CA2195273C - A network database system and its navigator - Google Patents
A network database system and its navigator Download PDFInfo
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- CA2195273C CA2195273C CA002195273A CA2195273A CA2195273C CA 2195273 C CA2195273 C CA 2195273C CA 002195273 A CA002195273 A CA 002195273A CA 2195273 A CA2195273 A CA 2195273A CA 2195273 C CA2195273 C CA 2195273C
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
- H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
- H04N7/17345—Control of the passage of the selected programme
- H04N7/17354—Control of the passage of the selected programme in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
- Television Systems (AREA)
- Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
In order to provide a network database easy to be accessed by the general public, a network database system of the present invention has a navigation video for guiding a user to access a database center, the navigation video comprising: means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center; means for decoding guidance information for accessing the database, the guidance information multiplexed in the video signal; means for accessing the database by way of the database center, communicating with the database center through a network according to the guidance information, when indicated by the user; means for displaying messages according to the guidance information and information transmitted from the database center; and means for transmitting, to the database center, data input by the user according to the messages.
Description
21qs~3 A NETWORK DATABASE SYSTEM AND
ITS NAVIGATOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation system wherein video 5 display system and network communication system are integrated to be applied for an easy database access.
Until now, the video display system has been developed mainly for recording and representing video pictures, unrelated with the network database system.
On the other hand, the network database system, that is, database service by way of computer networks such as the Internet or a BBS
(Bulletin Board System), has been developed unrelated with the gen-eral public, because of its troublesome operations needed for retrieving ID of a database center, confirming services provided therein and inves-tigating its access root, for instance, resulting in a system inconvenient for the general public even if easy to be accessed by regular customers thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide 20 a network database system and its navigator for enabling easy acc'ess from the general public, improving above problems by integrating the video display system and the network commllnication system.
In order to achieve the object, a network database system of the present invention has a navigation video for guiding a user to access a 25 database center, the navigation video comprising:
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing the database, the guidance information multiplexed in the video signal;
means for accessing the database by way of the database center, 5 communicating with the database center through a network according to the guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to the guidance informa-tion and information transmitted from the database center; and means for transmitting, to the database center, data input by the 0 user according to the messages.
Therefore, even the general public can access easily to a database and obtain desired information which a service provider intends to promote widely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing, further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the follow-ing description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals indicate the same or the corresponding parts, and:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network database system and its navigator of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the navigation video 100 of FIG
l;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navi-25 gation video 100;
FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3;
2l q5273 FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating configuration of another example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating system configuration of the database center 300 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of communication between the nav-igation video 100 and the database center 300;
FIG. 7 illustrates processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 illustrates processes performed in the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 illustrates display examples of messages to be displayed on the display 56 of FIGs. 4A and 4B;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of still an-other embodiment of the video display processor 106;
FIG. 11 is a f~owchart illustrating another example of processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processes performed in the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of still an-other example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3; and ~- 20 FIG. 14 illustrates still another example of the navigation video 100 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described in 25 connection with the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network database system and its navigator of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 2 1 952~3 a service provider prepares a video package 51 m~king use of a video editing system 400 registering service data in a database center 300. In the video package 51, guidance information for accessing to the service data, registered in the database center 300, is multiplexed together with 5 guidance telops for calling customer's attention. A navigation video 100 has a function to decode the guidance information multiplexed in the video signal and a function to comlect and communicate with the database 300 by way of a network 200, according to the guidance information including information for accessing to the service data in 0 the database center 300, such as telephone number or network ID, database server ID, database ID, video tape ID, and so on.
The video package 51 represents articles or services of the service provider briefly and attractively, detailed information thereof prepared in the database 300. When a customer, finding something attractive in the video package 51 represented by the navigation video 100, switches it into a communication mode according to the guidance telops in-serted in the video package 51, it connects and communicates with the database 300 automatically referring to the multiplexed guidance information synchronized with the guidance telops, namely, the infor-!! 20 mation of the telephone number or the network ID of the databasecenter 300, database server ID of the service provider, database ID of the services, the videotape ID of the representation and so on.
Thus, a customer can obtain detailed information of his interested articles or services, which the service provider intends to provide.
