JPH08275140A - Broadcast method for two-way program, response method with respect to two-way program and responder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the responder for 2-way broadcast by distributing a call time to time after a reply operation point of time in order to prevent concentration of transmission of reply information with respect to the 2-way program. CONSTITUTION: When the reply operation with respect to 2-way program is conducted by a remote control receiver 34, a control system detecting it acquires a value being a cause of production of a random number and a pseudo random number is generated by an arithmetic operation. A control system 20 sets a call time based on the pseudo random number and when a current time representing a timer circuit 37 reaches a call time, reply information generated by the response operation is sent to a return destination via a MODEM 33 and a telephone line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of broadcasting an interactive program for responding through a telephone line, a method of responding to the interactive program, and a response device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the current telephone network, when access is temporarily concentrated in a certain area, a so-called telephone line becomes punctured, and a telephone call may not be received or it may be difficult to receive a call. The punctured state of the telephone line occurs when calls and call requests concentrate on a specific telephone line and exceed the processing capability of the telephone line.

For example, it is often the case that a telephone call to a disaster occurrence area where a disaster such as an earthquake has occurred, and vice versa, a telephone call from the disaster occurrence area is difficult or difficult to take. This is not because the telephone network and the facilities of the telephone office were destroyed due to the disaster, but the calls to confirm the safety of the residents in the disaster area were temporarily concentrated from other areas, and the It is caused by a temporary concentration of calls to inform other areas of safety.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned punctured state of the telephone line, for example, at a company that reserves and sells tickets using the telephone line, it is almost necessary to prepare a facility for one telephone station. , Traditionally taken. Also,
When the concentration of outgoing calls is generally expected, such as when the popular singer's ticket sales start time, NTT restricts calls to the exchange in that area (Kanto area if it is a ticket for a Kanto lecture) (3
For example, connect once for each call).

[0005]

By the way, viewer participation programs by accessing the telephone line are performed in television broadcasting and radio broadcasting. This is broadcasted as, for example, TV shopping, questionnaire surveys, and quiz programs that allow viewers to participate, and the broadcast side announces the reception phone number for the response and superimposes for an appropriate time. By displaying on the screen, the viewer is notified of the destination of the response, and the viewer makes the response by telephone or facsimile.

[0006] For example, according to television shopping, a large number of viewers can be purchasers of articles, and a large number of articles can be sold. However, when there are many viewers who want to purchase because of the limited number of items to be sold and the low price, there are many accesses from those viewers who want to purchase, and they are used for purchase applications. The telephone line may be in the so-called punctured state as described above.

In the case of this TV shopping,
As shown in FIG. 17, the responses from the viewers are concentrated immediately after the reception of the response is started and immediately before the reception of the response is ended, and the line tends to be congested or punctured at this concentrated portion. This is because viewers who are willing to receive a purchase request concentrate immediately after they start accepting responses, and viewers who want to make a purchase but are wondering about the purchase end acceptance of the response. This is to concentrate immediately before.

Further, in the case of a quick-press quiz program, since the reply is to be transmitted promptly, the response from the viewer is concentrated immediately after the response permission start time as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the case of a deliberative quiz program, in order to transmit a more accurate answer, the user concentrates immediately before the response permission end time as shown in FIG. In either case, the number of viewers of the interactive television broadcast is unspecified, and there is a high possibility that the telephone line is congested and it becomes difficult to make a call, or a so-called punctured state occurs.

In the case of the above-mentioned quiz program, the access reply is determined by the earliest win or the answerable time limit is determined. However, the above-mentioned conventional telephone line response method is used. Then, if calls and call requests concentrate on a specific telephone line and exceed the processing capacity of that line, the call may be difficult to connect, and depending on the response timing, it may happen that the person who accesses the telephone later connects first. However, despite receiving the reply within the time limit, the reception at the reply destination is outside the time limit.

Further, depending on the regional characteristics, there may be a priority on the side of the relay station of the telephone. Therefore, in the conventional method in which the telephones are connected, the response from the viewer through the telephone line is fairly processed. There was also the problem of not being able to do it.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide equipment for one telephone station and one telephone station like the above-mentioned ticket reservation system, but this not only increases the cost, but also concentrates responses in the case of a program with a high audience rating. As a result, the telephone line may be congested or punctured.

In view of the above points, the present invention can prevent the congestion of the telephone line and the so-called puncture state due to the transmission of the response from the viewer to the interactive program, and the response from the viewer can be fair. The purpose is to be able to perform processing.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first invention of a method for responding to an interactive program, a random number or a pseudo-random number is obtained when an operation for responding to the interactive program is performed. However, based on the obtained random number or pseudo-random number, the time for transmitting an actual response through the telephone line is set to an arbitrary time point after the response operation time point and dispersed. To do.

A second method of responding to interactive programs
In the invention of claim 1, the transmission of the response through the telephone line is
It is a time after the point of time when the recipient responds, and it is performed in one of a plurality of distributed calling time zones whose unit time width is a time width according to the telephone line type and the data length of the response information. The transmission of the response is delayed and dispersed.

Which of the plurality of distributed transmission time zones is to be selected may be determined based on a random number or a pseudo-random number acquired when the response operation to the interactive program is performed.

Further, in response to the second invention of the response method to the interactive program, in the interactive program broadcasting method according to the present invention, the interactive program which expects the response of the receiver via the telephone line. In the broadcasting method of 1, the transmission of the response from the receiver is one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones with a unit time width that is a time after the response operation time of the receiver and has a predetermined time width. In order to delay and disperse the transmission of the response, the response device of the receiver multiplexes the information used for determining at least the length of the dispersed transmission time zone with the broadcast signal. It is characterized in that it is adapted to be broadcast.

[0017]

According to the response method according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the receiver performs a response operation, the response is not transmitted at the time of the operation, but the random number or the pseudo-random number acquired at the time of the operation. The actual response is transmitted at the time set based on the.

Therefore, even if the responses from a large number of recipients over the telephone line are concentrated in time, the actual transmission of responses is distributed, so that the congestion of the telephone line is prevented. Therefore, for example, the response of the receiver that occurs within the response acceptance time set on the broadcast side is reliably transmitted to the response reply destination, and the fairness of the response from the viewer is also ensured.

According to the response method of the second aspect, the response is transmitted by one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones having a unit time width of a predetermined time width after the time of the response operation by the receiver. Dispersed in. Since the time width of this distributed transmission time zone is set to the time width according to the type of the telephone line and the data length of the response information, the congestion of the response transmission can be more surely avoided.

That is, the puncture of the telephone line is a mechanism that occurs because the load is already applied not only in the state where the line is actually connected but also in the operation of connecting the line. In other words, since the capacity for one line is already taken up just by picking up the handset, for example, if all the telephones in the area managed by a certain central office raise the handset at the same time, the line will flatten. Become.

In the case of the above-mentioned second invention, the time width of the distributed transmission time zone is determined in consideration of the type of line such as tone line (PB line) and dial pulse line and the data length required for response. Therefore, the time width for completing one response transmission process can be set. Therefore, as in the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to surely avoid line congestion by distributing the transmission of responses in a plurality of distributed transmission time zones.

Particularly in the case of a broadcasting method in which the broadcasting side multiplexes information designating the size of the time width of the distributed transmission time zone, the broadcasting side knows the data length of the response information to be acquired in advance. By considering the line that takes a long time to send information as the type of telephone line, you can easily specify the optimum one as the time width of the distributed transmission time zone, and surely check the line congestion. It becomes possible to avoid it.

[0023]

EXAMPLES Prior to the description of specific examples of the present invention,
The outline of the present invention will be described.

The avoidance of congestion of response transmission, which is an object of the present invention, can be achieved by a configuration of only a response device for interactive programs, or interactive program related information multiplexed in a broadcast signal from the broadcast side. It can also be realized by using.

In any case, the response device for the interactive program according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as the response device)
In order to avoid congestion of the response transmission, the response transmission is delayed and distributed at a time later than the actual response operation time of the user.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main functions of an embodiment of a response device according to the present invention as blocks.

As shown in FIG. 1, the response device in this example is
The response operation detecting means 101, the random number acquiring means 102, the response transmission time setting means 103, the clock circuit 104, the response transmission time detecting means 105, and the transmission executing means 106 are provided.

The response operation detecting means 101 detects the timing of response operation to the interactive program performed by the user. When the response operation input means is, for example, a remote control transmitter, the response operation detection means 101 includes a remote control signal reception unit supplied from the remote control transmitter, and receives the remote control signal at a predetermined cycle. The timing of the response operation by the user is detected by monitoring the unit and detecting the supply of the remote control signal from the remote control transmitter. Further, when the response device of this example is provided with an operation panel having a button switch group or the like capable of performing a response operation, the response operation detecting means 101 scans the button switch group at a constant cycle. Due to
The timing of the response operation performed by the user is detected.

The random number acquisition means 102 acquires a random number or a pseudo random number at the timing of the response operation detected by the response operation detection means 101.

The configuration of the random number acquisition means 102 is as follows.
Various embodiments are possible. One example thereof is that a random number generator such as an M series is provided, and the generation timing of the random numbers from this random number generator is set according to the timing of the response operation search cycle in the response operation detection means, and is set by the user. When a response operation is detected, a random number is obtained from the random number generator at that timing.

Another example is the random number acquisition means 102.
In this method, one value is selected from a plurality of selectable values existing in the response device, and the pseudo random number is obtained by calculation using this value as a seed for generating the pseudo random number.

In the latter method, a plurality of selectable values which are the seeds of pseudo random number generation are, for example, values which change with the passage of time, and a software counter whose starting point is indefinite will be described later in detail. And the address of the I / O port of the responding device of this example that was accessed at the timing of the response operation.

