JP2003023615A - Interactive television system and interactive television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interactive television system that can relieve or eliminate a telephone charge on a viewer even when a telephone line is used for a communication path from the viewer to a broadcast station in the interactive television system. SOLUTION: In the interactive television system configured such that a broadcasting station 10 transmits a broadcast signal to a television receiver 20 for broadcasting and the viewer side television receiver 20 can transmit reply data associated with the television broadcast to the broadcasting station 10 through data communication via a telephone network 30, when the telephone line is connected from the television receiver 20 to the broadcasting station 10, a server computer 40 transmits advertisement information to the television receiver 20 via the telephone line and the television receiver 20A can output the advertisement information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, BS (Br
oadcasting Satellite), CS (CommunicationSatelli)
The present invention relates to a two-way television system and a television receiver that are used in satellite digital broadcasting or terrestrial digital broadcasting using te).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the practical use of digital broadcasting, in recent years, bidirectional information exchange between a viewer side and a broadcasting station side has become possible, thereby providing various services that have never existed before. Development is being done for TVs.

In interactive television, since a telephone line is generally used as a communication path from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side, the viewer pays the telephone charge in order to receive the interactive television service. I have to bear the burden.
Such a burden is not preferable to the viewer,
It may be one of the factors that hinder the spread of interactive services.

A technique for reducing the burden of telephone charges on an interactive television is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-27866.
In the publication No. 4, a large number of connection points connectable to the broadcasting station side are provided, and a database in which each telephone number of these many connection points is registered is provided in the television receiving device, and the television receiving device is connected to the broadcasting station side. When making a call
There has been proposed a digital broadcasting system configured to automatically select and connect to the place with the lowest telephone charge from a large number of connection points.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17633 discloses an invention concerning a method of transmitting advertisement information in digital broadcasting, although it is not related to interactive television.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-197032 discloses an invention in which a two-way service of television broadcasting is carried out by utilizing electronic mail on the Internet.

[0007]

However, in the interactive television service, the telephone line is generally easy to use as a communication path from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side. The telephone line connection fee is the above-mentioned JP 2000-
Even the digital broadcasting system disclosed in No. 278664 cannot be solved.

An object of the present invention is to use a communication line to a viewer even if a communication line requiring a charge such as a telephone line is used for a communication path from a viewer to a broadcasting station in an interactive television. It is an object of the present invention to provide an interactive television system and a television receiver thereof that can reduce or eliminate the burden on the user.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a broadcasting signal is transmitted from a broadcasting station side to a television receiving device on a viewer side to perform television broadcasting,
In an interactive television system configured such that data relating to television broadcasting can be transmitted from a television receiving device on the viewer side to a broadcasting station side by data communication via a predetermined communication line, the communication line is a data communication. It is provided with an advertisement information transmitting means for transmitting the advertisement information from the broadcasting station side to the television receiving device on the viewer side via the communication line when connected in a possible state.

According to such means, when a predetermined communication line is used as a communication path from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side in the interactive television, the usage fee of this communication line is transmitted to the advertisement information. Can contribute from the advertising fee. Therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the burden on the viewer side of the line usage fee required for data transmission on the interactive television.

Specifically, a broadcasting signal processing unit for receiving a broadcasting signal transmitted from the broadcasting station side and outputting a video / audio signal, and a broadcasting signal side to the broadcasting station side via a predetermined communication line. In the interactive television receiving device including a communication processing unit that transmits data, the communication processing unit is transmitted via the communication line when the communication line is connected in a data communicable state. It is configured to receive the incoming advertisement information. Thereby, the advertisement can be sent to the viewer side by the received advertisement information.

More specifically, the interactive television receiving device is provided with a video advertisement output means for outputting a video signal for advertisement display based on the advertisement information. Further, a voice advertisement output means for outputting a voice signal for voice advertisement based on the advertisement information may be provided.