As for multiplexing the guidance information, there can be applied an analog multiplexing method m~king use of vertical bl~nking inter-vals of analog video signals or a digital multiplexing method m~king use of a part of bit sequences of digitized video signals.
To be more concrete, for the allalog multiplexing, the guidance in-formation may be multiplexed in place of character data in the method stipulated in the MPT (Ministry of Post and Telecommunication) Or-5 dinance entitled, "The Standard System on TrAn.~mi~sion for CharacterMultiplexed Television Broadcasting (MPT-77)", October 15, 1985.
Or, according to the method called the second generation EDTV
or the EDTV-II, stipulated in the MPT Ordinance entitled, "The Re-vision of the Ordinance for Stipulating the Standard on the Standard 0 Television Broadcasting (MPT-51)", July 7, 1995, the guidance in-formation can be multiplexed m~king use of a part of discrimination signals to be multiplexed on the 22-th and 285-th vertical blArlking scanning lines, as described in NIKKEI ELECTRONICS 1995.6.19 (no.
638) p. 140. By using undefined bits 15 and 16 of the discrimination signals, for example, a data signal of four bits per a frame, that is, 120 bits per second can be multiplexed.
The Vertical Bl~nking Interval (VBI) data trAn.~mi~.~ion system is also applicable for the analog multiplexing of the guidance information.
As for the digital video signals, the guidance information may be 20 multiplexed, for example, m~king use of a part of the fifth to seventh layers of the layered model of digital TV broadcasting, described by Nishizawa in "Fundamental Technologies for Digital Television Broad-casting; (2) Broadcasting Systems", the Jour~al of ITE (the Institute of Television Engineers of Japan), Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 164 to 170 (See 25 Table 1, p. 165). In the layered model, representation of the guidance information of the present invention being defined in the seventh layer of application definition, data of the guidance information are encoded 2 1 952~3 according to the sixth layer of presentation definition, which are multi-plexed in the video data sequences according to the fifth layer of session definition, to be discriminated, distributed and clustered.
The guidance information is multiplexed synchronized with guid-5 ance telops inserted in video pictures. Data of 3 to 6 Mb/s are assignedfor a channel of digital TV broadcasting. So, the guidance information data of 3 to 6 Kb/s can be transmitted when 0.1% of the assigned data can be shared for data tr~n~mi.s.~ion other than the video data.
Therefore, data of 4500 to 9000 bits can be transmitted even in a 0 shortest program of 15 seconds, which are sufficient for the guidance information together with parity data.
A user of the navigation video 100 of the present invention con-trols information to be communicated with the database center 300 through the network 200, in addition to usual video operations. When controlled in the communication mode, the navigation video 100 com-municates with the database center 300, ~1;A~1;ng and logging-in auto-matically.
As for the network 200, there can be applied a LAN (local area network), a public telephone network, an ISDN (Integrated Services ..!~ 20 Digital Network according to the CCITT), a bi-directional cable net-work such as CATV (CAble TeleVision), a wireless network by way of a mobile telephone and so on, with which the user can access a database connected to the LAN or others via a BBS service or the Internet.
An example of the navigation video 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in 25 FIG. 2, wherein corresponding parts with FIG. 1 are indicated by the same numerals and duplicated description is omitted. A window 113 on a video display processor 106, generally closed, opens when the naviga-`~ --7 --tion video 100 is controlled in the communication mode for displayingthe guidance information, user information or logging information be-tween the database center 300. The above communication information may be displayed using the whole screen of the video display processor 5 106, instead of the window 113.
The navigation video 100 is provided with a function for represent-ing video pictures and a function for decoding the guidance information and controlling communication between the database center 300. The function for decoding the guidance information, and displaying it, can 0 be provided with a simple modification of a conventional character multiplex receiver or an EDTV-II receiver, in the analog multiplexing, and in the digital multiplexing, with a simple modification of a conven-tional receiver prepared for the digital television broadcasting or the digital cable/optical fiber television system.
