JP3670359B2 - Bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus and line connection method between bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus and response server - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention Interactive broadcasting To realize Interactive broadcast receiver And its Interactive broadcast receiver And a response server.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the advancement of television broadcasting technology and the like, a teletext service that multiplexes and transmits characters and graphic data to a normal television broadcast signal has begun to spread. The teletext programs that are currently in service include news, weather forecasts, traffic information, tourist information, and TV shopping.
[0003]
However, since current television broadcasting provides information unilaterally to a viewer from a television station, for example, a viewer himself can select a desired product from a plurality of products introduced in a program. It was not possible to perform operations such as selectively displaying supplementary information or calling viewers in a program, collecting responses from viewers and reflecting them in the program in real time. The same applies to teletext.
[0004]
For this reason, recently, the realization of interactive TV broadcasting has begun to attract attention as one of new information service forms in the multimedia era.
As for television projection, the current television broadcast is also performed using the teletext. However, since current television programs cannot accept responses from viewers, the following problems arise.
[0005]
In other words, when a shopping information program is broadcast by teletext, the viewer takes a note of the desired product number, mail order company phone number, etc. while watching the characters displayed on the screen, and calls the telephone while viewing the memo. I will use and call. In this case, a problem such as an erroneous call due to an incorrect dialing or a failure to write down an important telephone number occurs.
[0006]
By the way, recently, in the United States, an attempt has been made to perform two-way TV broadcasting on cable television using an optical fiber network. However, this method requires the construction of an optical fiber network, and there is a problem that existing communication facilities cannot be used.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Recently, the realization of interactive TV broadcasting has begun to attract attention as one of the new information service forms in the multimedia era, and an interactive TV broadcasting system that combines television broadcasting and a public line network such as a telephone has been developed. Being proposed.
[0008]
In such an interactive TV broadcasting system, a telephone number is embedded in program data from a TV station such as a questionnaire program or a quiz program, and a response is received from the viewer for the questionnaire program or quiz program. When this is done, an automatic call is made to the public line network from the home television using the telephone number in the program data, and the response data is transmitted to a response server for data aggregation and the like.
[0009]
However, in such an interactive TV broadcast system, response data from a large number of TV broadcast subscribers distributed in various regions are sent to the response server through the public line network. The problem is that traffic is concentrated on the line.
[0010]
For this reason, a processing mode is preferred in which response servers are distributed and arranged throughout the country, and the response data is totaled for each region by the distributed and distributed response servers. However, as described above, in the form in which the telephone number of the response server is embedded in the program data from the TV station, the same telephone number is transmitted to all subscribers who receive the TV broadcast program. Therefore, it is very difficult to specify a different response server telephone number for each region to which the subscriber belongs.
[0011]
Therefore, even if response servers are arranged in a distributed manner, the response server telephone number is embedded in the program data from the TV station and transmitted, so that it applies only to local broadcast programs in a limited area. There is a problem that you can not.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and allows each home TV to automatically make a call using a representative telephone number of a response server corresponding to the subscriber area, such as a television broadcast and a telephone. Suitable for interactive TV broadcasting system that integrates with public network Interactive broadcast receiver And its Interactive broadcast receiver An object of the present invention is to provide a line connection method between a server and a response server.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an interactive broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing an interactive broadcast program transmitted by a television broadcast signal, A telephone number list corresponding to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus, A telephone number list indicating a correspondence relationship between one or more representative telephone numbers of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus and a corresponding telephone number identification information among a plurality of distributed response servers. , Receiving and storing the telephone number list for all subscriber areas from a predetermined server managing the telephone number list The representative telephone number corresponding to the telephone number identification information specified by the storage means and the telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program is retrieved from the telephone number list, and is executed during reproduction of the interactive broadcast program. In response to a predetermined call request input operation from the viewer, a call is automatically made to the response server specified by the retrieved representative telephone number via a communication line network, and the viewer for the interactive broadcast program Auto dialing means for transmitting the response data.
[0014]
In this interactive broadcast receiver, One or more representatives of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus among a plurality of distributed response servers, the telephone number list corresponding to the subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus Storage means for receiving and storing a telephone number list indicating a correspondence relationship between telephone numbers and corresponding telephone number identification information from a predetermined server managing the telephone number list for all subscriber areas. ing. Therefore, each home TV can automatically make a call by using the representative telephone number of the response server corresponding to the subscriber area. Therefore, response data can be efficiently collected for each area by the response servers arranged in a distributed manner, and traffic concentration on a specific response server can be reduced. In addition, since one or more representative telephone numbers are stored as a telephone number list in correspondence with the telephone number identification information, by transmitting the telephone number information specifying the telephone number identification information in the interactive broadcast program. , It is possible to operate such as using a representative telephone number for each program.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of an interactive TV system using an interactive character broadcast server network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the principle of the interactive TV system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0018]
The interactive TV system of FIG. 1 is for realizing the interactive effect of programs by utilizing the current teletext broadcasting function and telephone communication function, and is installed in each home as shown in the figure. Interactive TV receiver 11, broadcast station 12, communication line network 13 including a public line network such as a telephone line network or ISDN, and an interactive TV server including a plurality of response servers 15 arranged in a distributed manner And a network system 14.
[0019]
The broadcast station 12 uses a teletext channel to broadcast a computer program (script) for realizing bidirectionality in synchronization with a normal program. This script is a kind of application program describing the progress procedure of the interactive teletext program, and is transmitted superimposed on the vertical blanking period of the TV broadcast signal.