Therefore, at the stage of acquiring the seeds for generating pseudo-random numbers, it is possible to acquire seeds for generating pseudo-random numbers having different values even in a plurality of responding devices having the same response operation timing. Therefore, the pseudo random number obtained by the calculation based on the seed of the pseudo random number generation has a random value.

Further, when the number of choices is large such that the seed value for generating the pseudo random number is multi-valued, the acquired seed itself is used as the pseudo random number instead of obtaining the pseudo random number by calculation. You can also

Next, the response transmission time setting means 103 transmits a response, which is performed through a telephone line described later, based on the random number or the pseudo random number acquired by the random number acquisition means 102 after the timing of the response operation described above. The response transmission time is set so as to be performed at any dispersed timing. As a result, it is possible to disperse the transmission of responses to a plurality of response operations concentrated at the same timing in a time later than the timing of the response operation.

Then, in the case of this example, the response transmission time setting means 103 sets the response transmission dispersion time range and distributes the response transmission within this time range. As will be described later, when the response operation permission time range is set in the interactive program, the response transmission distributed time range is set after the response operation permission time range has elapsed.
As will be described later, the response operation permission time range can be detected by the response device based on the information multiplexed in the broadcast signal.

The response transmission time setting means 103 sets the time at which the response transmission is executed at which timing in the response transmission distributed time range. For example, the transmission time is set as the delay time from the start of the response transmission distributed time range to the actual transmission of the response.

The clock circuit 104 receives the information about the response / transmission distributed time range from the response / transmission time setting means 103 and measures the time within the response / transmission distributed time range. Then, the time information is used as the response transmission time detecting means 10
Notify 5.

The response transmission time detecting means 105 detects the actual transmission timing of the response from the information on the transmission time set by the response transmission time setting means 103 and the time information from the clock circuit 104. Then, at the actual response transmission timing, the response transmission executing means 106 is activated.

The response transmission executing means 106 transmits an actual response through the telephone line and transmits response information as needed. If the response is a call to a telephone voting service called so-called telegon, the response information is not transmitted and the call ends.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the response transmission time set by the response transmission time setting means 103 and the response operation timing.

In FIG. 2, the response operation time range is a range in which the user can perform a response operation, and normally,
It is provided as a response operation permission time from the broadcast side that provides the interactive program. The response transmission distributed time range is the time during which a response can be transmitted from the user to the interactive program. As will be described later, within this response transmission distributed time range, the response transmission time of a plurality of response devices is set. Are set to be distributed.

Further, in this example, the response transmission distributed time range is provided as a response transmission permission time from the broadcast side providing the interactive program, and as shown in FIG. 2, the response is transmitted from immediately after the end of the response operation time range. Outgoing distributed time range is set.

The interactive program related information such as the response operation time range and the response transmission distributed time range provided by the broadcasting side will be described later in detail, but the interactive program related information is transmitted from the broadcasting side. It is provided by being multiplexed with an audio signal, and in the case of television broadcasting, it is provided by being superimposed on an unused horizontal scanning period of a vertical blanking period of a video signal. And the provided interactive program related information is
Although not shown in FIG. 1, the data is supplied to the response device of this example, decoded, and stored and held in a memory such as a RAM.

Then, as shown by the response devices a, b, and c in FIG. 2, when the user of the response devices a, b, and c performs a response operation within the response operation time range, the response devices a, b, and c. In c, as described above, the pseudo random number is acquired at the response operation timing, and the response transmission time setting means 103 sets the response transmission time based on the pseudo random number. In this case, the response transmission time is the start OE of the response transmission distributed time range.
Is set as the delay time from. Hereinafter, this is called a response transmission delay time.

As shown in FIG. 2, even when the response operation in each of the response devices a, b and c is concentrated in a very short time, the response devices a, b and c differ. Response transmission delay time DTa, DTb, D having a time width
Tc is set.

Then, the response devices a, b, and c send a response at time points dt1, dt2, and dt3, which are the end times of the response transmission delay times DTa, DTb, and DTc, so that the response destination Point 2 J1, J2, J
As shown in FIG. 3, the reception of responses corresponding to intensive response operations is dispersed.

The response device of this example manages the response operation time range by the clock circuit 104 or the like, so that a meaningless response operation outside the response operation time range can be obtained as shown in the response device d of FIG. It is also possible to prevent the generation of a corresponding response.

Next, another example of the method of setting the response transmission time in the response transmission time setting means 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, a plurality of distributed transmission time zones each having a predetermined time width as a unit time width are provided, and one of the distributed transmission time zones is selected and a response is transmitted at, for example, the central point of the selected distributed transmission time zone. Try to do it. This prevents congestion of responses from a plurality of response devices and effectively distributes responses.

In this example, the unit time width of the plurality of distributed transmission time zones is the time until one response to the interactive program is completed in order to prevent congestion of the response transmission. It is set to be equal to or longer than the completion time.

The completion time of the response is, specifically, from the start of the dialing process for making a call in the response device, the end of the transmission of the response information for the interactive program, and the telephone connected to the reply destination. This is the time required until the line is disconnected.

Therefore, as will be described later in detail, the unit time width of the distributed calling time zone is determined based on information such as the type of telephone line to which the response device of this example is connected and the data length of the response information. It can be calculated by each responding device.

Also, from the broadcast side, 1
As an example, a unit time width of the distributed transmission time zone may be provided. This is because the broadcasting side can predict the length of the response information and can set the unit time width according to the slow line speed.

The responding device can obtain the time width of the distributed transmission time zone by itself and set the number of distributed transmission time zones by itself. When both are set, the response transmission distributed time range is determined. The number of distributed transmission time zones is set to such a number that delay distribution of response transmission can be effectively performed.

When the time width of the distributed transmission time zone and the number of the distributed transmission time zones are designated from the broadcast side, the response transmission distributed time range, the time width of the distributed transmission time zone, or the number of the distributed transmission time zones is set. You can specify it. However, since the response transmission distributed time range is determined when the time width and number of the distributed transmission time zones are determined, the start point of the response transmission distributed time range may be designated.

Then, the response device of this example acquires the pseudo random number at the timing of the response operation as described above. Then, based on this pseudo-random number, one is selected from a plurality of distributed transmission time zones.

For the selection of the distributed transmission time zone, for example, the range for obtaining the pseudo random number is set to be within the range of the number of distributed transmission time zones, and the distributed transmission time zone is directly selected by the acquired pseudo random number. . Also, by dividing the acquired pseudo-random number by the number of distributed transmission time zones and selecting the distributed transmission time zone according to the remainder, the distributed transmission time zone can be set without narrowing the acquisition range of pseudo random numbers. It is also possible to select.

Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a response operation to the interactive program is performed in the response devices a, b, and c, the response devices a, b, and c acquire the pseudo operation acquired at the timing of the response operation. Select a distributed transmission time slot based on a random number.

That is, from the head OE of the response transmission distributed time range, the number of the distributed transmission time zone is obtained according to the acquired pseudo-random number. Then, the actual response is transmitted at the central point of the distributed transmission time zone of the obtained rank.

As shown in FIG. 3, the response device a,
b and c measure the delay times Ta, Tb, and Tc from the head OE of the response transmission distributed time range to the central time point of the distributed transmission time zone obtained as described above, and time points HT1 and H
At T2 and HT3, a response to the interactive program is transmitted.

The transmission of a response from each responding device is
Since the process ends by the central time point of the next distributed transmission time zone, the time width of the distributed transmission time zone is always ensured with respect to the transmission of the response from the response device that selects another distributed transmission time zone. Since this time width is the time width for completing one response, the congestion of the transmission of the response is reduced.

Next, a method of setting the unit time width of the distributed transmission time zone will be described.

In the response device of this example, the time required for the call processing to the reply destination and the transmission time of the response information differ depending on the type of telephone line used.

For example, in the case of the dial pulse line of the 10PPS system, the communication speed is 10 milliseconds and the minimum pause is 600 milliseconds or more. Similarly, in the case of a dial pulse line of 20PPS system, the communication speed is 20PP.
S, and the minimum pose is 450 milliseconds or more.
In the case of a tone system line, the communication speed is 50 milliseconds and the minimum pause is 70 milliseconds or more.

Then, for example, "0180-20" via the telephone lines of the respective systems having different communication speeds in this way.
When a telephone number "-0000" is transmitted, the time from the start of dialing to the end of dialing varies depending on the telephone lines of different systems, as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 4 shows, for each of the telephone lines of different systems, for each digit of the telephone number, the time required for making the call and the minimum pause required during the dialing process for each digit of the telephone number. Enumerate the time
6 is a table showing the time required for the dial processing.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the case of the 10PPS system, it takes 13.5 seconds from the start of dialing the telephone number to the completion of the dialing, and in the case of the 20PPS system,
It takes 8.5 seconds. In the case of the tone system, 1.1
It takes 3 seconds.

As is clear from FIG. 4, in the unspecified number of response devices using different types of lines, the distributed transmission time zone for distributing the transmission of responses is 10P.
If the time required for the dialing process in the PS system is shorter than the time required for dialing, the outgoing call of the response is congested and the outgoing call of the response cannot be effectively distributed.

Therefore, the time width of the distributed transmission time zone is set according to the type of line. Then, regardless of the line, when the time width of the distributed calling time zone is set generically, for example, when setting from the broadcasting side, the dial processing time of the 10PPS method, which takes a long time to call a telephone number, is used as a reference. Also, considering the time OD required from off-hook to dial pulse or dial tone detection, the time HT required from completion of transmission to the arrival of the call (polarity reversal), and the time CT required to disconnect the line after on-hook, The response completion time T is T = OD + ((100 msec × first digit number) + (100 msec × second digit number) + ... (100 msec × nth digit number) + (600 msec × (N-1))) + HT + CT (1)

As described above, the data length of the response information also affects the response completion time. The data length of this response information differs depending on the content of the interactive program.

