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United States Patent4926255
Von KohornMay 15, 1990
Title
System for evaluation of response to broadcast transmissions
Abstract
A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a voice signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing desired responses, and a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory. Also provided is electronic circuitry for scoring the responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at each of the remote receiving stations. Scoring is performed at differing levels of difficulty, set by a host or by a contestant, with credit being given also to the length of time required for response and the mode of response such as by use of a key word or phrase.
Inventors:Von Kohorn; Henry (Vero Beach, FL)
Appl. No.:192355
Filed:May 10, 1988
Current U.S. Class:725/23 725/24 379/92.01 434/323 725/133 725/141 
Field of Search:358/84,86 379/91,92 434/307,316,323,350,351,362 455/2,5 902/23,39
U.S. Patent Documents
3606688September 1971Zawels et al.
4044380August 1977Justice et al.
4264924April 1981Freeman
4268744May 1981McGeary
4271351June 1981Bloodworth
4286323August 1981Meday
4541806July 1985Zimmerman et al.
4573072February 1986Freeman
4592546June 1986Fascenda et al.
4630108December 1986Gomersall
4671772June 1987Slade et al.
4745468May 1988Von Kohorn
Foreign Patent Documents
1287304Aug., 1972GB
Other References
SYNC Catalog, pp. 2-3; "Now You Can Beat the Contestants on TV's Most Popular Game Show"..~
Primary Examiner: George; Keith E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:Perman & Green
Parent Case Text


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 837,827 filed Mar. 10, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,468.
Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to a plurality of task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, the method comprising:
transmitting a first set of electronic signals conveying a first task-setting message of said plurality of messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said first set of signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said first task-setting message at said remote locations;
generating, at said central station, a first response criteria independently of said transmitting of said first set of electronic signals;
transmitting from a central station a second set of electronic signals conveying said first response criteria relative to said first task-setting message to said remote locations;
receiving said second set of signals at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with said first response criteria, said first response criteria comprising suitable words including alphanumerics and other indicia, and said responses comprising words including alphanumerics and other indicia; and
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said first response criteria; and wherein
said step of comparing provides for a comparing of at least one key word or element in a response with said first response criteria;
said first response criteria includes a scoring basis, said method further comprising steps of:
scoring accepted responses meeting said scoring basis of said first response criteria;
modifying, at said central station said first response criteria to provide a second response criteria independently of said transmitting of said first set of electronic signals;
transmitting additional ones of said first set of electronic signals for conveying additional task-setting messages of said plurality of messages; and
transmitting to said remote locations additional ones of said second set of electronic signals to convey said second response criteria governing responses to said additional task-setting messages.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of creating a record of scored responses; and wherein
said first response criteria includes a timing of said responses for a predetermined time interval;
said step of entering responses is performed by means of a data entry device at a remote location;
said step of modifying includes altering said timing and changing said scoring basis; said method further comprising steps of
presenting said first task-setting message to a studio audience after expiration of said time interval for response; and
communicating activity of said studio audience to said remote locations.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of creating a record of said responses and wherein
said first response criteria includes a timing of said responses for a predetermined time interval;
said step of entering responses is performed by means of a keyboard;
said step of modifying includes altering said timing and changing said scoring basis; and
a response can include a narrative text entered on said keyboard, said step of creating of a record including creating a record of narrative text in hard-copy format.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said generating includes a step of formatting said first response criteria by setting a plurality of difficulty levels as part of the response criteria of a question.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein,
said first response criteria includes a timing of said responses for a predetermined time interval; and
in said formatting step, a difficulty level is at least in part determined by the time allowed for answering a question by an entering of a response.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in said step of transmitting said first set of electronic signals, questions are visually posed through a video portion of a television program.

7. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said task-setting program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience, said program being a television program;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria including a timing of a response;
means at said central site for encoding said instructional signal, said encoding means being suitable for operation by a host of said television program, said instructional-signal transmitting means including means for modulating encoded instructional signals upon a voice channel of said television program;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering responses by said audience to a task presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing individual ones of said audience responses to said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring said audience responses; and
demodulation means at said receiving station coupled to said predetermined response-criteria storing means for extracting said instructional signal from said voice channel of said transmitted program signal; and wherein
said entering means includes buffer storing means for storing said audience responses, said buffer storing means outputting the audience response to said comparison means;
said scoring means includes means for selectively altering a mode of scoring individual ones of said audience responses in response to said instructional signal; and wherein
said instructional signal can be altered to change criteria of said scoring mode independently of a transmission of the program signal.

8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising:
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for activating and deactivating said scoring means; and
means for outputting a hard copy of said responses, said hard copy including a scoring result of said responses upon activation of said scoring means, and excluding a scoring result of said responses upon a deactivating of said scoring means.

9. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said task-setting program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a task presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing said audience response with said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring said audience response; and
recording means coupled to said scoring means for generating a record of responses meeting said predetermined response criteria; and wherein
said recording means outputs a recording medium storing said record for subsequent reading;
said scoring means includes means for timing the response of said audience;
said scoring means includes means responsive to said instructional signals for selectively altering a mode a scoring individual ones of said audience responses in response to said instructional signal; and wherein
said instructional signal can be altered to change criteria of said scoring means independently of a transmission of the program signal.

10. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a situation presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing said audience response to said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring said audience response; and
means at said central site for encoding said instructional signal, and wherein said instructional-signal transmitting means includes means for modulating encoded instructional signals upon a voice signal to be transmitted by said instructional signal transmitting means;
said system further comprising demodulation means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said response-criteria storing means for extracting said instructional signal from said voice signal of said transmitted programs signal; and
means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said scoring means for generating a record on a recording medium, a result of said scoring appearing on said recording medium upon activation of said scoring means; and wherein said record generating means provides said record with at least one distinguishing indicium selected from a group consisting of discrete dashes, connected, dashes, dots, regular shapes, irregular shapes, codes, numbers, letters and symbols, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting;
said entering means includes buffer storing means for storing said audience response, said buffer storing means outputting individual responses of the audience to said comparison means;
said scoring means includes means responsive to said instructional signal for timing individual responses of said audience;
said scoring means includes means for selectively altering criteria employed in a mode of scoring in response to said instructional signal; and wherein
said means for transmitting said instructional signal includes means for altering said instructional signal, independently of a transmission of a program signal, to activate said scoring means to alter said timing.

11. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a situation presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing said audience response with said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring individual responses of said audience; and wherein
said scoring means includes means responsive to said instructional signal for timing individual responses of said audience, said timing means having means for setting a time interval allowed for entering said responses;
said entering means includes buffer storing means for storing said audience response, said buffer storing means outputting the audience response to said comparison means;
said scoring means is capable of altering a mode of scoring in response to said instructional signal; and
said system further comprises:
recording means coupled to said scoring means for outputting a record of scored responses of said audience, said record having easily recognizable indicia and being in the form of hard copy;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for activating and deactivating said scoring means; and wherein
said hard copy includes results of a scoring of said responses upon activation of said scoring means, and excludes a scoring of said responses upon a deactivating of said scoring means;
a response produced on said hard copy is in alphanumeric form; and
said means for transmitting said instructional signal includes means for altering said instructional signal; independently of a transmission of a program signal, to activate said scoring means to alter said timing.

12. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a situation presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said entering means for generating a hard copy of said response;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal delineating acceptable responses and a mode of scoring such responses;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing an acceptable response to said program signals;
means coupled to said entering means and to said storing means for scoring said response, a result of said scoring means appearing on said hard copy upon activation of said scoring means; and
means responsive to said instructional signal for activating said scoring means; and wherein
said means for transmitting said instructional signal includes means for altering said instructional signal, independently of a transmission of the program signal, to activate said scoring means to alter a mode of scoring by said scoring means.

13. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a remote audience at a plurality of receiving stations and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to said remote audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating formatted response criteria, said response criteria including a mode of scoring responses and a period of time allowed respondents for entering responses;
formatting means at said central site suitable for operation by a conductor of said broadcast program for formatting said response criteria prior to transmission of said response criteria by said transmitting means, said formatting means being suitable for operation by a conductor of said broadcast program for reformatting said response criteria by altering said instructional signal independently of a transmission of the program signal, reformatted response criteria including selective alteration of response criteria consisting of the mode of scoring responses or the period of time allowed respondents for entering responses;
means at said central site suitable for operation by a conductor of said broadcast program for encoding said instructional signal;
means included in said instructional-signal transmitting means for modulating said encoded instructional signal upon a voice channel of a program broadcast from said central site;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing formatted and reformatted response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering responses by members of said remote audience to a task presented in said program, said entering means including buffer storing means at each remote location for storing said remote audience response;
demodulation means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said response entering means for extracting said instructional signal from said voice channel of said transmitted program signal;
means at said receiving stations for comparing each of said remote audience responses with said formatted or reformatted response criteria;
means included in said buffer storing means for outputting said remote audience response to said comparing means;
means at said receiving stations, and coupled to said comparing means, for scoring said remote audience responses, and means for timing such responses, said scoring means operating on the basis of a period of time allowed for entering a response by members of said remote audience in accordance with formatted or reformatted response criteria and;
means for recording said scored responses.

14. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step, wherein said creating includes providing said record with at least one distinguishing indicium selected from a group consisting of discrete dashes, connected, dashes, dots, regular shapes, irregular shapes, codes, numbers, letters and symbols, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals; and
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of providing a split-screen television presentation for communicating between said central station and said remote audience.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of entering responses is performed by means of a keyboard and a response can include a narrative text; and wherein said narrative text is scored in said step of scoring by scoring means and outputted in said record-creating step by copy-generating means in the form of hard copy.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of modification of said first-mentioned response criteria includes altering said scoring basis and the time allowed for entering responses.

18. A method according to Claim 14, wherein signals transmitted constitute separate quiz programs conducted concurrently, said method further comprising the steps of presenting questions to studio contestants, and separately presenting questions to home contestants.

19. A method according to Claim 14, intended to permit individuals at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring an answer to a question presented by a program conductor, further comprising a step of allowing said individuals to select the difficulty level of an acceptable response after knowing the general subject matter of a question, but before knowing the answer to the question.

20. A method according to Claim 14, intended to permit individuals at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring answers to questions presented by a program conductor, wherein said scoring step includes a step of scoring partially correct answers by storing in a data storage memory a plurality of cross-referenced key symbols, key words or key phrases, and wherein said comparing step includes comparing said symbols, words or phrases with the entered responses and evaluating the comparison results under command of a program memory.

21. A method according to Claim 14, intended to permit individuals at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring a response to a task presented by a program conductor, wherein said record-creating step includes a step of providing a recording medium in the form of an examination blank or form and recording a scored response thereon.

22. A method according to Claim 14, intended to permit individuals at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring answers to questions presented by a program conductor, wherein said scoring step includes a step of grading examination papers containing said responses by identifying in said examination papers a plurality of specified key symbols, key words or key phrases included in said response criteria.

23. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
wherein the method is intended to permit individuals at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring answers to questions presented by a program conductor, wherein said record-creating step includes a step of dispensing a hard-copy record of the processed response, said hard copy comprising a redeemable coupon and having imprinted thereon advertising material or shopping hints.

24. A method according to claim 14, wherein said response record comprises material which has been treated by at least one treatment selected from a group of process steps consisting of magnetizing, coloring, coating, embossing and texturing.

25. A method according to claim 14, wherein said response record having at least one of said distinguishing indicia is further distinguished by use of a process step providing at least one additional distinguishing indicium selected from the group consisting of color, intensity, width, spacing, positioning, font and resolution, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein said at least one indicium has been applied by a process step selected from the group consisting of printing, ink spraying, heating, magnetic pulses, light sources and laser beams.

27. A method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one indicium have been applied by a process step selected from the group consisting of printing, ink spraying, heating, magnetic pulses, light sources and laser beams.

28. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises;
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals; and
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and wherein
tampering, forging, and counterfeiting of the record is prevented by including in said record-creating step a further step of providing a recording medium of tamper resistant composition.

29. A method according to claim 14, in which tampering, forging, and counterfeiting of the record is prevented by including in said record-creating step a further step of providing a recording medium containing admixtures of identifiable substances.

30. A method according to claim 14, wherein said record is in the form of a questionnaire, said method further comprising the steps of
storing different questionnaires for alternative uses in a dispenser;
storing programs in a memory; and
selecting a program determining a specific questionnaire to be used and the form and extent of processing responses entered by respondents.

31. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of:
providing in a program memory a plurality of scoring programs adapted to output to a counter incremental commands in accordance with a desired magnitude of a score to be awarded, said counter to be employed in said scoring step, and a step of providing comparator circuitry adapted to increase such score award in accordance with higher difficulty levels of the task presented, which comparator circuitry is to be employed in said comparing step.

32. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
providing means for altering the difficulty level of said first-mentioned response criteria by a program conductor or by an individual respondent.

33. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
permitting an individual respondent to select a difficulty level before knowing a question to be responded to by said response entering step.

34. A system according to any of claims 9, 10, or 11 wherein said timing means includes means for setting a time interval allowed for entering said responses.

35. A system according to any one of claims 9, 10, or 11 wherein said timing means further includes means for deactivating said scoring means upon expiration of a predetermined time interval.

36. A broadcasting system according to claim 12, the system being employed for teaching an audience remote from a central site, the system further comprising
timing means operatively coupled to said scoring means for setting a time interval allowed for entering said response; and
interactive means for providing communication from said remote sites to said central site.

37. A broadcasting system according to claim 13, the system being employed for aiding research by an audience remote from a central site, the system wherein
said timing means sets a time interval allowed for entering said responses, said system further comprising
interactive means for providing communication from said remote sites to said central site.

38. A system according to claim 36 wherein said timing means further includes means for deactivating said scoring means upon termination of said time interval.

39. A system according to claim 37 wherein said timing means includes means for deactivating said scoring means upon termination of said time interval.

40. A method according to claim 14 wherein said formatting step includes a step of setting individual elements of response criteria for each task.

41. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
wherein said formatting includes a step of setting a plurality of difficulty levels as part of the response criteria of a question.

42. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
wherein, in said formatting step, a difficulty level is at least in part determined by the time allowed for answering a question by an entering of a response.

43. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
wherein said step of scoring provides that an answer to the same question at higher difficulty levels carries a greater award.

44. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises:
formulating a plurality of task-setting messages for sequential transmission to members of a remote audience;
formatting response criteria for a task of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic task-setting signals conveying said task-setting messages from a central station to receivers at remote locations;
receiving said signals conveying said task-setting messages at said remote locations;
transmitting from a central station electronic response-criteria signals conveying response criteria governing responses to each task of said task-setting messages, said response-criteria signals being transmitted to said remote locations;
receiving said response-criteria signals at said remote locations;
entering responses to said task-setting messages on data-entering devices at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each of said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step;
modifying by at least partially reformatting said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to fit a subsequent task;
transmitting the response-criteria signals with modified response criteria independently of a transmission of said task-setting signals;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying a response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signals to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting messages; and
informing a television audience, prior to posing a question, of awards associated with each difficulty level of a particular question.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the step of informing is accomplished by a host by making an announcement correlating a shorter time period allowed for answering a question with a higher difficulty level.

46. A method according to claim 44, wherein the step of informing is accomplished by the host by announcing a general subject area of a question to be posed, and a step by a contestant of determining the difficulty level applicable to answers to such question based on a general subject area before knowing the specific question.

47. A method according to claim 44 including a step by a contestant, prior to knowing a question, of shortening a period of time allowed for answering the question, so as to answer a question at a higher difficulty level carrying a greater award.

48. A method according to claim 14 wherein, in said step of transmitting said task-setting electronic signals, questions are visually posed on television.

49. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of conducting a quiz program for studio audiences independently, but substantially concurrently with a quiz program for home viewing audiences.

50. A system according to claim 10 wherein, in said storing means, response criteria including scoring method can be updated by replacing previous data, and may also be retained for repeated utilization pursuant to radio command signals from said instructional-signal transmitting means.

51. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a situation presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing said audience response to said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring said audience response;
means at said central site for encoding said instructional signals, and wherein said instructional-signal transmitting means includes means for modulating encoded instructional signals upon a voice signal to be transmitted by said instructional signal transmitting means;
said system further comprising demodulation means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said response-criteria storing means for extracting said instructional signal from said voice signal of said transmitted programs signal; and
means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said scoring means for generating a record on a recording medium, a result of said scoring appearing on said recording medium upon activation of said scoring means; and wherein
said entering means includes buffer storing means for storing said audience response, said buffer storing means outputting individual responses of the audience to said comparison means;
said scoring means includes means responsive to said instructional signal for timing individual responses to said audience;
said scoring means includes means for selectively altering criteria employed in a mode of scoring in response to said instructional signal; and wherein
said means for transmitting said instructional signal includes means for altering said instructional signal, independently of a transmission of a program signal, to activate said scoring means to alter said timing;
said system further including selection means at remote locations and operable by a contestant to select one of several specified alternative subject areas of a question.

52. A system according to claim 10 wherein said scoring means is operable by a contestant for selecting a mode of scoring a response based on a shorter response interval of time.

53. A system for broadcasting a task-setting program signal from a central site to a plurality of receiving stations at remote sites, and for responding to said program signal at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
means at said central site for transmitting said task-setting program signal;
means at each of said receiving stations for presenting a program transmitted by said program signal to an audience;
means at said central site for transmitting an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to said instructional signal for storing said predetermined response criteria;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by said audience to a situation presented in said program;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing said audience response to said predetermined response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring said audience response; and
means at said central site for encoding said instructional signal, and wherein said instructional-signal transmitting means includes means for modulating encoded instructional signals upon a voice signal to be transmitted by said instructional signal transmitting means;
said system further comprising demodulation means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said response-criteria storing means for extracting said instructional signal from said voice signal of said transmitted programs signal; and
means at each of said receiving stations coupled to said scoring means for generating a record on a recording medium, a result of said scoring appearing on said recording medium upon activation of said scoring means; and wherein
said entering means includes buffer storing means for storing said audience response, said buffer storing means outputting individual responses of the audience to said comparison means;
said scoring means includes means responsive to said instructional signal for timing individual responses to said audience;
said scoring means includes means for selectively altering criteria employed in a mode of scoring in response to said instructional signal; and wherein
said means for transmitting said instructional signal includes means for altering said instructional signal, independently of a transmission of a program signal, to activate said scoring means to alter said timing; and
said response criteria includes a plurality of responses at differing levels of difficulty including higher and lower levels of difficulty, and said scoring means is operable by a contestant for scoring a response based on a higher difficulty level.

54. A system according to claim 53 wherein said scoring means is responsive to a contestant for shortening an allowed period of response.

55. A system according to claim 10 wherein said program transmitting means further comprises television transmission means at said central site and television screen means at remote locations operative in a split screen mode to inform the remote audience of an award associated with a difficulty level.

56. A system according to claim 10 having television display means for the display of task-setting messages of said program signal.

57. A system according to claim 10 further comprising means responsive to said scoring means at remote locations for audibly announcing an award to a successful contestant.

58. A system according to claim 10 further comprising dispenser means coupled to said scoring means to output said record of scoring results, said record being a printout having imprinted thereon a bar code, which bar code is suitable for transmission to the central site by means of telephone modems, and is suitable for reading by scanners.

59. A system according to claim 10 wherein said comparing means includes first comparison means for comparing a key word of a response to a reference word, and second comparison means for comparing a set of words to a set of reference words.

60. A system according to claim 10 including selection means at remote locations and operable by a contestant to select one of several specified alternative subject areas of a question; and wherein
said comparing means includes means for rejecting responses failing to meet the response criteria; and in said data storing means, response criteria including scoring method can be updated by replacing previous data, and may also be retained for repeated utilization pursuant to radio command signals from said response-criteria transmitting means.

61. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of providing television screen means at remote locations operative in split screen mode for communicating between said central station and said remote locations; and wherein
said task-setting messages include a question to be asked, said method further comprising a step of informing the remote audience through said split screen means of a plurality of alternative subject areas of a question to be asked.

62. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of sequentially televising a plurality of programs, said programs including audio portions carrying said task-setting messages, and a step of varying said tasks with each audio portion.

63. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of sequentially televising a plurality of programs to members of the audience at remote locations geographically located in different time zones, said programs including audio portions carrying said task-setting messages; the method further comprising the steps of
transmitting individual ones of said audio portions to remote locations in different ones of said time zones; and
varying said tasks among the audio portions transmitted to the remote locations in different ones of said time zones.

64. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second sets of signals are transmitted as part of a television program containing a predetermined number of tasks, said method including a step of televising said program repeatedly; and wherein
there is a number of formulated different task-setting messages which is larger than that required for said program; and
there is one set of task-setting messages which is transmitted in a first such program and a set of different task-setting messages transmitted in a second such program at a time different from that of said first program.

65. A method according to claim 1 wherein
there are a plurality of said task-setting messages, said task-setting messages define a plurality of tasks for which responses are to be entered, and said generating step includes a step of setting individual response criteria for each of said tasks;
said step of transmitting electronic signals conveying a task-setting message includes a transmitting of task-setting messages to receivers at locations in different time zones; there being a further step of
varying tasks of said task-setting messages for presentation of different tasks to receivers in different time zones, the task-setting messages transmitted to the receivers in the different time zones including a common visual program in each of said time zones accompanied by tasks which differ in each of the time zones.

66. A method according to claim 14 wherein said task-setting signals include a television program, said step of transmitting task-setting signals including a transmission to different geographic locations, said step of transmitting said task-setting signals being repeated for successive transmissions of a common television program to the different locations; and wherein
said step of formulating task-setting messages provides for a plurality of different tasks with respective ones of said tasks accompanying respective transmissions of said common program to respective ones of the locations.

