WO2000002333A1 - Audiometry device and method on television decoder - Google Patents

Audiometry device and method on television decoder Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000002333A1
WO2000002333A1 PCT/FR1999/001572 FR9901572W WO0002333A1 WO 2000002333 A1 WO2000002333 A1 WO 2000002333A1 FR 9901572 W FR9901572 W FR 9901572W WO 0002333 A1 WO0002333 A1 WO 0002333A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
software
menu
decoder
hidden
storing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/FR1999/001572
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French (fr)
Inventor
Philippe Halot
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Sagem SA
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Sagem SA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to AU43768/99A priority Critical patent/AU4376899A/en
Publication of WO2000002333A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000002333A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17345—Control of the passage of the selected programme
    • H04N7/17363—Control of the passage of the selected programme at or near the user terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programmes or purchase activity
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/40—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast time
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/38—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space
    • H04H60/41—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying broadcast time or space for identifying broadcast space, i.e. broadcast channels, broadcast stations or broadcast areas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/13—Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/09—Arrangements for device control with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time; Arrangements for control of broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/14—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services
    • H04H60/23—Arrangements for conditional access to broadcast information or to broadcast-related services using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
    • H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
    • H04H60/93—Wired transmission systems

Definitions

  • the usual method for evaluating the audience of television programs consists in equipping the televisions with those of the users who are chosen to constitute a representative sample of separate equipment, connected to the television decoder by a serial link.
  • This equipment is equipped with a modem connected to the switched telephone network or PSTN. This equipment is bulky and expensive. The choice of viewers making up the "panel" is frozen.
  • the present invention aims to provide a method and a device making it possible to eliminate the need for additional measurement equipment and possibly making it possible to easily modify the list of viewers of a measurement sampling.
  • a software is stored in each decoder for storing information on the selected programs and on the viewing periods, in non-volatile memory and a hidden menu for activating the software,
  • the software can be loaded before delivery of the decoder
  • the receiver can also be downloaded or modified over the air or the cable network if the receiver is designed for this purpose. It can be provided to be activated and deactivated at will on specific decoders, individual or belonging to a pre-constituted group identified by a common address, thanks to a hidden menu which can simply supplement a menu intended for receiving programs. This menu can be loaded in all the decoders offered for sale or on some only.
  • the invention also provides a device for receiving television programs comprising a decoder provided with a network link modem, characterized in that the decoder comprises:
  • a block for processing audio data comprising a non-volatile memory for storing said data,.
  • a control unit intended to control the modem and the transfer of the stored data with a periodicity and to a server determined by the menu.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified flow diagram of the process.
  • the device shown in FIG. 1 is intended to equip a decoder 12 associated with a television set 10 receiving programs broadcast by satellite or by cable or even by radio in digital form.
  • the television set 10 directly uses the analog audio / video information.
  • it includes a descrambler 16 reproducing the clear video on an input 18 of the television, for this purpose use the access control and access management messages.
  • the decoder also includes a hidden menu memory 22 intended to be downloaded by data contained in the broadcast signal.
  • This memory 22 includes an individual and / or group address, making it possible to write or modify there a specific or common menu for a group of decoders, by downloading.
  • this download can be carried out by the server, during a connection session with the server, established on the initiative of the decoder 12.
  • the software contained in the memory 20 also includes a task controller. This controller can be loaded on all decoders prior to their distribution. It will then only be activated on decoders that receive the appropriate menu. It is however also possible to download the task controller in the only decoders whose menu has an appropriate address.
  • the software contained in the memory 20 makes it possible to take the audio information, the nature of which is indicated to it by the hidden menu, and to accumulate it in a data memory 26 accessible for reading and writing.
  • This memory should not be erased when the decoder is put into standby, since the transfer of its content to the server generally takes place only at a frequency much lower than the frequency of scanning the state of the decoder.