The navigation video 100 of FIG. 2 comprises a video mount 114 wherein a videotape, a videodisk or a CD-ROM is mounted. When video data are delivered through network as in a VOD (Video-On-Demand) system without any video package such as above mentioned, the video mount 114 can be omitted. In the case, as illustrated in ... ................................................................. .
20 FIG. 14, the video data are delivered from a VOD server 301 through the network 200 instead of the video package 51 of FIG. 1 and the navigation video 100 is provided with a decoder for the video data, wherein also a conventional STB (Set Top Box) for the VOD system is available with a simple modification.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navi-gation video 100, wherein are connected to a common bus 110;
a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 for storing a system program ` ` 2195273 and data for performing it such as a font data for converting character codes into character patterns to be displayed, for example, a CPU 101 for controlling the whole system according to the sys-tem program prepared in the ROM 102 by controlling information to 5 be exchanged through the common bus 110, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 for temporally storing in-put data, output data and operational data of the CPU 101, a non-destructive memory 104 for storing the user information, an I/O interface 105 for switching an outer cable between a modem 0 111 and a hand-set 150 and controlling the modem 111, indicated by the CPU 101, the video display processor 106 for displaying video pictures by decoding the video signals, and further, for decoding and displaying the guidance information multiplexed in the video signals and displaying 15 information received from the database center 300 through the network 200, a control panel 107 provided with a power switch, a volume con-trol, ten keys and function keys, which are used for selecting a video program, in case of a random access video display such as a DVD (Dig-20 ital Video Display), in the ordinary mode, and for inputting controlcode or numeral data in the communication mode, as an input device of the embodiment, and a control ~ign~.l receiver 108 for receiving input signals transmitted from a wireless remote controller 109 having simil~r switches and input 25 keys with the control panel 107.
As for the user information to be prepared in the non-destructive memory 104, there are included user's name, address, telephone num-g ber, etc., in addition to the user ID (discrimination code) used for verifying password input by the user and accessing the database center 300. There may be also included user's sex, bath date, nationality, occupation, blood type and so on, optionally.
As for the non-destructive memory 104, there may be applied a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a progr~rnm~ble memory, a flash memory or a ferro-electric memory, an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk and so on, ac-cording to desired usage. Among them, detachable cards, which can 0 be carried apart of the video display processor 106, are convenient for the embodiment, since they are available even for a navigation video 100 situated at other than the user's domicile. Further, when a credit card is applied, more convenience can be introduced there, without any necessity of inputting bank numbers for the account settlement.
The modem 111 of the embodiment is preferably provided with an automatic calling function to the database center 300 according to telephone number indicated from outside, the CPU 101 in the embod-iment.
Now, configuration of the video display processor 106 is described 20 in connection with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each illustrating an example to be applied for the analog system and the digital system, respectively.
In FIGs. 4A and 4B, corresponding parts are indicated with the same numerals, and duplicated description is omitted.
Referring to FIG. 4A, an analog video package 51a is played back 25 by an analog video player 52a for generating video signals, of which video pictures and sounds are demodulated by a demodulator 53a to be displayed and output by a display 56 and a speaker 57. On the 2~ 95273 other hand, the guidance information multiplexed in the video signals is decoded by a decoder 112a and stored in a video memory 54 to be displayed together with the video pictures controlled by a display controller 55.
In a simil~r way, a digital video package 51b of FIG. 4B is played back by a digital video player 52b for generating digital video signals, - of which audio and video signals are decoded by a video decoder 53b and converted into analog signals by a D/A converter 49 to be output and displayed through a display 56 and a speaker 57, together with the 0 guidance information decoded by a decoder 112b and stored in a video memory 54, controlled by a display controller 55, in the same way.
The decoder 112a and the decoder 112b are provided for decod-ing the guidance information multiplexed in the analog video signals and the digital video signals, respectively. In the analog video sig-nals, the guidance information is multiplexed in their vertical bl~nking intervals, and can be decoded in a .simil~r way with a conventional de-coder prepared for decoding the character multiplexed signals or the data multiplexed signals. The guidance information inserted in certain parts in the bit stream of the digital video signals can be decoded in a 20 simil~r way with a conventional decoder of the digital TV signals.