For example, in the case of simply applying for a viewer present, only the reply destination identification information for identifying the user (viewer) (hereinafter referred to as identification ID) may be transmitted from the user side to the reply destination. However, in the case of a quick-press quiz,
Identification information and time information about response operation, identification ID and price information in case of price quiz, identification ID in case of first-come-first-served TV shopping, time information about response operation, ordering data and settlement data Etc. are required as response information.

Therefore, if the data length of the response information is also taken into consideration, the response completion time T obtained by the equation (1) is calculated.
Is added with the response information transmission time to be set as the unit time width WT of the distributed transmission time zone.

The transmission time of the response information based on the data length of the response information is a very short time, and when the unit time width WT is set in the response device, it is predetermined as the transmission time of the response information. It is sufficient to add a predetermined time.

Further, as described above, when the unit time width WT is provided from the broadcasting side, the broadcasting side also considers the transmission time of the response information according to the data length of the response information, so that it is more accurate. The unit time width WT can be set.

[Explanation of a Specific Embodiment] Next, one embodiment of a response device for an interactive program according to the present invention will be described more concretely by taking a case where it is applied to a television receiver as an example.

In this example, on the broadcast side providing the interactive program, when the interactive program is broadcast, the sub-broadcast information includes, for example, a telephone number of a reply destination and a response for limiting a response operation time by the user. The interactive program-related information including the permission time and the response transmission permission time for limiting the transmission period of the response information from the user side is multiplexed with the broadcast signal and broadcast.

On the other hand, on the receiving side, the interactive program related information is separated from the received broadcast signal and reproduced, and stored in the memory of the response device, for example, when the response information for the interactive program is generated or transmitted. To use.

In this example, the program-related information of the interactive program is a signal in an audio band that can be easily distinguished from the main broadcast sound, for example, DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) used in a push line of a telephone or the like. The signal should be superimposed on the main broadcast audio signal.

That is, on the broadcast station side, the program-related information as the sub-broadcast information is multiplexed (mixed) with the main broadcast audio signal and broadcasted as a signal structure in the DTMF signal format. On the other hand, on the receiving side, the DTMF signal is separated / decoded from the received broadcast audio signal, the program-related information is reproduced, stored in the memory, and used when transmitting the response information to the reply destination.

[DTMF Signal] First, the DTMF signal will be described with reference to FIG. The DTMF signaling system has one low frequency group (low group) and another one
One is an audio band signaling system that simultaneously sends two tones of a high frequency group (high group). Each of these low and high frequency groups consists of tones of four audio band frequencies, no two of which are in articulatory relation.

In the DTMF signal, the four frequencies in the low group are, for example, 697 Hz, 770 Hz, 852 Hz, 941H.
z, and the four frequencies of the high group are, for example, 1209 Hz,
It is set to 1336 Hz, 1477 Hz, and 1633 Hz. Then, each of the low group and the high group is combined with one frequency, and each DTMF composed of the combination is combined.
Signals (each of these DTMF signals are hereinafter referred to as function signals) are assigned to push buttons "0" to "D" arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns as shown in FIG.

In the telephone communication, only 12 of the 16 functional signals of the DTMF signals are generally used for the subscriber address (telephone number) signal. That is,
"0" used as a so-called numeric keypad on the telephone
The function signals of the above 12 combinations correspond to the numbers "9" and the symbols "*" and "#". Figure 5
The function signals corresponding to the letters "A", "B", "C", and "D" indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3 are not generally used in Japan, but data obtained by using the push button (PB) dial. It is only used for transmission.

When a line is selected by telephone number using such a DTMF signal, the signal transmission conditions are as shown in FIG.
It is prescribed as shown in.

Due to the combination of the two frequencies and the transmission conditions as described above, the DTMF signal rarely occurs in the natural world and can be clearly distinguished from natural sounds such as human voice. It is possible to multiplex (mix) the broadcast audio signal and broadcast it, and separation on the receiving side is relatively easy.

By the way, the DTMF signal is also used in a multi-functional telephone, and by operating a push-button telephone from outside the house, a message recorded on the telephone at home can be played back or an answering machine can be recorded. You can record, play back, and delete the message.

[Broadcast of Sub-Broadcast Information] On the transmitting side of this embodiment, that is, the broadcasting station side, when transmitting the sub-broadcast information, "A" and "B" which are not used for PB line selection as described above. Among the functional signals that mean “,” “C” and “D”, the functional signals of “A”, “B” and “C” are used as the transmission start information of the sub broadcast information, and the functional signal of “D” is Used as transmission end information.

Since there are three types of transmission start information, in this example, three types of sub-broadcast information can be distinguished and transmitted. In other words, the three types of sub broadcast information are
Any of the function signals of “A”, “B”, and “C”,
It is broadcast by being separated from the function signal of "D".

For example, in the case of information regarding response access to interactive programs, for example, sub-broadcast information such as the telephone number (reception telephone number) of the access destination and the transmission rate, the function signal of "A" is used as the transmission start information and the transmission ends. It is transmitted between the function signal of information "D". Similarly, for sub-broadcast information related to environment settings such as the end limit of the telephone number of the answering side and the current time setting, the received data is cleared between the function signal of "B" and the function signal of "D". The information regarding the information is multiplexed and broadcast as a signal sandwiched between the "C" function signal and the "D" function signal.

On the receiving side, the numerical value sandwiched between any one of the function signals "A", "B", and "C" as the transmission start information and the function signal "D" as the transmission end information. The symbol data is regarded as a sub-broadcast data string (information group), and is separately stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory as described later.

For example, as information relating to response access for television shopping, a reception telephone number 0990-1234-1 as a reply destination of a response to a receiver whose interactive television standard version is 00.
When permitting access to the H.234 for 120 minutes at a transmission rate of 300 bps, the sub-broadcast information is such that the data string formed by each functional signal of the DTMF signal such as 00 # 120 # 0990 * 1234 * 1234 is “A It is multiplexed with the main broadcast audio signal and transmitted in a state of being sandwiched between the function signal of "" and the function signal of "D".

Here, the first 00 in the data string is
The interactive television standard version indicates 00 (transmission rate 300 bps), and the numerical data after the symbol "#" is the reception telephone number of the reply destination.

As information on the response access of the quick-press quiz program, for the receiver whose interactive television standard version is 01, the telephone number 0990-1234-1235 is returned as the response destination, and the transmission rate is 1200 bps for 1 minute. When the access is permitted, the data string composed of the respective function signals of the DTMF signal such as 01 # 001 # 0990 * 1234 * 1235 has a function signal of “A” and a function signal of “D”. It is multiplexed between the main broadcast audio signals and transmitted in a state of being sandwiched between them.

Here, the first 01 in the data string is
The interactive television standard version indicates 01 (transmission rate 1200 bps), and the numerical data after the symbol "#" is the reception telephone number of the reply destination.

In the data string relating to response access as described above, the symbol "#" represents a separator (separation of individual data) and the symbol "*" represents a pause.

As information relating to environment setting, when access is restricted only to viewers who have a specific telephone number (subscriber number), for example, when access is permitted only to the numbers ending in 0, 0 When the data string composed of each function signal of the DTMF signal such as # 0 permits access to only the number with the telephone number ending with 1, the each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 0 # 1 The composed data strings are respectively multiplexed with the main broadcast audio signal and transmitted while being sandwiched between the "B" function signal and the "D" function signal. In this case, the number “0” before the symbol “#” means that access is permitted from a telephone number having the number next to the symbol “#” as the end.

Further, when permitting access only to numbers having an even number at the end of the telephone number, each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 0 # 0 * 0 # 2 * 0 # 4 * 0 # 6 * 0 # 8 is used. The composed data string is multiplexed with the main broadcast audio signal and sent in a state of being sandwiched between the "B" function signal and the "D" function signal. Here, the symbol "*" means a logical sum.

Further, as the time information for reservation of broadcast program reception or recording reservation, for example, the current time is 199.
In the case of 7:00 on Tuesday, December 15, 3rd, a data string composed of each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 1 # 1993121520700 is composed of the function signal of “B” and the function signal of “D”. It is multiplexed between the main broadcast audio signals and transmitted in a state of being sandwiched between them.

Also, when a certain broadcast program is viewed from the present moment,
When broadcasting from 7:00 to 7:29 on the next Sunday, the data string composed of each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 10 # 07000729 is composed of the function signals of "B" and "D". When it is sent by being sandwiched between the function signals and another broadcast program is broadcast on the following Monday from 12:00 to 14:15, each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 11 # 12001415 is used. The composed data string is sandwiched between the "B" function signal and the "D" function signal and transmitted.

In the data string relating to the environment setting as described above, the symbol “#” represents a separator and the symbol “*” represents “OR (logical sum)”.

As information regarding clearing of the received data, for example, in the case of clearing the number restriction, the data string formed by each functional signal of the DTMF signal such as 99 # 0 is the functional signal of "C". When the reception telephone number is cleared, it is sandwiched between the function signal of "D" and transmitted, and in the case of clearing the reception telephone number, the data string composed of each function signal of the DTMF signal such as 99 # 1 is "C". It is sent by being sandwiched between the function signal of "" and the function signal of "D".

