JP2000078544A - Data broadcast system and data receiver applied to the system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the broadcast system of a data link type where a use from of a beacon is not limited and a receiver side can select the use form. SOLUTION: A signal which is multiplexed on a television broadcast signal and synchronous with it is transmitted by a prescribed signal format usable by a terminal program of a receiver side, and the terminal program of a terminal device (software execution device) 40 selected by the receiver side is operated in linking with the broadcast signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data broadcasting system for transmitting information content by a broadcast signal represented by a television broadcast signal, and more particularly to, for example, multiplexing information content and additional information data associated therewith. The present invention relates to a data broadcasting system to be transmitted and a data receiving device applied to the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in television broadcasting (hereinafter also referred to as television broadcasting) as a representative of data broadcasting, not only video information (that is, information content) of a broadcast program is provided, but also a main program of the program is provided. Attempts have been made to interactively provide an interactive program reflecting the wishes of the receiver side by sending the additional information (data or program) to the television receiver (data receiving device) side almost multiplexed on the moving image screen.

As this type of data-linked broadcasting system, for example, the Bitcast technology of InfoCity Corporation (Nikkei published by Nikkei BP, November 1997) for multiplexing data in VBI (vertical blanking period) of terrestrial television broadcasting New Media separate volume, pp. 57-62), HTML (hyper
ADAMS (TV-) is a data multiplexing service using text markup language data.
Asahi Dataand Multimedia
Service) (Nikkei BP, Nov. 1997, Nikkei New Media separate volume, pp. 63-68), an intertext (November 1997, Nov. 1997, by connecting a television receiver to a telephone line). Nikkei New Media separate volume, pages 69 to 79) issued by Nikkei BP, and the like. These provide a data link service that provides information data related to a program along with the progress of the program and displays the data as related information by a program such as a Web browser.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional broadcasting service, a signal for controlling display of related information is distributed by broadcasting, but the distributed control signal is a program for displaying related information. What is used by Therefore, it is inevitable that a slight time lag occurs due to a change in the main screen when the program for displaying the sub-screen is started, and there is a problem that a sufficient interlocking display cannot be performed.

Therefore, in another application (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-5129) prior to the present application, the present applicant synchronized a current event occurring in a television program, and provided a synchronization signal representing the event. A broadcasting system (hereinafter, referred to as an MMB system) for multiplexing and transmitting a video signal in real time has been proposed. In this MMB broadcast, an event-activated script program and a marker for designating the event activation of the script program are sent to the television receiver (receiver) by the broadcasting means, and the corresponding receiver is sent to the receiver. Is provided with a synchronization signal processing unit. The synchronization signal processing unit has a function of causing a terminal program on the television receiver to operate in cooperation with the television program based on the synchronization signal (beacon) multiplexed and transmitted to the television program.

According to the MMB system, the start timing of the script program for displaying the sub-screen for the video of the main screen can be optimized by the marker (beacon), and the interlocking between the main screen and the sub-screen is improved. be able to.

However, even in this broadcasting method, the use form of the beacon on the receiving side is limited to the operation described in a script transmitted from the broadcasting side using various transmission means. There is room for improvement.

Therefore, the present invention realizes a data-linked broadcast that matches the use form for the receiver without limiting the use form of the beacon.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a method of using a synchronization signal (hereinafter, also referred to as synchronization event information or beacon) used in a terminal program on a receiving device side. Is left to the judgment of the terminal program on the receiving device side.
The data format of the beacon (synchronous event information) is defined so as to be compatible with various services, and is broadcasted so as to be operated in cooperation with various terminal programs.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a data broadcast system for transmitting information content by a broadcast signal represented by a television broadcast signal, the identification information of a broadcast service providing the information content, and the generation source of the content. A beacon (synchronization) that includes source identification information (broadcast identification information and program identification information in the case of a television broadcast) and event identification information indicating an event related to the content at the time of transmitting the content. Transmission means for transmitting the event information) in a predetermined format in synchronization with the occurrence of the event. On the receiving side of the information content, a reservation setting including arbitrary generation source identification information and event identification information set and registered in advance is provided. When a beacon that meets the conditions arrives, the receiver responds to the event indicated by the beacon (E.g., in the case of television broadcasting, a terminal program selected on the receiving side can be operated in conjunction with a television broadcasting signal, that is, transmission by broadcasting). The received beacon is interpreted as an event in the program by the terminal program on the receiving side so that the terminal program can cooperate). The beacon may be information that can start a terminal program or information that represents a parameter required by the terminal program.

In the present invention, when a beacon indicating an event related to the content of the information content transmitted by the broadcast signal is transmitted from the transmitting means side of the broadcasting station to the receiving side using various transmitting means, Beacons are used to synchronize terminal programs arbitrarily selected by the user at the receiving end with events related to the content of the information content. Here, since the beacon includes the source identification information indicating the source of the corresponding information content and the event identification information indicating the event related to the content of the content at the time of transmitting the content, the beacon is received. On the side, by pre-setting and registering reservation setting conditions including arbitrary source identification information and event identification information in accordance with designation from the terminal program, the arrival of a beacon that matches the registered reservation setting conditions is detected. In this case, it is possible to execute predetermined program processing by the terminal program, and to link the terminal program to a broadcast signal (an event related to the content of information content provided by the terminal program). That is, the beacon is used as information that matches the usage pattern of the receiver, and the information desired by the user can be reliably used in a timely manner by the terminal program of the receiver. As the data broadcasting method, broadcasting that is transmitted to an unspecified majority, such as television broadcasting, broadcasting that is transmitted to a specified number using an IP (Internet Protocol) multicast over a network such as the Internet, and peer-to-peer broadcasting. Broadcasting for one-to-one transmission represented by a peer (peer-to-peer) is known.

