| Abstract |
A system (fig. 1) for collecting, evaluating and using usage activity includes one or more media devices and a network with a ratings service (158). A media device includes a logging service (115) for logging usage activity when media content is accessed and played, shared, deleted and/or stored. When a connection to the network is present, the usage activity is transmitted to the ratings service (158). The ratings service evaluates the usage activity and prepares a usage report, which can be transmitted to one or more content providers and/or can be used to refine programming and/or influence advertising decisions. A content provider can collect votes by sending a list of possible song choices to media devices and receiving vote data collected by logging services (115) on the media devices. The vote data is evaluated and a vote report is prepared that can be used to refine programming content and/or to influence advertising decisions. |