Universal broadcast code and multi-level encoded signal monitoring system

An apparatus for monitoring an universal broadcast code which is encoded on a television and/or radio signal comprising:

• means for receiving said universal broadcast code;
• and,
• decoding means responsive to said receiving means for decoding at least first and second distributor identifiers, wherein the first distributor identifier is selectively encoded within a first segment of said universal broadcast code which is encoded on said television and/or radio signal, wherein the second distributor identifier is selectively encoded within a second segment of said universal broadcast code which is encoded on said television and/or radio signal, wherein said first and second segments are separated in time so that the first and second distributor identifiers do not reside in a common frame of a television portion of said television and/or radio signal, and wherein said first and second distributor identifiers uniquely identify corresponding distributors of said television and/or radio signal.

A universal broadcast code (UBC) encoded program signal comprising:

• at least first and second segments of said program signal, wherein said first segment occurs within at least a first time period of the program signal, wherein the second segment occurs within at least a second time period of the program signal, wherein the first and second time periods are equivalent in time to a frame of a video signal, and wherein the first and second time periods are different time periods;
• and,
• at least first and second distribution level identification data, wherein the first distribution level identification data is encoded within the first segment of said program signal, wherein the second distribution level identification data is encoded within the second segment of said program signal, wherein said first and second distribution level identification data uniquely identify corresponding first and second levels of distribution of said program signal, and wherein said first and second levels of distribution are located remotely from one another.

An universal broadcast code (UBC) encoded television program signal comprising:

• at least first and second frames of said television program signal, wherein said first and second frames are different frames of said television program signal;
• and,
• at least first and second distributor identification codes, wherein said first distributor identification code is encoded within the first frame of said television program signal exclusive of the second distributor identification code, wherein said second distributor identification code is encoded within the second frame of said television program signal exclusive of the first distributor identification code, and wherein said first and second distributor identification codes uniquely identify corresponding distributors of said television program signal.

A distributor identification code for use in a multi-segment television or radio signal comprising:

• first distributor identification data, wherein said first distributor identification data is encoded within a first segment of said multi-segment television or radio signal, wherein said first segment covers a first time period which is equivalent to at least a frame of a television signal, and wherein said first distributor identification data uniquely identifies a corresponding first distributor of said multi-segment television or radio signal;
• and,
• second distributor identification data, wherein said second distributor identification data is encoded within a second segment of said multi-segment television or radio signal, wherein said second segment covers a second time period which is equivalent to at least a frame of a television signal, wherein said first and second time periods are different time periods of said multi-segment television or radio signal, and wherein said second distributor identification data uniquely identifies a corresponding second distributor of said multi-segment television or radio signal.

A distributor identification code for use in a broadcast media signal comprising:

• first distributor identification data, said first distributor identification data being encoded in said broadcast media signal and uniquely identifying a corresponding first distributor of said broadcast media signal;
• and,
• second distributor identification data, said second distributor identification data being encoded in said broadcast media signal and uniquely identifying a corresponding second distributor of said broadcast media signal, said first and second identification data being serially encoded in said broadcast media signal.

A method of determining distributors of a broadcast media signal comprising the steps of:

• detecting first distributor identification data encoded in said broadcast media signal to uniquely identify a corresponding first distributor of said broadcast media signal;
• and,
• detecting second distributor identification data encoded in said broadcast media signal to uniquely identify a corresponding second distributor of said broadcast media data, wherein said first and second distributor identification data are serially encoded in said broadcast media signal.