67. A method for evaluating responses to task-setting messages electronically transmitted from a central station to members of a remote audience who have responded to said messages in a manner meeting predetermined response criteria, which method comprises the steps of:
transmitting audio-visual signals to the members of the remote audience, the audio-visual signals conveying a presentation of data accompanied by task-setting messages defining tasks to be performed by members of the audience;
transmitting signals conveying response criteria to members of the remote audience at remote locations for responding to individual ones of said task-setting messages, said response criteria including a scoring basis for responses to be entered by the members of the remote audience, said scoring basis including a difficulty level;
entering responses to said task-setting messages by members of said audience;
comparing individual ones of said responses entered by a member of said remote audience with said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to said response criteria in correlation with a difficulty level;
creating a record on a recording medium at each said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step, wherein said creating includes providing said record with at least one distinguishing indicium selected from a group consisting of discrete dashes, connected, dashes, dots, regular shapes, irregular shapes, codes, numbers, letters and symbols, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting;
allowing interaction between a member of the remote audience and the central station by means of a communication link between a remote location and the central station;
altering the response criteria in accordance with said interaction; and
permitting further response by members of the remote audience in accord with altered response criteria.

68. A method according to claim 67 further comprising a step of retransmitting said audio-visual signal with a revised task setting message for modifying at least one task to be performed by members of the remote audience.

69. A method according to claim 68 wherein said step of scoring includes a step of timing responses of members of the remote audience in accordance with said altered response criteria.

70. A system for evaluating responses by members of an audience to task-setting messages electronically transmitted from a central station to locations remote from the central station, the audience members being located at the remote locations, the system comprising:
first transmitter means for transmitting audio-visual signals to the remote locations, the audio-visual signals conveying a presentation of data accompanied by task-setting messages defining tasks to be performed by members of the audience relative to said presentation;
response means at the remote locations operable by individual ones of the audience members for responding to the task-setting messages;
second transmitter means for transmitting response-criteria signals to the remote locations, the response means being activated by the response-criteria signals, said response criteria signals conveying a response criteria including a scoring basis for evaluating acceptable responses to be entered by the audience members; and wherein said response means includes
means for comparing a response entered by an audience member with said response criteria;
means for scoring a response to output a score based on said scoring basis;
means coupled to said scoring means for generating a record on a recording medium, a result of said scoring means appearing on said recording medium upon activation of said scoring means;
communication means allowing interaction between an audience member and the central station; and wherein
said record generating means provides said record with at least one distinguishing indicium selected from a group consisting of discrete dashes, connected, dashes, dots, regular shapes, irregular shapes, codes, numbers, letters and symbols, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting; and
at least one of said first and said second transmitter means provides for modification of their respective signals to alter the acceptability of a response.

71. A system according to claim 70 wherein said scoring means includes means for establishing a plurality of difficulty levels against which responses are scored by said scoring means, said altered response criteria including difficulty level.

72. A method according to claim 1 further comprising steps
presenting said first task-setting message to a studio audience; and
communicating activity of said studio audience to said remote locations.

73. A system according to claim 12 wherein said copy-generating means comprises means for selecting a recording medium to serve as said hard copy, said selecting means being responsive to said instructional signal.

74. A method according to claims 3 or 14 further comprising a step of providing on said record an alphanumeric code permitting verification of an award.

75. A method according to claims 3 or 14 further comprising a step of providing on said record a machine readable code permitting verification of an award.

76. A method according to claim 14 wherein said record-creating step includes a step of providing as said recording medium a form having a grid and recording a scored response thereon, said method permitting persons at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring answers to a task presented by a program conductor, said task requiring a creative narrative response.

77. A method according to claim 14 wherein said scoring step includes a step of cumulatively adding scoring increments to said score, said method permitting persons at remote locations to participate in task-setting programs of the type requiring answers to multi-part questions presented by a program conductor, said scoring increments corresponding to the parts of said multi-part questions answered in a manner meeting response criteria.

78. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of formulating task-setting messages includes the formulation of questions which are selected from a question group consisting of multi-part questions, questions requiring a single or multi-choice answer, and questions requiring a minimum number of answers.

79. A method according to claim 14 further comprising
a step of providing a television presentation for communicating between said central station and said remote audience, said members of said remote audience being contestants of a television audience located at said remote locations, there being a host at said central station;
a step by the host of informing the television audience of specified alternative subject areas of a question prior to asking a question, and a step by a contestant of selecting a subject area prior to knowing the specific question.

80. A system according to claim 7 wherein contestants are located at said remote sites, the system further comprising means at said remote sites for alerting contestants of a correct response with opportunity to win an award.

81. A method according to claim 2 further comprising steps of announcing and dispensing of a award to a successful contestant at one of said remote locations, there being a step of delaying the dispensing and the announcing of the award to the successful contestant for a determined interval of response by the studio audience.

82. A method according to claim 14 wherein said step of creating includes a step of outputting a voucher suitable for exchange for an award.

83. A method according to claim 1 or 14 wherein each step of transmitting task-setting message signals includes a transmitting of questions on an automated cable television channel for displaying on screens in remote locations, the displaying including alphanumeric or graphic forms of display.

84. A system according to claim 7 or 9-13 inclusive wherein said means for transmitting a program signal transmits questions in alphanumeric form, graphic form, or a combination of alphanumeric and graphic forms by an automated cable television channel for display on screens in remote locations.

85. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting signal messages electronically transmitted to receivers at remote locations, which method comprises the steps of:
formulating a radio program comprising a plurality of tasks to be performed sequentially by members of the radio audience and to be conveyed to said members in the form of task-setting electronic signal messages;
transmitting said electronic task-setting signal messages from a central station on an assigned radio frequency;
receiving said electronic task-setting signal messages at remote locations;
formatting response criteria governing responses to a task, said response criteria including acceptable responses, a scoring basis with difficulty level and a timing of said responses for determined time intervals;
transmitting electronic signals conveying response criteria on a subcarrier of an assigned radio frequency to said remote locations prior to or substantially concurrently with the transmission of said task-setting signal messages;
receiving said electronic signals conveying response criteria at remote locations;
entering responses on a data entry device at said remote locations;
comparing said responses with acceptable responses meeting said response criteria;
identifying individual ones of said responses meeting said response criteria;
scoring each response relative to the scoring basis of said response criteria;
creating a record on a recording medium at each said remote locations of scored response results from said scoring step, wherein said creating includes providing said record with at least one distinguishing indicium selected from a group consisting of discrete dashes, connected, dashes, dots, regular shapes, irregular shapes, codes, numbers, letters and symbols, so as to prevent tampering, forging, and counterfeiting;
modifying by at least partially reformatting individual ones of said response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting messages, so as to individually govern a subsequent task;
transmitting electronic signals conveying reformatted response criteria on a subcarrier of an assigned radio-frequency;
repeating the foregoing steps, wherein a repetition of modifying response criteria includes a reformatting of individual ones of said first-mentioned response criteria independently of said transmitting of said task-setting signal messages, to be applied to tasks of subsequent ones of said task-setting signal messages.

86. A system according to claim 7 or 9-13 inclusive wherein said means for transmitting a program signal transmits said program solely by radio.

87. A system according to claim 7 or 9-13 inclusive wherein said means for transmitting a program signal transmits the program signal by presentation in a form of audio presentation, visual presentation, or a combination of audio and visual presentations.

88. A system according to claim 14 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to said remote locations prior to the transmission of said task-setting signals.