As described above, the function signals of "A", "B", "C", and "D" which are not used as the selection signal of the telephone line are set to the transmission start information and the transmission end information of the sub broadcast information. Thus, even if the DTMF sound is transmitted, for example, in a scene where a telephone call is made in a drama, it is not confused with the program-related information. In addition, the sub broadcast information can be transmitted and received with certainty.

[Structure of Responding Device] Next, referring to FIG. 7, the structure of an embodiment of a television receiver for a bidirectional broadcast program, to which the responding device for an interactive program according to the present invention is applied. explain.

In FIG. 7, 10 is a signal system of the television receiver, and 20 is a control system thereof.

Broadcast radio waves received by the antenna 1 are supplied to the tuner 11. A channel selection signal is supplied from the control system 20 to the tuner 11, and a broadcast signal of a desired channel is selected by the tuner 11 and converted into an intermediate frequency signal. This intermediate frequency signal is supplied to the intermediate frequency circuit 12. The intermediate frequency circuit 12 includes a video demodulator 13 and an audio demodulator 14, and demodulates a video signal and an audio signal.

The video signal S13 from the video demodulator 13 is supplied to the picture tube 16 via the video signal processing circuit 15.
The audio signal S14 from the audio demodulator 14 is supplied to the audio multiplex decoder 17, and the bilingual signal or the stereo signals SL and SR are decoded. Then, these signals SL and SR are supplied to the left and right speakers 19L and 19R through the amplifiers 18L and 18R, respectively.

Audio signal S14 from the voice demodulator 14
Is also transmitted via the pre-processing circuit 31 to the DTMF decoder 3
2 is supplied. The DTMF decoder 32 constantly searches the DTMF signal in the input signal, and when detecting the DTMF signal, decodes which function signal the DTMF signal is. That is, the numbers "0" to "9", "#", "*", and "A" to "D" are decoded. Then, the decoded data is supplied to the control system 20.

In the case of this example, as the DTMF decoder 32, a commercially available DTMF decoder which is widely used is used. The pre-processing circuit 31 is provided for performing pre-processing so that the DTMF signal can be decoded with higher accuracy even when a commercially available DTMF decoder is used as the DTMF decoder 32. That is, the pre-processing circuit 31 removes frequency components other than the DTMF signal from the audio signal S14, and the input signal of the DTMF decoder 32 is a commercially available DTM.
It is a signal that the F decoder allows, and is composed of a filter circuit.

Further, in this embodiment, a data communication modem (modulation / demodulation device) 33 is provided in order to support interactive broadcast programs such as responses to viewer participation programs. The telephone line 2 is connected to the line connection terminal Line of the modem 33, and the telephone 3 is connected to the telephone terminal Tel. The modem 33 is connected to the system bus 200 of the control system 20. Further, the data from the modem 33 is supplied to the DTMF decoder 32 so that the DTMF signal sent through the telephone line 2 can be decoded by the DTMF decoder 32 and taken into the control system 20. Has been done.

The control system 20 includes a CPU 21 and a ROM 22.
, DRAM 23, SRAM 24, video RAM 2
5 and each of which is connected to the system bus 200. The ROM 22 stores not only a DTMF data reception / acquisition processing program, a pseudo-random number acquisition processing program, a transmission time setting program for distributed delay processing of response transmission, but also various control programs and fonts used for display. Graphic data is also stored.
The DRAM 23 is mainly used as a work area for calculation, and the SRAM 24 stores setting information and identification information of the television receiver itself as a response device.

Here, the identification information of the receiver itself is unique to each device set at the time of production of the television receiver corresponding to this interactive broadcast program, such as "SONY-00-00000001". It is an identification number. After purchasing a television receiver that supports interactive broadcast programs, the user must provide the identification information of this receiving device and the user's name, address, telephone number, etc. to the database center that is the reply destination of the interactive television viewer's response. Register in the database of. In the database center, personal information corresponding to the identification information of the television receiver is managed in the database. By including the identification information of this receiver in the information of the response to the interactive program, it is possible to easily identify who the response is from at the reply-destination database center.

The video RAM 25 is used for display. Display controller 2 for video RAM 25
5C is provided. The display controller 25C controls reading and writing of video data to and from the video RAM 25, and converts the read video data into an analog video signal. Then, the analog video signal obtained from the display controller 25C is supplied to the video signal processing unit 15, and the control unit 20
In combination with the control of the video signal processing unit 15 from the above, the video signal from the intermediate frequency circuit 12 is superimposed or switched and combined.

The control system 20 also includes an I / O port 26.
1, 262, 263, 264 and VTR control port 27. A control signal is sent through the I / O port 261 to the video signal processing circuit 15 and the audio multiplex decoder 17.
Is supplied to. Further, for example, an infrared remote control signal from the remote control transmitter 34 is received by the remote control receiver 35, the received remote control signal is decoded by the remote control decoding circuit 36, and the decoded remote control signal is sent to the I / O port 261. More taken into the control system 20.

The CPU 21 controls the remote control transmitter 34 according to the user's operation according to the program in the ROM 22. For example, in the case of remote control operation such as tuning or volume control, tuner tuning or volume control is executed, and at the same time, font data for displaying necessary characters and symbols is read from the ROM 22 and stored in the video RAM 25. Transferred. And this video R
The data of AM25 is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 15,
By being combined (for example, superimposed) with the video signal S13, it is displayed on the screen of the picture tube 16 for an appropriate time.

Data for tuning and volume control are
When each operation is written in the nonvolatile SRAM 24, when the power is turned off and then turned on again, a so-called last memory function is realized in which the same channel is watched at the same volume as immediately before the power is turned off. .

A tuning signal is supplied to the tuner 11 through the I / O port 263. Also, in this example,
Time information from the timer circuit 37 for notifying the current time and generating an interrupt at a predetermined time is input to the control system 20 through the I / O port 264. Also, this timer circuit 3
Reference numeral 7 has an area in which time is cumulatively advanced, and this area can be reset as necessary, and the relative time from the time of this reset can also be managed. Then, in this example, in the control system 20, the timer circuit 3
The time information from 7 recognizes the time when the response operation is performed (response operation time), and is used for calculation of the setting of the response transmission time, as described later.

Also, the control port 27 of the VTR
In this example, three VTR1, VTR2, and VTR3 can be controlled. The control system 20 can supply a control signal to the VTR through the control port 27, take in a status signal from the VTR, and perform desired control on the VTR.

Each VTR has a built-in tuner and an intermediate frequency circuit. For example, the antenna 1 is connected via a distributor.
, And reserved recording can be performed under the control of the control system 20.

[Distribution Processing of Response Transmission] Next, the delay distribution processing of response transmission in the case of the response device of the embodiment of FIG. 7 will be described.

In this embodiment, the delay distribution processing described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed. At the response operation timing by the user, a pseudo random number is obtained in this example, and the response transmission distributed time range is obtained based on this pseudo random number. Beginning time O
The delay time from E (see FIG. 2) is set as the response transmission time.

In this embodiment, as described above, the DTM
Information on the time point of the starting point for processing the response is multiplexed in the F signal format, and the time measurement of the timer circuit 37 is started by the information on the time point of the starting point. Similarly, the information of the response operation permission time and the information of the response transmission permission time, which are multiplexed on the broadcast signal, are broadcast as a relative time from the time point of the starting point.

In the response device, the response transmission permission time is recognized as the response transmission distribution time range, and the delay dispersion of the response transmission according to the response operation of the user performed within the response operation permission time is calculated as the response transmission permission time. Try to do it inside.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the user performing a response operation with the broadcast side and the flow of the processing contents of the response device, and FIG. 9 is the CPU of the response device in that case.
22 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing at 21. The processing routine of FIG. 9 starts with the above-mentioned information of the starting point that permits the actual start of the response.

The distributed processing of response transmission in this example will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the broadcast side broadcasts the interactive program in which the interactive program related information is multiplexed with the main broadcast audio signal in the DTMF signal format as described above (block 301).

The broadcast signal in which the DTMF signal is multiplexed is received and tuned by the response device of this example, and the video signal and the audio signal are demodulated by the video demodulator and the audio demodulator of the intermediate frequency circuit 12. . Then, the preprocessing circuit 31 and the DT
A DTMF signal is extracted from the voice signal from the voice demodulator 14 by the MF decoder 32, decoded into number and symbol data, and transmitted via the I / O port 262 to the control system 20.
Are taken into the DRAM 23, for example. Then, the starting point information of the response, the telephone number of the reply destination, the response operation permission time A,
The response transmission permission time B is written and held in the SRAM 24 (block 302).

In the processing of this block 302, the response device cumulatively steps the time of the above-mentioned timer circuit 37 at the timing ST at which the DTMF signal indicating the starting point of the response provided from the broadcast side is decoded. After resetting the advancing area to "0", time measurement is started (step 401 in FIG. 9).

The cumulative time step of the timer circuit 37,
That is, when the time measurement is started, the user can perform a response operation. At this timing, the broadcast side provides a response request by character display or voice message after transmitting the interactive program related information.

The response request is, for example, an option for the question in the case of a quiz program, and the user performs a response operation by operating the remote control transmitter 34 or the like (block 303 in FIG. 8).

Then, within the response operation permission time, the user
If the response operation is not performed in response to the response request, the responding device performs steps 402 and 40 in FIG.
This is discriminated in step 3, and in step 404, a warning that the response input operation cannot be performed because the response operation permission time has expired is displayed on the screen by, for example, superimposing to warn, and this processing routine is ended. The processing routine of FIG. 9 is
If the user performs a response operation thereafter, the response device ignores it because it does not start until the broadcast holding the next response is started.

On the other hand, when the response operation is performed by the user within the response operation permission time A, the response apparatus detects it in step 402 and proceeds to step 405.

