a PPM within a predefined radius and can identify the particular PPM that is present within the predetermined radius. A newly designed RF transmitter according to the present invention is installed within an existing Arbitron PPM. When the PPM containing the RF transmitter according to the present invention receives a valid broadcast station ID code, a unique RF signal is transmitted from the PPM. Installed in the home base unit is a newly designed RF receiving unit according to the present invention. The system establishes an RF link that works with the existing Arbitron PPM hardware and home base unit, and has a preset range that can accommodate most residential homes. The system identifies the unique RF signal and transmits information regarding the received RF signals to an Arbitron processing center through the hub and modem of the evolving system. This allows Arbitron to know if a PPM (and therefore a viewer) is within a home setting.  
         [0019]    Since electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) waves propagate through walls and doors in buildings excessive atmospheric or environmental attenuation, their use for transmitting data within the buildings is common. Also, RF signals may be modulated to act as a specific identification code and utilized as an RF identification beacon. These are the two major theories upon which the present invention is based.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a diagram of the basic proximity detection and identification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 are residence  100 , PPM  111 ,  112  and  113 , each including the RF transmitter according to the present invention and for receiving an audio signal and transmitting a unique modulated RF signal, Arbitron&#39;s in-home base station, hub, or stand-alone unit  120  including the RF receiver unit according to the present invention and for receiving the unique modulated RF signals from the PPMs  111 ,  112 , and  113 . Also shown are television  110  antenna ANT, and RF links  131  and  132 .  
         [0021]    In operation, and referring to FIG. 1, television  110  transmits a unique ID code representing a particular broadcast station (ID code). This ID code is the audio code embedded at the broadcast station. In this example, each of PPM  111 ,  112  and  113  receive the audio ID code as in the prior art system. Each of PPM  111 ,  112  and  113  records the ID code along with the time stamp. PPM  113  receives the ID code even though it is outside of the viewing area of the program, which, in the prior art system would cause inaccurate viewer data as the viewer using PPM  113  is not actually within the viewing range, a major problem with the pre-existing system. Upon receipt of the ID code, PPM  111 ,  112  and  113  begin to transmit a uniquely modulated RF signal. The modulation frequency of each PPM is unique to the PPM and different from other PPMs in the system. The uniquely modulated RF signals are transmitted at a preset power level. Each of PPM  111 ,  112  and  113  would then attempt to establish an RF link with hub  120 . The RF transmission power of each PPM is preset to the viewing environment, such that if a PPM leaves the viewing location, i.e. the residence, the hub  120  would no longer receive its RF signal. Therefore, even though PPM  113  receives the audio ID code and begins transmitting its uniquely modulated RF signal, the RF signal would not reach hub  120  since the transmission power level of PPM  113  is preset to reach hub  120  only at a distance within residence  100 . This distance can be adjusted according to the particular viewing environments of the system. As another example, if PPM  111  is transmitting its modulated RF signal to hub  120 , and PPM  111  leaves the residence, hub  120  would no longer receive the RF signal, thus alerting Arbitron that the viewer is not within the viewing environment.  
         [0022]    The RF receiving unit according to the present invention included within hub  120  receives the uniquely modulated RF signals. Hub  120  stores the unique modulation frequency of each PPM. The modulation frequencies are then transmitted to Arbitron using its normal information exchange techniques, i.e. modem, thereby informing Arbitron of the viewers actually within the home setting.  
         [0023]    One of the problems with small sized transmitters is the design of an antenna capable of properly transmitting an error free signal. Depending on the material of the PPM case, an antenna (not shown) could be placed inside the case itself (for example a planar antenna), extend out of the case, sit on top of the case (example: monopole spiral), or could even be incorporated into the external belt clip (possibly a bar antenna). As a result of the low duty cycle of operation, the existing rechargeable battery system within the PPM, should be able to accommodate the transmitter&#39;s or the receiver&#39;s minimal power requirements “as is”.  
