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United States Patent
5034807
Von Kohorn
July 23, 1991
Title
System for evaluation and rewarding of responses and predictions
Abstract
A system and method for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a 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 acceptable 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 for the length of time required for response. The mode of response includes the use of a key word or phrase. Alternatively, the program may be presented by a prerecorded message accessible by telephone from a remote station with regulation from a central station.
Inventors:
Von Kohorn; Henry
(Vero Beach,
FL
)
Appl. No.:
424089
Filed:
October 19, 1989
Current U.S. Class:
725/5
725/105
725/133
725/141
725/23
Field of Search:
455/2,5,4 358/84,86 434/316,323,350,351,362
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Other References
SYNC (Catalog), advertisement titled, "Now You Can Beat the Contestants on TV's Most Popular Game Shows", pp. 2 and 3. .
Interactive Television Prospects for Two-Way Services on Cable, Walter S. Baer, Nov. 1971..~
Primary Examiner:
Kuntz; Curtis
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Perman & Green
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending applications Ser. No. 192,355 filed May 10, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,255 and Ser. No. 192,248 filed May 10, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,592 which is a continuation-in-part of 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 use in a question and answer game, wherein a recorded question and a recorded answer criteria, formulated by a host, are transmitted from a central location to a plurality of respondent stations for entering a respondent's answer and for comparing an entered answer with the answer criteria, the method comprising the steps of:
formulating by the host a plurality of questions and a plurality of accompanying answer criteria, each of said answer criteria defining at least one acceptable answer to a question of said plurality of questions;
encoding by an encoder said answer criteria so as to be unintelligible;
successively recording on a common recording medium a record of a plurality of sets of signals, each signal set comprising an intelligible question signal and an accompanying unintelligible answer criteria signal, individual ones of said signal sets being chronologically separated by predetermined intervals of time, a time interval including a period of time allowed for answering a question;
playing back said record at said central location;
conveying signals of the signal sets to the respondent stations to accomplish an announcing of successive individual questions to respondents at their respective stations;
storing said answer criteria in a memory at each of said respondent stations;
at a respondent station, entering an answer by a respondent to a question by use of an entering means;
at a respondent station, evaluating a respondent's answer by comparing an answer entered within an allowed period of time with accompanying answer criteria, said comparing being done by comparing means; and
wherein said evaluating includes a step of identifying an acceptable answer.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said announcing of individual questions is done visually.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said announcing of individual questions is done audibly.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said respondent stations comprise speaker means for audibly communicating to respondents, the method comprising a further step of informing respondents of acceptable answers to respective ones of the questions.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said respondent stations comprise display means visible to a plurality of said respondents, the method further comprising a step of informing respondents of acceptable answers to individual ones of said questions.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said respondent stations comprise dispensing means, the method further comprising a step of dispensing an award in the form of a hard copy record to individual ones of said respondents who have entered an acceptable answer to a question.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said hard copy record is selected from a group comprising tokens, coupons, certificates, magnetized cards, and printouts.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said hard copy record has a monetary value.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said answer criteria signals are encoded by making said answer criteria signals unintelligible by a step of speeding up a transmission of said answer criteria signals.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein
said central location includes means for printing individual hard copy records of awards made to a plurality of respondents who have entered acceptable answers;
each respondent station includes means for generating a printing signal for each respondent having entered an acceptable answer, said printing signal directing a printing of said printing means, there being means for transmitting said printing signals from said respondent stations to said printing means; and wherein
said method includes further steps of:
generating said printing signals at the respondent stations for respondents who have entered acceptable answers, said printing signals including data to be printed by said printing means;
transmitting said printing signals to said printing means; and
activating said printing means to print a hard copy record of an award to each of said respondents who have entered an acceptable answer, said record being adapted for physical delivery to each such respondent.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein
said method comprises a further step of scoring each answer entered by a respondent by scoring means at a respondent station, data of said printing signal being based on results of said scoring, said step of printing a hard copy being based on said scoring results.
12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising a step of accumulating scores of accepted answers between said scoring step and said printing step.
13. A method for evaluating responses to recorded task-setting messages provided at a central station and intended for respondents located at receiving stations, which method comprises:
generating, at a central station, during a first time interval a first set of signals conveying a task-setting message;
generating, at a central station, during a second time interval a second set of signals conveying response criteria defining an acceptable response relative to said task setting message, said second time interval occurring independently of said first time interval, said response criteria including a scoring basis;
recording said first and said second sets of signals for playback to respondents at said receiving stations;
playing back said first set of signals at a central station;
receiving said first set of signals at said receiving stations;
playing back said second set of signals at a central station;
receiving said second set of signals at said receiving stations;
entering responses to said task-setting message at said receiving stations;
comparing at least one element in one response of said responses with said response criteria; and
scoring accepted responses meeting said said response criteria.
14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising a step of dispensing to a respondent a hard copy displaying results of said scoring.
15. A method according to claim 13 wherein said response criteria includes a timing of said responses for a predetermined time interval, and wherein said second set of signals conveying the response criteria are formatted digitally and transmitted at a bit rate sufficiently fast to be unintelligible during a playing back of said second set of signals.
16. A method according to claim 13 wherein said step of recording said first set of signals is a video recording.
17. A method according to claim 13 wherein said step of recording said first set of signals is a video recording, and said step of recording said second set of signals is performed within an audio portion of said video recording.
18. A method according to claim 13 wherein said step of recording said first set of signals is an audio recording.
19. A method according to claim 13 further comprising a step of allowing said respondents to select the difficulty level of an acceptable response after knowing the general subject matter of a question, but before knowing the question.
20. A method according to claim 13 wherein said step of generating said first set of signals conveying said task-setting message is accomplished by speaking a description of a scene and a task, said task to be performed by a respondent, and said step of recording said first set of signals being accomplished as an audio recording.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein said step of generating said second set of signals conveying response criteria relative to said task-setting message is accomplished by formatting the signals of said second set as unintelligible signals, said step of recording said second set of signals being accomplished as an audio recording.
22. A system for communicating task-setting program signals to respondents at a plurality of receiving stations, and for responding to said program signals at said receiving stations, said system comprising:
first signal means for generating a program signal;
second signal means for generating an instructional signal incorporating predetermined response criteria defining an acceptable response, said second signal means being operative to generate said instructional signal independently of a generation of said program signal by said first signal means;
means coupled to said first and said second signal means for recording upon a recording medium a program signal of said first signal means, and an instructional signal of said second signal means;
playback means operative with said recording medium for playing back to a respondent said program signal and said instructional signal recorded by said recording means;
means for communicating said program signal and said instructional signal from said playback means to each of said receiving stations;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by a respondent to a situation presented in said program;
comparing means located at each of said receiving stations and responsive to an instructional signal of said playback means for comparing said respondent's response to said predetermined response criteria to determine an acceptable response;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring a respondent's acceptable response; and
dispensing means coupled to said scoring means for generating a record of scored responses of said respondent.
