FR2758931A1 - Simplified usage method for television and video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves transmission, in accordance with a radio telephone mode, by several server centres, for a radio signal containing programme information. The signal parameters are such as to allow identification, description and selection of transmitted television programmes. The transmissions are received by domestic modules (10) which can display the information on a screen. The different parameters are classified according to the preferred criteria of the users. The user can then make a selection of the programme which is wanted for watching or recording, which are interpreted by the module, passing information to the TV (24) or video recorder to provide the selected service. The response time is immediate.

Description

 The present invention relates to a method for simplifying the use of audio-visual devices such as televisions (24) and video recorders (26), and also relates, for the implementation of the method, to a server center for broadcasting information on the television programs (22) and a domestic assistance module (in).

 The definition of the word video recorder is taken from the text of the patent for invention in its broadest sense. It is a device which is used for recording and then for restoring animated images and sounds. The technique of recording on magnetic tape cassettes corresponds to the technology that is currently used for domestic use. However, the invention which is not related to the recording technique, can be applied to any device using another technology for recording sounds and moving images, provided that this technology uses numerous information carriers. removable and rewritable at will.

 Currently, taking into account the permanent increase in the number of stations of emission of television programs, the use of a television set or a video recorder can be done only if the televiewer has, at least, specialized magazines, generally weeklies, which give, in detail, all the programs broadcast.

To determine the program (s) broadcast best corresponding to the tastes of a family, it is necessary to look every day, in detail, all the programs offered.

In 1997, in France, more than 500 programs per day were listed in specialized magazines, or around 3,500 different programs per week. And that number is only growing.

Potentially the number of broadcast programs that an average viewer can watch rarely exceeds 50 programs per week, or about 1.5% of the possibilities offered. On the other hand, statistics indicate that the average viewer rarely spends more than 4 hours a day watching the television attentively. The number of programs corresponding to this time reserved for the television hardly exceeds 28 programs per week.

 There is therefore a very significant waste. But given the mass of programs offered and the time required to consult all of these programs as best as possible, it is natural to think that the programs which are chosen by viewers are not necessarily those which are best suited to their tastes.

 There is also a problem with the programming of programs. Indeed, in the specialized magazines all the programs are planned with more than 10 days in advance, but all too often, at the time of the diffusion, the televiewer notes, with bitterness, that another spectacle takes place instead of the expected program.

 Currently, the programming of a domestic video recorder is done by keys placed on the device or by means of its portable module of remote control called "remote control".

When programming the video recorder, the operator or user reports the information found in the television press: channel, day, start and end time of the recording. To take into account the inaccuracy in respecting the schedules of the programs, a few minutes are deducted from the start time and a few minutes are added to the end time of recording.

Depending on the characteristics of the video recorder, several different recordings can be programmed one after the other.

Once the device has been programmed, the operator searches for a cassette to receive the new recording. Once this has been found, he must place it in the device and position it at the start of the recording area.

The search time of the cassette depends on the classification mode as well as the number of cassettes used with this VCR.

To find out the contents of a cassette, the simplest way has so far been to read the handwritten information placed on a large adhesive label. To access this label, you must always take the cassette in hand because, according to the natural storage method, the label placed on the upper part of the cassette is not visible.

Once the recording has been completed, the operator carefully checks that the desired program has been completely recorded.

Then he removes the cassette, writes the recording information on his label and puts it away. The VCR that has become available can receive another cassette for a new recording.

The playback of a pre-recorded program is generally followed by a search phase for the cassette carrying the desired program. For this, the operator establishes his search, as before, by reading the labels worn on the cassettes.

The cassette finally found, it must, after having loaded it in the video recorder, to seek the beginning of the program chosen on the tape.

Once the desired program has been played, the cassette will be extracted from the video recorder and the labeling of the label will be erased or crossed out, the location having become available for another recording.