[0020]
This script is stored in the memory of the TV receiver 11 that has received the TV broadcast signal, and is executed by the CPU of the character broadcast receiver (script decoder) incorporated in the TV receiver 11. This CPU displays on the screen a symbol mark “i” indicating that the current program is a two-way teletext program, notifies the viewer of the symbol mark, and starts script execution in response to a selection command from the viewer. The interactive teletext program is played.
[0021]
A response from the viewer to the interactive teletext program is received by the TV receiver 11 by a remote control operation or the like. In this case, the response may end autonomously in the TV receiver 11, but the response result is sent to the response server 15 provided in each place via the communication line network 13. It is also possible to reflect the content of the program provided by the station 12 in real time.
[0022]
This system can be realized by extending the functions of an existing teletext broadcasting system in terms of software. The response from the viewer is sent via a telephone line. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a new infrastructure. Further, even if the script is added to the text multiplex broadcast and broadcasted, the current TV broadcast, text broadcast, and TV receiver are not affected at all.
[0023]
Each TV receiver 11 is equipped with a script decoder circuit 113 and a transmission / reception control circuit 114 in order to realize a bidirectional program, in addition to a normal TV broadcast receiving circuit 111 and a video signal processing circuit 112. The script decoder circuit 113 takes out the script from the TV broadcast signal from the broadcast station 12 and executes it to display the interactive text broadcast program on the screen.
[0024]
In this case, the viewer responds to the screen of the interactive teletext program using the TV remote control. When sending data to the response server 14, a call request is issued from the script decoder circuit 113 to the modem built in the transmission / reception control circuit 114, and automatic dialing for the response server 14 is performed. The transmission / reception control circuit 114 is also provided with a function of delay-controlling the actual call time using a random function or the like in order to prevent call concentration on the response server.
[0025]
Since the modem with built-in transmission / reception control circuit 114 has a function of automatically dialing, a dial operation by the viewer is not required only for data transmission itself. The telephone number of the automatic dialing destination is transmitted as telephone number information by embedding it in a script from the broadcasting station 12 for each interactive teletext program. In this case, any of the following information is used as the telephone number information. That is, the telephone number itself, telephone number identification information (hereinafter referred to as Tel ID) for selecting one from the subscriber telephone number list stored in advance in the non-volatile memory of the TV receiver 11, or the TV Information specifying that one telephone number stored in the memory of the receiver 11 is used corresponds to this telephone number information.
[0026]
In the subscriber telephone number list, one or more representative telephone numbers of the response servers belonging to the subscriber area to which the TV receiver 11 belongs are associated with the Tel ID among the plurality of response servers 15 arranged in a distributed manner. It is registered. If the telephone number information embedded and transmitted in the script from the broadcasting station 12 specifies Tel ID, the representative telephone number corresponding to the Tel ID is retrieved from the subscriber telephone number list, and the representative telephone is retrieved. The number is used for automatic dialing. The registration management of the subscriber telephone number list and the line connection using the subscriber number list are features of the present invention, and details thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0027]
The script decoder circuit 113 includes a processor that executes a program. Since the conventional character multiplex decoder also includes a processor, the script decoder circuit 113 can also be realized by extending the function of the conventional character multiplex decoder in software.
[0028]
The broadcast station 12 inserts a script into a broadcast signal including normal video / audio when transmitting a program of a viewer participation method in which a viewer's response is reflected in the program. A program production system for playing and inserting scripts can be composed of a personal computer and a multiplexing device.
[0029]
The broadcast station 12 performs broadcasting by inserting a script into the broadcast wave in the form of being added to a normal program. Information programs to be added are broadly classified into those produced by broadcasters themselves, and those produced by third parties such as advertising companies and mail order companies. In addition, there are broadcasters that can be prepared in advance, and those that are inserted live as during sports broadcasts.
[0030]
The broadcasting facility of the broadcasting station 12 includes, in addition to a normal TV broadcast television program transmission device 121 and a television broadcast signal transmitter 126, a bidirectional character broadcast program production device 122, a large-capacity storage device 123, a bidirectional character broadcast. A program transmission device 124 and a multiplexing device 125 are added.
[0031]
In the interactive text broadcast program production device 122, character and graphic data and computer programs for adding interactivity are encoded based on a predetermined standard, and converted into a data format script such as character code data. The The script is temporarily stored in the storage device 123, then sequentially read according to a predetermined reading procedure, and sent to the interactive program transmission device 124. In the interactive program transmission device 124, a synchronization code, an error correction code, or the like is added to the script, and a plurality of packets are generated from the script data. This packet is multiplexed by the multiplexer 125 during the vertical blanking period of the TV video signal.
[0032]
In the case of adopting a hybrid transmission TV character multiplex broadcast signal, the script data is superimposed on the 14th H (277H) to 16th H (279H) and 21st H (284H) of the vertical blanking period.
[0033]
It is also possible to transmit the text broadcast data on the FM broadcast signal. In this case, the script data is superimposed on the subcarrier of the DARC FM text multiplex broadcast signal.
[0034]
Here, the configuration of the script will be described.
The script is created by the production system of the broadcasting station 12, and is sent together with normal images and sounds. The script is realized as a set of objects as follows.
[0035]
(1) Background / display material
(2) Operation button
(3) Character string
(4) Image etc.
Each object can have a complementary procedure (procedure), and this procedure is described in an extended BASIC language or the like. This language is a normal BASIC having a control command for bidirectional text broadcasting.
[0036]
When this script is executed, screen components such as the screen background and action buttons are displayed first. When the viewer selects the operation button, a program corresponding to the button is activated.
[0037]
A response data processing method is registered in advance in each response server 14, and contents collected in accordance with this are redistributed to a broadcasting station, an advertising company, a sponsor, a mail order company, or a center server.