23. A system according to claim 22 wherein said response criteria includes a scoring basis, said scoring means being responsive to said scoring basis in scoring a response.
24. A system according to claim 22 wherein 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 respondent for scoring a response based on a higher difficulty level.
25. A system according to claim 24 wherein
said second signal means is operative for generating a further instructional signal incorporating further predetermined response criteria defining an acceptable response; and
said playback means is operative selectively to play back said instructional signal and said further instructional signal for applying selectively a scoring criteria and a modified scoring criteria to said comparing means, and for applying selectively a scoring basis and a modified scoring basis to said scoring means.
26. A system according to claim 25 wherein said scoring means includes means for timing the response of a respondent.
27. A system according to claim 26 wherein said dispensing means outputs an automatically readable card means which stores response score data for subsequent reading.
28. A system according to claim 22 wherein said recording means comprises a video cassette recorder providing a video recording of said program signal.
29. A system according to claim 28 wherein said recording means is operative to record said instructional signal within an audio portion of said video recording.
30. A system according to claim 22 wherein said recording means comprises an audio recorder providing an audio recording of said program signal.
31. A system according to claim 30 wherein said first signal means comprises a microphone for receiving a spoken description of a scene and a task, said task to be performed by a respondent.
32. A method according to claim 22 wherein said second signal means includes means for encoding an instructional signal as an unintelligible audio signal, said audio recorder recording said unintelligible audio signal with the audio recording of said program signal.
33. A method for evaluating and creating a record of responses to recorded task-setting programs intended for respondents located at receiving stations, which method comprises:
generating during a first time interval a task-setting program at a further station separate from said receiving stations, said step of generating including formulating a plurality of questions directed to subject matter of said program, each of said questions requiring a separate response criteria;
formulating at said further station during a second time interval a first response criteria relative to a first question of said plurality of questions, said step of formulating during said second time interval including a formulating of further response criteria respectively for further ones of said plurality of questions, said second time interval occurring independently of said first time interval, each of said response criteria defining at least one acceptable response and including a basis for scoring responses and a predetermined time period for timing responses to one of said questions;
recording said task-setting program including said first question and corresponding response criteria for playback to respondents at receiving stations;
recording a further question and a corresponding further response criteria;
playing back said task-setting program with said first question and corresponding response criteria for presentation to said receiving stations;
entering a response to said first question at said receiving stations;
comparing at least one element in a response of said responding step with the corresponding response criteria;
scoring responses in accordance with the scoring basis of the corresponding response criteria;
playing back said further question and its response and scoring criteria for presentation to said receiving stations;
entering a response to said further question; and
scoring the response to the further question on the scoring basis of the corresponding response criteria.
34. A method according to claim 33 further comprising step of:
employing a host to operate a recorder for playing back said task-setting program and said response criteria;
communicating from a respondent to said host a request for modification of the response criteria; and
wherein said step of playing back said further question with its response criteria is performed by said host in accordance with said request, thereby allowing an interacting between a respondent and the host.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said step of communicating a request for modification includes request for altering said timing period and/or changing aid scoring basis.
36. A system for presenting prerecorded signals describing a scenario from a host at a central site to respondents at a plurality of receiving stations, for entering a response to said prerecorded signals at said receiving stations, and for comparing an entered response to an acceptable response, said system comprising:
playback means operable by the host at said central site for transmitting prerecorded signals to each of said receiving stations, said prerecorded signals being stored on a recording medium in said playback means, said prerecorded signals including a program signal defining a task to be performed by the respondents, and an instructional signal incorporating at least one acceptable response and response criteria including a mode of scoring responses and a period of time allowed to respondents for entering responses, said playback means transmitting the prerecorded signals to the receiving stations during a playback mode of the playback means;
means at each of said receiving stations responsive to the program signal for presenting a scenario and a task to a respondent; and
means at each of said receiving stations for evaluating and recording responses by said respondents, said evaluating and recording means including means for entering a response by a respondent to the task, said entering means including a keyboard providing for entry of symbols including alphanumeric characters and or other indicia; and
wherein said evaluating and recording means includes means in said entering means for comparing an entered response with an acceptable response, said comparing providing a comparison of a plurality of symbols of the entered response with symbols of an acceptable response;
said evaluating and recording means includes means in said entering means and coupled to said comparing means for scoring an entered response to provide a score based on said response criteria and on said comparison; and
said evaluating and recording means includes means for recording said score, said score recording means producing an output record of the score in hard copy, the output record having a prescribed format of data of the entered response set forth in symbols, the format of the record being suitable for use of the record as a coupon for receipt of a prize.
37. A system according to claim 36 wherein the recording medium stores a plurality of tasks for the scenario, the tasks varying in difficulty level and being stored in different parts of the recording medium, said recording/playback means being operative to allow selection by the host of a part of the recording medium having a task of predetermined difficulty level to be transmitted to the receiving stations, the recording medium storing a plurality of acceptable answers with their response criteria for corresponding ones of the tasks.
38. A system according to claim 37 wherein
said playback means is operative to transmit to the receiving stations a plurality of tasks for the scenario; the recording medium stores a plurality of tasks of differing difficulty level for the scenario and differing response criteria corresponding to the difficulty levels; and
said entering means comprises a memory for storing a plurality of response criteria and acceptable responses for each difficulty level, there being selection means in said entering means and operable by a respondent for selecting a difficulty level.
39. A system according to claim 38 wherein said mode of scoring is based on said difficulty level, said scoring means awarding a higher score for an entered response to a task of greater difficulty than for an entered response to a task of lesser difficulty.
40. A system according to claim 37 wherein said symbols constitute a word or phrase of narrative text.
41. A system according to claim 40 wherein
an acceptable entered response includes a plurality of acceptable words of narrative text, said scoring means awarding partial credit for an entered response having fewer correct words than said plurality of acceptable words; and
said hard copy is selected from a group comprising tokens, coupons, certificates, magnetized cards, and printouts.
42. A system according to claim 37 wherein an entered response includes a plurality of symbols in a sequence of symbols, said scoring means awarding partial credit for an entered response having fewer correct symbols as defined by said response criteria than said plurality of symbols.
43. A system according to claim 36 wherein said scoring means includes means for timing a time interval allowed for an entering of a response by a respondent, and said scoring is based on said time interval, said scoring means awarding a higher score for a response entered within a shorter time interval than for a response entered within a longer time interval.