  • the memory 26 accumulates representative data, successive choices of the user, among which one can cite the viewed channel, the duration of viewing each channel, the fact that the received program is or is not scrambled, the subscriptions subscribed, broadcasts acquired in payment per session or "pay-per-view", etc. during the entire period which has elapsed since the last transmission to the server. It is also possible to store in memory 26 information coming from a video recorder, indicating the records made.
  • the data transmitted by downloading to the hidden menu memory 22 also includes the parameters of the server, which can be stored in a memory 32.
  • the transfer of the memorized information to the server can be controlled by an audio task program stored at 34.
  • the transferred data can include all of those contained in memory 36 or only a fraction. The choice can be made by downloading the memory 34.
  • the data are transferred to a telecommunication control circuit 36 comprising circuits and software which may be conventional and which supply the modem 14.
  • the memories 20, 26 and 34 can be constituted by fractions of the same memory unit, which can in particular be a flash memory.
  • the components shown in Figure 1 can be used in a device connected to a wired network. In this case it will be possible to dispense with a telephone link to the server; the feedback information will be transferred by the network.
  • the programs can be broadcast in MDP4 modulation (also called QPSK) in the 70 to 130 MHz band while the information in return is sent in the 5 to 65 MHz band.
  • the flowchart for executing the data accumulation tasks can be that shown in FIG. 2. Switching on the decoder causes the tasks to be launched. Under the command of the software stored in memory 20, the selected data are written to memory 26. They may include:
  • each change of channel or zapping the indication if the received program is descrambled,. the status of the decoder, for example viewing a program gram broadcast, recording on video recorder or auxiliary, menu mode, transparent mode (when, for example, the television set is also intended to receive broadcasts in analog modulation).
  • the decoder for example viewing a program gram broadcast, recording on video recorder or auxiliary, menu mode, transparent mode (when, for example, the television set is also intended to receive broadcasts in analog modulation).
  • the decoder When the decoder is put on standby, all the information that has been accumulated is kept in non-volatile memory.
  • the information can be compressed to reduce the amount of memory 26 required.
  • the software 20 can also include a program for preprocessing or first interpretation of the accumulated information, for example by totaling the viewing times of each channel since power-up.
  • the transfer of the stored information to the server can be carried out by traditional methods. For example, the transfer can be carried out on the initiative of the server, which calls the decoder on the telephone network. More often, the modem will be associated with an automatic dialer of the server number (or possibly of several servers) which will be activated either at a determined period, which will then be much longer than the scanning periods which may be of the order of the week. or even of the month, either by order on the antenna.
  • the use of the hidden menu makes it possible to initially load software intended for audimetry measurements (in addition to the program reception software) in all the stations of the same serial, the audimetry functions being activated by loading the hidden menu in certain stations only.
  • the management of the set-top box is thus greatly simplified since it is possible to activate or deactivate the audio function over time. No additional specific resources are necessary to set up the audimetric function.
  • the device also lends itself perfectly to the downloading of application programs, such as video game programs, and at the same time makes it possible in this case to determine the duration of use of such games or other applications, or the number of times they were initialized.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Social Psychology (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns an audiometry method on television decoder which consists in loading in each decoder a software storing data on the selected programmes and on the watching times, in non-volatile memory, and a concealed menu for activating said software; then in periodically setting up communication between a modem of the decoder and a service centre through the telephone network or a cable network also used for programme reception and transmitting the data contained in the non-volatile memory, under the software control.

Description

PROCEDE ET DISPOSITIF D'AUDIMETRIE SUR DECODEUR DE TELEVISIONMETHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUDIIMETRY ON TELEVISION DECODER

Le procédé habituel pour évaluer 1 ' audience des programmes de télévision consiste à équiper les téléviseurs de ceux des usagers qui sont choisis pour constituer un échantillonnage représentatif d'un équipement séparé, relié au décodeur du téléviseur par une liaison série. Cet équipement est muni d'un modem relié au réseau téléphonique commuté ou RTC. Cet équipement est encombrant et coûteux. Le choix des télespec- tateurs constituant le "panel" est figé.The usual method for evaluating the audience of television programs consists in equipping the televisions with those of the users who are chosen to constitute a representative sample of separate equipment, connected to the television decoder by a serial link. This equipment is equipped with a modem connected to the switched telephone network or PSTN. This equipment is bulky and expensive. The choice of viewers making up the "panel" is frozen.