[0038]
The forms of interactive programs that can be realized with this interactive TV system can be broadly classified into the following four types.
(1) Complementary information program
-Select and display additional information about advertising products.
[0039]
・ Selectively display data during sports broadcasts.
・ Display program contents.
・ Memorize the food resurrection and display it later.
[0040]
・ Respond to answers to questions in early childhood education programs.
・ Respond to viewers' answers in quiz programs.
(2) Response feedback program (using response server)
・ Take questionnaires on politics, economics and social reports.
[0041]
・ Take questionnaires on sports programs.
・ In the audience participation quiz program, statistics of correct answerers and tournaments will be displayed.
(3) Programs with transactions (using a response server)
・ Receiving orders at the response server for TV shopping.
[0042]
・ Receiving a catalog request, etc., with an advertisement with information and other requests.
・ For audience rating investigation, obtain viewing consent and send viewing program data to response server.
(4-1) Online service (Type 1)
A mode in which a subsequent interactive program is shifted to an online service that is provided from a server via a communication network by the viewer's own selection of the program by interactive TV broadcasting.
[0043]
-Select online shopping during the CM. The request is transferred to the server via the communication line network, and the server shifts to an online service that provides an interactive program including detailed product information to the TV receiver via the communication line network.
[0044]
・ Looking at the seat reservation status of aircraft provided as interactive TV broadcasting or normal text multiplex broadcasting, when making a reservation application for an empty flight, shift to an online service. The server provides interactive programs including inquiries regarding classes, adults / children, number of people, smoking cessation / smoking, window / aisle side, etc. to the TV receiver via the communication network.
(4-2) Online service (Type 2)
A mode in which a bidirectional program is provided from a server to a TV receiver via a communication network independently of TV broadcasting. In this case, the information is provided from the server via the communication network, and the viewer selects this to communicate with the server.
[0045]
The viewer selects the interactive program itself from the online service menu transferred from the server.
Next, the subscriber telephone list described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0046]
FIG. 2 shows an example of a subscriber telephone number list registered in the nonvolatile memory of the TV receiver 11. As shown in the figure, the subscriber telephone number list includes one or more representative telephone numbers (XX in the response server) assigned to the self-subscription area (mainly the area code part) to which the TV receiver 11 belongs. × 1− ××× 1, XXX × 1− ××× 2,..., XXX × 1-XXX × n) are associated with Tel IDs (# 01, # 02,..., #Nn). Being held. In addition, for each representative telephone number, a 4-digit number (carrier designation number) that designates a communication carrier (NTT, various types 2 type carrier) is set for each Tel ID as a part of the representative telephone number. You can also do it. Furthermore, checksum data corresponding to the content of each representative telephone number (or representative telephone number + carrier designation number) is stored in the subscriber telephone number list.
[0047]
Here, the representative telephone number is a telephone number for making a group of a plurality of lines possessed by the response server and receiving them by one number. That is, one of the telephone number groups assigned to the plurality of telephone lines of the access point of the response server accommodated in one exchange is the representative telephone number. In general, one representative number is assigned to the same telephone number group. In this embodiment, one representative number is assigned to the same telephone number group, or a plurality of representative numbers are set for each purpose / use. (Hereinafter, one representative telephone number is referred to as an “access point telephone number”, and a plurality of representative telephone numbers classified by purpose / use are referred to as an “access point telephone number group”).
[0048]
In FIG. 2, the access point telephone number group identified by Tel ID # 01 to Tel ID # nn is described in the subscriber telephone number list. When the telephone number information included in the script received from the broadcasting station 12 specifies Tel ID = # 01, the access point telephone number corresponding to # 01 (representative telephone number xxx1-xxx1 or 0000-xxx1-xxx1) is retrieved, and a calling process is performed using it.
[0049]
The subscriber telephone number list of FIG. 2 is sent to the TV receiver 11 via the communication network 13 from the response server that manages the telephone number list for all subscriber areas.
[0050]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a list of telephone numbers for all subscriber areas managed by the response server, that is, representative telephone numbers of all access points held by the response server.
[0051]
Here, the area code of each subscriber area of the interactive TV broadcasting system (or a combination of the area code and the local area code) and the representative telephone number of the response server access point assigned to it are supported. It is attached.
[0052]
The area code (for example, 0428) of each TV subscriber area or a combination of the area code and a part of the area code (for example, 03-3xxx-xxx in the Tokyo 23 wards) is There are several hundreds (hereinafter referred to as “TV subscriber station numbers”), and the amount of tables increases when each access point telephone number group is associated. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the upper digits are common to TV subscriber station numbers assigned with the same response server access point, a wild card “*” is used to represent a plurality of TV subscriber station numbers. in use. Here, a wild card is a character that can be replaced with any character in the file name for the purpose of specifying multiple files at once when there is a commonality between the file names on the computer. In general, “*” is used.
[0053]
For example, when a common response server access point is assigned to TV subscriber station numbers 0422, 0423, 0424, 0425, 0426, 0427, and 0428, these TV subscriber station numbers are expressed as 042 *.
[0054]
The above-mentioned Tel ID is used for the association between the TV subscriber station number and the access point telephone number group allocated thereto.
Thereby, the correspondence between the TV subscriber station number and the access point telephone number group allocated thereto can be expressed as shown in FIG.
[0055]
For example, each TV receiver 11 with a TV subscriber station number of 011 * has “011-111-1111”, “011-111-1112”, “011-1111-1112”, “ "011-111113", ... "011-111119" can be assigned.
[0056]
Further, as shown in the figure, each TV receiver 11 having TV subscriber station numbers of 017 *, 018 *, and 019 * has “022-222” as the access point telephone number group of the response server 15 corresponding to those areas. “−2211”, “022-222222”, “022-222-2223”,..., “022-222-2229” can be assigned in common.