In the data broadcasting system, the beacon (synchronous event information) may be repeatedly transmitted at regular time intervals while the event indicated by the beacon continues. As a result, the information content receiving side can reliably receive a beacon indicating an event related to the content of the information content even if the content is viewed from the middle, and can cope with missing data due to deterioration of the reception state and the like. .

[0013] In the data broadcasting system, even if the beacon is transmitted by using the transmission channel of the content in addition to the corresponding information content, the beacons for all channels are collected together. Transmission may be performed using a specific channel (for example, with one packet ID). Further, the beacon may be transmitted via a specific transmission path separately from the corresponding information content.

[0014] When a method of transmitting beacons for all channels on a specific channel or a method of transmitting the beacon via a transmission path different from the information content is applied, the information content transmitted on a channel not being viewed on the receiving side. A beacon representing an event related to the content of the information can also be received. That is, the receiving side can also monitor events related to the contents of the so-called counter program. Accordingly, it is possible to cooperate with an event related to the content of the information content provided by a channel other than the channel currently being viewed. Therefore, it is also possible to execute a terminal program for viewing and recording without missing information that the viewer is interested in. Furthermore, the method of transmitting the beacon via a transmission path different from the information content is suitable when a service provider different from the broadcasting station specializes only in the beacon transmission service.

In the data broadcasting system, if the beacon is set in the user data portion of the packet by a transmission packet and transmitted, the beacon can be transmitted without being affected by the applied packet format.

Further, the transmission form of the beacon, that is, transmission by a broadcast signal, transmission by a specific transmission path such as the Internet, or other forms (for example, those stored at the time of recording a broadcast signal) When the identification information (transmission form identification information) for identification is included in the beacon (synchronization event information), in a system that can use a plurality of transmission forms, a terminal program selects a desired beacon from a plurality of transmission forms. It is possible to select and specify. In addition, by including identification information indicating the type of transmission information in the beacon and indicating that the information type is a beacon (synchronous event information),
Even if the beacon is transmitted in the same transmission form as other types of information and with the same packet identification number (packet ID), the receiving side can correctly identify and process the beacon.

In addition, the beacon defines a notation of an event related to the content of the content at the time of transmitting the corresponding information content, represented by event identification information (identification code) in the beacon. By including the definition source identification information on the source, the receiving side can uniquely identify the notation of the event related to the content of the content at the time of transmitting the corresponding information content from the definition source identification information in the received beacon. Can be identified. Therefore, by including the definition source identification information in addition to the occurrence source identification information and the event identification information in the reservation setting conditions on the receiving side, even if different definition events have the same contents (same value) for different events, Even if information (identification code) is assigned, it is possible to reliably and easily extract a beacon representing a target event, thereby simplifying signal processing on the receiving side and improving interlocking. Can be.

A data receiving apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is a data receiving apparatus for receiving information content and beacon (synchronous event information) transmitted by the above-described data broadcasting method, and is designated by an arbitrary terminal program. ,
Reservation storage in which reservation setting conditions including event source identification information and event identification information for specifying the event necessary for executing an arbitrary program process corresponding to a target event by the terminal program are set and registered. Means, when the received beacon includes source identification information and event identification information that match the reservation setting conditions registered in the reservation storage means, corresponds to the event indicated by the synchronous event information by the terminal program. And a synchronous event information processing means for performing processing necessary for executing the program processing.

According to the present invention, when a beacon indicating an event related to the content of the information content transmitted by the broadcast signal is transmitted from the transmitting means of the broadcasting station to the receiving device and received by the receiving device, The reservation storage unit is referred to by the synchronous event information processing unit in the receiving device. If the reception beacon includes the source identification information and the event identification information that match any of the reservation setting conditions set and registered in the reservation storage means by designation from the terminal program, that is, from the terminal program If the event is a beacon representing a reserved event, a process necessary for executing a program process (process inside the program) corresponding to the event represented by the received beacon by the terminal program of the reservation source is performed. Thus, the terminal program can be immediately linked to the broadcast signal based on the reservation setting conditions specified by the terminal program, and the information desired by the user can be used quickly and reliably.

Here, the information registered in the reservation storage means includes, in addition to the reservation setting conditions, an event indicating that a beacon that meets the reservation setting conditions is received by a terminal program corresponding to the received beacon. If a beacon that matches the reservation setting condition is received, including the processing content for performing the notification, the synchronous event information processing unit sets the synchronization event information processing unit in accordance with the processing content registered in pair with the reservation setting condition. In order to execute the program processing corresponding to the event indicated by the reception beacon by the terminal program of the reservation source of the reservation setting condition, the terminal program is configured to perform a corresponding event notification to the program, thereby converting the terminal program to a broadcast signal. They can be linked very easily.

Further, in the above processing contents, the synchronous event information processing includes event notification destination information indicating an event notification destination and an event notification number for executing a program process by a terminal program indicated by the event notification destination information. The means is configured to perform an event notification by the event notification number in the processing content to the terminal program indicated by the event notification destination information in the processing content, so that the terminal program is reserved corresponding to the event indicated by the reception beacon. Program processing can be reliably executed. Here, in addition to the event notification number, the event notification may be performed together with the corresponding synchronous event information. Therefore, the process content may include an event notification using only the event notification number or an event notification obtained by adding synchronous event information to the event notification number, that is, an event notification method.

[0022] Further, the receiving device further includes communication means for transmitting an event notification from the synchronous event information processing means to the corresponding terminal program, so that the terminal program can be transferred to a device (software execution device) different from the receiving device. Even with the configuration, the corresponding program processing in the terminal program can be executed from the synchronous event information processing means in the receiving device.