89. A system according to claim 14 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to said remote locations concurrently with the transmission of said task-setting signals.

90. A system according to claim 14 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to said remote locations subsequent to the transmission of said task-setting signals.

91. A system according to claim 70 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to members of said remote audience prior to the transmission of said audio-visual signals.

92. A system according to claim 70 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to members of said remote audience concurrently with the transmission of said audio-visual signals.

93. A system according to claim 70 wherein said response-criteria signals are transmitted to members of said remote audience subsequent to the transmission of said audio-visual signals.
Description


This invention relates to transmission by broadcast media including radio and television broadcasting programs to listeners and viewers of the programs and, more particularly, to the transmission of signals designating questions or tasks, to response criteria for evaluating responses of the listeners and viewers of the broadcast programs, and to the dispensing of awards to individual listeners and viewers having provided answers meeting the response criteria.

A common form of program transmitted by the broadcast media is the quiz program. Typically, in such a program, a panel of people provide answers to questions arising from the subject matter of the quiz. Often, the answers are indicated by use of a keyboard with electronic circuitry. The answers may be provided in response to questions which are asked directly, or in response to a situation or task presented by the program such as in the solving of a puzzle.

A characteristic of such quiz programs is the fact that the responses to the questions are limited to participants in the studio audience. The much larger external audience, namely the listeners of radio and viewers of television, are generally excluded from participation except for those few people who, on occasion, may have the opportunity to call in a response via telephone to a situation arising in the program. Letter writing has also been employed as a means of response to questions and other matters raised by the program.

Thus, it is apparent that a problem exists: in that a large percentage of the external audience is essentially excluded from active participation in the broadcast programs. In view of the fact that the studio audiences can provide their responses electronically, it is clear that personal involvement, such as conversation among participants, is not necessarily required. It is, therefore, apparent that such programs should be open to participation by the larger external audience in addition to the studio audience; yet, no system providing for such participation has been available.

It is noted that this problem is not limited to quiz programs only, but that other forms of programs in the areas of education and research might also be conducted in a fashion allowing active public participation if a suitable system were available to make such public participation possible. A desirable feature of such a system would be the capability for evaluating and recording the responses, a feature that would be very useful in the case of educational programs because such a feature would permit a teacher to grade examinations dispensed to students by the broadcast media. Such a system would also be useful in commercial ventures wherein a prize is to be given to a participant providing an acceptable answer. In such a case, the participant would bring the recorded answer, which might be in the form of a coded credit card, to a store or other establishment for receipt of the prize. This would be a great convenience in the implementation of a sales and advertising program. Responses by the listening or viewing audience can also be used in conducting a survey of public opinion. However, in spite of the advantages which would be provided by such a system, for including the listening and viewing audience, no such system has yet been available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing problem is overcome, and other advantages are provided by a system for the evaluation of response to broadcast programs which, in accordance with the invention, provides for the transmission of signals designating questions and response criteria along with transmission of the broadcast program. The invention includes both method and system aspects which create added interest and excitement among viewers, and thus tend to increase watching of the television stations carrying programs of the type to be described hereinafter.

In accordance with the theory of the invention, two groups of signals are broadcast, wherein each of the two signal groups may be divided in two portions designated as first and second signals. In the first signal group, the first of the two signals includes the program signal itself which may be broadcast from a radio station or television station to the listening or viewing audience. The second signal of the first group is a signal transmission setting forth a task, such as the answering of one or more questions which may be viewed on a television screen and/or listened to over radio or the audio portion of the television transmission. For simplicity in describing the invention, an audience viewing a televised program is presumed. It is understood that the description of the invention in terms of the viewing audience applies also to the listening audience of a radio broadcast.

The second of the two signal groups is in the nature of an instructional signal group identifying the questions to be answered, the amount of time available for an answer, a mode of scoring the answers, and the proper content and form of an acceptable answer. In one embodiment of the invention, the first signal of the second signal group sets forth the desired answer or answers, and the second signal provides the mode of scoring responses, such as the parameters, formulas and other criteria to be employed in the scoring of the answers. Therefore, in this one embodiment of the invention, the two signal groups include at least four sets of signals which are transmitted, each of which can be varied independently of the other, and which may be transmitted concurrently or at different times.

Included at the site of each viewer in the external or remote audience is a television set, plus electronic response equipment having circuitry for reception of the instructional signal group transmitted from a central station, the response equipment also including a keyboard for designating answers or responses to the questions, a display for viewing answers entered by the keyboard, timing circuitry, scoring circuitry, and a recording device for recording answers to the question. The recording device includes preferably a dispenser for dispensing a record such as a printout, a magnetizable card containing a person's responses to the questions and/or a person's score in answering the questions.

A particular advantage of the invention is the capacity for interaction between a person conducting a broadcast program and the external audience. This may be illustrated by way of example wherein a sportscaster is describing a sporting event such as a football game. The questions asked by the sportscaster may pertain to the winning team, to plays that have been accomplished, as well as to questions which may be called in by telephone from the listening/viewing audience. During the program, commercials may be aired, and various products and/or services may be described and offered to the viewing audience.

In the practice of the invention, it is noted that signals of the instructional signal group, Group Two, may be transmitted before, concurrently, or subsequent to the transmission of the program signals in accordance with the nature of the questions and responses required. For example, in the event that the program situation deals with a college professor giving an examination, the correct or acceptable answers to the various questions and the procedure for scoring answers to individual ones of the questions can be transmitted before the lecture in which the professor asks the questions. In the event that a limited period of time is available for response to each of the questions, then, at least a portion of the instructional signals, Group Two, must be sent concurrently with the program data, this portion being a timing signal which the professor would initiate when he asks the question. The timing signal would initiate operation of a timer in the electronic equipment at each of the receiving stations which are tuned to the broadcast program, the timer then clocking a requisite amount of time in accordance with an instructional signal which has been previously transmitted or is concurrently transmitted with the program data. In yet a further example, in the case of an interactive situation wherein the professor is responding to a comment made by a student in the classroom or, possibly in response to a telephoned inquiry, the professor may then ask a question for which the instructional signal designating the nature of the response would be transmitted after the question has been asked.

At a receiving station the electronic equipment includes a keyboard by which a viewer of the broadcast program enters a response. The response should be a desirable or correct response, or at least an acceptable response in order to receive credit. The response is stored in a buffer store for comparison with a correct or acceptable response which is stored in a data memory. The correct response is provided as a data input to the data memory by the instructional signal group. The comparison is provided by comparison circuitry which outputs a signal via timing circuitry to a score counter to provide a score at the conclusion of responses to a question. The timing circuit, under control of a program memory, is activated upon request from the host of the transmitted program. Instructional signals transmitted by the host are modulated onto the audio portion of the transmitted signals and, subsequently at a receiving station, are demodulated and decoded to provide the data signals for the data memory, synchronization signals for operation of the timing circuitry, and instructional signals for operation of the program memory. Alternatively, the instructional signals may be transmitted at television frequencies by known methods, such as the use of vertical blanking intervals or other unused parts of a television transmission. The resulting score from the score counter may be recorded in a readout device which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, provides a printout or a card with an encrypted value of the score in a magnetic strip that is readily read by automatic card readers. According to one embodiment, a register may be included for the storage of responses which are printed or typed out in the form of a message. The message may be passed on to the readout device under instruction of the program memory.