La présente invention vise à fournir un procédé et un dispositif permettant d'écarter la nécessité d'un équipement additionnel d'audimétrie et permettant éventuellement de modifier aisément la liste des téléspectateurs d'un échantil- lonnage d'audimétrie.The present invention aims to provide a method and a device making it possible to eliminate the need for additional measurement equipment and possibly making it possible to easily modify the list of viewers of a measurement sampling.

Elle propose dans ce but un procédé d'audimétrie suivant lequel :To this end, it proposes an audimetry method according to which:

(a) on charge dans chaque décodeur un logiciel de stockage d'informations sur les programmes sélectionnés et sur les périodes de vision, en mémoire non volatile et un menu caché d'activation du logiciel,(a) a software is stored in each decoder for storing information on the selected programs and on the viewing periods, in non-volatile memory and a hidden menu for activating the software,

(b) on établit périodiquement une communication entre un modem du décodeur et un centre serveur par le réseau téléphonique ou un réseau câblé servant également à la réception des programmes et on transmet les dites informations contenues dans la mémoire non volatile, sous la commande du logiciel.(b) communication between a modem of the decoder and a server center is established periodically via the telephone network or a cable network also used for receiving programs and said information contained in the non-volatile memory is transmitted, under the control of the software .

Le logiciel peut être chargé avant livraison du décodeurThe software can be loaded before delivery of the decoder

; il peut également être téléchargé ou modifié sur l'air ou le réseau câblé si le récepteur est constitué à cet effet. Il peut être prévu pour être activé et désactivé à volonté sur des décodeurs déterminés, individuels ou appartenant à un groupe préconstitué identifié par une adresse commune, grâce à un menu caché qui peut simplement compléter un menu destiné à la réception des programmes. Ce menu peut être chargé dans tous les décodeurs proposés à la vente ou sur certains seulement .; it can also be downloaded or modified over the air or the cable network if the receiver is designed for this purpose. It can be provided to be activated and deactivated at will on specific decoders, individual or belonging to a pre-constituted group identified by a common address, thanks to a hidden menu which can simply supplement a menu intended for receiving programs. This menu can be loaded in all the decoders offered for sale or on some only.

L'invention propose également un dispositif de réception de programmes de télévision comprenant un décodeur muni d'un modem de liaison au réseau caractérisé en ce que le décodeur comporte :The invention also provides a device for receiving television programs comprising a decoder provided with a network link modem, characterized in that the decoder comprises:

. des moyens de mémorisation d'un menu caché d'activation de tâches,. means for storing a hidden task activation menu,

. un bloc d'élaboration de données audimétriques , comportant une mémoire non volatile de stockage des dites données, . une unité de pilotage destinée à commander le modem et le transfert des données mémorisées avec une périodicité et vers un serveur déterminés par le menu.. a block for processing audio data, comprising a non-volatile memory for storing said data,. a control unit intended to control the modem and the transfer of the stored data with a periodicity and to a server determined by the menu.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit d'un mode particulier de réalisation, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif. La description se réfère aux dessins qui l'accompagnent, dans lesquels :The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- la figure 1 est un synoptique de principe d'un dispositif suivant un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention. - la figure 2 est un logigramme simplifié du procédé.- Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device according to a particular embodiment of the invention. - Figure 2 is a simplified flow diagram of the process.