Preferably, the interactive television receiving device is provided with a confirmation output means for outputting a confirmation display signal indicating that the data transmission is completed at the time of data transmission to the broadcasting station side, and the video advertisement described above. It is preferable that the output device outputs the advertisement display signal at the same time as the confirmation display signal output. By doing so, it is possible to make the viewer recognize that the line usage fee for the data communication of the interactive television is paid by the advertiser, and generally, the confirmation display does not interfere with the television broadcasting. Since it is controlled so as to be output at such a timing, it is possible to output the advertisement display so as not to disturb the television broadcast by outputting the confirmation display at the same time.

Further, specifically, the data transmission related to the television broadcasting is transmission of answer data to a question or a questionnaire presented by the television broadcasting.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an interactive television system which is an embodiment of the present invention. The interactive television system of this embodiment includes a broadcasting station 10 for performing television broadcasting such as satellite digital and terrestrial digital broadcasting, a television receiver 20 such as a set top box owned by a viewer, and a television receiver 20A. , A server computer 40 that receives data transmission from a viewer, performs necessary aggregation processing, and transfers the data to a broadcasting station, and a telephone network 3 to which the television receiver 20 and the server computer 40 are respectively connected.
It is composed of 0 and the like.

In the interactive television, the television broadcast signal sent from the broadcasting station 10 to the viewer side is transmitted through a dedicated cable such as a wireless or cable television. Further, for example, when a question or questionnaire is presented in a program and the viewer answers using the television receiver 20, the television receiver 20 calls the broadcasting station side (actually, the server computer 40). From the television receiver 20 to the broadcasting station 10 via a telephone line which is used as a communication line.
It is possible to send response data to the side. In this embodiment, the response data is once sent to the broadcasting station 10 via the server computer 40 operated by an organization different from the broadcasting station 10. It should be noted that the system configuration can be constructed so that it is directly sent to the broadcasting station 10.

Further, in the interactive television system of this embodiment, the television receiver 20 to the broadcasting station 10 are used.
The television receiver 20 via the telephone line connected to the side
Advertising information will be sent to. The advertisement information is provided by, for example, the server computer 40 having a function as an advertisement information transmitting unit. The server computer 40 may be operated by an organization other than the broadcasting station 10 such as a server operating company. In this case, the server operating company may independently transmit the advertising information, or the broadcasting may be performed. The server is a server computer 4 of a server operating company
Advertising information may be transmitted using 0.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the television receiver. The television receiver 20 of this embodiment includes an antenna 201 for receiving a broadcast signal, a tuner 202 for selecting a predetermined frequency signal, a demodulation section 203 for demodulating the received broadcast signal, and an error in demodulated broadcast data. Error correction unit 204, descrambler 205 that descrambles broadcast data to prevent unauthorized reception, and audio data, video data, character data, and various control data from multiplexed broadcast data. Demultiplexing 206 for separation, audio decoder 207 for decoding the separated audio data and outputting an audio signal, video decoder 208 for decoding the separated video data, and character display for the decoded video data. OSD (On Screen Display) that generates and outputs video signals by superimposing character data A controller 209, a controller 210 comprising a microcomputer for controlling the entire apparatus, a television receiver 20
Remote control 211 for performing various operations of the receiver and its receiver 212
And a modem 213 for performing data communication via a telephone line.

The controller 210 controls each block according to a control program and control data stored in a built-in ROM. That is, the selection frequency of the tuner 202 is changed based on the operation of the remote controller 211 to change the reception channel, the key data necessary for descrambling is supplied to the descramble 205, and the character supplied from the demultiplex 206. Character display data is output to the OSD controller 209 based on data or control data and operation of the remote controller 211 to control character display, or data communication is controlled via the modem 213.

In the above configuration, the tuner 202, demodulation section 203, error correction section 204, descrambler 20.
5, demultiplex 206, audio decoder 207,
A broadcast signal processing unit is configured by the video decoder 208 and the like. The controller 210 and the modem 213 form a communication processing unit, and the controller 210 and the OSD controller 209 form an advertisement output unit.