At each of the remote receiving stations, circuitry responsive to the third signals is provided for implementing the response criteria. In particular, provisions are made to evaluate responses to the same question at different difficulty levels. For example, different amounts of credit can be given based on the speed at which a viewer responds to the question.

Also answers showing a more detailed, accurate or comprehensive understanding can be weighted to provide greater credit for responding to the question. If desired, a set of response criteria may include only one difficulty level.

The readout or dispensing device provides a printout having at least two sets of information. The information may be provided on a tape or card in printed lettering or in a bar code format to show the value of any award which might be given, and a verification of the fact that the award has been made. The printout may also verify the identity of the person answering the question. The verification may be provided either by a signal transmitted from a central station as part of the instructional group of signals to be stored at the remote location or, alternatively, by use of a validation code taking the form of alphanumeric data and/or other symbols, such as a machine readable code, which the dispenser is capable of printing. The value of the award is printed preferably in alphanumeric form so as to be readily understandable by the participant.

In the event that a two-way cable system is available, such system may be used to advantage in the practice of the invention by providing for transmission of the television program to a remote audience while also enabling members of the remote audience to communicate responses or other commentary back to the broadcasting station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the invention are described in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic: view of a system incorporating the invention and configured to show two embodiments of receiving stations, one receiving station employing simulcast radio and television signals of a program produced in a studio, and the second receiving station employing a television receiver system modified to receive an instructional signal from the studio;

FIG. 2 shows the audio spectrum and a portion thereof designated for an instructional signal;

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic response unit in each remote receiving station of FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of a dispenser of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention, similar to that of FIG. 3, the system of FIG. 6 employing the transmission of two signal groups each having plural sets of signals, wherein first and second signals of the first signal group are transmitted by video and audio portions of a television program, the first and the second signals presenting respectively a studio scene and a task for respondents, and wherein two sets of signals of the second group, an instructional group, are combined with an audio signal of the first group;

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 6 wherein the signals of the second group are interleaved with the video signal of the first group by use of the vertical retrace time slot of a television transmission;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a response unit for use with either of the systems of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a timing unit of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 shows the audio spectrum and a portion thereof designated for instructional signal bands of the second signal group utilized, respectively, for answers and criteria for evaluating answers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, FIGS. 1-5 disclose embodiments of the invention useful for programs to be conducted with participation from remote audiences. In the disclosure of FIGS. 6-10, the system is adapted for a greater selection of and modification of, parameters in criteria for evaluating answers to questions. The criteria are controllable from a central station. The embodiment of the system of FIGS. 1-5 is described in terms of two signal groups, namely, a radio/television signal group, Group One, and an instructional signal group, Group Two. The embodiment of the system of FIGS. 6-10 is described with reference to at least four types of signals, namely, a television signal presenting a studio scene (TV program), a television signal presenting a task such as a set of questions (task signal), a signal setting forth acceptable answers to questions (response criteria), and a signal setting forth criteria to be employed in the evaluation of the answers (scoring mode). The system of FIGS. 1-5 will be described first, this being followed by a description of the system of FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 1 presents a simplified description of a system 10 wherein a central station 12 includes a studio 14, such as a television studio which broadcasts programs to many external or remote receiving stations, two such receiving stations 16 and 18
being shown by way of example. In accordance with the invention, each of the receiving stations 16 and 18 includes means for observing the broadcast program, such as a television screen 20, and means by which persons in the external viewing audience can respond to situations presented in the studio, the response means being a response unit 22 which evaluates and records responses entered by persons in the viewing audience.

Two signals are broadcast by the central station 12 to each of the receiving stations 16 and 18. One of these two signals is a program signal for presenting on the television screen 20 a program generated in the studio 14. The second of the two signals is an instructional or command signal for operation of the response unit 22, the instructional signal providing appropriate commands to the response unit 22 for evaluating, rejecting or accepting, and scoring audience responses to questions raised in the televised program.

Two modes of transmission are provided for the two signals. In the case of the receiving station 18, both of the signals are carried by a single television channel carrier radiated from an antenna 24 of the central station 22, and received by an antenna 26 at the receiving station 18. The antenna 26 connects with a television system 28 which includes the foregoing television screen 20 and, furthermore, includes circuitry 30 for the separation of the instructional signal from the program signal. The instructional signal is then applied via line 32 to the response unit 22. In the case of the receiving station 16, the two signals are processed separately. The instructional signal is broadcast by a radio channel employing a radio antenna 34 at the central station 12, and received by an antenna 36 at the receiving station 16. Thus, at the receiving station 16, a standard television set 38 including the screen 20 receives the televised program via antenna 26 and presents the program on the screen 20. A separate radio receiver 40 and demodulator 42 are employed for receiving the instructional signal and for applying the instructional signal to the response unit 22.

In the practice of the invention, the instructional signal may be transmitted to a remote receiving station in any convenient manner such as via a cable transmission or by a specially broadcast transmission (not shown) or by combining the instructional signal with the audio signal in a radio broadcast or television broadcast. The combination of the instructional signal with the audio spectrum is demonstrated in the graph of FIG. 2 which shows a typical relationship of amplitude versus frequency in a transmitted audio spectrum. In that spectrum, a relatively narrow frequency band is set aside for transmission of the instructional signal, the narrow frequency band being at the upper frequency edge of the audio spectrum.

For example, the bandwidth of the instructional signal may be approximately 1% of the audio bandwidth, this being sufficient to enable a relatively slow transmission of instructional data to the response units 22 in the respective receiving stations. By maintaining the amplitude of the instructional signal well below that of the audio signal, the instructional signal does not introduce more than a negligible amount of interference with the audio signal. Also, it is noted that the instructional signal is not continuously present but, rather, appears only for a momentary burst of time, typically less than a few seconds duration, when necessary to instruct each response unit 22. In the case of the receiving station 16, a simulcast of radio and television is employed while, in the case of the receiving station 18, only the television program is broadcast, as has been described above. However, in both cases, the audio spectrum is the same, and the mode of combining the instructional signal with the audio transmission is the same. Typically, the system 10 would be implemented with only one of the transmissions, either the television transmission with the instructional signal combined therewith, as demonstrated by the receiving station 18, or by the simulcast of both the television and the radio transmissions as demonstrated by the receiving station 16. In the case of the simulcast, the instructional signal need not be combined with the television signal, the instructional signal appearing only in the radio broadcast from the antenna 34 as described above.

The receiver 40 and the demodulator 42 operate in a manner similar to that of the separation circuitry 30, and will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3.

In both of the receiving stations 16 and 18, the response unit 22 includes a keyboard 44 whereby a person in the remote viewing audience enters a response. The response unit 22 includes a dispenser 46 which dispenses a record of the score and/or responses in a permanent recording medium such as a card 48 of plastic, or similar material, and including a well-known strip of magnetizable material (not shown) upon which the score and/or responses have been recorded. Alternatively, by way of example, the dispenser 46 may be constructed in a form (not shown) for outputting a tape which has been imprinted or punched with the desired information. Easily recognizable indicia may also be imprinted on the tape or card.

The system described lends itself well to multi-part questions and/or to multiple choice answers, for any of which special forms can be provided, to be filled in or otherwise marked. The response recording and/or data entering means can have provisions for the insertion of special forms or blanks, which can be made available or mailed to participants. For example, a school may mail to students forms specially prepared for a particular examination or assignment. The response unit 22 may therefore be configured to hold a recording medium such as a paper blank to which markings are applied. Alternatively, the medium, such as paper tape, discontinuous or continuous forms, may be inserted by the respondents.