This methodology, the most commonly used can be improved by the use of paper supports, notebooks, or notebooks for example to note the different programs in addition to the labels. The improvement relates to the concentration of information on the same support, thereby avoiding manipulation.

But after many recordings, there is a certain drift in the good performance of the notes. This drift leads to a certain confusion which is moreover accentuated when several operators use the same video recorder and the same population of cassettes.

The previously described methodology is often the source of incomplete recordings that are discovered during verification or, more seriously, during playback: overwriting of the start of the recording or absence of the end of the program.

No link having been established, before recording, between the programming of the VCR and the selected cassette, the operator frequently forgets to load the cassette corresponding to the recording that he previously programmed or else he discovers at the time of loading that there is no more space available on its cassettes.

All of these programming errors, as well as the time spent on handling searches for a cassette for recording or playback, mean that the use of home video recorders is frequently considered tedious.

These uncertainties and the disappointments generated mean that they are not used to the best of the possibilities they offer. The lack of confidence of VCR users can have several consequences: either the complete abandonment of the It recording 'function, disappointed operators no longer using their device except with pre-recorded commercial cassettes or, on the contrary, having become very careful , they increase the population of active cassettes, only dedicating them to a single recording, and only reusing them occasionally and with great care.

The object of the invention is to remedy all these drawbacks and to this end it proposes a method for facilitating the use of domestic audio-visual devices, a method which is characterized in that it consists
- to have transmitted, according to a radio-telephony mode, by one or more server centers for broadcasting information on television programs, all the parameters allowing the identification, characterization and selection of the television programs which are broadcast by the various TV channels and,
- to have reception, by domestic assistance modules, according to a radio-telephony mode all the parameters broadcast and,
- to store, within the memory of the domestic assistance modules only the parameters linked to the programs that can be received and used by users' televisions and,
- to have the different parameters characterizing the programs classified according to user preference criteria and,
- to inform each user of all the programs in the order of their preferences, during periodic consultations and,
- to have selected with the home assistance module the program or programs that each user wishes to watch directly on their television set, and,
- to assist viewers, using the domestic assistance module, to carry out all control operations so that the televisions immediately access the selected programs.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method consists
- have the home assistance module select the program or programs that each user wishes to record on his video recorder and,
- have the home assistance module search for the cassette that can receive the selected program and,
- to assist the operators, using the domestic assistance module, to position the tape on the cassette at the recording start position and,
- to have the operators assist, using the domestic assistance module, to carry out all the operations making it possible to program the video recorders and,
- to inform operators that a registration operation is in progress and,
- to transmit, according to a radio-telephony mode, by the server center or centers for the dissemination of information on television programs, information characterizing the start and end times of television programs and included advertisements which have just been broadcast and,
- to have received, according to a radio-telephony mode, by each domestic assistance module, the information characterizing the start and end times of the television programs and of the included advertisements which have just been broadcast, and
- to store only, within the memory of the domestic assistance modules, the information characterizing the start and end times of the programs which have just been recorded and,
- have each home assistance module calculate the actual start and end positions of the program or programs which have just been recorded on the video recording media and,
- to introduce all the parameters characterizing the record (s) that have just been made in the database of validated records of the domestic assistance module.

The invention also relates to a server center for information on television programs for implementing the method, which is characterized in that it comprises at least
- a unit for collecting information on television programs and,
- a unit for the drafting of the information which will be disseminated and the establishment of the codifications used to identify the programs and,
- a unit to control and record the real time of television programs broadcast by the different channels and,
- a unit for broadcasting by radio and telephony all the information characterizing the television programs and,
- a unit for the definition, purchase or production of payment vouchers for services rendered by the centers and,
- a unit for the distribution and sale of titles for the payment of services rendered by the centers.