[0057]
In addition, in order to increase the search efficiency of the representative telephone number table, for example, for the 01 * area,
If 01 → 1 *, then 011-111-1111…
→ If 7 *, 02-2222-2221 ...
→ If it is 8 *, 022-222-2221 ...
→ If 9 *, 02-2222-2221 ...
→ Otherwise, 011-111-1111…
Thus, the access point telephone number group may be associated with the TV subscriber station number using the upper two digits as an index.
[0058]
Also, as each access point telephone number, representative telephone numbers of a plurality of different response server access points can be set for one Tel ID. That is, in the list shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of lists having different “access point telephone numbers” are provided.
[0059]
This allows the following usage:
a) When there are a plurality of response servers (company) competing for the same purpose, the representative server company or the Tel ID manager should be collectively managed by entrusting each server company.
[0060]
b) A TV maker sets different access point telephone numbers for each TV maker for the same Tel ID (for example, # 01) in order to provide a specific service such as a homepage service for a TV set made in-house. Can do.
[0061]
In this case, when transferring the access point telephone number group from the response server to the TV receiver 11, the TV manufacturer is determined from the TV ID included in the response data from the TV receiver 11 to the server, and the TV manufacturer access point is concerned. Forward phone numbers.
[0062]
c) When the TV owner wishes to make a call to the access point via the second type carrier, a number indicating that the second type carrier is passed before the access point telephone number (for example, 0077 or An access point telephone number to which (0088) is added can be used.
[0063]
Next, a method for properly using Tel ID will be described. The following four forms are conceivable as the proper use of Tel IDs.
(1) Different methods for each call charge system
How to use separately according to the following billing targets
・ Tel ID that designates the access point telephone number for caller billing that charges TV subscribers for call charges
・ Tel ID that specifies the access point telephone number that is used as the incoming call charge for charging the call charge to the response server provider
・ Tel ID that specifies the access point telephone number that charges interactive TV subscribers for call charges and paid service charges
In this way, by using a plurality of representative telephone numbers having different call charge systems, it is possible to select different call charge systems for each program, for example, despite communication with the same response server.
(2) Method to use for each interactive teletext program
-When providing online service programs with incoming call charges at the same time, a different Tel ID is used for each program, and a call charge is charged independently for each online service program.
(3) Different methods for each broadcasting station
• Different Tel IDs are used when each broadcast station provides different interactive teletext programs during the same time period.
(4) Different methods for each TV manufacturer
-Use different Tel IDs when providing different homepages (a kind of online service) for each TV manufacturer.
[0064]
Next, a specific application example of Tel ID in the script transmitted from the broadcasting station 11 will be described.
(1) In the interactive TV program script (hereinafter referred to as “program script”), the telephone number of the access point can be set directly. In this case, the telephone number of the access point is set for each TV subscriber station number. This causes an unnecessary increase in the amount of data and an increase in processing overhead in the TV receiver 11. Therefore, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, it is preferable to set a Tel ID instead of a telephone number in the script and dynamically specify the telephone number of the access point for each purpose / use for each TV subscriber station number.
(2) In this case, in the program script, either the telephone number itself or the Tel ID can be selectively set as the telephone number information. If the first character of the telephone number information is a number for this determination, the telephone number itself And in the case of a symbol such as #, an agreement is provided to represent Tel ID.
(3) Further, the script for storing the telephone number itself and the script for storing the Tel ID may be explicitly distinguished and transmitted.
[0065]
Next, a telephone number used when the TV receiver 11 dials will be described.
(1) If the telephone number information set in the program script is the telephone number itself, the TV receiver 11 performs automatic dialing using the telephone number.
(2) When the access point telephone number group is correctly stored in the memory, when the telephone number information set in the program script is Tel ID, the TV receiver 11 uses the Tel ID as an index as an access point telephone number group. The corresponding access point telephone number is searched from and automatic dialing is performed using the telephone number.
(3) When the access point telephone number group is correctly stored in the memory, the TV receiver 11 indexes the Tel ID set in the homepage program script stored in the ROM or the like of the TV receiver 11 in advance. The corresponding access point telephone number is searched from the access point telephone number group, and automatic dialing is performed using the telephone number.
(4) In addition, the TV receiver 11 checks whether a parity error or a check is made when an access point telephone number group is not stored in the memory, or by an error detection code assigned to the access point telephone number even if it is stored. When a thumb error or the like is detected, automatic dialing is performed using the access point telephone number for providing a free service, and a transfer request for the access point telephone number group is made to the TV receiver 11.
[0066]
This free service providing access point telephone number is, for example, a toll-free number (0120-nnn-mmm) that designates a specific response server, and is set in the non-volatile memory of the TV when the TV is shipped or installed. This free service providing access point telephone number may be the same telephone number for each TV vendor for the same access point, or a different telephone number may be set for each TV vendor. The access point telephone number for providing free service can also be used for the purpose of maintenance service.
[0067]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the interactive TV server network system 14.
The server network system 14 receives and processes a response from the TV receiver 13 in each home via a communication line network 13 such as a telephone line, and sends the processing result to a broadcasting station or the like via a high-speed digital transmission network. For providing a service of delivery, for example, the response server systems 151 to 153 installed at a plurality of locations distributed throughout the country, and the response server systems 151 to 153 are integrated to receive each TV image. The center server system 161 processes the responses from the machine 13 individually or in cooperation with each response server.