Examination papers, whether taking the shape of forms to be filled in, or the result of a free hand composition or narrative, may also be graded by the comparator means, which is capable of identifying key phrases and words that are expected to appear on the completed examination paper. In similar fashion, comparator means to be described hereinafter is designed so as to be able to recognize and accept any one or more of a plurality of predetermined key words, symbols or phrases.

Dispenser 46 can be adapted to reward children who have provided answers meeting the predetermined response criteria by dispensing gold stars or other tokens. In another embodiment, the dispenser combines the coupons issued to winners with advertising material or shopping hints.

The records created pursuant to the present invention may be used as tokens, coupons, certificates and general proof of participation in the broadcast transmission program. Coupons may be redeemed by mail or in retail establishments for cash, prizes or discounts.

The following terms are useful in describing the system of the invention.

The term "task-setting" is intended to include the meaning of interrogative, opinion-eliciting and statement-eliciting, as well as the soliciting of creative endeavors and all kinds of functions capable of being performed by an entry in a data entering device.

The terms "evaluating" and "scoring" are intended to refer to and include the meanings of sorting, counting, screening, evaluating, analyzing and processing information, data and responses in accordance with predetermined criteria, ranging from simple comparing tasks to computerized processing and analyses.

The term "interactive system" refers to a system for communicating from a sender to a respondent and having the capacity for allowing the sender to receive a communication, when desired, from the respondent whether by manual or electronic means.

The term "response" is intended to include answers, elicited opinions and statements, text and narrative provided by contestants, respondents, students and other participants in broadcasts calling for interaction, reaction and responses. The term "processed response" is intended to refer to and include the results produced by screening, sorting, scoring, evaluating, massaging, statistically analyzing, or otherwise machine-processing responses, data and information provided by participants at the receiving stations. The term "hard copy" is intended to refer to and include any kind of permanent record capable of being visually read, scanned or machine read. The term "simulcast" is intended to refer to the simultaneous, but separate transmission from different propagating sources of the video and audio portions of a program.

In the context of formulating response criteria, the terms "formulate", "generate", "format" and "reformat" are intended to refer to and include the selection and determination of all factors affecting the evaluation and scoring of responses.

The term "keypad" is understood to include other forms of data entry devices, the keyboard being presented by way of example.

The term "print-out" is intended to include printed, embossed, punched, stamped, and other types of hard copy, paper, cardboard and plastic in the form of coupons, certificates, tokens, cards, forms and matrices.

The term "central" as used, for example, in "central location", is intended to refer to a broadcast station or network serving a country, a time zone or a region, and also is intended to include discrete local broadcast stations operating independently and serving a town or other smaller geographic area, always provided that such "central" station serves a multiplicity of remote receiving stations. The terms "remote" or "external" as used for example in "external audience", are intended to include all television viewers and radio listeners tuned into an electronic transmission station, irrespective of the distance from such central station; as such, a "remote" audience includes, for example, students or other respondents positioned in close proximity to the source of a program, as in the case of a closed circuit transmission.

The term "interval" is intended to mean time interval or period of time.

The term "reward" is intended to include in its scope discounts, prizes, free merchandise, monetary awards and other rewards having monetary or symbolic value.

The term "host" is intended to include an on-stage and an off-stage announcer, master of ceremonies, program director, guest host and celebrities, announcers of commercials and any other individual associated with the program or appointed to carry out one or more of the activities enumerated herein.

The term "difficulty level" is intended to include difficulty levels set by the host and inherent in the task or question, as reflected by possible answers, as well as difficulty levels inherent in a response or answer set by a respondent based on the speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness or responsiveness of the response and reflecting respondent's confidence in his or her knowledge of the subject matter.

In the formulation of a response to a question by a member of the external television audience, in the ensuing description reference will be made to a response in terms of recognition of key words as well as responses which require several words as in a phrase, sentence, formula and the like. It is to be understood that, in the generation of such responses, the term "word" includes also alphanumeric characters and other symbols such as pictorial representations which may be required as a proper response to a question.

With respect to various embodiments of the invention, the response unit 22 may be configured to provide the foregoing functions of evaluating and scoring, as well as the processed response.

In FIG. 3 the studio 14 is shown, by way of example, to include a television host 50, conducting a quiz program or game 52 in front of a television camera 54 which views both the game 52 and the host 50, and, also including when required, display means on stage (not shown) to provide an image thereof, which image is televised or only visible to the studio audience. Words spoken by the host 50, as well as other sounds in the studio 14, are converted by a microphone 56 to electric signals. Also included within the studio 14 is a keyboard 58 by which the host 50 or another person, enters commands and instructions to be communicated via the instructional signal. The central station 12 further comprises an encoder 60 a modulator 62, an oscillator
64, a bandpass filter 66, a summer 68, a combiner 70, a radio transmitter 72, a television transmitter 74, and a switch 76. The switch 76 connects an input terminal of the combiner 70 to either an output terminal of the summer 68 on line 78 or an output terminal of the microphone 56 on line 80.

In operation, the pressing of keys on the keyboard 58 activates the encoder 60 to output digital signals representing the keys which have been pressed. The oscillator 64 outputs a carrier signal which is modulated by the modulator 62 with the digital signals outputted by the encoder 60. The modulator 62 applies the modulated carrier signal to the filter 66 which narrows the bandwidth of the modulated signal to equal the instructional bandwidth shown in FIG. 2. The filtered signal is coupled from the filter 66 to one input terminal of the summer 68, a second input terminal of the summer 68 receiving the output electrical signal from the microphone 56 via line 80. An output signal of the camera 54 is connected to one input terminal of the combiner 70, a second input terminal of the combiner 70 being connectable via the switch 76 in line 78 to an output terminal of the summer 68. In the alternative position of the switch 76, the second input terminal of the combiner 70 is connected via line 80 to receive the output electric signal of the microphone 56 rather than the output signal of the summer 68. An output terminal of the combiner 70 is connected to the television transmitter 74. Signals outputted by the summer 68 are connected via line 78 also to the radio transmitter 72.

The signal outputted by the bandpass filter 66 is the instructional signal which is to be transmitted via either the transmitter 72 or 74 to a remote receiving station. The signal outputted by the microphone 56 is the audio signal component of the signals transmitted in the television channel via the transmitter 74, and is also transmitted via the radio transmitter 72 to the remote receiving stations when a radio transmission of the audio portion of the activity in the studio 14 is desired. The summer 68 performs the function of combining the instructional signal with the audio signal whereby the instructional signal shares a small fraction of the audio spectrum as shown in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by adding the output signals of the microphone 56 and the filter 66 to output the sum signal on line 78. The combiner 70 functions, in a well-known fashion, to combine the video portion of the television channel signal from the camera 54 with either the microphone signal on line 80 or the composite signal of the summer 68 depending on the position of the switch 76.

In the event that the simulcast of both the radio and the television transmissions is to be provided by the transmitter 72 and 74, the switch 76 connects the combiner 70 to line 80 in which case the television signal transmitted by the transmitter 74 has the standard format of video and audio portions without the instructional signal, the latter being transmitted via the radio transmitter 72. In the event that the switch 76 is connected to line 78, then the television signal transmitted by the transmitter 74 includes the instructional signal within the audio portion of the television signal.