The invention also relates to a domestic assistance module for implementing the method, which is characterized in that it comprises at least
processing circuits for executing command and control programs prerecorded in a memory and,
a working memory for storing therein databases gathering the information identifying all the television programs which have been selected and in particular the forecast television programs, the television programs selected to be viewed live and the television programs selected to be recorded and,
- a working memory for storing therein the database gathering the information identifying all the television programs recorded on the recording cassettes and,
- a working memory to store the database containing the information regularly disseminated by local, regional or national server centers and,
- means to inform users and,
- means for receiving orders from users and,
- a device for transmitting sound messages and,
- remote transmission means for controlling audio-visual devices and,
- means for receiving radiotelephone information from local, regional or national server centers, and,
- means to verify that the subscription has been paid.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the domestic assistance module is produced in an autonomous and portable form, receiving all the functions described above, it is characterized in that it comprises,
- a display allowing to read several lines of text and,
- a keyboard allowing the taking into account of user orders and,
- a device for remotely controlling all audio-visual devices by infrared means and,
- rechargeable batteries or batteries for the supply of electrical energy.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the display of the autonomous and portable assistance module has a device making it possible to make the text bright in the dark.

According to another characteristic of the invention, a variant of the hardware organization of the domestic assistance module leads to grouping some of its functions within the video recorder or an accessory for receiving television programs or a simple connected box. by cables to audio-visual devices and,
- to use a conventional universal remote control to transmit commands remotely and,
- to use the television to display the messages delivered by the server center.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the method consists in periodically charging for the service provided by the various server centers using payment vouchers having the characteristics of plastic microcircuit cards of the smart card type and,
- to trivialize these cards and,
- to authorize the reception of information coming from the host centers only for precise durations, determined in advance, from 6 months to a year for example, the start of the invoicing period can be initialized during the introduction of the card in the domestic assistance module.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the method consists in deducing from the habits of the users their preference criteria, by the assistance module, as and when the choices they make to select the programs.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the method consists in eliminating the parasitic advertisements contained in the programs coming from the commercial stations, thanks to the domestic assistance module which, receiving messages coming from the servers indicating the start and end of advertising , provides permanent control of the video recorder during the recording phase.

 Other characteristics, advantages and details of the invention will emerge from the explanatory description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing which is a schematic view showing the links linking the server center, the home assistance module and the the audio-visual chain.

 In general, the method according to the invention makes it possible to simplify the use of audio-visual devices such as televisions and video recorders, and is based on the broadcasting of radio telephone information by a server center and by the exploitation of this information by a smart home assistance module made available to the user.

The process according to the invention breaks down as follows
When purchasing the home assistance module, a new user transmits the references of his audio-visual devices to the server center, by telephone or by telematic means. This information makes it possible to determine, by the server center, the different protocols which the assistance module must use to control by infrared means all the audio-visual devices belonging to the new user. These parameters are then immediately transmitted by radio telephone to the assistance module which becomes operational.

 Initially, the device makes it possible to classify the programs diffused according to an order corresponding to the preferences of the majority of the televiewers, but little by little taking into account the choices progressively made by the users, the device will establish a very personalized selection of the programs according to the viewers. These programs corresponding to the preferences will always be presented to the users at the top of the list. This hierarchy of preferences relating for example to the following criteria: cultural programs, crime films, adventure films, series, music programs, scientific programs, sports and types of sports ...

 Provisional information on the various television programs is broadcast regularly in a radio-telephony mode by one or more server centers for broadcasting information on the television programs. This information includes, in particular for a precise program, its coding making it possible to identify it, its title, its provisional start and end times, the broadcasting channel, its review, a summary, the main speakers or actors, etc.

 This forecast information is received, sorted according to user preferences and stored by the domestic assistance module.

 Outdated information such as programs that have already been broadcast and not recorded are automatically deleted.

 The consultation of the various programs by the users is done freely, at any time. This consultation is facilitated by the automatic pre-selection carried out by the device.

 When viewing the forecast programs on the home assistance module, users can select one or more programs either to watch them directly or to record them. If the progress of these broadcasts is too far in time, the domestic assistance module will only memorize the wishes of the users.