Le dispositif montré en fig 1 est destiné à équiper un décodeur 12 associé à un téléviseur 10 recevant des programmes diffusés par satellite ou par cable ou encore par voie hertzienne sous forme numérique. Le téléviseur 10 exploite directement les informations audio/vidêo analogiques. Le décodeur 12, muni d'un modem 14 et d'un numéroteur non représenté permettant d'appeler un serveur, prélève les informations de données et vidéo/audio numériques. Classiquement il comporte un désembrouilleur 16 restituant la vidéo en clair sur une entrée 18 du téléviseur, utilisant pour cela les messages de contrôle d'accès et de gestion d'accèsThe device shown in FIG. 1 is intended to equip a decoder 12 associated with a television set 10 receiving programs broadcast by satellite or by cable or even by radio in digital form. The television set 10 directly uses the analog audio / video information. The decoder 12, provided with a modem 14 and a not shown dialer making it possible to call a server, takes the digital data and video / audio information. Conventionally, it includes a descrambler 16 reproducing the clear video on an input 18 of the television, for this purpose use the access control and access management messages.

(généralement dénommés ECM et EMM) contenus dans le flot de signaux numériques, exploités par un logiciel implanté dans une mémoire non volatile 20 et dont une horloge 24 cadence le fonctionnement. Le décodeur comporte également une mémoire de menu caché 22 destinée à être télé-chargée par des données contenues dans le signal diffusé.(generally called ECM and EMM) contained in the stream of digital signals, exploited by software installed in a non-volatile memory 20 and of which a clock 24 cadences the operation. The decoder also includes a hidden menu memory 22 intended to be downloaded by data contained in the broadcast signal.

Cette mémoire 22 comporte une adresse individuelle et/ou de groupe, permettant d'y écrire ou d'y modifier un menu spécifique ou commun à un groupe de décodeurs, par téléchargement. Dans une variante de réalisation, ce téléchargement peut être effectué par le serveur, lors d'une session de liaison avec le serveur, établie à l'initiative du décodeur 12.This memory 22 includes an individual and / or group address, making it possible to write or modify there a specific or common menu for a group of decoders, by downloading. In an alternative embodiment, this download can be carried out by the server, during a connection session with the server, established on the initiative of the decoder 12.

Le logiciel contenu dans la mémoire 20 comporte également un contrôleur de tâches . Ce contrôleur peut être chargé sur tous les décodeurs antérieurement à leur distribution. Il ne sera alors activé que sur les décodeurs qui reçoivent le menu approprié. Il est cependant également possible de télécharger le contrôleur de tâches dans les seuls décodeurs dont le menu comporte une adresse appropriée.The software contained in the memory 20 also includes a task controller. This controller can be loaded on all decoders prior to their distribution. It will then only be activated on decoders that receive the appropriate menu. It is however also possible to download the task controller in the only decoders whose menu has an appropriate address.

Le logiciel contenu dans la mémoire 20 permet de prélever les informations audimétriques dont la nature lui est indiquée par le menu caché et de les accumuler dans une mémoire de données 26 accessible en lecture et en écriture. Cette mémoire ne doit pas s'effacer lors de la mise en veille du décodeur, étant donné que le transfert de son contenu vers le serveur n'intervient généralement qu'à une fréquence beaucoup plus faible que la fréquence de scrutation de l'état du décodeur.The software contained in the memory 20 makes it possible to take the audio information, the nature of which is indicated to it by the hidden menu, and to accumulate it in a data memory 26 accessible for reading and writing. This memory should not be erased when the decoder is put into standby, since the transfer of its content to the server generally takes place only at a frequency much lower than the frequency of scanning the state of the decoder.