In the receiving apparatus, broadcast service identification information (included in the source identification information) included in the reception beacon and broadcast service (broadcast channel) identification information selected (viewed) by the user are stored. Further comprising comparing means for comparing,
In the synchronous event information processing means, when the received beacon includes the source identification information and the event identification information that match the specific reservation setting condition registered in the reservation storage means, the broadcast service identification information in the beacon is included. When the match with the identification information of the broadcast service being selected by the user is detected by the comparing means, the terminal program specifying the specific reservation setting condition executes the program processing corresponding to the event indicated by the beacon. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the processing necessary for the execution is performed. In this configuration,
Even if a beacon transmission method is used in which all channels are transmitted collectively on a specific channel or a method of transmitting on a transmission path different from the information content is applied, the receiving side only selects (views) a specific broadcast service. In this case, it is possible to use the beacon in the communication, that is, to restrict the use of the beacon. In this way, the use of the beacon is restricted, and the specific program processing of the specific terminal program is executed according to the processing of the synchronous event information processing unit accompanying the reception of the beacon that meets the condition.
For example, the present invention is applicable to a service in which points are earned by viewing a program or an advertisement provided by a specific sponsor.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a data receiving apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a television broadcasting (hereinafter, referred to as a receiving apparatus) in which video, audio, and data are multiplexed. This is an example in which a television receiver that receives a signal of a television broadcast is simply used.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a television receiver as a means for receiving a television broadcast signal and a meaningful synchronous signal (beacon, synchronous event information) multiplexed with the broadcast signal and transmitting the signal. , Separating means 22 and a plurality of receiving sections 23A, 23B, 23C. The synchronization signal is transmitted in a predetermined format in synchronization with an event (event) occurring in a television program transmitted by a television broadcast signal, and represents the event.
Events represented by the synchronization signal are roughly classified into two types. One is the event itself occurring in a video scene that can be viewed by the viewer. In the case of a professional baseball program, for example, "B player of team A is now in bat." Or "B player of team A has hit home run". The other event is related to the contents of the video scenes that can be viewed by the viewer, but the situation cannot be grasped only from the video scenes. The current race situation (position information, time difference, etc.) of the athlete ". That is, the synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) represents an event related to the content of the provided television program (information content), and can be said to be linked to the program content.

The channel selection means 21 performs a channel selection process for extracting one program instructed to a broadcast stream in response to a channel selection command generated by a channel selection operation input to a remote controller (not shown). Then, the broadcast signal of the designated channel is sent to the separating means 22. The separating unit 22 separates the received signal from the channel selecting unit 21 and the multiplexed stream into video / audio signals, download data, synchronization signals, and the like, and receives the corresponding receiving units 23A, 23B, and 23C. To send to.

The receiving section 23A outputs sound to, for example, a speaker 25b via the video / audio processing means 24 and generates a screen display signal corresponding to the received video signal.
Output to the monitor 25a. The receiving unit 23B stores the download data from the separation unit 22, for example, the recording information, via a storage unit 26, such as a recording device (or a data storage unit in a connected personal computer, game machine, or the like). The download data is stored in some storage medium.

A beacon processing system 30 is connected to the receiving unit 23C. The beacon processing system 30 can register a synchronization signal processing unit 31 and an event notification number (event number) and an event occurrence condition. A communication means 33 capable of communicating with the event reservation table 32 and a software execution device 40 having a display function and a communication function;
Is provided. The synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) linked to the program content is passed to the synchronization signal processing unit 31, and the synchronization signal processing unit 31 performs a matching process with the event occurrence condition table in the event reservation table 32. , If the synchronization signal meets the conditions,
An event is notified to a terminal program executed by the software execution device 40 as event data corresponding to the synchronization signal.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the synchronization signal processing section 31 inputs a reception signal from the reception section 23C as a synchronization signal linked to the program contents.
An event generation unit 31b that generates an event notification signal in accordance with the determination result of the determination processing unit 31a; and a communication unit 33 that sends an event notification signal from the event generation unit 31b to the communication unit 41 of the software execution device 40. are doing. Here, the determination processing unit 31a refers to the event reservation table 32 (the event occurrence condition table therein), and determines the input synchronization signal and the one registered in the event reservation table 32 (the event occurrence condition table therein). And performs a matching process to determine whether or not the input synchronization signal matches the event occurrence condition registered in the event reservation table 32. If the synchronization signal satisfies the event occurrence condition, the event generation unit 31b is instructed to generate event data corresponding to the synchronization signal (beacon), and the event notification generated by the event generation unit 31b is notified. Is transmitted to the communication unit 41 of the software execution device 40 via the communication unit 33.

The terminal program is executed by the software execution device 40, and can execute an operation in cooperation with a television program by using the event notification as a trigger. Note that the coordinated operation means that the terminal program on the receiver side interprets the occurrence of a specific synchronization signal transmitted by broadcasting as an event in the program and performs a coordinated operation. Therefore, the terminal program can be linked with the television program by a synchronization signal linked with the content of the television program, or can be linked with the television program under a predetermined condition.

The software execution device 40 is, for example, a personal computer or a game device equipped with software, and has a communication means 41 for communicating with the communication means 33. The software execution device 40 is a program execution unit that can execute a terminal program on the receiving side that cooperates with the beacon received by the beacon processing system 30. By using a synchronization signal that matches the terminal program on the receiving side, A screen display or the like linked to this can be performed.

The synchronizing signal processing section 31 also has an event occurrence condition reservation means 31c and a deletion means 31d. Here, the reservation unit 31c receives a reservation command related to event registration from the terminal program of the software execution device 40, describes the generation condition of the beacon event data in the event reservation table 32, and sets the event generation condition corresponding to the new terminal program. Register additionally. Also,
The deletion unit 31d receives a deletion command related to event registration from the terminal program of the software execution device 40, deletes a condition for generating beacon event data corresponding to the command from the event reservation table 32, and deletes an event corresponding to the terminal program to be deleted. Occurrence conditions can be deleted.