 If the users' will is limited to watching the programs on the television without recording them, the domestic assistance module will take care of reminding them when the programs are scheduled to start. This reminder is made by audible messages emitted by the domestic assistance module.

 Switching on the television and choosing the right channel are carried out simultaneously when users press the control key on their home assistance module.

 If the users wish is to record one or more preselected programs, the domestic assistance module performs an optimized search for locations within the cassettes it manages.

 Taking into account the drifts caused by the non respect of schedules, time margins are added to the useful recording time. That is, the recordings start a few minutes earlier and end a few minutes later than the programs themselves. The duration of these margins is determined by the domestic assistance module.

The assessment of the margins, depending on the channel chosen and the time of day, is determined based on the experience acquired by device. Information from the server (s) also contributes to the determination of these margins.

 If the next program to be recorded is close in time, less than an hour for example, the domestic assistance module indicates the operations to be carried out by the user to immediately schedule this recording.

 These operations are limited to placing the selected cassette in the video recorder and pressing the programming button on its home assistance module.

 If the next program to be recorded is too far in time, more than an hour for example, the home assistance module goes to sleep.

 A few minutes before the start of recording, the home assistance module wakes up, beeps, and indicates on its display the operations to be carried out by the operator.

 However, the user can anticipate this operation by programming the next recording voluntarily and immediately after selecting the programs.

 If, between the moment of selecting the program to be recorded and the moment of programming the video recorder, the user deletes one or more records from the database of the home assistance module, the device performs a new search for locations that may be better suited for future recordings not made.

 When the recording is complete, the user removes the cassette and stores it. I1 can rewind it but this operation is not essential.

 The television program information broadcasting center or centers, which monitor the progress of television programs, record the start and end times of the television programs. This information is then regularly disseminated using a radio-telephony mode. This information is linked to the TV program identification code.

 When receiving information on the start and end times of recording, the domestic assistance module selects and saves only those containing the codes of the recordings that have just been made.

 The information on the start and end times of the programs is used to determine the actual start and end positions on the videotapes (recording cassette).

 This information is used to determine whether the records are complete. If they are complete, they are stored in the database of validated records of the domestic assistance module. If they are incomplete, they are deleted. Erasure information will be present on the display of the home assistance module the next time this device is used.

 In this database of validated recordings, the following information is stored: title of the recorded program, summary, speakers, recording date, recording channel, duration and start position on the videotape, position of the advertisements included in the program and duration of these advertisements.

 To view or view a pre-recorded program, the operator simply has to wake up the domestic assistance module and press any key. He then has access to a menu which allows him to obtain the catalog of all the pre-recorded and validated titles. According to this menu, the titles are classified by cassette, by genre, by duration or by chronological order of recording, starting with the oldest.

Regardless of the title, other information is reproduced: the duration of the program, the day of recording, the recording channel, the cassette, the position of the start of the program and the summary.

 If a title is selected to be viewed, the operator need only place the cassette, the designation of which is indicated on the display of the domestic assistance module, in the video recorder and press a designated key to indicate that the cassette is now in the VCR. The program start position on the tape will be transmitted and program playback will start as soon as the play position is reached.

 If automatic placement at the start of the program is not possible with the video recorder, the domestic assistance module clearly indicates to the user the procedure to be followed to reach this position.

 If a title is selected and its duration is incompatible with a future recording, then the domestic assistance module warns the operator, using visual and audible messages, when the latter is about to load the cassette intended for reading.

 If no title is selected, then simply let the domestic assistance module go to sleep.

 The domestic assistance module goes to standby during the reading of a pre-recorded program. When he wakes up, he asks whether the program viewed should be deleted or not.

A particular mode called automatic reading control can be requested from the domestic assistance module which will control the progress of the reading by eliminating spurious advertisements. To do this, it determines the start time of the advertisements and causes the tape to move quickly to the end position of the advertisement. Once the advertising end position has been reached, reading of the program resumes normally.