The CPU 101 of FIG. 3 controls the video memory 54 through the common bus 110. The guidance information decoded by the decoder 112a/112b is once stored in the RAM 103 and then written in the video memory 54 by the CPU 101 after converted into character patterns 25 together with information received from the database center 300, to be displayed in a window of the display 56 as character messages.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of the video 2t 95273 display processor 106 of the embodiment, such as a modification of a conventional STB, to be applied in a VOD system.
Referring to FIG. 13, wherein corresponding parts with FIGs. 4A
and 4B are indicated by the same numerals, a digital bit stream deliv-5 ered through the network 200 is reformed by a network interface 52cand decoded by a video decoder 53c into video signals while the guid-ance information multiplexed in the bit stream is decoded by a decoder 112c to be processed in the same way with the video display processors of FIGs. 4A and 4B. Principal performances of the video decoder 53c 0 and the decoder 112c may be the same with the video decoder 53b and the decoder 112b of FIG. 4B.
Now, returning to FIG. 2, when the ordinary mode is indicated through the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, the CPU 101 controls the video display processor 106 in the ordinary mode and transfers thereto operational instructions input from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109. When the communication mode is designated, the CPU 101 controls the video display processor 106 in the communication mode for the navigation video 100 communicating with the database center 300 according to a 20 protocol as illustrated in FIG. 6.
That is, first, a bi-directional communication program is activated in the navigation video 100 to call the database center 300, which re-turns a communication permission/rejection verifying the user ID and the password transmitted. When the commllnication is permissible, 25 information is exchanged and then, the database center 300 sends a terminate signal for disconnecting the telephone communication.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating system configuration of the database center 300, wherein comprised a sub-computer 304 for me-diating between the network 200 and a host computer 303 having a keyboard 301 and a display 302. Connected with the navigation video 100, the sub-computer 304 performs demanded information processing 5 together with the host computer 303 for returning response information to the navigation video 100, as follows.
In the host computer 303, there is prepared database information, such as the database server ID, the database ID or the video ID, corre-sponding to the guidance information transmitted multiplexed in the 0 video signals. When the host computer receives the guidance informa-tion from a user through the sub-computer 304 by way of a data path 305, the host computer 303 verifies it and extracts necessary ID infor-mation therefrom. Operator of the host computer 303 inputs necessary informatio~ from the keyboard 301 monitoring the host computer 303 5 by the display 302.
The database center 300 may be constituted with a database server connected to a BBS, the Internet or a domestic LAN. The database server may be connected to the database center 300 through an ISDN
cable or a CATV cable, or further it may be replaced with a database 20 service prepared by a public telephone company.
Now, information processings performed in the embodiments hereto-- fore described will be explained referring to flowcharts of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
FIG. 7 illustrates processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3 25 according to the system program, which is described with a program language executable by the CPU 101 and stored in the ROM 102, while the flowchart of FIG. 8 illustrating processes in the sub-computer 304 ~_ --13--of the database center 300 of FIG. 5 performed according to another system program prepared therein.
Suppose a case where a user, interested by a catalog video package, demands a shopping to the database center 300 of a provider.
When the user throws in a power, the navigation video 100 rises up in the ordinary mode. Selected by the user from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, a video program is displayed on the display 56.
In the video program, there are prepared telops inserted for tempt-0 ing the user to start the communication mode, together with the guid-ance information including telephone number or network ID of con-cerning database center, database server ID of the service provider, database ID of the services, the videotape ID etc., multiplexed in the video signals synchronized with the telops.
Tempted with a telop, the user indicates the communication mode by the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, which is detected by the CPU 101 at step S10 of FIG. 7. Thus, a bi-directional commllnication program is started, steps S20 to S100 following the step S10.
At step 20, the CPU 101 converts the guidance information de-coded by the decoder 112 (112a, 112b or 112c) and temporally stored in the RAM 103 into character patterns and writes them in the video - memory 54, controlling the display controller 55 to open a window(such as the window 113 of FIG. 2) in the display 56 and display the 25 guidance information there as a message to the user. All or a part of the message may be displayed superimposed directly on the video pictures. A display example D10 of the guidance information is illus-2t 95273 trated in FIG. 9, wherein presented a video ID of the video program, telephone number of an access point and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator used in the Internet) representing the database server ID and the database ID.