[0068]
Each of the response server systems 151 to 153 includes a response server 15 that receives and processes a response from each TV receiver, and an access point for receiving a response frame from each TV receiver via the communication network 13. It consists of a CCP (Communication Network Processor) 16.
[0069]
There are many configurations of the CCP 16 and connection formats between the CCP 16 and the response server 15, and these configurations and formats are preferably used in accordance with the configuration scale of the response server system. As CCP16,
(1) CCP installed at the same location as the response server
(2) Adapter type CCP for multi-line accommodation (multi-line accommodation CCP)
(3) CCP using adapter 17 for accommodating decimal lines
(4) Remote CCP installed separately from the response server
(5) CCP (CCP facility) built in the response server
Can be used.
[0070]
As for the connection format of the CCP 16 and the response server 15, it is preferable that the response server system 151 installed in a main base such as Tokyo is connected between the CCP 16 and the response server 15 as shown in the figure. Further, in the response server system 151, it is desirable to provide two response servers 15 in a dual or duplex configuration in order to improve fault tolerance performance and processing performance.
[0071]
The response server 15 receives the response frame from the TV receiver via the corresponding CCP 16, and performs various processes on the response frame. The basic processing executed by the response server 15 is the following three.
[0072]
-Accumulate responses from TV receivers.
The accumulated response data is processed according to an instruction from a predetermined broadcasting station or a program ID or special number included in the response data.
[0073]
A destination of processing results is determined according to a program ID or special number included in a predetermined instruction or response data from a broadcasting station, and is transmitted to the broadcasting station or the like.
The CCP 16 is a communication control device for configuring an access point with the communication line network 13, and has a modem function and a protocol control function for communicating with a TV receiver connected via the communication line network 13. Have.
[0074]
The center server system 161 is provided with a center server 18, a router 19, and a network management device 20. As described above, the center server 18 integrates responses from TV receivers in various locations in cooperation with the response server systems 151 to 153. In order to improve fault tolerance performance and processing performance, For example, it is composed of two computer systems having a dual or duplex configuration.
[0075]
The router 19 is connected to the high-speed digital communication network 22 and communicates with the center server system 161, the broadcasting station, the SP (Service Provider) / IP (Information Provider) 10, and the like via the high-speed digital communication network. . The network management apparatus 20 is an integrated operation server that manages the operation and maintenance of the entire server network system 14 and is operated by a network administrator. Each broadcasting station 12 and SP / IP 10 are also provided with routers 121 and 101 connected to the high-speed digital communication network 22, respectively.
[0076]
The function of the center server 18 can be executed by each response server. In FIG. 4, the high-speed digital communication network 22 is shown as a network via a router. However, the connection between the center server system 161 and the broadcasting station, SP (Service Provider) / IP (Information Provider) 10, etc. X. A 25 packet switching network or a data switching network such as ISDN may be used, or a public line network such as a telephone line may be used.
[0077]
FIG. 5 shows an example of an actual operation mode of the server network system 14 of FIG.
The response server 15 and the CCP 16 are arranged only at some bases in the initial operation of the interactive TV system. However, with the widespread use of the interactive TV system, for example, each communication service area such as a telephone network or local It will be added as needed for each broadcasting station service area. In FIG. 5, as an example, a plurality of response server systems each composed of a response server 15 and a CCP 16 are installed for each of the communication networks 131 to 134 in areas where communication services such as subscriber area codes are different. A state in which the center server system 161, each broadcasting station 12, and the IP / SP 15 are connected via a high-speed digital communication network 22 such as a WAN is shown. The IP / SP 15 can also be connected to the center server 18 via a dedicated communication line or the like.
[0078]
Here, the processing procedure of the response data from the viewer will be described taking some forms of two-way teletext programs as examples.
First, the response feedback program will be described.
[0079]
The auto-feedback program provides information related to the viewer-participating main broadcast program (for example, a selector for answering a question inquired to the viewer by the program) by interactive text broadcasting, which is received by the viewer. By selecting it, it is reflected in the program content. A typical example of an auto feedback program is a quiz program.
[0080]
When the TV receiver 11 receives a script while the main broadcast screen of the quiz program is flowing, a symbol mark “i” (interactive mark) indicating that the program is a two-way text broadcast program is displayed on the TV receiver 11. Is displayed on the screen.
[0081]
When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control, etc., the program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 in FIG. 1 is started. First, information indicating a selector for answering the question, etc. Is displayed on the screen. When a predetermined selector is selected by the viewer by operating the remote controller, automatic calling (dialing) is performed using the access point telephone number corresponding to the Tel ID specified by the telephone number information embedded in the script. It is connected to the CCP 16 of the response server system to which the access point telephone number is assigned. Then, predetermined response data including a selector from the TV receiver 11 is sent to the broadcasting station 12 via the CCP 16, the response server 15, and the digital communication network 22. In this case, the response server 15 aggregates the data of the selectors, and the aggregation result is sent to the broadcast station 12 and reflected in the program content. Further, when this quiz program is a national broadcast from a broadcasting station in Tokyo, the data aggregated for each district by the response server 15 in each place is once sent to the center server 18, where it is aggregated again. , Sent to the broadcasting station 12.
[0082]
Next, a program with a transaction will be described.
The transaction-added program is a program form in which an order from a viewer is received, for example, in TV shopping, and data is transmitted to the response server 15. When a script is received in a state where the main broadcast screen of the TV shopping program is flowing, A symbol mark “i” (interactive mark) indicating that the program is a two-way teletext program is displayed on the screen. When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control or the like, program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started, and first, product information and the like are displayed. When it is specified by the viewer to purchase a predetermined product by operating the remote controller, an automatic call (diagram) is made using an access point telephone number corresponding to the Tel ID specified by the telephone number information embedded in the script. Ring) and is connected to the CCP 16 of a predetermined response server system to which the access point telephone number is allocated. Then, predetermined response data including selection information indicating products, quantities, and the like is sent to the IP / SP 10 such as an advertising company or a mail order company via the CCP 16, the response server 15, and the digital communication network 22. Also in this case, it may be sent to the IP / SP 10 via the center server 18.