The determination of the start and end of the advertisement being done as the determination of the start and the end of the recorded programs.

 Another particular mode of operation called directed recording control may be requested from the domestic assistance module which begins recording when the server center sends it the order to record.

The recording stop is caused either on an order coming from the server center or directly by the domestic assistance module when the programs transmitted have a duration which exceeds the time reserved on the tape of the video cassette.

Directed control allows the elimination of parasitic advertisements by sending messages from the server centers. A first message signals the start then a second the end of these advertisements.

 For these two particular modes, the domestic portable assistance module is placed at a fixed post, near the audio-visual devices, on a piece of furniture for example.

 Payment for the service provided by the various centers providing information on television programs is made by purchasing plastic micro-circuit cards of the smart card type.

 These unmarked cards are placed in the domestic assistance modules. They authorize the reception of information coming from the hosts for a precise period: from 6 months to a year for example. The billing period starts when the card is introduced into the domestic assistance module.

 The domestic assistance module, which corresponds to the combination of several functional elements allowing the implementation of the process which is the subject of the invention, can be presented in different forms: being portable at the permanent disposal of users, integrated in the video recorder or in an accessory for receiving television programs or at a fixed station near audio-visual devices and connected by cables. In this case, the dialogue between the operator and the domestic assistance module is carried out using a universal remote control.

 The domestic portable assistance module (10) illustrated in the figure, is in the form of a crushed parallelepiped whose dimensions are substantially those of a remote control. I1 includes in particular on its upper face a backlit display (12) and a keyboard (14). This keyboard (14) can be alphanumeric to introduce additional information. However, the process requires only a few keys (16).

Also placed on one of the upper faces of the module (10) is a small window formed by several small perforations facilitating the emission of sounds from a generator of sound messages (vibrator for example).

On the lateral side, in front of the display (12), facing the television (24) and the video recorder (26), is located the remote transmission window (20).

The functional architecture of the domestic portable assistance module must include at least the following functions
- a man / machine interface function "which is provided by the keys (16), the visual display device (12) and the sound device housed in the module (in);
- a function for receiving radiotelephone information coming from the server centers (22);
- a smart card reader function for the payment of host centers
- a "home assistance module / VCR interface" function performed for example by infrared emitting diodes
- a clock function carried out, for example, by a "date" component inserted in the electronic architecture of the module makes it possible to supervise the synchronous unfolding of events
- a memory function to store the program managing the functionality of the domestic assistance module
- a memory function for additional stock, such as: reception of personalized messages, reception of messages relating to news, games, etc ...

 The hardware architecture of the domestic fixed-station assistance module differs from the previous one by the absence of a keyboard and display.

 These functions are provided on the one hand by the use of a universal remote control to replace the keyboard and by the TV screen to replace the display.

 The energy source function is provided by a power supply placed on the mains.

 Cassettes (or recording media) are identified once and for all in an increasing numerical or alphanumeric manner, for example: 1, 2, 3 N or else K1, K2, K3 .... KN or other. The identification, in large letters, placed on the visible edge allows immediate and remote recognition of all cassettes. It is also this identification which is used for the scheduling of the database of the domestic assistance module.

Claims (10)