The beacon processing system 30 determines whether the received synchronization signal satisfies the condition of the synchronization signal depending on whether the received synchronization signal from the reception unit 23C satisfies the event occurrence condition registered and reserved. This is a notification unit that determines whether the event has occurred or not and notifies the terminal program executed by the software execution device 40 of an event according to the contents of the user's reservation registration.

As described above, the beacon processing system 30 performs a process of registering a new event in the event reservation table 32 in response to an event registration command from the terminal program in response to the synchronization signal transmitted from the receiving unit 23C. Run,
Beacon event data required for the cooperative operation between the received television broadcast and the terminal program can be immediately notified to the terminal program in accordance with the event occurrence conditions registered and reserved. Therefore, the terminal program and the television broadcast signal can be linked with each other without delay based on the reservation information, and the information desired by the user can be used quickly and reliably.

The above-mentioned reservation registration includes the conditions of a synchronization signal (event occurrence condition, reservation setting condition) that can correspond to each terminal program, and the processing content when a synchronization signal that meets these conditions reaches the beacon processing system 30. Is specified.
This processing content includes an event notification number (event number) corresponding to the processing required to start processing (program processing) inside the corresponding reservation source terminal program, and an event notification number using the event notification number. Includes information specifying the method. As the event notification method, there are a method of notifying only the event notification number to the terminal program of the reservation source, and a method of transferring the synchronization signal itself as data to the terminal program of the reservation source in addition to the event notification number.

The conditions for generating the beacon event data include, for example, identification information for specifying a broadcast channel (corresponding to the information of the broadcast identification area 52 in the synchronization signal) and identification information for specifying a television program (program identification area 53 in the synchronization signal). ), The ID number of the synchronization signal (corresponding to the synchronization signal identification code 56b in the synchronization signal), and the like.

When additionally registering the conditions for generating beacon event data, the notification number of each event to be notified as beacon event data and the notification destination of each event, that is, to which terminal program the notification of each event is sent Is registered in a list (event occurrence condition table) in the event reservation table 32 in a form in which the data of the above is also described.

Here, the format of the beacon (meaningable synchronizing signal) in this embodiment will be described.
Synchronization information transmitted in real time in conjunction with a television program includes, for example, a header area 51 as shown in FIG.
A broadcast identification area 52 for identifying a broadcast channel (broadcast service) for broadcasting the television program, a program identification area 53 for identifying the television program, and a synchronization signal description data area 54 for describing a synchronization signal. And Then, the synchronization signal description data area 54 contains 1
One or a plurality of synchronization signal descriptors 55, each of which includes an identification code (definition source identification information) 56 a for identifying the definition source of the synchronization signal;
A configuration including a synchronization signal identification code (event identification information) 56b representing the meaning of the synchronization signal (that is, representing an event related to the content of the video scene of the corresponding television program), a data length, and content data of the synchronization signal Have been.

It should be noted that there is usually one synchronization signal descriptor in the beacon format, but a plurality of descriptions may be described in the case where a plurality of descriptions are transmitted by one synchronization signal.

If it is assumed that the broadcasting terminal specifies one terminal program to be operated, the meaning of the synchronization signal is unified between the sender and receiver terminal programs. Therefore, the synchronization signal and the identification code are associated one-to-one. However, one terminal program may be used corresponding to various senders' TV programs, and conversely, various terminal programs may be used for one TV program. In the latter case, for example, as a terminal program operated by a viewer watching a baseball program, a terminal program of a scoreboard display or a game program linked to an actual game progress can be considered.

Further, since the identification code indicating the meaning of the synchronization signal is assumed to be freely assigned on the side transmitting the synchronization signal, it is possible that the synchronization signal having the same identification code indicates different meanings in different programs. Conceivable. In such a case, since the terminal program may receive an event notification using a synchronization signal other than the request, the identification code of each synchronization signal indicating the meaning of the event (I
D) needs to be able to distinguish between different uses.

The identification code 56a defining the synchronization signal is:
Used for that. This definition source identification code 56a
In a program such as a professional baseball program, a song program, or news broadcast by a specific broadcasting station, what kind of meaning is the synchronizing signal to be transmitted, what kind of identification ID is assigned to each signal, and its signal data area is It is to notify what kind of description is made as one code. Therefore, the definition source identification code 56a is determined by the broadcasting station (definition source), and includes a definer ID, a scheme (scheme) ID, and a version ID, as shown in FIG. 3B. The definer ID is the identifier of the definer who defined the scheme, and the scheme ID
What are the meanings of the synchronization signal groups to be sent, the number of the synchronization signal identification code to be assigned to each meaning, and how to describe each synchronization signal data area?
This is the ID number assigned by the definer to the entire framework. The version ID represents the version of the definition source code. For example, if the definition source ID is α, α
In the identification of each synchronization signal, the fifth of the synchronization signal identification codes 56b is a player's turn at bat, and the sixth is a player B
No. 7 means that the player is at bat.

As described above, when the definition code such as the synchronization signal of the present embodiment is provided, each identification code has one meaning without being interpreted as a plurality of meanings. Therefore, even when different senders may transmit different synchronization signals each having the same synchronization signal identification code assigned thereto, each synchronization signal can be uniquely interpreted with reference to its definition source code. In this case, when the event generation condition is set from the terminal program, the condition is set together with the identification code of the definition source of the synchronization signal in addition to the identification code of the synchronization signal.

The definition source identification code is at least
It needs to be open to terminal program creators.
In addition, the definer ID, which is an element of the definition source identification code, is determined by a specific institution that manages it so that the code with the same definer ID does not overlap and is made public. Is preferred. The scheme ID is a value unique to the framework in which the definer (often a broadcasting station) that has acquired the definer ID defines the assignment of identification codes for programs and the like. , Again so that there is no overlap. When publishing the scheme ID, it is necessary to publish at least the default value of the beacon for each meaning.