44. A system for presenting prerecorded signals describing a scenario from a central site to respondents at a plurality of receiving stations in response to requests by individual ones of the respondents, for entering responses to said prerecorded signals by individual ones of the respondents at said receiving stations, and for comparing an entered response at each receiving station to an acceptable response, said system comprising:
playback means at said central site for transmitting prerecorded signals to each of said receiving stations;
telephonic means interconnecting said receiving stations with said playback means, said telephonic means being operable by individual ones of said respondents to activate said playback means; and wherein
said playback means is operable in response to commands of individual ones of said respondents communicated by said telephonic means for transmitting prerecorded signals to the receiving stations of respondents requesting the prerecorded signals;
said prerecorded signals are stored on a recording medium in said playback means, said prerecorded signals including a program signal defining a task to be performed by respondents in relation to the scenario, and an instructional signal incorporating at least one acceptable response and response criteria including a mode of scoring responses and a period of time allowed to respondents for entering responses, said playback means transmitting the prerecorded signals to the receiving stations during a playback mode of the playback means; and
said system further comprises means at each of said receiving stations responsive to the prerecorded signals for presenting the scenario and a task to a respondent;
means at each of said receiving stations for entering a response by a respondent to the task, said entering means including a keyboard providing for entry of symbols including alphanumeric characters and/or other indicia;
means at each of said receiving stations for comparing an entered response with an acceptable response, said comparing providing a comparison of symbols of the entered response with symbols of an acceptable response;
means at each of said receiving stations and coupled to said comparing means for scoring an entered response to provide a score based on said response criteria and on said comparison; and
means at each of said receiving stations for recording said score, said recording means outputting a hard copy record of the score, the record having a prescribed format of data of the entered response set forth in symbols, the format of the record being suitable for use of the record as a coupon for receipt of a prize.
45. A system according to claim 44 wherein the recording medium stores a plurality of tasks for the scenario, the tasks varying in difficulty level and being stored in different parts of the recording medium, said recording/playback means being operative to allow selection by the host of a part of the recording medium having a task of predetermined difficulty level to be transmitted to the receiving stations, the recording medium storing a plurality of acceptable answers and response criteria corresponding to individual ones of the tasks.
46. A system according to claim 45 wherein
said recording/playback means is operative to transmit to the receiving stations a plurality of tasks for the scenario; the recording medium stores a plurality of tasks of varying difficulty level for the scenario and differing response criteria corresponding to the difficulty levels; and
said entering means comprises a memory for storing a plurality of response criteria, and acceptable responses for each difficulty level, there being selection means in said entering means and operable by a respondent for selecting a difficulty level.
47. A system according to claim 46 wherein said mode of scoring is based on said difficulty level, said scoring means awarding a higher score for an entered response to a task of greater difficulty than for an entered response to a task of lesser difficulty.
48. A system according to claim 45 wherein a plurality of symbols of the entered response constitute a word of phrase of narrative text.
49. A system according to claim 48 wherein an entered response includes a plurality of words of narrative text, said scoring means awarding partial credit for an entered response having less correct words than a plurality of words designated by said response criteria.
50. A system according to claim 45 wherein a correctly entered response includes a plurality of symbols in a sequence of symbols designated by said response criteria, said scoring means awarding partial credit for an entered response having less correct symbols than said plurality of symbols designated by said response criteria.
51. A system according to claim 44 wherein said scoring means includes means for timing a time interval of an entering of a response by a respondent, and said scoring is based on said time interval, said scoring means awarding a higher score for a response entered within a shorter time interval than for a response entered within a longer time interval.
52. A system according to claim 44 further comprising a central station, and wherein said telephonic means includes a switchboard coupled to said central station, said central station broadcasting supplemental program signals to respondents in said receiving stations, said switchboard enabling a host in the central station to regulate transmission of said prerecorded signals.
53. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages prepared by a host and electronically transmitted to receiving stations, which method comprises:
formulating, by the host, a plurality of task-setting messages for transmission to respondents at said receiving stations;
formatting, by the host, response criteria relative to said task setting messages, said response criteria including at least one acceptable response to a task of said task setting message meeting said response criteria, a scoring basis, and a timing of responses for determined time intervals;
recording said task-setting messages and said response criteria on portions of a recording medium;
selecting said portions of said recording medium for playback to said receiving stations by means of playback apparatus;
playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria to be received at said receiving stations;
entering a response to a task-setting message at said receiving stations;
comparing an entered response with an acceptable answer of said response criteria, said comparing providing for a comparing of at least one key word or symbol in an entered response with said acceptable response;
scoring an entered response relative to said response criteria; and
creating a record of an entered response at each receiving station, the record being suitable for use as a prize token.
54. A method according to claim 53 further comprising steps of:
providing playback apparatus to accomplish said step of playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria;
providing a telephonic system to interconnect said receiving stations with said playback apparatus; and
transmitting from individual ones of said receiving stations via said telephonic system activation command signals to activate said playback apparatus to accomplish said step of playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria.
55. A method according to claim 54 further comprising steps of:
providing a switchboard in said telephonic system;
providing a central station and connecting said central station to said telephonic system via said switchboard; and
controlling from said central station said step of playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria.
56. A method according to claim 55 further comprising a step of:
transmitting from said central station to said receiving stations supplementary task-setting messages.
57. A method according to claim 56 further comprising a step of:
timing, at each of said receiving stations, said step of entering a response to a task-setting message; and wherein
said step of controlling said step of playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria includes a step of initiating said timing step.
58. A method according to claim 56 wherein said step of selecting said portions of said recording medium for playback is accomplished by:
transmitting from individual ones of said receiving stations, via said telephonic system, selection command signals to direct said playback apparatus to play back selected portions.
59. A method according to claim 56 wherein said step of selecting said portions of said recording medium for playback is accomplished by:
transmitting from said central station, via said telephonic system, selection command signals to direct said playback apparatus to play back selected portions.
60. A method according to claim 55 further comprising a step of:
transmitting from said central station to said receiving stations an announcement of a respondent providing an acceptable response.
61. A method according to claim 55 further comprising a step of:
announcing to a receiving station an award upon submission of an acceptable response from said receiving station.
62. A method according to claim 54 further comprising a step of crediting, in said telephonic system, an account of a participant submitting an acceptable response with the amount of a prize.
63. A method according to claim 53 wherein:
said scoring means includes a plurality of difficulty levels for said task setting messages; and
said scoring step provides a higher score for an acceptable answer to a task at a higher difficulty level.
64. A method according to claim 63 further comprising a step of awarding a prize to a respondent submitting an acceptable answer, the value of the prize being commensurate with the score, thereby allowing a more valuable prize to be awarded for a higher score.
65. A method according to claim 53, wherein the coupon designates an advertiser; the method further comprising a step of:
dispensing coupons to said respondents; and wherein
coupons dispensed to respondents carry shopping hints provided by an advertiser.
66. A method according to claim 65, wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupons during said step of creating a record.
67. A method according to claim 66, further comprising a step of:
recording shopping hint signals on said recording medium; and
wherein said playing-back step includes a playing back of the shopping-hint signals; and
said shopping hints are provided on said coupons in accordance with the shopping-hint signals transmitted to receiving stations at the time said response criteria are transmitted.
68. A method according to claim 67, wherein:
said step of recording shopping hints includes recording a plurality of shopping hints at different locations on said recording medium; and
said playing-back step includes a further playing back of a shopping hint from a further location of said recording medium to accomplish a changing of shopping hints in accordance with instructions provided by the advertiser.