[0083]
Next, the online service (type 1) will be described.
The online service (type 1) is a mode in which a purchase request from a viewer is received, for example, in a TV commercial, and the mode is shifted to an online service mode. When a script is received in a state where the commercial broadcast is flowing, A symbol mark “i” indicating that the program is a two-way teletext program is displayed on the screen. When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control or the like, program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started, and a screen for confirming the transition to the online service mode is displayed first. When transition to the online service mode is specified by the viewer by operating the remote control (a specific product may be specified at this time), Tel specified by the telephone number information embedded and transmitted in the script An automatic call (dialing) is performed using the access point telephone number corresponding to the ID, and the line is connected to the CCP 16 of a predetermined response server system to which the access point telephone number is assigned. Then, predetermined response data including the program ID and designated product selection information is sent to the CCP 16 and the response server 15. The response server 15 transfers the interactive program script for online service registered in advance for the program to the TV receiver through a path reverse to the path through which the response data is transferred. After that, the product purchase procedure is performed by the same operation as that of the program with transaction.
[0084]
Next, the online service (type 2) will be described.
The online service (type 2) is a mode in which the online service is shifted by a predetermined operation of the viewer's remote control regardless of the TV broadcast. The online service is stored in advance in a storage medium such as a ROM of the TV receiver. Program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started in accordance with the script for use, and a screen for confirming execution of the online service is displayed first. When the execution of the online service is designated by the viewer by operating the remote controller, automatic calling (dialing) is performed using the access point telephone number corresponding to the Tel ID embedded in the ROM script, and the access is made. A line connection is established with the CCP 16 of a predetermined response server system to which the point telephone number is assigned. Then, predetermined response data indicating an online service request is sent to the CCP 16 and the response server 15. The response server 15 transfers the online service (homepage) interactive program script registered in advance to the TV receiver through a path reverse to the path through which the response data is transferred. After that, the product purchase procedure is performed by the same operation as that of the program with transaction.
[0085]
FIG. 6 shows another example of the operation form of the server network system 14 of FIG.
Here, a response server system composed of the response server 15 and the CCP 16 is connected via a router 21 to a high-speed digital communication network 22 such as a WAN, and the response server system itself is used as a center server.
[0086]
When the scale of the interactive TV system is small, the response server system itself can be operated as a center server in this way.
Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the use form of the access point telephone number in this system will be described.
[0087]
FIG. 7 shows a first example.
That is, here, a plurality of response server systems are distributed in each TV subscriber area, and a separate response server is designated for each subscriber station number or each subscriber station number group for the same program. It shows how the access point phone number is being used. That is, a different response server system is connected to each of the communication line networks 131 to 134 that are different from each other in the subscriber station number or the subscriber station number group, and the TV subscriber of the communication line network 131 accesses the access point telephone of the corresponding response server system Similarly, the TV subscriber of the communication line network 132 uses the access point telephone number (representative telephone number 2) of the corresponding response server system, and the TV subscriber of the communication line network 133 uses the number (representative telephone number 1). The response server system access point telephone number (representative telephone number 3) is used, and the TV subscriber of the communication network 134 uses the corresponding response server system access point telephone number (representative telephone number 4). Send response data.
[0088]
In this way, the TV receiver 11 in each home automatically makes a call using the representative telephone number of the response server corresponding to the subscriber area, and response data is distributed for each area by the distributed response servers. It is possible to collect efficiently, and it is possible to reduce the concentration of traffic to a specific response server.
[0089]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, by using different Tel IDs among TV subscribers belonging to the same subscriber area, different representative telephone numbers can be used for different purposes and purposes. Therefore, for example, for TV subscribers who receive a free online service among the TV subscribers of the communication network 131, an access point telephone number (representative telephone number 1-1) of Tel ID = # 01 and a paid online service are provided. For the TV subscribers who are receiving, it is possible to connect to the same response server connected to the communication network 131 using the access point telephone number (representative telephone number 1-2) of Tel ID = # 02. Become.
[0090]
Next, transfer processing of the access point telephone number group from the response server to each TV 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
The response server 15 (center server or distributed response server) includes a telephone number list for all subscriber areas as shown in FIG. 3, a TV ID and a subscriber telephone number assigned to each TV 11. And a subscriber database 100 indicating the correspondence relationship with The response server 15 specifies the access point telephone number group corresponding to the subscriber station number in the subscriber area of the TV 11 from the TV ID or the subscriber telephone number notified from the TV 11 to which the access point telephone number group is to be transferred, The access point telephone number group is sent to the corresponding TV 11 and stored in its nonvolatile memory. Thereafter, the response server 15 reads and collates the access point telephone number group from the TV 11.
[0091]
Hereinafter, a specific transfer processing procedure will be described in detail.
(1) First, a response server is provided by an application for registration by interactive TV purchase by a TV owner or an agent (hereinafter referred to as “TV subscriber”), a notice of moving to a different subscriber area, a notice of transfer of interactive TV, etc. For the corresponding entry in the 14 TV subscriber database 100, an automatic transfer request of the access point telephone number group to the TV 11 is set. In addition, the access point telephone to the TV 11 is made to the corresponding entry in the TV subscriber database 100 of the response server of all TV subscribers belonging to the TV subscriber station number whose access point telephone number group to be assigned is changed by the addition of the access point. A number group transfer request is set.