Next, an embodiment of a television broadcast receiving method according to the second invention, which is performed using the above-described configuration, will be described.

First, the terminal program on the receiving side is started, and then the conditions of the synchronization signal are reserved from the terminal program. Thereafter, when the synchronization signal received together with the broadcast signal matches the condition of the reserved synchronization signal, an event notification is immediately sent to the terminal program via the communication means 33 for the terminal program.

At this time, the terminal program uses the event notification as a trigger to perform processing inside the program according to the content of the event notification. In other words, when a beacon that matches the beacon event occurrence condition arrives, an event notification is sent to the terminal program, and the terminal program treats this event in the same way as when a message or event notification within the program is received, Act accordingly.

A specific operation example will be described by taking a recording device as an example. When an existing EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is used, a broadcasting station changes the broadcast time of the EPG, and the receiver receives the latest information of the EPG. Is constantly updated, and when there is a time change, it is necessary to change the contents of the recording reservation.

In this embodiment, an event occurrence condition for performing a recording action is reserved from a recording device or a terminal program for operating the recording device. The reservation designates an event notification number when a synchronization signal that meets the condition arrives. When a synchronization signal that meets the condition is received, an event notification is made to the reservation source. According to the number provided,
It executes recording control processing (program processing for recording control) such as recording start, end, and temporary stop. Since the synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) is transmitted separately from the video, an index of the video scene can be created depending on the processing method of the terminal program.

During this time, when there is an event registration command (reservation command) from the terminal program, the synchronization signal processing unit 21 sets a beacon for cooperative operation as beacon event occurrence condition data in accordance with the event registration command (reservation command). 32. Note that the synchronization signal processing unit 21
When a delete command is received, the registration information of the event occurrence condition corresponding to a certain terminal program is deleted.

In the present embodiment, since the synchronization signal triggers the execution of recording, even if the broadcast time is changed, there is no need to change the reservation setting or the like on the receiver side. Recording only needs to be executed when a beacon event that triggers recording is received.
Therefore, an easy-to-use receiving device can be provided without increasing the size of the device on the television receiving side. Of course, if a synchronization signal corresponding to a specific scene is reserved, recording can be performed by selectively cutting out the scene. can do.

Further, a synchronizing signal linked to the program contents is
If a distribution form such as PG (Electronic Program Guide) is used, that is, if synchronization signals for all channels are sent with one packet ID, it is possible to monitor the counter program from the synchronization information. It is also possible to cooperate with other channel events. Therefore, it is possible to execute a terminal program for viewing and recording without missing information that the viewer is interested in.

Briefly describing a case other than recording, as a broadcast service representing an event related to the content of the information content of a broadcast program transmitted by a television broadcast signal, a marathon or a race broadcast, whose overall state cannot be understood only on a television screen. In a program or the like, the current status of each player, for example, information such as position information and time difference, that is, an event related to the content of the information content of a broadcast program transmitted by a television broadcast signal, is a data area of synchronization information. The terminal program can display the race status of all athletes by the terminal program, and can express the status in 3D graphics depending on the performance of the equipment. Can perform various actions. In addition, by creating and distributing in advance a terminal program that counts synchronization signals that meet conditions out of synchronization signals sent during a program, a personal computer that can receive points on a television receiver watching the program can collect points. Something like a ridge service is also conceivable. It is also conceivable that various operations are performed on lighting equipment, toys and the like in accordance with the progress of the program.

In the above-mentioned example, all the components necessary for a normal television receiver are provided. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the present invention is applied to a stage preceding the receiving units 23A to 23C.
Alternatively, a tuner 41 provided with a unit 42 for performing a separation process into ２３23C may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, a synchronizing signal synchronizing with a television program is directly input to the beacon processing system 30 through a signal transmission path (for example, via the Internet) different from a broadcasting signal, so that the video / audio It is also possible to separate the video / audio signal and the download data by the separating means 44 in the tuner 43 for inputting the signal and the download data.

If the television receiver has a function of receiving a television broadcast signal and a function of network communication, a cooperative operation based on synchronization information from both paths is also possible.

The cooperative operation between the television broadcast and the terminal program as described above is not always performed by the application program running on the beacon processing system 30. For example, as described below, the cooperation operation is performed by the receiving unit 3.
It can also be done outside of zero.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the data receiving apparatus (television receiver) according to the present invention. In this embodiment, means for controlling the cooperative operation equipment is provided on the television receiver side. This is an example in which a plurality of external software execution devices are operated in cooperation with each other.

In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a synchronizing signal receiving unit, which includes a synchronizing signal processing unit 61
And an event reservation table 62 and a signal generating means 63 capable of communicating with an external cooperative operation function 80 having a display function and a communication function.

Here, the synchronization signal receiving section 60 corresponds to an independent cooperative operation device 80 that executes a predetermined terminal program, and has a communication means connected to the cooperative operation device 80. The synchronization signal processing unit 61 and the event reservation table 62 correspond to the synchronization signal processing unit 3 of the above-described example.
1 and the event reservation table 32, but the signal processing program is set so that the cooperative operation device 80 can execute a process that can cooperate. In this case, the beacon request and the event registration command to the synchronization signal processing unit 61 are transmitted to the cooperative operation device 8.
Output from 0.

The signal generating means 63 may have only the function of controlling the device externally connected to the communication device. In this case, the cooperative operation device 80 is, for example, a toy, and the signal generation unit 63 converts the beacon event data from the synchronization signal processing unit 61 into a control signal of the toy 80 and outputs the control signal. A beacon request to the synchronization signal processing unit 61 and an event registration command are output from the toy 80.

