Patent ID: 7181159

Claim:
A method for receiving, detecting, collecting and analyzing program-identifying (“PI”) information contained in a plurality of broadcast or recorded electronic audio signals, each audio signal representing sounds in a plurality of sequential program segments, said method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a selected one of said audio signals at each of a plurality of remote locations; (b) reproducing the sounds represented by said selected audio signal at each remote location by means of a loudspeaker; (c) converting the sounds into a second electronic signal at each remote location by means of a sound transducer; (d) automatically detecting the PI information from the second signal at each remote location; (e) storing the detected PI information at each remote location; (f) storing the date and time of receipt of said selected audio signal in association with said PI information contained in said audio signal at each remote location; (g) establishing a wireless communication link between each remote location and a central computer at another location and transmitting the PI information to said central computer together with said associated date and time information; (h) storing the PI information and said associated date and time information, received from said plurality of remote locations at said central computer; and (i) analyzing the stored PI information.