69. A system for conducting a telephone game for individual participants at remote locations and for rewarding winning participants, said system comprising:
a recording medium playing facility at a central location;
a recording medium to be played by said recording medium playing facility, the recording medium containing at least one set of prerecorded messages, a set of the messages comprising signals conveying a question, signals conveying a time period allowed for answering a question and signals identifying at least one acceptable answer to said question;
a telephone facility at a central location, said telephone facility being operatively coupled to said recording medium playing facility and capable of transmitting said messages from said recording medium playing facility to individual ones of said remote locations; and
a sub-system at each remote location, said sub-system comprising:
means operative by a participant for contacting said central telephone facility;
means for receiving said messages from said telephone facility;
means coupled to said receiving means for presenting said messages to a participant;
means for entering an answer by a participant;
means operatively connected to said entering means and to said receiving means for timing an answer in accordance with a set of said messages;
means operatively connected to said entering means and to said receiving means for comparing an entered answer with an acceptable answer in accordance with a set of said messages; and
means coupled to said comparing means for announcing an award to an winning participant who has entered an acceptable answer.
70. A system according to claim 69, including means operatively coupled to said comparing means for scoring an acceptable answer.
71. A system according to claim 69, including means operatively coupled to said comparing means for dispensing to a winning participant a hard copy record indicating a monetary value.
72. A system according to claim 70, wherein said scoring means is operative to score answers at at least two difficulty levels.
73. For use in connection with an event, a method for evaluating a prediction wherein a participant predicts an outcome of the event and is informed of the accuracy of the prediction essentially immediately following the event, the method comprising the steps of
providing at a central location a facility for the electronic signal transmission of data presenting information regarding an event to a participant at a remote location;
providing to the participant means for entering and storing predictive data predicting the outcome of the event;
providing means for preventing said entering of predictive data after a predetermined point in time;
providing at a central location a facility for the electronic signal transmission of outcome data relative to the outcome of said event;
presenting through electronic signal transmission outcome data;
providing at said participants location means for receiving said outcome data;
providing at said participants location means for comparing said stored predictive data with said outcome data;
entering predictive data by a participant on said entering means;
preventing the entry of data on said entering means after a predetermined point in time;
comparing a participants predictive data with said outcome data;
providing at a participants location means for informing a participant whose predictive data coincide at least partially with said outcome data; and
informing a successful participant that the predictive data coincide at least partially with the outcome data.
74. A method according to claim 73 wherein the step of informing is done by issuing to a participant a permanent record of successful prediction.
75. A method according to claim 74 said permanent record is a hard copy record.
76. A method according to claim 75 wherein said hard copy record is a redeemable token.
77. A method according to claim 74 wherein said permanent record is a magnetized card.
78. A method according to claim 74 wherein said record is a monetary award.
79. A method according to claim 78 wherein said monetary award is indicated on said permanent record.
80. A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of informing is accomplished by presenting outcome data via television.
81. A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of informing is accomplished by presenting outcome data via radio.
82. A method according to claim 78, wherein a prediction of greater difficulty carries with it an award of greater value.
83. A method according to claim 73, further comprising steps of:
a participant's endeavoring to anticipate the outcome of the unannounced event by entering a prediction of the outcome of a unannounced event;
following the occurrence of an unannounced event, conveying to participants at remote locations
outcome criteria relative to the outcome of the event; and
awarding a prize to a participant having anticipated the unannounced event and having entered an acceptable prediction of the outcome thereof.
84. A method for conducting an event monitored by a host and requiring an acceptable decision relative to the event, wherein individuals at remote locations endeavoring to become successful participants prior to knowing the outcome of the event are billed for participation and wherein successful participants having met defined criteria receive a payment award, the method comprising the steps of:
providing central facilities for electronically transmitting signals conveying information pertaining to an event, said information being suitable for presentation at a remote location;
formulating, by the host, outcome criteria defining an acceptable decision;
providing central facilities for electronically transmitting to the remote locations signals conveying outcome criteria defining an acceptable decision about the event;
providing means at remote locations for receiving signals conveying said information and signals conveying said outcome criteria;
providing a sub-system for a participant at a remote location, the sub-system comprising means operable by a participant for entering data indicating a decision about the event, comprising means for determining whether a participant has met the outcome criteria, and means for generating a record indicating a payment award for an acceptable decision;
authorizing a billing by a central facility for a participants participation;
activating a participants sub-system by transmitting electronic signals from a central facility to participants remote location;
transmitting signals from a central facility conveying said information for presentation at remote locations;
transmitting signals from a central facility conveying outcome criteria;
entering, by a participant, a decision about the event;
comparing a participant's decision with said outcome criteria;
identifying an acceptable decision; and
generating a record indicating a payment award for an acceptable decision.
85. A method for operating the system according to claim 84, further comprising steps of:
providing telephone facilities; and
automatically transferring funds by debiting or crediting an account of a winning participant with the amount of said billing or of said prize on the books of the operator of said telephone facilities.
86. A method according to claim 84, wherein said central facilities for electronically transmitting signals conveying event information comprise a tape playing facility with a tape storing said information; and the method further comprises a step of automatically activating said tape playing facility in response to a participant dialing a dedicated number.
87. A method according to claim 84, wherein said record is in the form of a coupon designating an advertiser, and said method includes a further step of:
dispensing coupons to participants having qualified for an award; and wherein
the coupons dispensed to successful participants carry shopping hints provided by the advertiser.
88. A method according to claim 87, wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupons at the time of said step of identifying an acceptable decision.
89. A method according to claim 88, further comprising a step of:
transmitting shopping-hint signals to said remote locations substantially concurrently with said transmitting of outcome criteria; and
wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupons in accordance with the shopping-hint signals transmitted to the remote locations.
90. A method according to claim 89, wherein said shopping hints are changed in the course of said event by transmitting additional shopping-hint signals in accordance with instructions provided by the advertiser.
91. For use in connection with a game in which an object is intermittently moved by a player in a playing area from a first portion of the playing area to a second portion of the playing area, a method for evaluating a prediction wherein an observer at a remote location predicts a portion of the playing area to which the object will move upon being addresses by a player, and is informed of the accuracy of the prediction essentially immediately following a move of the object, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a television screen to an observer at a remote location;
providing at a central location a facility which transmits an electronic signal of area data presenting a playing area with identifiable portions of the playing area on the television screen visible to the observer at the remote location;
providing at the remote location a device for entering prediction data identifying a predicted portion of the playing area to which said object will move having been addressed by a player;
providing at a central location a facility which transmits an electronic signal of move data to a receiver at the remote location, said move data identifying said second portion of the playing area to which said object has moved having been addressed by a player;
providing at the remote location said receiver for receiving said area and said data signals;
providing at the remote location means for comparing said prediction data identifying an observers predicted portion with said move data;
providing at the remote location means for informing the observer whose predicted portion coincides with said second portion;
presenting through electronic signal transmission of area data identifiable portions of a playing area on a screen visible to the observer;
entering by the observer on said device said prediction data, said entering being completed essentially prior to a player having addressed said object;
electronically transmitting move data signals to the remote location identifying said second portion of the playing area;
comparing the observer's predicted portion with said second portion of the playing area; and
informing the observer whose predicted portion coincides with said second portion of such successful prediction.
92. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
providing at the remote location means for dispensing a permanent record of a successful prediction; and
dispensing a permanent record to a successful observer.
93. A method according to claim 92, further comprising a step of:
constructing said permanent record as a printed hard copy record.
94. A method according to claim 93, further comprising a step of:
constructing said hard copy record as a redeemable coupon.
95. A method according to claim 92, further comprising a step of:
constructing said permanent record as a magnetized card.
96. A method according to claim 92, further comprising a step of:
constructing said permanent record as a monetary award.
97. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
superimposing a grid on the presentation of the playing area, said grid having the identifiable portions of the playing area provided thereon.
98. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing in said presentation of the playing area at least one hole of a golf course, including a fairway, a green, hazards and adjacent roughs.
99. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing in said playing area at least one board on which the object and other objects are moved.
100. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing in said playing area a baseball diamond.
101. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing in said playing area a football field.
102. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
subdividing identified portions of the playing area into smaller identified portions for presentation to the observer by the television screen.
103. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing in a portion of a playing area an identified point.
104. A method according to claim 91, wherein said entering must be performed prior to the expiration of a predetermined time period.
105. A method according to claim 91, wherein said entering must be performed essentially prior to a player having addressed an object.
106. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
showing a plurality of identified portions of a playing area to have different dimensions.
107. A method according to claim 96, further comprising a step of:
awarding the observer in the case of a successfully predicted portion of smaller size, an award of greater value than in the case of a successfully predicted portion of a larger size.
108. A method according to claim 92, further comprising a step of:
issuing said record at a successful observer's location essentially immediately following the completion of said object.
109. A method according to claim 91, wherein said predicted portion is the portion of the playing area to which said object will have moved having been addressed at least twice by a player.
110. A method according to claim 91, further comprising a step of:
providing storage means coupled to said comparison means; and storing said prediction data in said storage means at the remote location.
111. Method for encouraging members of a remote viewing audience to avail themselves of televised shopping announcements prepared by a host, the method being characterized by the awarding of prizes to certain ones of the members who participate in a quiz program, the quiz program comprising questions interspersed among the shopping announcements, the method comprising the steps of:
preparing, by a host, plurality of general announcements of items of merchandise or services offered for sale, suitable for broadcasting from a central station to members of a viewing audience at remote locations over two-way electronic transmission facilities, said general announcements including auxiliary announcements of information regarding said items;
transmitting signals from said central station to said members over said transmission facilities conveying a first one of said general announcements;
receiving said first announcement by said members;
requesting by individual ones of said members of an additional one of said general announcements, said request being transmitted over said transmission facilities;
transmitting a requested auxiliary announcement to said members over said transmission facilities;
receiving said requested auxiliary announcement by said members;
repeating the preceding three steps;
formulating a total number of questions adapted for successive transmission from said central station to the remote locations;
formulating a set of answer criteria accompanying each question; said criteria including data defining an acceptable answer to a question, and further including a time period allowed for answering a question, and a scoring mode governing the qualifying for a prize by a member, such qualifying being determined by a number of acceptable answers entered or credits earned for acceptable answers;
transmitting a question and accompanying set of answer criteria to remote locations;
receiving said questions and answer criteria at remote locations by a response unit wherein each of said response units comprises means for entering an answer to a question by a member of said remote audience, said response units further comprising means for receiving and storing data conveying said answer criteria, means for conveying a request by a member for an additional announcement, timing means, means for comparing an entered answer with said data defining an acceptable answer, means for scoring an answer, and means for informing a member of acceptable answers entered or credits earned;
entering an answer to a question by a member of said remote audience on said entering means;
comparing an entered answer with an accompanying answer criteria;
scoring an acceptable answer in accordance with said scoring mode;
informing members of acceptable answers answered or credits earned by such a member; and
making the benefit of a prize available to members having qualified for a prize.
112. A method according to claim 111, wherein said scoring mode requires a member to have entered acceptable answers to two or more questions in order to qualify for a prize.
113. A method according to claim 111, wherein said scoring mode requires a member to earn a predetermined number of cumulative credits by having entered acceptable answers to two or more questions in order to qualify for a prize.
114. A method according to claim 111, wherein said general announcements of merchandise or services are done at least partially visually.
115. A method according to claim 111, wherein said general announcements of merchandise or services are done at least partially audibly.
116. A method according to claim 111, further comprising a step of:
presenting said merchandise of services prior to said step of transmitting a question; and
wherein said questions relate to a previous presentation of said merchandise or services.
117. A method according to claim 111, wherein said prize is in the form of a coupon designating an advertiser, and said method includes a further step of:
dispensing coupons to members having qualified for a prize; and wherein
the coupons dispensed to successful members carry shopping hints provided by the advertiser.
118. A method according to claim 117, wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupons at the time of said step of informing members of acceptable answers.
119. A method according to claim 118, further comprising a step of:
transmitting shopping-hint signals to said remote locations substantially concurrently with said transmitting of answer criteria; and
wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupons in accordance with the shopping-hint signals transmitted to the remote locations.
120. A method according to claim 119, wherein said shopping hints are changed in the course of a program by transmitting additional shopping-hint signals in accordance with instructions provided by the advertiser.
121. A method for use in a system for conducting a sweepstakes game monitored by a host and comprising questions and answers, the game including an answer evaluation and a rewarding of respondents for acceptable answers, the method comprising the steps of:
formulating, by the host, a plurality of questions and a plurality of accompanying answer criteria, each of said answer criteria defining at least one acceptable answer to a question;
formulating, by the host, a plurality of monetary awards accompanying acceptable answers, including at least one sweepstake prize;
transmitting first electronic signals conveying questions from a central location to receivers at locations of respondents;
receiving said first signals at respondents locations;
entering an answer to a question by a respondent;
transmitting second electronic signals conveying said answer criteria from said central location to receivers at respondents locations;
receiving said second signals at respondents' locations;
providing a plurality of recording media at respondents' locations, said media having been provided with identification indicia;
transmitting third electronic signals from said central location to receivers at respondents' locations conveying a plurality of monetary awards for acceptable answers, including at least one sweepstakes award;
comparing an entered answer to a question with accompanying response criteria at a respondent's location to determine the presence of an acceptable answer by the respondent;
generating a hard copy record of an award accompanying an acceptable answer on an individual one of said recording media; and
delivering said hard copy to a respondent having entered an acceptable answer.
122. A method according to claim 121, wherein: said record is in the form of a coupon designating an advertiser; and
the coupon delivered to a successful respondent who enters an acceptable answer carries shopping hints provided by an advertiser.
123. A method according to claim 122, wherein said shopping hints are provided on said coupon at the time of said generating of the hard copy.