Then, the response device transmits to the reply destination of the response constituted by the information input by the user and the time when the response operation acquired from the timer circuit 37 is performed, for example, the relative time from the time point ST. As well as forming the information, as described above, the value which becomes the seed of pseudo random number generation is acquired, the pseudo random number is obtained by calculation based on this value, and the response transmission delay time DT is set based on this pseudo random number (Fig. 8 block 304, step 406 of FIG. 9).

In this example, the seed value of the random number obtained in the processing of block 304 is, for example, counted at the same timing as the interrupt control repeat timing for searching the remote controller operation. It is acquired by a so-called software counter. This pseudo random number acquisition process will be described in detail later.

Then, the control system 20 of the response device monitors the cumulatively stepped time of the timer circuit 37 and judges whether or not the response operation permission time A has ended. It is recognized that the response transmission permission time starts (block 305). Subsequently, a waiting state is set so that the response is not transmitted until the transmission time dt set in the block 304 is reached (block 306 in FIG. 8, step 407 in FIG. 9).

Then, when it is detected that the transmission delay time DT set in the block 304 has elapsed due to the cumulative stepping time of the timer circuit 37 monitored by the control system 20 (step 407 in FIG. 9). ), The response device executes the transmission of the response, and transmits the response information as needed (block 307 in FIG. 8, step 408 in FIG. 9).

As a result, the reply destination on the broadcast side receives the response information transmitted at the transmission time distributed based on the pseudo random number, not at the time when the user performs the response operation (block 308 in FIG. 8). .

As described above, in the response device used by an unspecified number of users, the value which becomes the seed of the random number is individually obtained, the pseudo random number is obtained based on this seed, and the pseudo random number is obtained based on this pseudo random number. By setting the transmission time of the response information, it is possible to disperse the responses corresponding to the concentrated response operations within the response operation permission time A in the response operation permission time B in a distributed manner.

In the case of this example, the seed value for random number generation obtained in the processing of the block 304 of FIG. 8 is the count value in the same cycle as the interrupt timing of the interrupt program controlled by the timer circuit 37. A so-called software counter that counts up one by one is used.

This software counter is, for example, one in which the counting process is started when the power of the responding device of this example is turned on, and the count value at the start of counting is not fixed. Software counter.

Then, for example, in the case of performing interrupt control at a cycle of 5 milliseconds, if the lower 2 digits of the count value of the software counter is used as a seed value for random number generation, it is within 5 milliseconds × 99. 0 to 0 (within about 0.5 seconds)
100 count values up to 99 are generated.

Therefore, the seed value for random number generation, which is obtained at the timing determined by the user's response operation, is selected and obtained from 100 values from 00 to 99.

The operation method for obtaining a pseudo-random number using the seed value of the random number obtained from the software counter is used, for example, in a function prepared in the UNIX OS 4.2 library. The non-linear additive feedback method is used.

Then, based on the obtained pseudo-random number, FIG.
The response transmission time dt is set within the response transmission permission time B having the maximum time Te shown in FIG. That is, when the pseudo random number used is two digits, it is obtained by dividing the response transmission permission time B by the maximum value "99" to obtain the quotient, and multiplying this quotient by the obtained pseudo random number. It is possible to obtain the response transmission time dt with the value as the relative time from the head OE of the response transmission permission time, that is, as the transmission delay time DT.

In this example, the value used as the seed for random number generation is acquired from the software counter, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, access is made immediately before the timing for acquiring the value used as seed for random number generation. Selected I / O port address, checksum of past response history, response selection number, time information when response operation was performed, etc. Anything that can provide a value will do.

Further, as described above, the pseudo random number is not limited to the method of calculating the pseudo random number based on the seed value of random number generation, but the random number generator formed as hardware as described above can be used to calculate the random number. Random data written in memory such as ROM
You may make it read and use based on the acquired pseudorandom number.

Also, for example, by combining the time information obtained from the timer circuit 37, such as the time information acquired at the timing of the response operation, with the selection number of the response information input by the user, the value which becomes the seed of random number generation. It may be used as. In this case, the value to be combined is not limited to this example, and a value obtained by various combinations can be used as a seed value for random number generation.

When the response is a call to the telephone number of the telephone voting service (calling), the response is completed by calling, but when it is necessary to transmit the option number, the user ID, etc. Forms response information in a predetermined format and sends it to the reply destination.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the format of response information (reply data) sent to the reply destination through the modem 33 and the telephone line.

In FIG. 10, the reply data identification information at the head is an identifier for distinguishing whether the data received on the broadcast station side is reply data or other access data.

The next check data consists of data length information and consistency check data. The data length indicates the data length of reply data and reply-source identification information described below. The consistency check data is check data such as a checksum of reply data and reply source identification information described later. This check data is for matching whether or not the data has changed due to bit loss, noise, etc., during transmission of this reply information.

The next reply data comprises selection procedure identification information and selection result information. Of the reply data, the selection procedure identification information is the selection procedure identification information in the sub-broadcast information multiplexed in the broadcast signal, and as described above, this allows the answer from the viewer to be displayed in which menu, Which question is the answer is determined. Question 1 from the broadcaster
Even if the broadcasts are made in the order of question 2, ..., depending on the situation of the telephone line, the answers from the viewers are not always returned in the same order as the broadcast, so such identification information is necessary.

As the selection result information, information indicating the finally selected menu item, the time when the selection operation is performed (response operation time), and the like are returned. The time of the timer circuit 37 is used as the time information in this case.

The response operation time may not be the response operation time itself, but may be the difference between the transmission time and the response operation time. In this case, the reply information is received at the reply destination at almost the transmission time, so that the reply operation time can be recognized as a time before the difference from the time received at the reply destination.

Further, in order to identify the response operation time point in, for example, a quick-press quiz program, the DTMF signal "0"-
The number and the symbol of "9" are multiplexed and broadcast in the same manner as described above in the voice in the same manner as described above, and the number and the symbol as the DTMF signal received from the receiving device side immediately after the response operation time are sent as the response of the reply data. You may make it reply as information relevant to the time of operation.

The viewer input data in the selection result information is
It is considered that some broadcast programs may prompt the viewer for input during the selection procedure. Further, as the viewer input data, for example, the viewer's credit card number or a telephone number may be returned to the TV shopping.

A number unique to the viewer, for example, a so-called identification number such as the telephone number of the viewer or the manufacturing number of the receiving device is used as the reply source identification information subsequent to the reply data. Next to the reply source identification information, a reply data end code indicating the end of the reply data is sent.

As described above, even if many viewers who are watching the same interactive television program are concentrated at the time when the viewer performs a response operation on the remote control transmitter 34, The transmission time of the actual response can be distributed. This makes it possible to disperse the transmission of response information that is temporarily concentrated on a specific telephone line, and prevent the telephone line from becoming a so-called punctured state.

Then, since the response information transmitted from the receiving side (viewer side) includes the information relating to the response operation time point, the time when the response information is actually transmitted is the end of response permission. Even after the time, the reply destination can determine that the response is before the response permission end time. Further, regardless of the time when the response information reaches the reply destination, the time when the response operation is actually performed can be identified by the reply destination, so that a quick-press quiz program can be handled.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the response device for the interactive program according to the present invention will be described. In each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a television receiver having a built-in DTMF decoder and a modem. In this example, the response device has a configuration of an adapter device separate from the television receiver. That is the case.

DTMF is a method of multiplexing interactive program related information.
If the signal is mixed with the broadcast sound, the sound emitted from the speaker of the television receiver is picked up by a microphone, and the DTMF decoder can be used to extract the interactive program related information from the picked-up sound signal. . So this second
In this embodiment, the DTMF decoder and the modem and the related control system are housed in a housing separate from the television receiver, and are configured as an adapter device for the television receiver.

That is, FIG. 11 shows an example of the entire configuration in that case. In the case of this example, the television receiver 40 is
Unlike the example shown in FIG. 7, the conventional structure without the DTMF decoder and the modem is used. On the other hand, the adapter device 50 includes an adapter main body 51 connected to the telephone line L,
The remote control commander 52 is used for response operations and input of telephone numbers. The adapter body 51 is a commander 52
The light receiving unit PD that receives the infrared command from the infrared light emitting unit SD as a transmitter of the remote control command signal.

Further, the adapter main body 51 is provided with a microphone MC for picking up a reproduced sound of the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40, a DTMF decoder, a memory for storing bidirectional related information, and a microphone for controlling the whole. And a computer. Incidentally, 54 is a telephone.

When the interactive program related information in the DTMF signal format is multiplexed, the DTMF sound is mixed with the broadcast sound and reproduced from the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40. The adapter body 51 is a microphone MC
Thus, the reproduced sound of the speaker 40SP is picked up, and the DTMF sound is separated from the sound by the DTMF decoder and reproduced. Then, using this information, the distributed delay processing of the transmission of the response and the transmission of the response information as described above are executed.

In this example, response transmissions are distributed in a plurality of distributed transmission time zones in the case of the example of FIG. 3 described above. In the case of this example, the unit time width and number of distributed transmission time zones (called the number of divisions), the start time of the response transmission permission time, and the like are designated from the broadcast side. On the broadcasting side, the length of the response information data is known in advance, and by assuming that the telephone line has a slow speed, it is possible to set an appropriate unit time width of the distributed transmission time zone, Further, the number of expected responses can be determined in advance and the number of divisions can be set.