The circuitry of FIG. 3 demonstrates two possible embodiments of the invention wherein the receiving stations may have either of the two forms shown for the remote receiving stations 16 and 18. If all of the receiving stations have the form of the station 16, then the switch 76 may be placed in the position for connection of the line 80 to the combiner 70, in which case the transmitter 74 transmits a normal television signal while the instructional signal is transmitted by the transmitter 72. In the event that all of the receiving stations are in the form of the station 18 then the switch 76 connects a line 78 to the combiner 70 for providing a modified form of the transmitted television signal wherein the instructional signal is included within the television signal. In such case, the radio transmitter 72 is not used by the invention, but may, nevertheless, transmit a radio program to remote radios which do not form a part of the system of the invention.

The television system 28 comprises a receiver 82, a demodulator 84, and a speaker 86. The separation circuitry 30 comprises a narrow-band filter 88 and a demodulator 90. The passband of the filter 88 is equal to the bandwidth of the instructional signal shown in FIG. 2.

In the operation of the receiving station 16, the receiver 40 functions in the manner of a well-known radio receiver for receiving the radio transmission incident upon the antenna 36. In addition, the receiver 40 includes a narrow-band filter 92
having a passband equal to that of the filter 88. Thereby, the filter 92 extracts from the audio spectrum the portion of the spectrum, shown in FIG. 2 designated for the instructional signal. The signal outputted by the filter 92 is demodulated by the demodulator 42 to recover the digitally formatted signal produced by the encoder 60, which digitally formatted signal is applied to the response unit 22 for providing instruction thereto. The television set 38 in the receiving station 16, as noted hereinabove, functions in accordance with the well-known form of television set outputting both audio and video signals, the latter appearing on the screen 20.

In the operation of the receiving station 18, the receiver 82 includes a well-known television tuner (not shown) and outputs the television signal of the channel to which the receiver 82 is tuned. The television signal outputted by the receiver
82 is demodulated in a well-known fashion by the demodulator 84 to provide a video signal which is presented on the television screen 20, and an audio signal which is presented by the speaker 86.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the demodulator 84 also applies an audio signal to the filter 88 of the separation circuitry 30. The filter 88 extracts the portion of the audio spectrum designated for the instructional signal, as does the filter 92, and outputs the instructional signal to the demodulator 90. The demodulator 90 operates, as does the demodulator 42 to recover the digitally formatted signal produced by the encoder 60, which digitally formatted signal is applied to the response unit 22 to provide instruction thereto. Thereby, the response units 22 of the receiving stations 16 and 18 are able to function concurrently with the presentation of the broadcast television program upon the television screens 20. As indicated in the drawing for the receiving station 18, a member of the normally remote audience 94 operates the keyboard 44 of the response unit 22 while listening to the speaker 86 and watching the television screen 20.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown one embodiment of the response unit 22. The circuitry shown therein accomplishes the major functions of the response unit 22, namely, providing a member of the audience 94 with a means for entering a response to a situation viewed on the television screen 20 and/or heard via the speaker 86, not accepting (rejecting) or accepting, evaluating and scoring such response, recording such response, and outputting a temporary or permanent record of the response. In particular, it can be advantageous if the permanent record is in the form of the card 48, which form is machine readable to facilitate a reading of the score and/or response by either a third party or the host 50. It is to be understood that the circuitry of FIG. 4 constitutes only one possible embodiment of the invention for performing these functions and that other embodiments employing a digital computer suitably programmed (not shown) may also be employed.

The response unit 22 comprises three decoders 96, 98, and 100, a register 102, a score counter 104, a memory 106 for storing data, and a memory 108 for storing an operating program, a timer 110, a gate 112, a buffer store 114, a comparator 116
for comparing output signals of the store 114 with the memory 106, a logic unit 118, and a clock 120, these components being in addition to the keyboard 44 and the dispenser 46 disclosed previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

In operation, the memory 106 stores data with respect to the answers which are to be provided by the viewing audience. For example, in the event that the viewing audience is composed of children in a children's show wherein children are learning to identify colors, the host may point successively to a red hat, a blue table, and a green car and request to know the colors of the respective objects. In such case, the memory 106 would store response criteria, in this instance, the words red, blue, and green in the sequence corresponding to the order in which the objects are to be addressed by the host. The keys on the keyboard 44 may be similarly colored to enable entry of the correct response. Alternatively, for older children, the keyboard may be an alphanumeric keyboard, as is found on a typewriter, in which case the viewing audience is to type the words corresponding to the colors addressed by the host. In this case, the comparator 116 would compare the spelling of the words entered via the keyboard 44 with the spelling of the colors stored in the memory 106. The buffer store 114 stores the responses entered via the keyboard 44 to enable the comparator 116 to compare the response with the data stored in the memory 106.

The method and system of the invention lend themselves particularly well to educational shows for children. Questions pertaining to educational toys, to books, to stories and to subjects being taught or addressed, are interspersed in the show. Children are rewarded with tokens or other forms of award, such as coupons redeemable at candy stores, ice cream parlors, and the like.

The score counter 104 operates under command from the program memory 108 to score each correct response signal outputted by the comparator 116. When the response entered at the keyboard 44 agrees with the data stored in the memory 106, the comparator 116 outputs a logic-1 signal via gate 112 to the counter 104. The output signal of the comparator 116 serves as an enable signal to initiate a count by the counter 104. The counter increments its count by 1, 2, 3, or other amount depending on the magnitude of the score to be awarded for the correct response. In the event that the response is to be timed in the sense that a limited time is available for the response, then the timer 110 is activated by the program memory 108 to render the gate 112 in a state of conduction of signals of the comparator 116 only during the interval of time when the response is permitted. Both before and after this interval of time, the timer 110 places the gate 112 in a state of nonconduction so that a response entered at the keyboard 44 outside of the desired response interval, or "window", cannot enable the counter 104 to increment or modify the score.

The output count, score, or evaluation of the counter 104 is applied to the dispenser 46 which includes a recording medium, such as the card 48, for providing a permanent record of the score. The dispenser 46 includes suitable magnetic recording heads (not shown) for recording information on the card 48 in a well known fashion. In addition, if desired, the dispenser 46 may include well-known encryption circuitry for recording the score on the card 48 in a fashion which cannot be read except by an automatic card reader having circuitry for decrypting the recorded message. The dispenser 46 is activated by the program memory 108 to accomplish the foregoing recording of the score.

The score counter/evaluator 104 can take different forms. While the score counting function is described herein for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that unit 104 may be designed to perform the processing of data entered by respondents on keyboard 44 or other data entering device. Included in such processing are, for instance, the computerized processing of data provided by respondents in accordance with one of several programs stored in memory 108 and brought into play by the instructional or command signals transmitted by transmitters 72 or 74. Questionnaires or forms used in market research may be stored in dispenser 46 or may be placed into it by respondents. Following a set of questions, or upon the completion of the broadcast, processed or unprocessed data are issued by dispenser 46 in the form of hard copy taking the form of one of the embodiments described.

If desired, the actual response entered at the keyboard 44, such as the words red, blue, and green of the foregoing example, may be recorded by the dispenser 46. For this purpose, the responses are coupled from the buffer store 114 to a register
102 wherein the responses are stored prior to recording at the dispenser 46. After all of the responses have been stored in the register 102, the program memory 108 strobes the register 102 to pass the data of the responses into the dispenser 46 for recordation upon the card 48 or such other form of storage media as may be employed.

The printout mechanism or marking device may take different forms to meet the requirements of the broadcast, whether quiz programs, educational programs, tests surveys or