Ainsi, la mémoire 26 accumule des données représentative, des choix successifs de l'usager, parmi lesquels on peut citer la chaîne visualisée, la durée de visualisation de chaque chaîne, le fait que le programme reçu est ou non embrouillé, les abonnements souscrits, les émissions acquises en paiement à la séance ou "pay-per-view" , etc.. pendant toute la période qui s'est écoulée depuis la dernière transmission vers le serveur. On peut également enregistrer en mémoire 26 une information provenant d'un magnétoscope, indiquant les enregistrements effectués.Thus, the memory 26 accumulates representative data, successive choices of the user, among which one can cite the viewed channel, the duration of viewing each channel, the fact that the received program is or is not scrambled, the subscriptions subscribed, broadcasts acquired in payment per session or "pay-per-view", etc. during the entire period which has elapsed since the last transmission to the server. It is also possible to store in memory 26 information coming from a video recorder, indicating the records made.

Les données transmises par téléchargement à la mémoire de menu caché 22 comportent également les paramètres du serveur, qui peuvent être stockées dans une mémoire 32. Le transfert des informations mémorisées vers le serveur peut être commandé par un programme de tâches audimétriques stocké en 34. Les données transférées peuvent comporter l'intégralité de celles contenues en mémoire 36 ou une fraction seulement. Le choix peut être effectué par télé- chargement de la mémoire 34. Les données sont transférées à un circuit de pilotage de télécommunication 36 comportant des circuits et un logiciel qui peuvent être classiques et qui alimentent le modem 14.The data transmitted by downloading to the hidden menu memory 22 also includes the parameters of the server, which can be stored in a memory 32. The transfer of the memorized information to the server can be controlled by an audio task program stored at 34. The transferred data can include all of those contained in memory 36 or only a fraction. The choice can be made by downloading the memory 34. The data are transferred to a telecommunication control circuit 36 comprising circuits and software which may be conventional and which supply the modem 14.

Les mémoires 20, 26 et 34 peuvent être constituées par des fractions d'une même unité de mémoire, qui peut notamment être une mémoire flash.The memories 20, 26 and 34 can be constituted by fractions of the same memory unit, which can in particular be a flash memory.

La majeure partie des composants montrés en figure 1 peut être utilisée dans un dispositif relié à un réseau câblé. Dans ce cas il sera possible de se dispenser d'une liaison téléphonique vers le serveur ; les informations en retour seront transférées par le réseau. Dans le cas d'un dispositif pour réseau câblé, utilisant la modulation suivant la norme ETS 300-800, les programmes peuvent être diffusés en modulation MDP4 (dite aussi QPSK) dans la bande des 70 à 130 MHz tandis que l'information en retour est envoyée dans la bande des 5 à 65 MHz.Most of the components shown in Figure 1 can be used in a device connected to a wired network. In this case it will be possible to dispense with a telephone link to the server; the feedback information will be transferred by the network. In the case of a cable network device, using modulation according to the ETS 300-800 standard, the programs can be broadcast in MDP4 modulation (also called QPSK) in the 70 to 130 MHz band while the information in return is sent in the 5 to 65 MHz band.

L'organigramme d'exécution des tâches d'accumulation des données peut être celui montré en figure 2. La mise sous tension du décodeur provoque le lancement des tâches. Sous la commande du logiciel mémorisé en mémoire 20, les données sélectionnées sont inscrites dans la mémoire 26. Elles peuvent comporter :The flowchart for executing the data accumulation tasks can be that shown in FIG. 2. Switching on the decoder causes the tasks to be launched. Under the command of the software stored in memory 20, the selected data are written to memory 26. They may include:

. chaque changement de chaîne ou zapping, . l'indication si le programme reçu est désembrouillé , . l'état du décodeur, par exemple visualisation d'un pro- gramme diffusé, enregistrement sur magnétoscope ou en auxiliaire, mode menu, mode transparent, (lorsque par exemple le téléviseur est prévu pour recevoir également des émissions en modulation analogique) . Pour identifier les durées de fonctionnement dans chaque état il est possible soit de noter l'heure de chaque changement, soit de relever les intervalles de temps écoulés à partir du début de chaque cession d'utilisation du décodeur.. each change of channel or zapping,. the indication if the received program is descrambled,. the status of the decoder, for example viewing a program gram broadcast, recording on video recorder or auxiliary, menu mode, transparent mode (when, for example, the television set is also intended to receive broadcasts in analog modulation). To identify the operating times in each state, it is possible either to note the time of each change, or to note the time intervals elapsed from the start of each transfer of use of the decoder.