Then, at step 30, the CPU 101 presents another message on the display 56 for demanding input of the user information, by reading out and converting a character code sequence prepared in the ROM 102 for the message. Reading the message, the user inputs his password, for example, at step 40 from the control panel ~07 or the wireless remote 0 controller 109. Another display example D20 of FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the message for inputting the user information, wherein a rectangular frame indicates user's input and the password is ciphered.
Confirming the displayed messages, the user pushes an execution key for starting the communication, and the CPU 101 sends a com-mand to the modem 111 through the I/O interface 105 for calling up the database center 300. So, connecting to the network 200 by auto-dialing, the modem 111 calls up the sub-computer 304 of the database center 300 and sends the user information and the guidance informa-tion, logging in automatically at step S50. Then, the CPU 101 waits response from the sub-computer 304, looping at step S60.
On the other hand, receiving the user ID and the password in the calling from the navigation video 100, the sub-computer 304 of the database center 300 verifies them with registered data. When the user ID is not registered or inconsistent with the password, sends a rejection signal in reply to the navigation video 100 at steps S200 to S225 of FIG. 8.
When the user information shows permissible, the sub-computer -21 ~5273 304 transfers the database ID and the video ID to be verified whether they are consistent with those prepared by the service provider. When inconsistency is found, the rejection signal is sent too to the navigation video 100, at steps S210 to S225. When they are confirmed to be 5 correct, the sub-computer mediates communication between the host computer 303 and the navigation video 100, at steps S220 to S240, and the processings in FIG. 8 are terminated after sending a terminAtion signal at step S250.
Returning to FIG. 7, the CPU 101 of the navigation video 100 0 forwards its control step from step S60 to step S100 when the rejection signal is received from the sub-computer 304 through the modem 111, comm~nding the modem 111 to cut the connection with the network 200. When the response signal shows permission, the CPU 101 commu-nicates with the sub-computer 304 and presents received information on the display 56 by writing it in the video-memory 54.
Numeral information input by the user from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109 concerning category number and color number of the selected articles, and payment number or credit number of the user, for example, is transmitted to the sub-computer 20 304 through the modem 111, and at the same time displayed on the display 56 of the video display processor 106 to be confirmed and cor-rected by the user, controlled by the CPU 101. Still another display example D30 illustrates an example of a communication message pre-senting the communicated information and the user's input indicated 25 in rectangular frames. The credit number may be ciphered such as the password in the display ex~rnple D20 for a confidence.
Thus, until the termination signal is received from the sub-computer 304, the CPU 101 controls communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300, presenting the received infor-mation to the user, looping at steps S80 and S90 of FIG. 7. With the termination signal, these communication processes are terminated, the 5 public cable disconnected controlled by the CPU 101 at step S100. Al-though there is no description in FIGs. 7 and 8, the user can terminate the communication at any time by pushing a termination key provided in both of the control panel 107 and the wireless remote controller 109.
Heretofore, the embodiment is described as if the sub-computer 0 304 of the database center 100 is accessed directly from a public cable.
However, it is more general that the database center 300 is accessed by way of the Internet or a BBS service. In these cases, a gateway proces-sor of the Internet or the BBS can be considered to perform function of the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5, their networks and database servers 15 performing roles of the data path 305 and the host computer 303, re-spectively.
In FIGs. 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 13, examples of the navigation video 100 prepared exclusively for the purpose are illustrated. However, by preparing an appropriate application software, the navigation video 20 can be realized with a personal computer together with a modem and a controllable video player.
For example, the CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the non-destructive memory 104, the I/O interface 105, the modem 111 and the control panel 107 can be replaced with a personal computer having an - 25 inner modem and an application program. Some gaming apparatuses having inner modems also can replace them. Further, some personal computers or g~ming apparatuses provided with video representation function can replace also the video player 52a, the video demodulator 53a, the speaker 57, the video memory 54, the display controller 55 and the display 56 of FIG. 4A. It is the same thing with the digital video display processor of FIG. 4B. Only the decoder 112a/112b/112c 5 controllable by the CPU 101 is needed in addition.