 1. Method for simplifying the use of audiovisual devices such as televisions and video recorders, characterized in that it consists  - to transmit, according to a radio-telephony mode, by one or more server centers for the dissemination of information on television programs, all the parameters allowing the identification, characterization and selection of television programs which are broadcast by the various TV channels and,  - to have reception, by domestic assistance modules, according to a radio-telephony mode all the parameters broadcast and,  - to store, within the memory of the domestic assistance modules only the parameters linked to the programs that can be received and used by users' televisions and,  - to have the different parameters characterizing the programs classified according to user preference criteria and,  - to inform each user of all the programs in the order of their preferences, during periodic consultations and,  - to have selected with the home assistance module the program or programs that each user wishes to watch directly on their television set, and,  - to assist viewers, using the domestic assistance module, to carry out all control operations so that the televisions can immediately access the selected programs.  2. method according to claim 1 characterized in that it also consists  - have the home assistance module select the program or programs that each user wishes to record on his video recorder and,  - have the home assistance module search for the cassette that can receive the selected program and,  - to assist the operators, using the domestic assistance module, to position the tape on the cassette at the recording start position and,  - to have the operators assist, using the domestic assistance module, to carry out all the operations making it possible to program the video recorders and,  - to inform operators that a registration operation is in progress and,  - to transmit, according to a radio-telephony mode, by the server center or centers for the dissemination of information on television programs, information characterizing the start and end times of television programs and included advertisements which have just been broadcast and,  - to have received, according to a radio-telephony mode, by each domestic assistance module, the information characterizing the start and end times of the television programs and of the included advertisements which have just been broadcast, and  - to store only, within the memory of the domestic assistance modules, the information characterizing the start and end times of the programs which have just been recorded and,  - have each home assistance module calculate the actual start and end positions of the program or programs which have just been recorded on the video recording media and,  - to introduce all the parameters characterizing the record (s) that have just been made in the database of validated records of the domestic assistance module.  3. Information center for television programs for the implementation of the method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least  - a unit for collecting information on television programs and,  - a unit for the drafting of the information which will be disseminated and the establishment of the codifications serving for the identification of the programs and,  - a unit to control and record the real time of television programs broadcast by the different channels and,  - a unit for broadcasting by radio and telephony all the information characterizing the television programs and,  - a unit for the definition, purchase or production of payment vouchers for services rendered by the centers and,  - a unit for the distribution and sale of titles for the payment of services rendered by the centers.  4. Domestic assistance module for implementing the method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least  processing circuits for executing command and control programs prerecorded in a memory and,  a working memory for storing therein databases gathering the information identifying all the television programs which have been selected and in particular the forecast television programs, the television programs selected to be viewed live and the television programs selected to be recorded and,  a working memory for storing therein the database gathering the information identifying all the television programs recorded on the recording cassettes and,  - a working memory to store the database containing the information regularly disseminated by local, regional or national server centers and,  - means to inform users and,  - means for receiving orders from users and,  - a device for transmitting sound messages and,  - remote transmission means for controlling audio-visual devices and,  - means for receiving radiotelephone information from local, regional or national server centers, and,  - means to verify that the subscription has been paid.  5. Domestic assistance module according to claim 4, characterized in that it brings together all of its elements in an autonomous and portable format, and that it comprises in particular  - a display allowing to read several lines of text and,  - a keyboard allowing the taking into account of the orders of the users and,  - a device for remotely controlling all audio-visual devices by infrared means and,  - rechargeable batteries or batteries for the supply of electrical energy.  6. Domestic assistance module according to claim 5, characterized in that the display has a device for making the text bright in the dark.  7. Domestic assistance module according to claim 4, characterized in that a variant of its material organization leads to grouping some of its functions within the video recorder or an accessory for receiving television programs or a simple box connected by cables to audio-visual devices and,  - to use a conventional universal remote control to transmit commands remotely and,  - to use the television to display the messages delivered by the server center.  8. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it consists in periodically paying for the service provided by the various server centers using payment vouchers having the characteristics of plastic microcircuit cards of the type smart card and,  - to trivialize these cards and,  - to authorize the reception of information coming from the hosts only for precise durations, determined in advance, from 6 months to a year for example, the start of the invoicing period can be initialized during the introduction of the card in the domestic assistance module.  9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user preference criteria are deduced from their habits, by the assistance module, as and when the choices they make to select the programs.  10. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it can eliminate parasitic advertisements contained in the programs coming from the commercial stations, thanks to the domestic assistance module which, receiving messages coming from the servers indicating the beginnings and end of advertisement, ensures permanent control of the video recorder during the recording phase.