[0092]
During test communication to the response server 15 when the TV 11 is installed (toll-free call), when the response feedback program is accessed from the TV 11 to the response server 15, or when the TV 11 is accessed from the TV 11 in the online service, Alternatively, at a transfer opportunity such as an instruction from the response server operator, the access server telephone number group assigned to the TV subscriber station number is automatically transferred from the response server 15 to the TV 11 together with the correspondence information with the Tel ID.
[0093]
Example:
# 01: 011-111-1111, # 02: 011-1111-1112, # 03: 011-1111-1113,..., #Nn: 011-1111-1119
Further, instead of the automatic transfer of the access point telephone number group described above, a notification that prompts the user to obtain the access point telephone number group from the TV receiver 11 can be automatically transferred from the response server 15 to the TV receiver 11.
[0094]
Receiving this notification, the TV receiver 11 displays on the TV screen with characters or a dedicated icon, and the TV viewer makes a transfer request for the access point telephone number group again according to the display.
(2) The access point telephone number group transferred from the response server 15 to the TV 11 may explicitly indicate the correspondence with the Tel ID, and the transfer order of the access point telephone number is implicitly the Tel ID. May be shown.
[0095]
Example:
011-111-1111, 011-111-1112, 011-111113, ..., 011-111-1119
(3) Parity pits and / or checksums are assigned to individual access point telephone numbers of the access point telephone number group transferred from the response server 15 to the TV 11.
[0096]
Example:
# 01: 011-1111-1111: ck1, # 02: 011-1111-1112: ck2, # 03: 011-1111-1113: ck3,..., #Nn: 011-1111-1119: ckn
Here, ck1, ck2, ck3,..., Ckn represent respective checksum codes.
[0097]
Further, the number of the second type communication carrier (for example, 0077 or 0088) is added to each access point telephone number of the access point telephone number group transferred from the response server 15 to the TV receiver 11. There is also.
(4) In addition to such automatic transfer, the response server 15 may transfer the access point telephone number group to the TV 11 in response to an explicit transfer request from the TV 11.
(5) There are the following two methods for knowing the subscriber telephone number of the TV 11 used for specifying the access point telephone number group assigned to the TV subscriber station number.
[0098]
a) When the TV is registered in the TV subscriber database 100 of the response server 15, the TV ID stored in the response data from the TV 11 that has become a transfer opportunity is stored in the TV subscriber database 100. The subscriber telephone number of the TV 11 is checked.
[0099]
In this case, it is not necessary to set the subscriber telephone number of the TV 11 in the response data from the TV 11, and therefore it is not necessary to register the own subscriber telephone number in the ROM of the TV 11.
[0100]
b) When the TV 11 is not registered in the TV subscriber database 100 of the response server 15, it is necessary to store the subscriber telephone number of the TV 11 in the response data from the TV 11 as a transfer opportunity and transmit it. In this case, it is necessary to register the subscriber telephone number in the TV 11 ROM.
[0101]
In this way, by sending the access point telephone number group corresponding to each TV 11 from the response server 15 via the communication line network 13, the TV 11 belongs to the subscriber by moving the subscriber or transferring the TV 11 to another subscriber. It becomes possible to respond flexibly to changes in the subscriber area.
[0102]
Next, storage and collation processing of the Tel ID and access point telephone number in the TV 11 will be described.
(1) The TV 11 stores the access point telephone number group transferred from the response server 15 in a rewritable nonvolatile memory so that the access point telephone number group can be retained even when the TV 11 is powered off. To do.
[0103]
Example:
# 01: 011-1111-1111: ck1, # 02: 011-1111-1112: ck2, # 03: 011-1111-1113: ck3,..., #Nn: 011-1111-1119: ckn
Thereafter, in order to confirm by the TV 11 itself whether or not the information related to the access point telephone number has been correctly stored in the TV 11, the stored individual access point telephone numbers are read, and the parity bit and / or checksum are checked.
[0104]
If an error is detected at this time, a negative response is made to the transfer from the response server 15.
(2) In order to confirm whether the information related to the access point telephone number is correctly stored in the TV 11, the response server 15 reads out and collates the access point telephone number information stored in the interactive TV.
(3) If it is confirmed by this verification that the data has been correctly transferred and stored, the automatic transfer request set in the corresponding entry of the TV subscriber database 100 of the response server 16 is reset. If the data is not correctly transferred / stored, the retransfer is executed or the transfer is stopped. At this time, the transfer request is not reset.
(4) When the TV 11 receives a response indicating that the collation result is correct from the response server 15, the TV 11 displays the access point telephone number on the screen of the TV 11 and informs the TV viewer of the position of the access point. desirable.
[0105]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the access point telephone number group (subscriber telephone number list) is stored in the nonvolatile memory inside each TV receiver 11, and the access point telephone number group includes the access point telephone number group. Describes a plurality of representative telephone numbers of the response server 15 belonging to the subscriber area of the TV 11. Therefore, the TV 11 in each home can automatically make a call using the representative telephone number of the response server 15 corresponding to the subscriber area. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently collect response data for each area by the response servers 15 that are distributed, and it is possible to reduce the concentration of traffic to specific response servers. Further, since the access point telephone number group is stored in association with the Tel ID, the access point telephone used for each program, for example, can be transmitted by including the telephone number information specifying the Tel ID in the program script. Operation that says to use different numbers is also possible.