Lorsque le décodeur est mis en veille, l'ensemble des informations qui ont été accumulées sont conservées en mémoire non volatile. Les informations peuvent être compressées pour réduire le volume de mémoire 26 nécessaire.When the decoder is put on standby, all the information that has been accumulated is kept in non-volatile memory. The information can be compressed to reduce the amount of memory 26 required.

Le logiciel 20 peut également comporter un programme de pré-traitement ou de première interprétation des informations accumulées, par exemple en totalisant les durées de visualisation de chaque chaîne depuis la mise sous tension.The software 20 can also include a program for preprocessing or first interpretation of the accumulated information, for example by totaling the viewing times of each channel since power-up.

D'autres modes de stockage des informations sont possibles, par exemple par simple scrutation de l'état du décodeur à des instants déterminés, qui peuvent être régulièrement répartis dans le temps ou différents suivant la période de la journée .Other modes of storing information are possible, for example by simple scanning of the state of the decoder at determined times, which can be regularly distributed in time or different according to the period of the day.

Le transfert des informations mémorisées vers le serveur peut être effectué par des procédés traditionnels. Par exemple le transfert peut être effectué à l'initiative du serveur, qui appelle le décodeur sur le réseau téléphonique. Plus souvent, le modem sera associé à un composeur automatique du numéro du serveur (ou éventuellement de plusieurs serveurs) qui sera activé soit à une période déterminée, qui sera alors très supérieure aux périodes de scrutation qui pourra être de l'ordre de la semaine ou même du mois, soit par commande sur l'antenne.The transfer of the stored information to the server can be carried out by traditional methods. For example, the transfer can be carried out on the initiative of the server, which calls the decoder on the telephone network. More often, the modem will be associated with an automatic dialer of the server number (or possibly of several servers) which will be activated either at a determined period, which will then be much longer than the scanning periods which may be of the order of the week. or even of the month, either by order on the antenna.

Quel que soit le mode de réalisation choisi, l'utilisation du menu caché permet de charger initialement un logiciel destiné à des mesures d'audimétrie (en plus du logiciel de réception de programmes) dans tous les postes d'une même série, les fonctions d'audimétrie étant activées par chargement du menu caché dans certains postes seulement. La gestion du parc de décodeur est ainsi grandement simplifiée puisqu'on peut à volonté activer ou désactiver la fonction audimétrique au cours du temps. Aucune ressource spécifique supplémentaire n'est nécessaire pour implanter la fonction audimétrique.Regardless of the embodiment chosen, the use of the hidden menu makes it possible to initially load software intended for audimetry measurements (in addition to the program reception software) in all the stations of the same serial, the audimetry functions being activated by loading the hidden menu in certain stations only. The management of the set-top box is thus greatly simplified since it is possible to activate or deactivate the audio function over time. No additional specific resources are necessary to set up the audimetric function.