         [0024]    A key design requirement for an embodiment of the present invention is that the antenna must be located in very close proximity to an electrical ground and is worn by or carried by a person. Arbitron&#39;s PPM has a plastic case that is conductive. The preferred embodiment uses inductors to significantly increase the impedance between the case and the ground reference seen by the antenna, thereby reducing the load and frequency pulling effects on the transmitter/receiver to which it is connected. An additional benefit is that the inductors used for isolation can be chosen such that the antenna is preloaded, so that pulling/loading due to close proximity to a person is diminished. Proper impedance matching can be done by considering the width and distance to ground design or by using a standard matching circuit between the receiver/transmitter and the antenna. Examples of implementation of this design would include an etched circuit board or a wire embedded in a non-conducting plastic or attached to the outside surface of a conducting case with the appropriate matching network (if required).  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an RF transmitter circuit included in a PPM according to an embodiment of the present invention. A Linx transmitter IC (integrated circuit) U 1  was chosen strictly based on availability, Micrel and other manufactures make similar ICs that would perform equally as well, and the present invention is not limited to a particular IC. The transmitter IC incorporates an RF modulator to modulate a transmission signal to a preset modulation frequency. Referring to FIG. 2, jumpers J 1  and J 2  connect to an existing PPM known in the prior art, and the actual description is omitted herein as one skilled in the art can readily understand the connections. Pin  2  of IC U 1  (Data In) is connected to a data source, in this case a microprocessor in the PPM. The data source informs the RF transmitter that an ID code has been recorded by the PPM and directs the RF transmitter to begin transmitting its unique RF signal. Inductors L 3 , L 5  and L 6  all perform the same function, which is, while allowing DC current to flow they isolate, with high impedance, the RF signal from the ground of the battery/case, as discussed above regarding the antenna design constraints. Capacitors C 1  and C 2  form a decoupling circuit to remove the RF signal from pin  7  of U 1 . Pin  3  of jumper J 1  and pin  1  of jumper J 2  connect to the positive battery terminal of the PPM. Pin  2  of jumper J 1  and pin  2  of jumper J 2  are connected to the data source. Pin  1  of jumper J 1  is connected to the negative battery terminal of the PPM and the conductive case of the PPM. Pin  5  of IC U 1  is connected to antenna ANT.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RF receiver circuit located in a hub  120  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Linx receiver IC was chosen strictly based on availability, Micrel and other manufactures make similar IC&#39;s that would perform equally as well, and again the present invention is not limited to a particular IC. The receiver IC contains an RF demodulator for demodulating a received RF modulated signal, and can determine the modulation frequency of the RF signal. Referring to FIG. 3, jumpers J 1  and J 2  connect to an existing hub or base station known in the prior art, and the actual description is omitted herein as one skilled in the art can readily understand the connections. Pin  16  of IC U 1  is connected to antenna ANT. Pin  5  and  6  of IC U 1  are connected to +5 v supplied from regulator integrated circuit IC 1 . IC 1  receives a +12 v supply voltage from hub  120  and converts the +12 v to a +5 v supply for the RF receiver. Pin  4  of IC U 1  is connected the system ground GND of hub  120 . Pin  8  of IC U 1  is the data output. Data output is connected to IC 3 A and IC 3 B. These inverting stages allow for the data out on pin  2  of jumper J 2  to be either inverted or non-inverted data depending on the particular system requirements. The inverting stages also allow LED D 1  to be selected for either inverted or non-inverted data indication. Capacitor C 4  is used to decouple RF signals from IC 3 . LED D 2  driven by IC 3 F gives a indication of power (+5 v) status. Transistors SJ 1  and SJ 2  are used to control LED D 1  and PPM_UDD on pin  1  of jumper J 2 . PPM_UDD signals hub  120  that information has been received at the RF receiving unit.  
         [0027]    A description of the operation of the RF proximity detection and identification system utilizing RF modulation will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 . Television  110  begins to transmit an audio ID code for a station that the television  110  is tuned to. The audio ID code is received at PPM  111 ,  112  and  113 . Upon receipt of the ID code, each PPM  111 ,  112  and  113  stores the ID code and a time stamp. A control signal is sent to the RF transmitter through jumper J 1  to command the RF transmitter to begin transmitting its unique RF signal. Each RF transmitter modulates at its preset RF modulation frequency. The modulated RF signal is then transmitted through antenna ANT of FIG. 2 at a preset power level. Since the hub  120  is outside of the preset transmission range of PPM  113 , the modulated RF signal from PPM  113  would not be received at hub  120  and therefore RF signal information would not be sent to Arbitron.  
         [0028]    A modulated RF signal from PPM  111  and  112  would be received by RF receiving unit of FIG. 3 contained in hub  120 . The modulated RF signals from PPM  111  and  112  are received at antenna ANT of FIG. 3. The received RF signals are input into IC U 1  where the modulation frequency of each received RF signal is determined and output at pin  8  of IC U 1  of FIG. 3. The data is output to pin  2  DATA_OUT of jumper J 2 . A control signal is output on pin  1  of jumper J 2 . If the RF receiver is contained within the base station, the RF information is sent to the hub  120  for transmission to Arbitron via the modem. If the RF receiver is contained within the hub  120  itself, the RF information is then sent to Arbitron via the modem. The expression “base unit” is used herein to describe the device in which the RF receiver is located, and can be the home base station or the household hub.  
         [0029]    The system according to the present invention is designed such that the RF transmitter could be placed in the household hub or base station (instead of the PPM) with the receiver in the PPM (instead of the hub or base station). The premise that this system works on is the establishment of an RF communications link, no matter which component transmits or receives.  
         [0030]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.