Further, in the case of this example, when various kinds of data are multiplexed as a DTMF signal into a broadcast audio signal, the DTMF sound is often mixed in the broadcast audio, which is bothersome, and all the multiplexed information is broadcast. In consideration of the fact that it takes a relatively long time, the adapter main body 51 is provided with a memory such as a ROM in which interactive program related information is tabulated and stored in advance, and necessary information in the table is designated from the broadcast side. I am trying to do it.

[0165] In this way, only specified data is required as information to be multiplexed and sent from the broadcasting side. Then, the adapter main body 51 as a response device reads necessary interactive program-related information from the ROM based on the data, and performs delay distribution processing of response transmission, generation of response information, acquisition of response reply destination telephone number, etc. .

In the case of this example, the ROM of the adapter device 51
Includes a parameter table used for forming and transmitting response information for interactive programs, and a parameter table specification table (hereinafter, referred to as a parameter table specification table for specifying this parameter table).
(Designated table) and are prepared.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the parameter table and the designation table, and FIG.
It is a figure for demonstrating a parameter table.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this example,
The designated table is a two-dimensional table, which holds the address data indicating the position where the parameter table corresponding to the designated data is stored, with a 2-digit numerical value for each one digit in the X and Y directions as a read address. ing. In the case of this example, 100 parameter tables from 00 to 99 can be designated.

Therefore, in this example, the parameter table to be used can be read by the 2-digit designation data. Therefore, the information provided from the broadcast side is only the information indicating the start of response and the 2-digit designation data.

The parameter table is formed, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, by writing the information necessary for forming the response information for the interactive program and the information necessary for transmitting the response information. .

In FIG. 13, "response number" is a number that the user can select in response to a response request such as a question of a quiz provided by the interactive program. Further, the "response destination telephone number" is a telephone number to which the response information is transmitted, and in the case of this example, it is set corresponding to each response number. In addition, as for "response destination telephone number", the same telephone number is set for different response numbers, or the response destination is set to 1
Since it is a single place, the same telephone number may be set for all response numbers.

"Presence / absence of transmission information" is information indicating the presence / absence of response information to be transmitted. When this information is "0", the response information to be transmitted is "absent" and a call is made. It will only be done. This is the case of a response using so-called telegon.

[0173] When the response destination is a telegong whose transmission information is "none", the telephone number is determined as 0180XXXXX, so the first four digits 0180 are omitted and only the last six digits are omitted. Can be stored in a table.

The "call origination delay" is information indicating whether or not to delay the reply origination from the user. Further, the “ID information” is information indicating whether or not the above-mentioned identification ID is included in the response information and is transmitted, and the “time information” is also similarly included in the response information including the response operation time. It is information indicating that.

[0175] The "order number" and "card ID" are used in interactive programs such as TV shopping, and are information indicating whether the order number and the card ID are included in the response information and transmitted. Is.

As for "delay interval", "transmission delay" is "present"
In this case, the time width of one distributed transmission time zone when the response transmission is delayed in a distributed manner is designated. The "delay division" is information indicating how many distributed transmission time zones are provided. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Is 10 seconds and the “delay division” is 10, the response transmission can be dispersed by providing 10 distributed transmission time zones having a time width of 10 seconds as continuous time zones.

The "response time" indicates the time during which the user can input the response operation. In this example, the response start information is sent from the broadcasting side to the adapter device of this example as described above. Is designated as a relative time from the time of being provided to the microcomputer 300.

The "call origination time" indicates the response origination start time at which the user can make a response origination. In this example, like the "response time", the response origination time from the time point of the response start information is indicated. Shown as relative time.

Such a parameter table and a designation table are prepared in a memory such as a ROM of the adapter device 51 of this example, and based on the parameter table determined by the designation data provided as a DTMF signal from the broadcasting side. , The process of forming the response information as described above,
Transmission processing of response information is performed.

It is also possible that the response information differs for each response number. In that case, the structure of the parameter table shown in FIG. 13 is such that each response number has a parameter.

[Structure of Adapter Device] FIG. 14 shows a specific structure example of the adapter body 51 and the commander 52. As described above, the adapter main body 51 has a function of sending a response to the interactive program through the telephone line (calling to the telephone number corresponding to the option for the question in this example) in this example, and the television receiver. 40 speakers 4
It has a function of collecting sound from 0SP, extracting only DTMF sound in the sound, decoding the interactive program related information, and a function of receiving an infrared remote control signal from the commander 52.

Further, since the adapter main body 51 of this example needs to have a function of sending a response to the interactive program through the telephone line, this can be used more actively to handle the handset. You can make a call without holding
It has a function as a so-called hands-free telephone. First, the NCU for this telephone function
The (network control unit) system will be described.

Reference numeral 201 is a modular jack on the telephone line side, and 202 is a modular jack on the external telephone side. An off-hook detection circuit 203 of the external telephone is connected between the modular jacks 201 and 202. The off-hook detection circuit 203 of the external telephone detects the off-hook when the external telephone connected to the modular jack 202 is off-hook, and the detection output is detected by a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 300.
To notify.

Modular jack 201 on the telephone line side
In addition, the surge protection circuit 204 and the ring detection circuit 20
5, polarity reversal detection circuit 206, dial switch 20
7. Connected to the transformer 209 via the hook switch 208. Here, the line side and the microcomputer 300 side are insulated.

When the ring detection circuit 205 detects a ringing signal in which a voltage of 16 Hz and 75 V is intermittent when an incoming call is received through the telephone line, the detection output is detected by the microcomputer 300.
To notify.

When the polarity reversal detection circuit 206 detects that the polarity of the telephone line has been reversed, it notifies the microcomputer 300 of the detection output. Accordingly, the microcomputer 300 recognizes that the line is connected, that is, the incoming call is made to the outgoing call.

The dial switch 207 dials according to the line type and dial data sent from the microcomputer 300 through the dialer 210 at the time of calling. The line type is set by the user with respect to a line type setting DIP switch (not shown). If the setting is a dial line, the microcomputer 300 controls the dial switch via the dialer 210 to set 10p.
Dialing is performed with a pulse of ps / 20 pps, and if the line is a PB line (push line), the sending amplifier 211 is dialed with a PB signal (DTMF signal) via the dialer 210.

When the adapter main body 51 and the commander 52 are used as a hands-free telephone, the dial data is sent from the microcomputer 300 when the microcomputer receives a key operation for inputting a telephone number by the user. Further, when the adapter body 51 and the commander 52 are used as response operation devices for interactive programs, the microcomputer 30
The answering telephone number stored in the memory of 0 is read out, sent out from the microcomputer 300, and automatically dialed.

The hook switch 208 is the microcomputer 300.
The control from switches between the on-hook (line open) state and the off-hook (DC loop closed) state. In the case of this example, the hook switch 208 according to the operation of the on-hook button and the off-hook button of the commander 52.
Is switched.

The speakerphone 212 is a communication path circuit for performing 2-line to 4-line conversion, and supplies the other party's voice (received voice) sent from the telephone line through the transformer 209 to the speaker SP via the speaker amplifier 213. ,Also,
A voice (sending voice) picked up by the microphone MC and passed through the microphone amplifier 214 is sent to the telephone line via the transformer 209.

The voice received from the transformer 209 is
It is supplied to the tone detection circuit 215. The tone detection circuit 215 detects various call progress tones such as a busy tone, a ring back tone, and a dial tone, and notifies the microcomputer 300 of them.

Further, the DTMF receiver 217 extracts the DTMF signal from the input voice and outputs it as a numerical value, #, *,
It is decoded into information of symbols such as A, B, C, and D. The DTMF receiver 217 receives the voice received through the transformer 209 and the microphone MC to collect the received voice.
One of the voices through 4 is switched and selected by the analog switch circuit 216 and input. The switch circuit 216 is switched by the switching signal from the microcomputer 300 so as to select the audio signal from the amplifier 214 during a non-call and the received audio signal from the transformer 209 during a call.

DTM from this DTMF receiver 217
The decode signal of the F signal is supplied to the microcomputer 300. The microcomputer 300 extracts the response start information and the above-mentioned designated data from the decoded signal of the DTMF signal and performs the processing corresponding thereto. This processing will be described later in detail.

The microcomputer 300 has a so-called one-chip microcomputer structure, and has a built-in CPU, ROM for storing programs and fixed data, and nonvolatile RAM and volatile RAM. In the case of this example, the memory 218 is connected to the outside of the microcomputer 300. The memory 218 is composed of an electrically erasable and writable ROM, and stores the information of the parameter table and the parameter designation table described above. In addition, an identification ID unique to each receiving device is set in the memory 218 at the time of factory shipment, and the user identification ID is registered according to the input setting by the user. As the user identification ID, for example, a telephone number of the user is registered.

In addition, the microcomputer 300 includes a timer circuit 2
20 is connected, the current time is notified, or by the control of the microcomputer 300, after reset processing, the time is cumulatively counted up, and the relative time from the reset processing time is managed and provided. It is possible.

Although not shown in FIG. 14, the adapter main body 51 of this example has a button switch portion as shown in FIG. 11, and for example, the adapter main body 51 is
For example, when the user's hand is in a position where the user can reach, an operation such as inputting response information for the interactive program can be performed without using the commander 52.

The display element LD is the adapter body 5
1 power on / off, receiving / decoding of DTMF signal required for response, cut-through state of telegon,
This is for displaying the telephone number of the response destination, and the microcomputer 300 controls lighting, turning off, and blinking.

The remote control light receiving section PD receives the infrared remote control signal from the commander 52 and notifies the microcomputer 300 of the remote control signal. The microcomputer 300 has a built-in demodulator to decode this remote control signal.