As described above, by receiving the synchronization signal that matches the cooperative device that executes the terminal program on the receiving side, and outputting the control signal from the signal generating unit 63 to the cooperative device, the cooperative device 80 is linked. Action can be taken.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show still another embodiment of the data receiving apparatus (television receiver) according to the present invention, and show an example in which a plurality of software execution devices are operated in cooperation. Note that the same or equivalent components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6.

In both figures, reference numeral 60 denotes a beacon processing system.
, An event reservation table 62, a communication unit 63a,
63b and a linked program management unit 65 are provided.

The beacon processing system 60 in this embodiment
Correspond to a plurality of terminal programs respectively executed by the plurality of software execution devices 81 and 82, and correspond to the communication units 81a and 82 of the software execution devices 81 and 82.
A plurality of communication means 63a and 63b are connected to a.
Synchronization signal processing unit 61 and event reservation table 62
Has almost the same configuration as the synchronous signal processing unit 31 and the event reservation table 32 in the above-described example.

The linked program management unit 65 stores a predetermined management program so that each of the software execution devices 81 and 82 can cooperate with a television program.
The event reservation table 62 is provided with a plurality of event occurrence condition tables (lists) corresponding to the respective terminal programs. This event reservation table 6
7, the event notification destinations (exemplified by # 1 and # 2 in the figure), the event notification numbers (event numbers), and the events corresponding to the terminal programs are stored in the event occurrence condition table in FIG. A description of the occurrence condition is made.

Now, for example, when a connection request is sent from the terminal program of one software execution device 81 to the linked program management unit 65, the synchronization signal processing unit 61 responds to the software execution device 81 (terminal program) from the linked program management unit 65. Each time an event occurs, a notification of the completion of the event is sent, and a connection between the synchronization signal processing unit 61 and one software execution device 81 (terminal program) is established via one communication unit 63a. Similarly, when there is a connection request from the terminal program of the other software execution device 82 to the linked program management unit 65, the synchronization signal processing unit 61 is transmitted from the linked program management unit 65 to the other software execution device 82 (terminal program).
Each time a corresponding event occurs, a notification of the completion of the event is sent, and a connection between the synchronization signal processing unit 61 and the other software execution device 82 is established via the other communication unit 63b. In this way, the terminal programs of the plurality of software execution devices 81 and 82 can be operated in cooperation with the television programs.

The beacon request to the synchronization signal processing unit 61 and the event registration command are sent to the software execution device 8.
1 and 82, respectively, and the communication means 63a and 63
The signal is sent to the synchronization signal processing unit 61 via the line b.

The meaningful synchronizing signal (beacon, synchronizing event information) has a meaning that, for example, someone has hit a home run in a baseball game. On the side, if it can be used as an activation signal for a certain program processing by a specific program, or as a sign for switching screen display or a sign for moving a toy, the user receives the same broadcast signal However, different ways of enjoying can be achieved depending on the terminal program used by each user.

That is, the terminal program receiving the event from the synchronization signal processing unit 21 on the receiver side performs various operation descriptions in accordance with the meaning of the received event, thereby providing various services desired by the user. Becomes possible.

In order to achieve this, the synchronization signal information (synchronization event information) in a common format as shown in FIG. 3 is used for the meaningful synchronization signal (beacon) transmitted according to the progress of the television program. I do. That is,
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of synchronization signal descriptors 55 are included in the synchronization signal description data area 54, and each of the synchronization signal descriptors 55 has an identification code 56a for identifying a definition source of a meaningful synchronization signal. , An identification code 56b of the synchronization signal itself, a data length, and content data of the synchronization signal.

Therefore, the synchronization signal multiplexed with the television broadcast signal and transmitted can be easily used as the synchronization signal information common to a plurality of terminal programs. In addition to simplifying the system, it is possible not only to improve the interoperability, but also to provide a mechanism that is used for various services and that cooperates with various programs on the terminal.

As described above, while the broadcast station sends a synchronization signal indicating the same event, the receiver side receives a plurality of different types of signals in accordance with the processing performance of the television receiver and the software execution device connected thereto. It is expected that the terminal program can be operated in cooperation with the television program, and the effect that the range of the broadcasting service received by the user can be expanded.

When a broadcast signal and data are multiplexed and transmitted, a packet of a predetermined format is generally used. In this case, when the synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) applied in the present embodiment is transmitted as a packet in the same manner as other information (for example, content of video information, audio information, and the like), the packet for the synchronization signal is received on the receiving side. Cannot be determined.

Therefore, for example, at the beginning of the synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) in the format of FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. 9, an information type identification code (information type identification information) indicating the type of transmission information 50, and the identification code 5
For 0, a specific code indicating that the corresponding transmission information (synchronization signal) is a synchronization signal may be used. Further, by setting the synchronization signal with the identification code 50 in the user data portion (data field) 92 of the transmission packet as shown in FIG. 9 and transmitting the synchronization signal, the synchronization signal is not affected by the applied packet format. Can be sent. Here, the transmission format of the packet (synchronization signal indicated by) is stored in a predetermined area of the header section 91 of the transmission packet,
That is, a transmission mode identification code (transmission mode identification) for identifying transmission by a broadcast signal, transmission by a specific transmission path such as the Internet, or other forms (for example, those stored when a broadcast signal was recorded). Information) 93
In a system where a plurality of transmission modes can be used, a terminal program can select and specify a desired signal from among the synchronization signals of the plurality of transmission modes.

