Systems and methods for relaying in broadcast single-frequency networks are disclosed herein. A single-frequency network can be formed in part using transmitters that receive data via a cooperative relay channel instead of a studio-to-transmitter link. In some embodiments, transmitter may use a portion of its transmission time to relay in-band information to the single-frequency network transmitter using time-division multiplexing.

Systems and methods for relaying in broadcast single-frequency networks are disclosed herein. A single-frequency network can be formed in part using transmitters that receive data via a cooperative relay channel instead of a studio-to-transmitter link. In some embodiments, transmitter may use a portion of its transmission time to relay in-band information to the single-frequency network transmitter using time-division multiplexing.

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide media content are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for identifying primary media content presented on a first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for accessing a secondary content schedule associated with the primary media content. The secondary content schedule includes a plurality of secondary content items and time values associated with the secondary content items. The secondary content items are also associated with a loyalty value for a user of the first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus further include means for selecting one of the secondary content items to be accessed in response to a timestamp associated with the primary media content being between time values associated with the selected one of the secondary content items in the secondary content schedule.

Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to provide media content are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for identifying primary media content presented on a first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus also include means for accessing a secondary content schedule associated with the primary media content. The secondary content schedule includes a plurality of secondary content items and time values associated with the secondary content items. The secondary content items are also associated with a loyalty value for a user of the first media presentation device. Disclosed example apparatus further include means for selecting one of the secondary content items to be accessed in response to a timestamp associated with the primary media content being between time values associated with the selected one of the secondary content items in the secondary content schedule.

A system and method is disclosed for allowing content providers to protect against widespread copying of their content, while enabling them to give their customers more freedom in the way they use the content. In accordance with one embodiment, content providers identify their content as protected by watermarking the content. Consumers use compliant devices to access protected content. All of a user's compliant devices, or all of a family's devices, can be organized into an authorized domain. This authorized domain is used by content providers to create a logical boundary in which they can allow users increased freedom to use their content.

A system and method is disclosed for allowing content providers to protect against widespread copying of their content, while enabling them to give their customers more freedom in the way they use the content. In accordance with one embodiment, content providers identify their content as protected by watermarking the content. Consumers use compliant devices to access protected content. All of a user's compliant devices, or all of a family's devices, can be organized into an authorized domain. This authorized domain is used by content providers to create a logical boundary in which they can allow users increased freedom to use their content.

Systems and methods for estimating media audience are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a media signal to be transmitted via a media distribution system, the media signal including multiple pieces of media content that each contain video and audio signals. One of the multiple pieces of media content within the received media signal are identified. It is determined that the identified piece of media content exceeds a threshold length, and, in response to determining that the identified piece of media content exceeds a threshold length, the audio signal of the identified piece of media content is encoded with a sequence of discrete codes. Each discrete code has a period that includes a set of sequential frequency components imperceptible to humans. The threshold length is greater than the period of a discrete code multiplied by the number of discrete codes in the sequence.

Methods and apparatus to audio watermarking and watermark detection and extracted are described herein. An example method includes receiving a media content signal, sampling the media content signal to generate samples, storing the samples in a buffer, determining a first sequence of samples in the buffer, determining a second sequence of samples in the buffer, wherein the second sequence of samples is of substantially equal length as the first sequence of samples, calculating an average of the first sequence of samples and the second sequence of samples to generate an average sequence of samples, extracting an identifier from the average sequence of samples, and storing the identifier in a tangible memory.

Methods and apparatus to audio watermarking and watermark detection and extracted are described herein. An example method includes receiving a media content signal, sampling the media content signal to generate samples, storing the samples in a buffer, determining a first sequence of samples in the buffer, determining a second sequence of samples in the buffer, wherein the second sequence of samples is of substantially equal length as the first sequence of samples, calculating an average of the first sequence of samples and the second sequence of samples to generate an average sequence of samples, extracting an identifier from the average sequence of samples, and storing the identifier in a tangible memory.

A method for facilitating targeted secondary content delivery to a user is envisaged. The primary content is broadcast on a television accessible to a user, followed by targeted delivery of relevant secondary content onto a handheld device of the user. The secondary content deemed as being relevant to the primary content is delivered in an unobtrusive manner without altering the viewing experience of the primary content, only after verification of the viewership of the primary content. The secondary content deemed as relevant to the primary content is transmitted to a handheld device accessible to the user thereby not altering the viewing experience corresponding to the viewing of the primary content on the television. The secondary content is delivered to the handheld device via electromagnetic waves, preferably radio waves without necessitating an active internet connection for the handheld device, and without necessitating the user to remain logged-on to the handheld device.