The commander 52 is the one-chip microcomputer 23.
1, a button group 232 including buttons such as numbers, on-hook buttons, off-hook buttons, and the like, and a transmission section 233 including a light emitting section SD. The microcomputer 231 scans the button group 232 at regular intervals to detect button press. Then, when the microcomputer 231 detects that the button has been pressed, it sends a remote control signal corresponding to the pressed button to the transmitter 233. The transmitting unit 233 transmits the remote control signal from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit PD as infrared rays.

Reference numeral 219 indicates that the response is restricted or the user performs a response operation outside the time limit.
It is an alarm buzzer used for informing that it is an inappropriate response operation, and is controlled by the microcomputer 300.

[Use of the adapter device as a hands-free telephone] When the user uses the adapter device as a hands-free telephone to make a call, the user can use the commander 5
After pressing the off-hook button of No. 2, the number etc. is operated to dial in the destination telephone number. Then, the microcomputer 231 of the commander 52 detects this, for example, lights the LED embedded in the off-hook button to display the off-hook state, and also transmits information on the off-hook button depression via the transmission unit 233 to the adapter main body 51. The microcomputer 300 is notified and then the telephone number information is notified.

The microcomputer 300 displays the telephone number on the display element L.
While displaying it on D, it controls the above-mentioned NCU system and dials the other party. Then, after waiting for the response of the other party, the DC loop is closed and the call is ready. In this call-enabled state, the user sends a voice transmission voice from the microphone MC and listens to a voice reception voice from the other party from the speaker SP.

When the call ends, the on-hook button is pressed. Then, the microcomputer 231 turns off the LED of the off-hook button and turns on the LED embedded in the on-hook button only while the button is being pressed, for example. Then, the commander 52 notifies the microcomputer 300 of the adapter body 51 of the information on the pressing of the on-hook button. Upon receiving this, the microcomputer 300 sets the line open state.

When receiving an incoming call from the other party with the adapter device as a hands-free telephone, the user presses the off-hook button. Adapter body 51
When receiving the remote control signal of the off-hook button from the commander 52, the DC circuit closes the DC loop and enables the call. After that, it is almost the same as when making a call. As described above, the adapter device can be used as a hands-free telephone.

[Reception and response of interactive program related information]
When receiving and extracting the DTMF sound from the sound output from the speaker of the television receiver, the microphone MC of the adapter body 51 is directed toward the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40.

When the on-hook button or the off-hook button is not operated, the switch circuit 216 is switched to the microphone amplifier 214 side.
The receiver 217 extracts the DTMF sound included in the sound output from the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40. The decoded signal of the DTMF signal from the DTMF receiver 217 is supplied to the microcomputer 300.

In the case of this example, the decode signal of the DTMF signal supplied to the microcomputer 300 includes the function signal "AA" which is the information indicating the start of the response and the interactive program related information stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 300. It is designated data to be designated.

Then, the microcomputer 300 reads out the interactive program related information stored in the memory 218 based on the designated data, forms the response information based on the read information, and returns the response information. The transmission time, that is, the delay time interval of the transmission time of the response information is calculated. Then, the response transmission time is set on the basis of the delay interval, the response transmission permission time, and the pseudo random number acquired as in the first embodiment.

Then, the microcomputer 300 uses the timer circuit 2
20 is monitored, and when the current time reaches the set response transmission time, the hook switch circuit 208 is controlled to put the adapter main body 51 in the off-hook state, and the reply destination telephone in the read interactive program-related information is displayed. Control dialer 210 to dial based on the number.

That is, when the connected telephone line is a tone line, the dialer 210 sends a dial to the transmission amplifier 211 by a DTMF signal.

As a result, the transmission amplifier 211 becomes the DTM.
Dial information by the F signal is sent to the telephone line, and a call is made to a reply destination to which response information is sent. Then, when an incoming call is received at the reply destination for this outgoing call, the polarity reversal detection circuit 206 notifies the microcomputer 300 of the incoming call.

The microcomputer 300 which has confirmed the incoming call includes information input by the user by operating the remote control transmitter 23, time information obtained from the timer circuit 220, identification ID stored in the memory 218, and the like. The response information is transmitted to the reply destination via the telephone line by controlling the dialer 210.

Next, as described above, FIG. 15 shows the response process to the interactive program in the response device having the adapter device configuration of this example, which uses the parameter table and the designated table for responding to the interactive program. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

From the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40 receiving and selecting the interactive television program, the DTM
Information "AA" indicating the start of response as the reproduction sound of the F signal
When the designated data is output, the adapter main body 51
This is picked up and decoded. And the adapter body 5
When the microcomputer 300 of No. 1 detects the signal "AA" indicating the start of the response, it resets the area of the timer circuit 220 in which the time advances cumulatively, and the timer circuit 220 advances the relative time from this point. (Step 5)
01).

The processing in step 501 allows the user to perform a response operation. Further, in this example, the response request from the interactive program, for example, the provision of the options for the question of the quiz is performed by the information "A" indicating the start of the response.
A "and designated data are transmitted prior to transmission.

Then, when the microcomputer 300 detects the designated data, the memory 300 stores the designated data based on the designated data.
Via the designated table stored in 18
The corresponding parameter table stored in the OM is read (step 502).

Next, the microcomputer 300 starts monitoring whether there is a response operation by the user (step 50).
3) When there is no response operation, as described above, the relative time provided by the timer circuit 220 at which the step has started is indicated by the response operation permission indicated by the “response time” in the read parameter table. It is determined whether or not the time has passed (step 504).

In the determination processing of step 504, when the relative time provided by the timer circuit 220 exceeds the response operation permission time, the response operation after that is not permitted, for example, the buzzer 219 or the LED.
The LED of the unit LD is turned on to notify the user (step 505), and the response transmission process ends.

In the determination processing of step 504, when the response operation permission time has not yet elapsed, the processing of step 503 is repeated.

In the processing of step 503, when it is detected that the user has performed a response operation, the microcomputer 300 acquires a value serving as a seed of random number generation as in the first embodiment described above (step 506). . In this example as well, the seed value for random number generation is obtained from a so-called software counter that performs counting processing in synchronization with interrupt control by the timer circuit 220.

Next, the microcomputer 300 indicates by the "time information" of the read parameter table,
It is determined whether or not the information on the time when the response operation is performed is necessary as the response information (step 507). If the "time information" is set to "none" here, the process of step 509 is performed. move on.

When the "time information" in the parameter table is "present" in the determination processing of step 507, the relative time stepped as indicated by the timer circuit 220 is acquired (step 508). ).

Then, it is judged whether or not there is information that the user needs to input (hereinafter, simply referred to as input information) such as the "ordering number" and "card ID" in the parameter table (step 509). ), If the input information is not set in the parameter table, the process proceeds to step 513.

When the input information is set in the parameter table, for example, when the interactive program is TV shopping, as described above, the "order number" requesting the input of the order number of the product ordered by the user. Alternatively, when the “card ID”, which is the identification information of the credit card, which is the information about the payment method, is “present”,
The user is prompted to input by turning on a buzzer 219 or a predetermined LED of the LED section LD (step 51).
0).

[0225] Then, the user inputs the input information to the commander 52.
When the input is made by operating, the adapter main body 51 accepts the input information to the microcomputer 300 via the remote control light receiving unit PD and holds it in a memory such as a RAM (step 511).

When the processing of step 511 is completed, the microcomputer 300 confirms the parameters related to the input information in the parameter table and determines whether there is any other information that needs to be input (step 512). Step 5
When it is determined in the determination processing of 12 that there is other information that needs to be input, the processing from step 510 is repeated.

When all the input information is input, or when the input information is unnecessary as described above, the parameter "transmission delay" in the parameter table is used to specify the delay distribution of the response transmission. The presence or absence is judged (step 513).

In step 513, when the "call delay" is "none", the response information transmission process of step 520 is performed, and the response is transmitted and the response information is transmitted immediately after the response operation by the user. .

In the determination processing of step 513, when the "transmission delay" is "present", the subsequent processing waits until the transmission reference timing designated by the "transmission time" of the parameter table (step 51).
4).

In step 514, when the time indicated by the "transmission time" in the parameter table has elapsed, the microcomputer 300 specifies the delay time interval width which is the time width of the distributed transmission time zone indicated by the "delay interval" in the parameter table. It is determined whether there is any (step 515).

In this judgment processing of step 515,
For example, when the “delay interval” is designated as “10 seconds” as shown in FIG. 13 described above, the process proceeds to step 517. If there is no setting information in the "delay interval", the response device itself calculates the delay time interval which is the time width of the distributed transmission time zone (step 516).

As described above, the process of step 516 is a process of setting the delay time interval in consideration of the type of telephone line, the telephone number of the reply destination, the length of the response information data, and the like.

When the delay time interval of the time width of the distributed transmission time zone is set, the microcomputer 300 next calculates the transmission time of the response (step 517). In this step 517, a pseudo random number is generated by calculation based on the value used as the seed of random number generation obtained in step 506 described above, and a response is transmitted in any distributed transmission time zone based on the pseudo random number. Decide what to do.

In the case of this example, as described with reference to FIG. 13, the "delay division" of the parameter table indicates the number of distributed transmission time zones. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the “delay division” is “10 divisions”, the transmission times are set so that the response transmissions are substantially evenly distributed in 10 consecutive distributed transmission time zones. Is set.

Therefore, for example, the "delay division" is "1".
If it is “0 division”, a one-digit pseudo-random number is obtained by the same calculation as in the first embodiment using the value that is the seed for random number acquisition obtained in step 506, and the number of the distributed transmission time. Ask if the calling time is set in the obi.

Then, when the delay time interval obtained in step 516 or the "delay interval" is set from the broadcast side, the value is set to the one-digit pseudo value obtained in step 517 in this example. By multiplying by a random number, the actual time at which the response originated can be obtained.