In the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the synchronization signal (beacon, synchronization event information) is contained in one packet.
It may be divided into 2) and stored. In this case, a management header may be added to each divided data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the data receiving apparatus (television receiver) according to the present invention.
An example is shown in which the mileage service and the like can be applied. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes a beacon processing system. The beacon processing system 100 includes a synchronization signal processing unit 101, a comparison unit 102, an event reservation table 32, and a communication unit 38. ing. Also, 1
Numeral 10 denotes a channel selection unit, which executes a channel selection process in response to a channel selection command generated by a channel selection operation input or the like to a remote controller, similarly to the channel selection unit 21 in FIG. Channel) is sent to the separating means 22. The difference between the channel selection means 110 and the channel selection means 21 is that the broadcast information (channel) instructed, that is, the identification information (currently selected broadcast) of the broadcast service (channel) currently selected (viewed) by the user. (Identification information), and sends the identification information to the comparison unit 102. Note that the function of transmitting the broadcast identification information during selection (during viewing) of the tuning unit 110 may be provided in an interface portion (channel control unit) between the remote controller and the tuning unit 110.

The synchronizing signal processing section 101 in the beacon processing system 100 receives a synchronizing signal linked to the program content separated by the separating means 22 from the receiving section 23C. The synchronization signal processing unit 101, like the synchronization signal processing unit 31 in FIG. 2, receives the reception synchronization signal (information on the broadcast identification area 52, information on the program identification area 53, and the synchronization signal identification code) received from the reception unit 23C. 56b, and a synchronization signal definition source identification code 56a) and event occurrence conditions (broadcast identification information, program identification information, and synchronization signal identification code therein) registered in the event reservation table 32 (event occurrence condition table therein). A matching process is performed with the synchronization signal ID number and the synchronization signal definition source identification code.

The synchronization signal processing section 101 sends the information of the broadcast identification area 52 in the reception synchronization signal, that is, the broadcast identification information (broadcast identification code) in the reception synchronization signal to the comparison section 102. The comparing unit 102 uses the broadcast identification information in the received synchronization signal sent from the synchronization signal processing unit 101 to identify the broadcast service (channel) currently selected (viewed) by the user, sent from the tuning unit 110. (The selected broadcast identification information), and returns a comparison result indicating a match or a mismatch to the synchronization signal processing unit 101.

In the present embodiment, the event occurrence condition registered in the event reservation table 32 is added with flag information for designating whether or not the comparison result of the comparison unit 102 is to be considered. As a result of performing the above-described matching processing, if the synchronization signal processing unit 101 determines the arrival (detection) of a synchronization signal that matches the event occurrence condition, the synchronization signal processing unit 101 refers to the flag information added to the event occurrence condition. .

If the referenced flag information is stored in the comparing unit 10
If the synchronization signal processing unit 101 is in a first state (for example, an off state) indicating that the comparison result of No. 2 is not considered, the synchronization signal processing unit 101
Regardless of the comparison result of the comparison unit 102, the event notification with the designated event notification number is performed via the communication unit 33 in accordance with the processing content registered in the event reservation table 32 in combination with the corresponding event occurrence condition. It is sent to the communication means 41 of the execution device 40.

On the other hand, if the referenced flag information is in the second state (for example, ON state) indicating that the comparison result of the comparison unit 102 is to be considered, the synchronization signal processing unit 10
1 is selected (viewed) only by referring to the comparison result of the comparison unit 102 and indicating a match, that is, by the current user.
Only when the arrival of a synchronization signal having broadcast identification information that matches the identification information of the broadcast service being selected (the selected broadcast identification information), the event reservation table 32 is paired with the corresponding event occurrence condition. In accordance with the registered processing content, the software execution device 40 sends an event notification with the specified event notification number via the communication unit 33.
To the communication means 41.

As described above, the synchronization signal processing unit 101 receives the synchronization signal that matches the event occurrence condition (that is, the specific event occurrence condition) to which the flag information designating that the comparison result of the comparison unit 102 is considered. Is detected, event notification is not performed unconditionally, but only when the broadcast identification information included in the synchronization signal matches the selected broadcast identification information, that is, the event represented by the synchronization signal is provided. Event notification is performed only when the user is selecting (viewing) a broadcasting service (broadcast channel) to perform.

Therefore, in response to a reservation command from the terminal program of the software execution device 40, an event occurrence condition to which flag information designating that the comparison result of the comparison unit 102 is to be considered is set and registered in the event reservation table 32. Therefore, even if the transmission method of the synchronization signal is such that all channels are collectively transmitted on a specific channel or the transmission method is transmitted on a different transmission path from the broadcast signal, the broadcast service specified by the terminal program is selected. It is possible to make it possible to use the synchronization signal on the receiving side only during (viewing), that is, to restrict the use of the synchronization signal.

As a result, it is possible to apply a service (a so-called mileage service) that accumulates points only while watching a program (or an advertisement or the like) provided by a specific sponsor. The reason is that with this kind of service,
Rather than simply detecting an event (synchronizing signal indicating) that a program provided by a specific sponsor is being broadcast, the fact that the user is watching the program is not the same as the terminal program that provides the service. This is a condition for counting up points. Therefore, in order to perform a desired operation, a terminal program that provides this kind of service uses an event related to broadcasting of a program (or an advertisement or the like) provided by a specific sponsor as an event occurrence condition (condition for receiving an event notification). In addition to the conditions to be represented, flag information specifying that the program (or advertisement or the like) is being viewed, that is, that the comparison result of the comparing unit 102 should be considered may be added.

In the above, the case where the present invention is applied to a television broadcast system (data broadcast system) for transmitting a broadcast program, that is, information content by a television broadcast signal, has been described. However, the information content is transmitted by a broadcast signal. Various data broadcasting systems are known in addition to the television broadcasting system, and it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable to all data broadcasting systems.

[0089]

According to the data broadcasting system of the present invention, the synchronization signal (synchronization event information) of the terminal program is transmitted together with the transmission of information content such as a broadcast program by a broadcast signal, and the reception side is arbitrarily selected. Since the information can be used by a terminal program, the information desired by the user can be reliably and timely used by the terminal program on the receiving side. In addition, by using a synchronization signal common to a plurality of terminal programs, it is possible to perform advanced cooperative operations of the terminal programs while simplifying signal processing on the receiving side.