124. A method according to claim 123, wherein:
said second electronic signals include shopping-hint signals; and
said shopping hints are provided on said coupon in accordance with the shopping-hint signals transmitted to the respondents' locations at the time of transmitting said answer criteria.
125. A method according to claim 124, wherein said shopping hints re changed in the course of a game by changing said second signals in accordance with instructions provided by the advertiser.
126. A method for conducting a game from a central location and for issuing to players at remote locations a recording medium with data identifying winners in said game, said method comprising the steps of:
transmitting from a central location to the remote locations instructional signals for controlling a means at each of the remote locations for recording on said medium, said medium having a first set of recognizable data provided thereon prior to said transmitting step and being capable of having at least two additional sets of data provided thereon, said central location having broadcast means for transmitting instructional signals for controlling said recording means at the
remote locations, there being means at the remote locations for receiving a second set and a third set of data;
controlling said recording means at the remote locations by the instructional signals transmitted from the central location
wherein said controlling includes an activating of said recording means and a command to record said second set and said third set of data on said medium;
receiving said electronic signals at remote locations;
recording said second set and said third set of data on said recording medium, said second set comprising recognizable data and said third set comprising a verification code; and
dispensing said recording medium to players;
wherein a dispensed medium containing first and second sets of recognizable data having a predetermined correlation is deemed to be a winning medium.
127. A method according to claim 126, wherein said recording medium is a hard copy record and said recording means is a printer.
128. A method according to claim 126, wherein said recording medium is a magnetized card.
129. A method according to claim 127, further comprising a step of constructing said recording medium as a plurality of sections of a paper tape, each such section being capable of being provided with at least three sets of data.
130. A method according to claim 126, wherein said first and second sets of data consist of alpha-numeric data and said verification code comprises non-alphanumeric symbols.
131. A method according to claim 130, wherein said symbols are machine readable.
132. A method according to claim 126, wherein a winning medium carries with it a monetary prize.
133. A method according to claim 132, wherein said monetary prize is identified by printing on a winning medium.
134. A method according to claim 132, wherein a winning medium is identifiable as a winning medium by visual observation, but wherein the value of a monetary prize is discernible by machine reading.
135. A method according to claim 126, wherein a medium is discernible by a player as a winning medium without the amount of a prize being discernible.
136. A method according to claim 132, further comprising a step of redeeming said medium at a point of purchase of merchandise.
137. A method according to claim 136, wherein said medium is identifiable as a winning medium by machine reading at a point of purchase of merchandise.
138. A method according to claim 126, wherein said medium has been provided with promotional information.
139. A system for promoting a use of commercial recording media such as tapes and discs having provided thereon recordings including commercial messages, the system comprising:
a response unit operative by a user;
a recording medium for playback by a user, the medium having on a first portion thereof a first recording comprising a program and on a second portion thereof a second recording comprising at least one task set; and
wherein a task set includes a task to be performed by a user of said recording medium by entering an acceptable response on an entering device of a response unit within an allowed time period, and response criteria defining at least one acceptable response to said task including a mode for scoring an acceptable response; and
wherein said program, said task set and said time period are formatted for playing back in a form directly to the user; and
wherein said response criteria are formatted for playing back in a form suitable for use by said response unit but unintelligible to the user;
wherein said system further comprises means operative with said recording medium for playing back said first and said second recordings;
wherein said response unit receives signals outputted from said playing-back means by a playing back of said first and said second recordings, said response unit comprising:
means for entering a reponse to a task by the user;
means coupled to said entering means for comparing an entered response with an acceptable response, said comparing means identifying an acceptable response in accordance with said response criteria;
means coupled to said comparing means for scoring an acceptable response to provide a score in accordance with said scoring mode;
means responsive to an output signal of said scoring means for generating a hard copy output record of said score, said record indicating a monetary value and having a format suitable for redemption; and
means coupled to said playing-back means and responsive to said signal of said recording medium for rendering at least a part of said second recording useless by at least partially impairing the integrity of said recording, said impairing being performed following a first playback of the response criteria of said second recording to prevent a repeated playback of said second recording while permitting a repeated playback of said first recording.
140. A system according to claim 139, wherein said record is magnetized card.
141. A system according to claim 139, wherein said record is a coupon.
142. A system according to claim 141, wherein said coupon is provided with alphanumeric symbols identifying a monetary value of the coupon.
143. A system according to claim 139, wherein said recording medium is a magnetic tape.
144. A system according to claim 139, wherein said playing-back means and said response unit form an integrated sub-system.
145. A system according to claim 139, wherein said rendering means is operative to impair the integrity of said second recording subsequent to the outputting of signals from said playing-back means to said response
146. A television game show comprising the steps of:
transmitting first signals from a central location conveying a television program, said program including a plurality of questions calling for answers at a basic difficulty level and alternatively at at least one higher difficulty level and including a period of time allowed for answering a question;
transmitting second signals from a central location conveying answer criteria defining at least one acceptable answer to each question at each of said difficulty levels, including a scoring mode of allocating credits for each acceptable answer, whereby an answer at a higher difficulty level is allocated more credits than an answer at a lower difficulty level;
receiving said first and second signals at TV-viewers' remote locations;
electing by a TV-viewer whether to answer a question at a higher difficulty level, or to retain the basic difficulty level;
entering by a TV-viewer of answers to said questions on an entering device of a response unit, each answer being elected at the difficulty level;
comparing a TV-viewer's answer to said response criteria by said response unit;
allocating credits to a TV-viewer in accordance with said scoring mode at the elected difficulty level;
accumulating said credits in a memory of a TV-viewer's response unit;
transmitting third signals from a central location instructing recording means in said response units to generate a record of the cumulative credits of individual ones of said TV-viewers;
receiving said third signals at remote locations;
generating said records of cumulative credits; and
making said records available to individual ones of said TV-viewers.
147. A television game show according to claim 146, wherein prior to entering an answer, TV-viewers are informed of credits for acceptable answers at applicable difficulty levels.
148. A television game show according to claim 146, wherein at the start of said show, TV-viewers are informed of the total number of questions.
149. A television game show according to claim 146, wherein said record of cumulative credits has a monetary value.
150. A television game show according to claim 146, wherein credits are deducted from a TV-viewer's cumulative credits for entered answers not meeting the answer criteria at the elected difficulty level.
151. A television game show according to claim 146, wherein credits are deducted from a TV-viewer's cumulative credits for each question not answered at at least the basic difficulty level.
152. A television game show according to claim 146, including a further step of a TV-viewer informing the host of said game show by telephone of the total number of credits earned and the step of said host announcing the names of winners on said show.
153. A television game show according to claim 146, including a step of transmitting and receiving fourth signals from a central location instructing said recording means to provide verification indicia on said record.