On the contrary, the embodiment can be also realized with a con-ventional video player provided with adapter means comprising a de-coder for decoding the guidance information, an input device, a mo-dem, and a communication controller.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating still another embodiment of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3, wherein provided, further to the embodiment of FIG. 4B for example, a speech synthesizer 58 and a sound controller 59.
The display examples D10 to D30 illustrate examples of the bi-directional communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300, which is performed exclusively with character data. However, for attracting more customers, for example, more del-icate information services are desired. For the purpose, received in-formation from the database center 300 is also delivered to the speech 20 synthesizer 58 through the common bus 110, in the embodiment, to be converted into speech signals, which are mixed with audio signals from the D/A converter 49 by the sound controller 59 and output from the speaker 57. The sound controller 59 may changeover the two signals.
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating another example 25 Of the control sequence for controlling the communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300. In the control se-quences of FIGs. 7 and 8, accesses from users having no registered user ID are rejected a priori. However, there are database services such as those applied in TV broadcasting where newcomer users are preferably registered with a simple procedure. In the control sequences of FIGs.
11 and 12, processes for registering user ID for a newcomer user are 5 provided.
FIG.ll and FIG. 12 corresponding to FIG.7 and FIG.8, respec-tively, the same or corresponding processes are indicated by the same step numbers.
In processes of FIG.ll in the navigation video 100, when it is 0 controlled in the communication mode and the guidance information is displayed at the step S20, it is checked whether an initial registration for the database 300 of the user is needed or not at step S21 of FIG.
11, which may be performed either by the user himself or by the CPU
101. When the registration is not necessary, processes flow in the same way with FIG. 7 to the steps S30 to S100. When the registration is indicated, the navigation video 100 calls the database center 300 at step S51 and the registration processes are performed according to information transmitted from the database center 300 at steps S61 and S21. Then, the control follows ordinary sequences of the steps S70 to 20 Sloo.
In the database center 300, steps S201 to S203 for the registra-tion are provided in addition to the steps of FIG.8 as illustrated in FIG. 12. When a registration is required from a user, a registration program is activated at step S202 for guiding the user's registration.
25 When necessary information is obtained from the user, confidence of the information such as the credit number is verified by an ID/password confirmation program at step S203 and demands the user to confirm the registered user ID and its password, in a fiimil~r way with an on-line registration in a BBS. After the confirmation, the control sequences return to the ordinary processes of the steps S200 to S250.
Thus, a newcomer user can be registered with a simple procedure 5 n the embodiment.
Heretofore, the present invention is described in connection with embodiments applied for a database center for show;ng articles of a provider, but it is easily understood that a various application can be considered in the scope of the invention. For example, it can be 0 effectively applied for databases of training instruction data, teaching materials, education guidance information or electronic magazines.
ITS NAVIGATOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation system wherein video 5 display system and network communication system are integrated to be applied for an easy database access.
Until now, the video display system has been developed mainly for recording and representing video pictures, unrelated with the network database system.
On the other hand, the network database system, that is, database service by way of computer networks such as the Internet or a BBS
(Bulletin Board System), has been developed unrelated with the gen-eral public, because of its troublesome operations needed for retrieving ID of a database center, confirming services provided therein and inves-tigating its access root, for instance, resulting in a system inconvenient for the general public even if easy to be accessed by regular customers thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide 20 a network database system and its navigator for enabling easy acc'ess from the general public, improving above problems by integrating the video display system and the network commllnication system.
In order to achieve the object, a network database system of the present invention has a navigation video for guiding a user to access a 25 database center, the navigation video comprising:
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing the database, the guidance information multiplexed in the video signal;
means for accessing the database by way of the database center, 5 communicating with the database center through a network according to the guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to the guidance informa-tion and information transmitted from the database center; and means for transmitting, to the database center, data input by the 0 user according to the messages.