The interactive television system and interactive television receiving apparatus of this embodiment are configured as described above,
By the following processing, when data is transmitted from the viewer side to the broadcasting station 10 side, the advertisement information is transmitted to the television receiver 20 on the viewer side and the advertisement information is output by the television receiver 20A. It is like this. Hereinafter, a processing operation when the advertisement information is transmitted to the viewer will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 shows an image example (a) of a quiz question and an output example (b) of advertisement information in an interactive television program.
(C) is shown respectively. First, in a two-way television program, for example, a quiz or questionnaire is given to the viewer from the program, and the viewer is required to answer those questions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the question is displayed by displaying the question sentence and displaying the choices indicating the answer contents, and the viewer operates the remote controller to select one of the choices. You can use your own answer. Since the options are displayed by teletext,
When the viewer selects an option by operating the remote control, the display color of the selected character string is changed so that the viewer can know which has been selected.

When the viewer selects an answer and performs a decision operation, the controller 210 outputs a call command to the modem 213, and the TV receiver 20 is transmitted by the modem 213 to the server computer 40 via the telephone line. Connected to.

When this line connection is made, the server computer 40 transmits the advertisement information to the connected television receiver 20 via the telephone line. The advertisement information may include advertisement image data, voice data, character data, or the like, and may include, for example, control data indicating an output timing, an output method, or the like.

The advertisement information is received by the television receiver 20 via the modem 213, and the built-in RA of the controller 210.
It is temporarily stored in M (or an external RAM or storage device).

After transmitting / receiving the advertisement information, the television receiver 20 transmits the reply data to the server computer. Then, when the transmission of the response data is completed, a confirmation display indicating that the data transmission has been normally completed is output, for example, a message display of “Application accepted” in FIG. 3B. This confirmation display is performed, for example, by causing the controller 210 to display and output the character data of "application accepted." Be seen. That is, this controller 210
Control functions as a confirmation output means.

Further, at the same time when this confirmation display is performed, the controller 210 performs the output processing of the advertisement information. That is, based on the advertisement information previously stored in the built-in RAM of the controller 210, the controller 210
Performs image insertion or voice insertion of advertisement information, and performs voice output or video output of advertisement information from the television receiver 20A.

The insertion of the image of the advertisement information is performed, for example, in FIG. 3 (b).
As shown in, the video of the TV program is compressed in the height direction to provide display spaces above and below the display screen, and a message display indicating that the answer has been accepted is output on the upper side of the display space. Tele-video is performed by outputting an advertisement display such as "F * N * I". Alternatively, FIG.
As shown in (c), in one corner of the video of the TV program, with a message display indicating that the answer has been accepted,
Advertisement display such as “VTR is F * N * I” may be displayed in a superimposed manner.

The timing of line connection from the television receiver to the broadcasting station and the timing of advertisement information transmission are as follows:
It is not limited to the above example. For example, the line connection from the television receiving device to the server computer is not performed for each reply, but the line connection is maintained for a predetermined period, and data such as reply data is transmitted many times during that period. It may be performed. When the line is connected for a predetermined period in this way, the advertisement information is transmitted to the viewer side at regular intervals, every time data such as answer data is transmitted, or when the connection is made. Various methods can be applied, such as collectively performing once. Further, instead of temporarily storing the advertisement information in the RAM or the like and outputting the advertisement information at a designated timing, the advertisement information may be output at the same time as the video output or the audio output of the advertisement information.

As described above, according to the interactive television system and the television receiver of this embodiment, the telephone line is connected for data transmission from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side in the interactive television program. Even if it is displayed, since the advertisement information is transmitted to the viewer side through the telephone line and the advertisement information is output on the viewer side, it is possible to contribute the telephone charges for the line connection from this advertising revenue. . Therefore, for example, the telephone number for connecting to the server computer may be used as a free call, and the call fee may be paid by the server operating company from the advertisement revenue, or the call fee may be charged and then the fee for the broadcasting service may be paid. It is possible to reduce or eliminate the burden on the viewer side necessary for connecting the line of the interactive TV, such as subtracting the telephone bill from the inside and billing the broadcasting service fee to the viewer. And by doing so, the use of interactive television can be expanded and the development of interactive television can be promoted.