154. A method for promoting a use of commercial recording media, such as tapes and discs, having provided thereon recordings including commercial messages, the method comprising the steps of:
recording on a first portion of a recording medium a first recording comprising a program, and on a second portion of the medium a second recording comprising at least one task set; and
wherein a task set includes a task to be performed by a user of said recording medium by entering an acceptable response to an entering device of a response unit within an allowed time period, and response criteria defining at least one acceptable response to said task including a mode for scoring an acceptable response; and
wherein said program, said task set and said time period are formatted for playing back in a form intelligible to the user; and
wherein said response criteria are formatted for playing back in a form suitable for use by said response unit but unintelligible to the user;
the method further comprising:
playing back said recording medium at a users location by use of means at a location of the user for playing back said first and said second recordings;
entering a response to a task by the user by use of a response unit at the location of the user, a response unit comprising means operable by the user for entering a response to a task, means for comparing an entered response with said response criteria to identify an acceptable response, means to score an acceptable response, means for generating a hard copy record of the scored response, and means for impairing the integrity of said second recording after its first playing back;
comparing said entered response with said response criteria;
identifying an acceptable response;
scoring an acceptable response;
generating a hard copy record of the monetary value of a scored response; and
rendering said second recording useless by impairing its integrity, so as to permit a repeated playback of said first recording, but preventing the generating of a hard copy record indicating a monetary value.
155. A method for encouraging members of a remote viewing audience to avail themselves of televised shopping announcements prepared by a host, the method including an awarding of prizes to certain ones of the members who participate in a quiz program, the quiz program comprising questions interspersed among the shopping announcements, the method comprising the steps of:
preparing, by the host, a plurality of general announcements of items of merchandise or services offered for sale, suitable for broadcasting from a central station to members of a viewing audience at remote locations, said general announcements including auxiliary announcements of information regarding said items;
transmitting signals from said central station to said members at said remote locations, said transmitting including a conveying of a first one of said general announcements;
receiving said first announcement by said members;
requesting by individual ones of said members of an additional one of said general announcements, said request being transmitted over said transmission facilities;
transmitting a requested auxiliary announcement to said members over said transmission facilities;
receiving said requested auxiliary announcement by said members;
repeating the preceding three steps;
formulating a total number of questions adapted for successive transmission from said central station to said remote locations;
formulating a set of answer criteria accompanying each question, said criteria including data defining an acceptable answer to a question, and further including a time period allowed for answering a question, and a scoring mode governing the qualifying for a prize by a member, such qualifying being determined by a number of acceptable answers entered or credits earned for acceptable answers;
transmitting a question and an accompanying set of answer criteria to said remote locations;
receiving said questions and said answer criteria at said remote locations;
entering an answer to a question by a member of said remote audience;
comparing an entered answer with an accompanying answer criteria;
scoring an acceptable answer in accordance with said scoring mode;
informing members of acceptable answers answered or credits earned by such a member; and
making the benefit of a prize available to members having qualified for a prize.
156. A method for conducting a game from a central location and for issuing to players at remote locations a recording medium with data identifying winners in said game, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting from a central location to the remote locations instructional signals for controlling a means at each of the remote locations for recording on said medium, said medium having a first set of recognizable data provided thereon prior to said transmitting step and being capable of having at least two additional sets of data provided thereon;
receiving said instructional signals at remote locations;
recording a second set and a third set of data on said recording medium by said recordinq means in response to said instructional signals, said second set comprising recognizable data and said third set comprising a verification code; and
dispensing said recording medium to players; and
wherein a dispensed medium having first and second sets of recognizable data having a predetermined correlation is deemed to be a winning medium.
157. A method for remotely evaluating and creating a record of responses to task-setting messages with the aid of response criteria, the messages and the criteria being transmitted to receiving stations, the method comprising:
recording said task-setting messages and response criteria on portions of a recording medium;
selecting individual ones of said portions of said recording medium for playback to said receiving stations by means of playback apparatus;
playing back said task-setting messages and said response criteria at a central station;
receiving said task-setting messages and said response criteria at said receiving stations;
entering a response to a task-setting message at said receiving stations;
comparing an entered response with an acceptable answer of said response criteria, said comparing providing for a comparing of at least one key word or symbol in an entered response with said acceptable response;
scoring an entered response relative to said response criteria; and
creating a record of an entered response at each receiving station, the record being suitable for use as a prize token.
158. A method for evaluating and creating a record of responses to a recorded task-setting program with the aid of response criteria intended for respondents located at receiving stations, said task-setting program including a plurality of questions, and said response criteria including a plurality of criteria, the method comprising:
recording said task-setting program including a first of said questions and a first of said response criteria for playback to respondents at receiving stations;
recording a second of said questions and a second of said response criteria;
playing back said task setting program with said first question and said first response criteria at a central station for presentation to said receiving stations;
entering a response to said first question at said receiving stations;
comparing at least one element in a response of said response-entering step with said first response criteria;
scoring responses in accordance with the scoring basis of said first response criteria;
playing back a second of said questions and a second of said response criteria at a central station for presentation to said receiving stations;
entering a response to said second question; and
scoring the response to said second question on a scoring basis of the second response criteria.
159. A method according to claim 111 wherein the scoring mode governing answers to each subsequent question presented to individual ones of said members provides for coefficients in computing a total score which becomes progressively larger with each subsequent question.
160. A method according to claim 155 wherein the scoring mode governing answers to each subsequent question presented to individual ones of said members provides for coefficients in computing a total scores which becomes progressively larger with each subsequent question.
Description
This invention relates to transmission by electronic media including radio and television broadcasting programs, as well as recordings of such programs, to listeners and viewers of the programs and, more particularly, to the provision of signals designating questions or tasks, to response criteria for evaluating responses of the listeners and viewers of the broadcast or prerecorded programs, and to the dispensing of awards to individual listeners and viewers having provided answers meeting the response criteria.
The invention also particularly relates to the transmission of signals conveying scenarios of events about to take place or taking place and to outcome criteria for evaluating predictions of listeners and viewers of the broadcasts of such events and to the dispensing of awards to individual listeners and viewers having provided predictions meeting the outcome 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 such as a chess game, or task presented by the program such as in the solving of a puzzle. Other situations, such as in sports, call for predictions of outcomes of events.
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 practical 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 responses to broadcast and prerecorded programs which, in accordance with the invention, provides for the transmission of signals designating questions and response criteria along with a transmission of the broadcast program. Any or all of the signals may be recorded prior to transmission, and may be transmitted at a fixed predetermined time, or upon request of a person who will respond to the program and/or questions. Another system may be provided for the evaluation of predictions of the outcomes of events; such system including the presentation of a situation or senario enabling listeners and viewers to predict the outcome of an event and subsequently conveying the occurrence of the event. The invention includes both method and system aspects which create added interest and excitement among listeners and viewers, and thus tend to increase the audience of 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 or identifying events, the outcomes of which may be predicted, 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 amount of time available for an answer, the proper content and form of an acceptable answer or prediction, and a mode of scoring the answers. In one embodiment of the invention, the first signal of the second signal group sets forth the desired acceptable answer or answers, and the second signal provides the mode of scoring responses, such as the parameters, formulas and other response 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, timing circuitry, circuitry for comparing a response to one or more designated answers to determine acceptability of a response, 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, or 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 response unit having 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. One or more acceptable responses are 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 and/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.