Then, the microcomputer 300 sends the calling time set in step 517 and the timer circuit 22 described above.
Until the relative time indicated by 0 coincides, control is performed so that the response is not transmitted and the system waits (step 5).
18). Then, when the transmission time and the relative time indicated by the timer circuit 220 match (step 519), the microcomputer 300 forms an off-hook state and automatically dials based on the "return destination telephone number" in the parameter table,
The response information formed based on the designation in the parameter table is transmitted (step 520), all the response information is transmitted, and the response transmission process is ended.

As described above, the transmission of the response is dispersed by the parameters of the parameter table into a plurality of consecutive delay time intervals having a predetermined delay time interval or a delay time interval calculated by the adapter device. By doing so, it is possible to effectively prevent congestion of the transmission of response information.

Also in this example, the random number may be directly obtained by writing a random number generator of hardware or random number data in the memory and reading and using this.

Further, in both the first and second embodiments, when a so-called software counter is used, the seed of random number generation obtained by this software counter may be used as a pseudo random number.

The first and second embodiments are for interactive television programs, and the interactive program related information is D
This is an example in which the main broadcast audio signal is multiplexed and transmitted in the TMF signal format, but the present invention is not limited to this, and similar to the character multiplex broadcasting, it is multiplexed in an empty horizontal section within the vertical blanking period of the television signal. As described above, this may be extracted and decoded.

Also, bidirectional program related information and designated data may be multiplexed on the sub audio channel of the audio multiplex broadcasting.

The interactive program is not limited to the television broadcast, and the present invention can be applied to the interactive program of the radio broadcast if the DTMF signal format is used as the multiplexing system.

In the second embodiment, the interactive program-related information has been described as being stored in advance in the ROM incorporated in the microcomputer 300. However, the interactive program-related information is the interactive program. When broadcasting, for example, DTM
The broadcast side may broadcast as the F signal, and the F signal may be stored in a memory such as a RAM built in the microcomputer 300 before the response request.

In the case of the second embodiment, interactive program-related information may be provided from the broadcast side via the telephone line and stored in the memory of the microcomputer 300. Further, the table data in the memory 218 may be appropriately changed from the broadcasting side via the telephone line.

When the pseudo random number is obtained by software, it is not necessary to provide hardware such as a random number generator, so that the transmission time can be easily distributed.

[0247]

As described above, according to the present invention, in response to a response request provided to an unspecified number of viewers by a broadcast program, such as in TV shopping and interactive broadcasting, an unspecified number of responders are requested. When a viewer sends a response through a telephone line, it is possible to prevent the response from being temporarily concentrated and to distribute the responses. This is because the response transmission is not performed at the same time as the response operation is performed, but the response transmission time from the unspecified number of viewers is dispersed by making the response operation time and the response transmission time different. This reduces the load on the telephone line and prevents the telephone line from becoming a so-called punctured state.

Further, in the present invention, since the transmission of the response is dispersed at the time after the end of the response permission time, the dispersion effect is large.

Also, even if the response is concentrated immediately after the response permission start time, or if the response is concentrated immediately before the response permission end time, the concentration of the transmission can be dispersed. .

Further, since the access side disperses the access, it is not necessary to perform high-speed reception processing at the reply destination, the cost for receiving equipment at the reply destination can be reduced, and the effect of protecting the communication line is great.

Further, by dividing the response transmission permission time into a plurality of time zones and distributing the response transmission within this distributed delay interval, the call distribution processing is efficiently performed.
The load on the exchange is reduced, and congestion in the calling process is less likely to occur.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a response method to an interactive program according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of a response method to an interactive program according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram used to describe the example of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a DTMF signal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a transmission condition of a DTMF signal.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining processing for distributing response transmissions in an embodiment of a response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a process for distributing response transmissions in an embodiment of a response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of response information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining one embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a response device for interactive programs according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart for explaining a process for distributing response transmissions in the response device of the embodiment of FIG. 14;

16 is a diagram showing the remaining part of the flowchart for explaining the processing for distributing the response transmissions in the response device of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the frequency of responses from the viewer side to interactive programs.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another example of the frequency of responses from the viewer side to interactive programs.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of the frequency of responses from the viewer side to interactive programs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 signal system 13 video demodulator 14 audio demodulator 20 control system 21 CPU 23 DRAM 24 SRAM 31 preprocessing circuit 32 DTMF decoder 33 modem 34 remote control transmitter 37 timer circuit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A method of broadcasting an interactive program, which expects a response via a telephone line of a receiver, wherein the transmission of the response from the receiver is after a time when a response operation is performed by the receiver. , In a case where one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones with a predetermined time width as a unit time width is used to delay and disperse the transmission of the response, at least the response device of the receiver A method for broadcasting an interactive program in which information used for determining the length of a distributed transmission time period is multiplexed with a broadcast signal for broadcasting. 2. The method of broadcasting an interactive program according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal includes an audio signal, and the information used for determining the length of the distributed transmission time zone is within the audio signal bandwidth. An interactive program characterized by being multiplexed with an audio signal of the broadcast signal for broadcasting in the form of a multi-frequency signal composed of a combination of a plurality of frequencies selected alternatively from a plurality of frequency groups. Broadcasting method. 3. A random number or a pseudo-random number is acquired when a response operation to the interactive program is performed, and an actual response is transmitted through a telephone line based on the acquired random number or the pseudo-random number. A method for responding to an interactive program, characterized in that it is set and dispersed at an arbitrary time point after the time point of the response operation. 4. A unit time width is a time after a response is sent through a telephone line, which is a time after a response operation time of a receiver, and which corresponds to a telephone line type and a data length of response information. A method of responding to an interactive program, characterized in that the transmission of the response is delayed and dispersed by being performed in one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones. 5. A random number or a pseudo-random number is acquired when a response operation to the interactive program is performed, and one of the distributed transmission time zones is selected based on the acquired random number or the pseudo-random number, The method of responding to an interactive program according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the response is delayed and dispersed. 6. A response operation input means for performing an operation of responding to an interactive program, a random number obtaining means for obtaining a random number or a pseudo-random number when the response operation is performed by the response operation input means, Based on the random number or pseudo-random number acquired by the random number acquisition means, a response transmission time setting means for setting a time delayed from the time when the response operation is performed as a response transmission time, and the set response transmission time is detected. A response device for a two-way program, comprising: a response transmission time detecting means for performing the response transmission time; and a response transmitting means for transmitting the response via a telephone line at the response transmission time detected by the response transmission time detecting means. 7. The random number obtaining means selects one value from a plurality of selectable values and calculates the random number or pseudo random number by using the selected value as a seed of random number or pseudo random number generation. The response device to the interactive program according to claim 6, which is obtained by acquiring. 8. A response time information acquisition means for acquiring time information at the time when a response operation is performed by the response operation input means, and a response time information acquisition means at a time when the response operation obtained by the response time information acquisition means is performed. 7. A response device for a two-way program according to claim 6, further comprising means for including time information in the response information transmitted from the response transmission means. 9. The response transmission time setting means sets one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones having a predetermined time width as a unit time width, which is the time after the operation of the response is performed. 7. The response device to an interactive program according to claim 6, wherein the response transmission time is selected and set based on the random number or the pseudo random number. 10. The interactive program response device according to claim 9, wherein the time width of the plurality of distributed transmission time zones is set to a time when one response transmission is completed according to the type of the telephone line. A response device for an interactive program, characterized by being set as described above. 11. A response is transmitted in one of a plurality of distributed transmission time zones having a predetermined time width as a unit time width, which is a time after a time point when a response operation of a receiver is performed.
A response device for an interactive program that delays and distributes the transmission of the response, and multiplex information extracting means for extracting information multiplexed in a broadcast signal of the interactive program, and an operation for responding to the interactive program The response operation input means for obtaining the information used for determining the time width of the distributed transmission time zone from the multiplex information obtained by the multiplex information extraction means, and the time width of the distributed transmission time zone And the response transmission time calculation means for determining the time for transmitting the response from the plurality of distributed transmission time zones, and the time for transmitting the response determined by the response transmission time calculation means. A response sending time detecting means for detecting and a response sending means for sending the response through the telephone line at the response sending time detected by the response sending time detecting means. Response to counter-program equipment. 12. The response transmission time calculation means obtains information used for determining the number of the distributed transmission time zones from the multiplex information obtained by the multiplex information extraction means, and the distributed transmission time is obtained. The interactive device according to claim 11, wherein the number of bands is determined. 13. The response transmission time calculation means obtains information used to determine a response reception time that enables reception of the response from the multiplex information obtained by the multiplex information extraction means. , A response reception time is acquired, the response reception time is divided into a plurality of times according to the time width of the distributed transmission time zone, and one distributed transmission time zone is determined as the response transmission time. A response device to the interactive program according to claim 11. 14. A storage unit for storing table data of parameters for calculation by the response transmission time calculation means, wherein information multiplexed in a broadcast signal of the interactive program is selected from the table data. The response transmission time calculation means includes designation information for designating a parameter used for calculation, and the response transmission time computation means includes a table of the storage unit based on the designation information obtained by the multiple information extraction means. 12. The interactive program response device according to claim 11, wherein a time for transmitting the response is calculated using a parameter read from the data. 15. A random number acquisition means for acquiring a random number or a pseudo-random number when a response operation is performed by the response operation input means, wherein the response transmission time calculation means sets the time for transmitting a response to the random number. 12. The interactive program response device according to claim 11, wherein the response is calculated based on a pseudo-random number and information obtained from the multiplex information extraction means.