Le dispositif se prête également parfaitement au téléchargement de programmes d'application, tels que des programmes de jeux vidéo, et permet en même temps dans ce cas de déterminer la durée d'utilisation de tels jeux ou d'autres applications, ou le nombre de fois où ils ont été initiali- sés . The device also lends itself perfectly to the downloading of application programs, such as video game programs, and at the same time makes it possible in this case to determine the duration of use of such games or other applications, or the number of times they were initialized.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS 1. Procédé d'audimétrie sur décodeurs de télévision reliés à un centre serveur, suivant lequel : (al) on charge dans chaque décodeur un logiciel de stockage d'informations sur les programmes sélectionnés et sur les périodes de vision, en mémoire non volatile et un menu caché d' activation du logiciel,1. Audimetry method on television decoders connected to a server center, according to which: (a1) a software is stored in each decoder for storing information on the selected programs and on the viewing periods, in non-volatile memory and a hidden software activation menu, (a2) on sélectionne les décodeurs d'un groupe destiné à un échantillonnage d'audience par activation du logiciel en y chargeant un menu caché modifiable à distance par le centre serveur,(a2) selecting the decoders of a group intended for audience sampling by activating the software by loading a hidden menu which can be modified remotely by the server center, (b) on établit périodiquement une communication entre un modem des décodeurs sélectionnés et le centre serveur par le réseau téléphonique ou un réseau câblé servant également à la réception des programmes et on transmet les dites informations contenues dans la mémoire non volatile, sous la commande du logiciel .(b) a communication is established periodically between a modem of the selected decoders and the server center by the telephone network or a cable network also used for the reception of the programs and the said information contained in the non-volatile memory is transmitted, under the control of the software. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on charge le logiciel avant la livraison du décodeur et on l'active par modification du menu caché.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the software is loaded before the delivery of the decoder and it is activated by modification of the hidden menu. 3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le logiciel comporte un contrôleur de tâches activable par le menu caché. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the software comprises a task controller activatable by the hidden menu. 4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on télécharge ou modifie le menu caché sur le signal diffusé destiné aux décodeurs.4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hidden menu is downloaded or modified on the broadcast signal intended for the decoders. 5. Dispositif de réception de programmes de télévision comprenant un décodeur de signal diffusé muni d'un modem de liaison, comportant :5. Device for receiving television programs comprising a broadcast signal decoder provided with a link modem, comprising: . des moyens de mémorisation permanente d'un logiciel de stockage de données audimétriques,. means for permanently storing software for storing audio data, . des moyens de mémorisation d'un menu caché d' activation de tâches téléchargeable et modifiable à distance par des données contenues dans le signal diffusé, un bloc d'élaboration de données audimétriques, comportant une mémoire non volatile de stockage des dites données, commandé par un contrôleur de tâches appartenant au logiciel , . une unité de pilotage destinée à commander le modem et le transfert des données mémorisées avec une périodicité et vers un serveur déterminés par le menu.. means for storing a hidden task activation menu downloadable and modifiable remotely by data contained in the broadcast signal, a block for processing audio data, comprising a non-volatile memory for storing said data, controlled by a task controller belonging to the software,. a control unit intended to control the modem and the transfer of the stored data with a periodicity and to a server determined by the menu. 6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le bloc d'élaboration est prévu pour relever la chaîne visualisée et sa durée de visualisation, la réception embrouillée ou en clair, les abonnements souscrits, et/ou les enregistrements sur magnétoscope.6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the processing block is designed to record the viewed channel and its viewing time, scrambled or clear reception, subscriptions subscribed, and / or recordings on video recorder. 7. Dispositif selon la revendication 5 ou 6 , caractérisé en ce que les moyens de mémorisation sont téléchargeables pour activer un logiciel du bloc d'élaboration. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the storage means are downloadable to activate software of the processing block.
PCT/FR1999/001572 1998-07-01 1999-06-30 Audiometry device and method on television decoder Ceased WO2000002333A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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FR98/08395 1998-07-01
FR9808395A FR2780833B1 (en) 1998-07-01 1998-07-01 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUDIIMETRY ON TELEVISION DECODER

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EP0752767A2 (en) * 1987-09-11 1997-01-08 Personalized Media Communications, L.L.C. Signal processing apparatus and methods

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FR2753331B1 (en) * 1996-09-12 1998-10-09 Mediametrie METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING A TELEVISION CHANNEL, PARTICULARLY FOR MEASURING AUDIENCE

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FR2780833B1 (en) 2004-07-09
FR2780833A1 (en) 2000-01-07

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