Further, by displaying the image of the advertisement information together with the message display indicating that the data transmission from the viewer side is completed, it is possible to view that the company displaying the advertisement is paying for the telephone charges. It can be easily recognized by a person, and by performing the message display together with the above message display, the advertisement display can be realized with easy control at a timing that does not disturb the program image.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made. For example, it is not necessary to output the advertisement information at the same time as outputting the data transmission confirmation message, and the advertisement information may be output at an appropriate timing.

Although a telephone line has been mentioned as a communication line used for data transmission, the present invention is applicable to any line such as a dedicated communication line which can transmit data similarly to a telephone line and requires a fee for connection and use. Can be similarly applied.

As an example of data transmission from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side on the interactive television, the case where the viewer answers the quiz presented in the program has been given.
In addition, any data such as questionnaire answers, various votes, selection of browsing information, etc. may be included as long as data is transmitted from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side in a television program.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the advertisement information is sent to the viewer side through the communication line connected from the viewer side to the broadcasting station side in a two-way television program, the usage fee for the above communication line should be contributed from this advertising revenue. Therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the burden on the viewer side required for data transmission on the interactive television. And, by doing so, expand the use of interactive television,
There is an effect that the interactive television can be greatly developed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an interactive television system that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the television receiving device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing an image example of a quiz question and an output example of advertisement information in an interactive television program.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 broadcasting stations 20 TV receiver 20A TV receiver 30 telephone network 40 server computer 201 antenna 202 tuner 206 Demultiplex 207 audio decoder 208 video decoder 209 OSD controller 210 controller 211 remote control 213 modem

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A broadcasting signal is transmitted from a broadcasting station side to a television receiving device on a viewer side for television broadcasting, and the television receiving device on the viewer side broadcasts the data by data communication via a predetermined communication line. In a two-way television system configured to be able to transmit answer data to a question or questionnaire presented by a television broadcast to a user, when the communication line is connected in a data communicable state, the communication is performed. The broadcasting station side is provided with advertising information transmitting means for transmitting advertising information from the broadcasting station side to the television receiving apparatus on the viewer side, and the above-mentioned television receiving apparatus completes data transmission when transmitting data to the broadcasting station side. A confirmation output means for outputting a confirmation display signal indicating that the data is transmitted through the communication line when the communication line is connected to the broadcasting station so that data can be transmitted. A communication processing unit that performs a reception process of the received advertisement information, and an advertisement output unit that simultaneously outputs a voice signal output that performs a voice advertisement or a video signal that performs an image advertisement based on the received advertisement information at the same time as the confirmation display. An interactive television system characterized by being provided. 2. The broadcasting signal is transmitted from the broadcasting station side to the television receiving device on the viewer side for television broadcasting, and the television receiving device on the viewer side broadcasts the data by data communication via a predetermined communication line. In a two-way television system configured to be capable of transmitting data related to television broadcasting to a side, when the communication line is connected in a data communicable state, the broadcasting station side via the communication line An interactive television system comprising advertisement information transmitting means for transmitting advertisement information from a television receiver to a television receiver on the viewer side. 3. A broadcast signal processing unit which receives a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station side and outputs a video / audio signal, and data transmission related to television broadcasting to the broadcast station side via a predetermined communication line. In the interactive television receiving device including a communication processing unit that performs, the communication processing unit, when the communication line is connected in a data communicable state, is an advertisement sent via the communication line. A television receiver characterized in that the television receiver is configured to receive information. 4. The interactive television receiving apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising video advertisement output means for outputting a video signal for advertisement display based on the advertisement information. 5. A confirmation output means for outputting a confirmation display signal indicating that the data transmission has been completed is provided at the time of data transmission to the broadcasting station side, and the video display output means outputs the advertisement display signal. 5. The interactive television receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the confirmation display signal is output at the same time when the confirmation display signal is output. 6. The interactive television reception according to claim 3, further comprising a voice advertisement output means for outputting a voice signal for voice advertisement based on the advertisement information. apparatus. 7. The bidirectional according to claim 3, wherein the data transmission related to the television broadcasting is transmission of answer data to a question or a questionnaire presented in the television broadcasting. TV receiver.