Therefore, even the general public can access easily to a database and obtain desired information which a service provider intends to promote widely.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing, further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the follow-ing description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals indicate the same or the corresponding parts, and:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network database system and its navigator of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the navigation video 100 of FIG
l;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navi-25 gation video 100;
FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3;
2l q5273 FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating configuration of another example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating system configuration of the database center 300 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of communication between the nav-igation video 100 and the database center 300;
FIG. 7 illustrates processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 illustrates processes performed in the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 illustrates display examples of messages to be displayed on the display 56 of FIGs. 4A and 4B;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of still an-other embodiment of the video display processor 106;
FIG. 11 is a f~owchart illustrating another example of processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processes performed in the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of still an-other example of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3; and ~- 20 FIG. 14 illustrates still another example of the navigation video 100 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described in 25 connection with the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network database system and its navigator of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 2 1 952~3 a service provider prepares a video package 51 m~king use of a video editing system 400 registering service data in a database center 300. In the video package 51, guidance information for accessing to the service data, registered in the database center 300, is multiplexed together with 5 guidance telops for calling customer's attention. A navigation video 100 has a function to decode the guidance information multiplexed in the video signal and a function to comlect and communicate with the database 300 by way of a network 200, according to the guidance information including information for accessing to the service data in 0 the database center 300, such as telephone number or network ID, database server ID, database ID, video tape ID, and so on.
The video package 51 represents articles or services of the service provider briefly and attractively, detailed information thereof prepared in the database 300. When a customer, finding something attractive in the video package 51 represented by the navigation video 100, switches it into a communication mode according to the guidance telops in-serted in the video package 51, it connects and communicates with the database 300 automatically referring to the multiplexed guidance information synchronized with the guidance telops, namely, the infor-!! 20 mation of the telephone number or the network ID of the databasecenter 300, database server ID of the service provider, database ID of the services, the videotape ID of the representation and so on.
Thus, a customer can obtain detailed information of his interested articles or services, which the service provider intends to provide.
As for multiplexing the guidance information, there can be applied an analog multiplexing method m~king use of vertical bl~nking inter-vals of analog video signals or a digital multiplexing method m~king use of a part of bit sequences of digitized video signals.
To be more concrete, for the allalog multiplexing, the guidance in-formation may be multiplexed in place of character data in the method stipulated in the MPT (Ministry of Post and Telecommunication) Or-5 dinance entitled, "The Standard System on TrAn.~mi~sion for CharacterMultiplexed Television Broadcasting (MPT-77)", October 15, 1985.
Or, according to the method called the second generation EDTV
or the EDTV-II, stipulated in the MPT Ordinance entitled, "The Re-vision of the Ordinance for Stipulating the Standard on the Standard 0 Television Broadcasting (MPT-51)", July 7, 1995, the guidance in-formation can be multiplexed m~king use of a part of discrimination signals to be multiplexed on the 22-th and 285-th vertical blArlking scanning lines, as described in NIKKEI ELECTRONICS 1995.6.19 (no.
638) p. 140. By using undefined bits 15 and 16 of the discrimination signals, for example, a data signal of four bits per a frame, that is, 120 bits per second can be multiplexed.
The Vertical Bl~nking Interval (VBI) data trAn.~mi~.~ion system is also applicable for the analog multiplexing of the guidance information.
As for the digital video signals, the guidance information may be 20 multiplexed, for example, m~king use of a part of the fifth to seventh layers of the layered model of digital TV broadcasting, described by Nishizawa in "Fundamental Technologies for Digital Television Broad-casting; (2) Broadcasting Systems", the Jour~al of ITE (the Institute of Television Engineers of Japan), Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 164 to 170 (See 25 Table 1, p. 165). In the layered model, representation of the guidance information of the present invention being defined in the seventh layer of application definition, data of the guidance information are encoded 2 1 952~3 according to the sixth layer of presentation definition, which are multi-plexed in the video data sequences according to the fifth layer of session definition, to be discriminated, distributed and clustered.
The guidance information is multiplexed synchronized with guid-5 ance telops inserted in video pictures. Data of 3 to 6 Mb/s are assignedfor a channel of digital TV broadcasting. So, the guidance information data of 3 to 6 Kb/s can be transmitted when 0.1% of the assigned data can be shared for data tr~n~mi.s.~ion other than the video data.