[0106]
Further, since the access point telephone number group is sent from the response server 15 to the non-volatile memory of each TV 11 via the communication network 13, the telephone number list is statically registered in advance in the non-volatile memory of the TV 11. In comparison, it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in the subscriber area to which the TV 11 belongs due to the transfer of the subscriber or the transfer of the TV 11 to another subscriber.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, each home TV can automatically make a call by using the representative telephone number of the response server corresponding to the subscriber area. It is possible to realize telephone number management suitable for an interactive TV broadcasting system that is integrated with a line network.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an interactive TV system using an interactive character broadcast server network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of a subscriber telephone number list stored in a TV receiver used in the server network system for bidirectional text broadcasting according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a telephone number list for all subscribers managed by a response server used in the server network system for bidirectional teletext broadcasting in the same embodiment;
4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server network system in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation mode of the server network system of FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram showing an example of another operation mode of the server network system of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a usage form of an access point telephone number in the server network system of FIG. 1;
8 is a diagram showing another example of the usage form of the access point telephone number in the server network system of FIG. 1. FIG.
9 is a diagram for explaining a registration process of an access point telephone number group to each TV receiver in the server network system of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... TV receiver, 12 ... Broadcast station, 13 ... Communication network, 14 ... Server network system, 15 ... Response server, 16 ... CCP, 18 ... Center server, 113 ... Script decoder circuit, 151-153 ... Response server System 161 ... Center server system.

Claims (5)

An interactive broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing an interactive broadcast program transmitted by a television broadcast signal,
One or more representatives of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus among a plurality of distributed response servers, the telephone number list corresponding to the subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus Storage means for receiving and storing a telephone number list indicating a correspondence relationship between telephone numbers and corresponding telephone number identification information from a predetermined server managing the telephone number list for all subscriber areas ;
The representative telephone number corresponding to the telephone number identification information specified by the telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program is searched from the telephone number list, and from the viewer executed during the reproduction of the interactive broadcast program. In response to a predetermined call request input operation, a call is automatically made to a response server specified by the retrieved representative telephone number via a communication network, and response data from the viewer for the interactive broadcast program is received. An interactive broadcast receiving apparatus comprising an auto dialing means for transmitting. The telephone number list stored in the storage means includes a plurality of representative telephone numbers having different call charge systems,
2. The interactive broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a call charge system is determined in accordance with telephone number identification information specified by telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program. Connected to a communication network to which a number of interactive broadcast receivers capable of receiving and reproducing interactive broadcast programs transmitted by television broadcast signals are connected, corresponding to subscriber areas of the interactive broadcast receivers Both of which receive and process response data for the interactive broadcast program transmitted from the interactive broadcast receiving device via the communication line network. A line connection method for connecting a line between each of the bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatuses and the response server in a server network system for broadcasting,
A telephone number list including one or more representative telephone numbers of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving device is stored for each representative telephone number in a storage device of each interactive broadcast receiving device from a predetermined response server. Adding error detection data to the
In response to a predetermined call request input operation from the viewer that is executed during playback of the interactive broadcast program, each interactive broadcast receiving device displays a representative telephone number of the telephone number list sent to the storage device. Using the automatic call using each of the interactive broadcast receiving devices to connect a line with a response server corresponding to the subscriber area,
When each of the two-way broadcast receivers detects an error of the representative telephone number of the storage device based on the error detection data, the telephone for free service provision registered in the storage device in advance instead of the telephone number list A line connection method characterized in that a call is automatically made using a number. Connected to a communication network to which a number of interactive broadcast receivers capable of receiving and reproducing interactive broadcast programs transmitted by television broadcast signals are connected, corresponding to subscriber areas of the interactive broadcast receivers Both of which receive and process response data for the interactive broadcast program transmitted from the interactive broadcast receiving device via the communication line network. A line connection method for connecting a line between each of the bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatuses and the response server in a server network system for broadcasting,
Sending a telephone number list including one or more representative telephone numbers of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving device from a predetermined response server to the storage device of each interactive broadcast receiving device;
After the process of sending the telephone number list from the response server to the storage device of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus, the telephone number list in the storage apparatus is sent from the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus to which the telephone number list is sent to the response server. Sending it back and checking the validity of the list of phone numbers it sent,
In response to a predetermined call request input operation from a viewer that is executed during playback of the interactive broadcast program, each interactive broadcast receiving device displays a representative telephone number of the telephone number list sent to the storage device. A line connection method comprising the steps of: automatically making a call using each interactive broadcast receiving apparatus and connecting a line to a response server corresponding to the subscriber area. Connected to a communication network connected to a number of interactive broadcast receivers capable of receiving and reproducing interactive broadcast programs transmitted by television broadcast signals, corresponding to subscriber areas of the interactive broadcast receivers Both of which receive and process response data for the interactive broadcast program transmitted from the interactive broadcast receiving device via the communication line network. A line connection method for connecting a line between each of the bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatuses and the response server in a server network system for broadcasting,
Sending a telephone number list including one or more representative telephone numbers of response servers belonging to a subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving device from a predetermined response server to the storage device of each interactive broadcast receiving device;
In response to a predetermined call request input operation from the viewer that is executed during playback of the interactive broadcast program, each interactive broadcast receiving device displays a representative telephone number of the telephone number list sent to the storage device. Using the automatic call using each of the interactive broadcast receiving devices to connect a line with a response server corresponding to the subscriber area,
The predetermined response server holds the telephone number list for all subscriber areas, and a subscriber database indicating a correspondence relationship between a device ID of each interactive broadcast receiving apparatus and a subscriber telephone number, The telephone number list corresponding to the subscriber area of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus is identified from the device ID or subscriber telephone number of the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus to which the telephone number list is to be sent, and the telephone number list is applied to the corresponding interactive A line connection method characterized by sending to a broadcast receiving apparatus.

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