It is recognized that there may be situations wherein it is impractical to have communication of receiving stations with a studio at the central station at the time when the program is being generated. The invention would then be practiced by use of a further embodiment in which the program and instructional signals, including response criteria and scoring criteria, would be recorded for playback to the receiving stations at a later time. Such a situation might arise in the case of an educational program to be employed in a school, or to a program of general public interest which might be employed in a vehicle for public transportation, such as an aircraft. In the event that television is available at the receiving stations, the transmission and receiving equipment would be the same as that employed for the embodiment of the invention as disclosed above. However, in the event that only audio reception is possible, as by the use of earphones in an aircraft, then a verbal description of the task-setting situation would be provided, both the task setting and instructional verbal signals being recorded in an audio tape recording. Each of the receiving stations may be provided with a dispenser of hard-copy of results to responses to the task-setting message or, alternatively, a central dispenser may be used as in a classroom or aircraft, the central dispenser communicating via a digital communication system to response units at each of the receiving stations.
The transmission of a program, such as the playback of an audio-visual tape, may be initiated by a member of the remote audience though cable communication, including telephone. In such instances, a member of the home audience calls a dedicated number, such as a "900" number, and requests the playing of a tape. Such request may be made through a central operator or by dialing further digits of a dedicated number, associated with a specific tape or program selected by the caller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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;
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;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of receiving stations of the invention installed, as a further embodiment of the invention, in an aircraft with separate receiving stations located at each passenger seat, this embodiment employing a recording of a game situation with instructions for response, each receiving station being equipped for both audio and video;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing interconnection of electric components of the system of the invention for the installation of FIG. 11, the system of FIG. 12 employing response units having components disclosed in FIG. 8;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a modification of the central station of FIG. 6 to provide for an audio-only recording of the game program for use by the receiving stations of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12 for use of an audio recorder, the system of FIG. 14 employing a recording provided by the system of FIG. 13, the system of FIG. 14 employing response units having components disclosed FIG. 8;
FIGS. 15 and 16 show a modification of the systems of FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, wherein the central station and the response units of the receiving stations have been modified to be operative with response-criteria and scoring signals transmitted as unintelligible audio signals in the same audio band employed by the recorded audio description of a task-setting program and the audio instructions for response to the task;
FIG. 17 is a simplified diagrammatic view of the invention showing both the central station and a receiving station in which an audio recorder having four separate channels is employed, the channels communicating audio signals for task and instructions, for synchronization, for response criteria, and for scoring criteria;
FIG. 18 shows additional equipment which may be incorporated in the response units of FIGS. 11, 12, 14, and 16 for communication of scoring results by a digital communication system to a central dispenser for a hard-copy output of game results;
FIG. 19 is a timing diagram showing burst transmissions of response/and scoring criteria between voice signals for an audio-only recording employing a single recording track;
FIG. 20 is a timing diagram showing simultaneous transmission of voice, synchronization, response and scoring criteria signal in an audio-only system employing a multiple track recording medium;
FIG. 21 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the tape recorder is provided with five channels to allow separate and independent recordation of a verbal description of a scene and verbal instructions for responding to tasks presented in the scene;
FIG. 22 shows diagrammatically a further embodiment of the invention wherein a respondent can activate a prerecorded program by use of a telephone, the prerecorded program including a task, questions, instructions for responding, response criteria, and signals enabling automatic comparing of answers to predetermined responses and a scoring of responses by a response unit;
FIG. 23 shows diagrammatically a further embodiment in the transmission of an instructional signal from a central station to a remote receiving station by use of an optical link in combination with the video portion of a television transmission; and
FIG. 24 is a diagram explaining operation of a telephone system of FIG. 22 for use in debiting and crediting a respondent.
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. A level of difficulty in the questions may be selected by a contestant. 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). In FIGS. 11-22, there is shown a set of embodiments of the invention wherein an event, scenario, presentation, situation or other scene having a task to be performed is recorded for subsequent playback to respondents. The system of FIGS. 1-5 will be described first, this being followed by a description of the system of FIGS. 6-10 and the system of FIGS. 11-23. The systems of the various embodiments will now be described primarily in the context of responses to tasks and questions; it being understood that the practice of the invention is applicable to the making, evaluation and rewarding of predictions. Methods and systems employed in the context of predictions of the outcome of events are more particularly described in connection with FIGS. 22 and 24.
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 "quiz program" relates to one or more questions or interrogatories constituting an entire program, and also includes the insertion of a question into other material, such as a cinematic film presentation.
The term "task-setting" is intended to include the meaning of interrogative, opinion-eliciting, prediction-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 term "comparing" relates to one or more possible established responses which may be established prior to or subsequent to a contestant's response (the previously known color of a golf ball, or during a game, a prediction of how close the ball will come to the hole), and a comparing of an actual response to an established response to determine if an actual response is acceptable. An acceptable response may be based on one or more words or phrase or alphanumeric symbol or selection of designated objects, by way of example.
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, predictions and statements, text and narrative provided by contestants, respondents, students and other participants in broadcasts calling for interaction, reaction and responses.
The term "response criteria" is intended to refer to descriptive words, key words, key phrases, parameters, equations, formulas, symbols and definiens describing or defining responses that have been determined by the producer of a program to be acceptable in the context of a task so as to qualify for a reward.
The terms "outcome criteria" and "success criteria" are intended to include alphanumeric symbols and data by which the outcome of an event can be described, measured or identified, such as key and descriptive words, coordinates, grid, pinpointed and other locations, pictorial, diagrammatic and graphic presentations, results, scores, counts, records, distances, rates and other measurements.
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 "matrix" may be used to refer to the source or origin from which something originates, takes form or develops, such as a cellulosic or plastic strip capable of being provided with printed markings or magnetic recordings so as to create a hard copy record. 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.
In the case of a task requiring a prediction of the outcome of an event which has not yet occurred or been completed, such as the completion of a forward pass in a football game, or winning a hand at a card game such as bridge, the response criteria may be referred to as outcome criteria. The outcome criteria is to be transmitted to contestants at remote stations at a time after the prediction has been made.
In the context of transmitting response criteria, for example, on an audio frequency, the use of the term "encoding" is intended to include various forms of signal coding as well as a transmission of signals at an increased speed which would render the signals unintelligible to the human ear. The term "encoding", as used by way of example for transmitting response criteria, is intended to include other modes of communication such as various forms of color signal coding and transmission of signals to television stations capable of being read by sensors of devices for receiving signals outside the audible frequency range. The transmission of encoded information, whether within the audio spectrum or within the visual spectrum, is to be accomplished preferably in a fashion which is essentially unnoticed by a contestant and cannot be perceived as conveying information. In this sense, the encoding is perceptually unintelligible.
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 printing of the print-out includes the foregoing forms of marking including the creation of three-dimensional configurations.
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 terms "code", "encoding", and "encryption" are intended to include alphanumeric co