According to the receiving apparatus of the present invention, when transmitting information content such as a broadcast program by a broadcast signal, a synchronous signal (synchronous event information) of a terminal program is transmitted together, and a terminal arbitrarily selected on the receiving side is provided. Since the information is used in the program, the information desired by the user can be reliably used in a timely manner by the terminal program on the receiving side, and the signal on the receiving side can be used by using a synchronization signal common to a plurality of terminal programs. It is possible to perform advanced cooperative operation of the terminal program while simplifying the processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a data receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a data receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a beacon format in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block configuration diagram in a case where a channel selection and separation unit in one embodiment is different.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block configuration diagram in a case where a channel selection and separation unit in one embodiment is configured in a different mode.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the data receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a main part of a data receiving apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a transmission packet used for transmitting a beacon.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a main part of a data receiving apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Television receiver (data receiving apparatus) 21, 110 ... Tuning means 22, 42, 44 ... Separation means 23A, 23B, 23C ... Receiving part 24 ... Video / audio processing means 25 ... Monitor 31, 61, 101 ... Synchronization signal Processing unit (synchronous event information processing means) 32, 62 ... event reservation table (reservation storage means) 33, 63a, 63b ... communication means 40, 81, 82 ... software execution equipment (program execution means) 50 ... information type identification code 52 broadcast identification area (source identification information area) 53 program identification area (source identification information area) 56a synchronization signal definition source identification code (definition source identification information) 56b synchronization signal identification code (event identification information) 91 ... Header part 92 ... User data part 93 ... Transmission form identification part 102 ... Comparison part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Keitaro Sato Digital Vision Laboratories, Inc. 3-37 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A data broadcasting method for transmitting information content by means of a broadcast signal, comprising: source identification information that includes the identification information of a broadcast service that provides the information content and that indicates the source of the content; Synchronous event information including event identification information representing an event related to the content of the content of the content, comprising a transmission unit that transmits in a predetermined format in synchronization with the occurrence of the event, on the receiving side of the information content, When the synchronization event information that matches the reservation setting condition including any of the generation source identification information and the event identification information that has been set and registered in advance arrives on the reception side in response to the event indicated by the synchronization event information. A data broadcasting system characterized in that set program processing can be executed. 2. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means repeatedly transmits said synchronous event information at a constant time interval while an event indicated by said synchronous event information continues. 3. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means adds the synchronization event information to the corresponding information content and transmits the information using a transmission channel of the content. 4. The transmission means transmits the synchronization event information corresponding to the information content transmitted using each transmission channel collectively using a predetermined specific channel. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein 5. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means transmits said synchronization event information via a specific transmission path separately from said corresponding information content. 6. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means sets the synchronization event information in a user data part of the packet by a transmission packet and transmits the packet. 7. The notation of an event related to the content of the content at the time of transmitting the corresponding information content, wherein the synchronization event information is represented by the event identification information in the synchronization event information. By including the definition source identification information regarding the defined definition source, on the receiving side of the information content, the definition setting source information is added to the reservation setting condition in addition to the occurrence source identification information and the event identification information. The data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein 8. The data broadcast system according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast signal is a television broadcast signal, and said information content is video information of a broadcast program. 9. A data receiving apparatus for receiving the information content and the synchronization event information transmitted by the data broadcasting method according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving apparatus is designated by an arbitrary terminal program. The reservation setting condition including the source identification information and the event identification information for specifying the event, which is necessary to execute an arbitrary program process corresponding to the target event by the terminal program, is set and registered. And the received synchronous event information includes the event source identification information and the event identification information that match the reservation setting conditions registered in the reservation storage means. Performs the processing necessary to execute the program processing corresponding to the event indicated by the synchronous event information. Data receiving apparatus characterized by comprising a synchronization event information processing means. 10. A data receiving apparatus for receiving the information content and the synchronization event information transmitted by the data broadcasting system according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving apparatus is designated by an arbitrary terminal program. A reservation setting condition including the source identification information and the event identification information for identifying the event, which is necessary to execute an arbitrary program process corresponding to a target event by the terminal program; A reservation storing means for setting and registering a process content for notifying an event notification to the terminal program corresponding to a case where synchronous event information matching a reservation setting condition is received; The event information includes the event source identification information that matches a reservation setting condition registered in the reservation storage unit and the event source information. In the case where the event identification information is included, the program processing corresponding to the event indicated by the synchronous event information by the terminal program as the reservation source of the reservation setting condition according to the processing content registered in combination with the reservation setting condition A synchronous event information processing means for notifying a corresponding event to the program in order to execute the program. 11. The processing content includes event notification destination information indicating an event notification destination, and an event notification number for executing the program processing by the terminal program indicated by the event notification destination information. ,
The said synchronous event information processing means performs the event notification by the said event notification number in the said process content with respect to the said terminal program which shows the said event notification destination information in the said process content. Data receiving device. 12. A communication system for transmitting the event notification from the synchronous event information processing unit to a corresponding terminal program, wherein an event to a terminal program installed in a device different from the data receiving device is provided. 11. The data receiving device according to claim 10, wherein notification is enabled. 13. A synchronous event information processing means, further comprising: comparing means for comparing the broadcast service identification information in the received synchronous event information with identification information of a broadcast service selected by a user. If the received synchronization event information includes the source identification information and the event identification information that match a specific reservation setting condition registered in the reservation storage unit, the broadcast in the synchronization event information When the coincidence between the service identification information and the identification information of the broadcast service being selected by the user is detected by the comparing means, the event indicated by the synchronous event information by the terminal program designating the specific reservation setting condition 11. The data receiving device according to claim 10, wherein a process necessary to execute a corresponding program process is performed.