Therefore, data of 4500 to 9000 bits can be transmitted even in a 0 shortest program of 15 seconds, which are sufficient for the guidance information together with parity data.
A user of the navigation video 100 of the present invention con-trols information to be communicated with the database center 300 through the network 200, in addition to usual video operations. When controlled in the communication mode, the navigation video 100 com-municates with the database center 300, ~1;A~1;ng and logging-in auto-matically.
As for the network 200, there can be applied a LAN (local area network), a public telephone network, an ISDN (Integrated Services ..!~ 20 Digital Network according to the CCITT), a bi-directional cable net-work such as CATV (CAble TeleVision), a wireless network by way of a mobile telephone and so on, with which the user can access a database connected to the LAN or others via a BBS service or the Internet.
An example of the navigation video 100 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in 25 FIG. 2, wherein corresponding parts with FIG. 1 are indicated by the same numerals and duplicated description is omitted. A window 113 on a video display processor 106, generally closed, opens when the naviga-`~ --7 --tion video 100 is controlled in the communication mode for displayingthe guidance information, user information or logging information be-tween the database center 300. The above communication information may be displayed using the whole screen of the video display processor 5 106, instead of the window 113.
The navigation video 100 is provided with a function for represent-ing video pictures and a function for decoding the guidance information and controlling communication between the database center 300. The function for decoding the guidance information, and displaying it, can 0 be provided with a simple modification of a conventional character multiplex receiver or an EDTV-II receiver, in the analog multiplexing, and in the digital multiplexing, with a simple modification of a conven-tional receiver prepared for the digital television broadcasting or the digital cable/optical fiber television system.
The navigation video 100 of FIG. 2 comprises a video mount 114 wherein a videotape, a videodisk or a CD-ROM is mounted. When video data are delivered through network as in a VOD (Video-On-Demand) system without any video package such as above mentioned, the video mount 114 can be omitted. In the case, as illustrated in ... ................................................................. .
20 FIG. 14, the video data are delivered from a VOD server 301 through the network 200 instead of the video package 51 of FIG. 1 and the navigation video 100 is provided with a decoder for the video data, wherein also a conventional STB (Set Top Box) for the VOD system is available with a simple modification.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navi-gation video 100, wherein are connected to a common bus 110;
a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 for storing a system program ` ` 2195273 and data for performing it such as a font data for converting character codes into character patterns to be displayed, for example, a CPU 101 for controlling the whole system according to the sys-tem program prepared in the ROM 102 by controlling information to 5 be exchanged through the common bus 110, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 for temporally storing in-put data, output data and operational data of the CPU 101, a non-destructive memory 104 for storing the user information, an I/O interface 105 for switching an outer cable between a modem 0 111 and a hand-set 150 and controlling the modem 111, indicated by the CPU 101, the video display processor 106 for displaying video pictures by decoding the video signals, and further, for decoding and displaying the guidance information multiplexed in the video signals and displaying 15 information received from the database center 300 through the network 200, a control panel 107 provided with a power switch, a volume con-trol, ten keys and function keys, which are used for selecting a video program, in case of a random access video display such as a DVD (Dig-20 ital Video Display), in the ordinary mode, and for inputting controlcode or numeral data in the communication mode, as an input device of the embodiment, and a control ~ign~.l receiver 108 for receiving input signals transmitted from a wireless remote controller 109 having simil~r switches and input 25 keys with the control panel 107.
As for the user information to be prepared in the non-destructive memory 104, there are included user's name, address, telephone num-g ber, etc., in addition to the user ID (discrimination code) used for verifying password input by the user and accessing the database center 300. There may be also included user's sex, bath date, nationality, occupation, blood type and so on, optionally.
As for the non-destructive memory 104, there may be applied a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a progr~rnm~ble memory, a flash memory or a ferro-electric memory, an IC card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk and so on, ac-cording to desired usage. Among them, detachable cards, which can 0 be carried apart of the video display processor 106, are convenient for the embodiment, since they are available even for a navigation video 100 situated at other than the user's domicile. Further, when a credit card is applied, more convenience can be introduced there, without any necessity of inputting bank numbers for the account settlement.
The modem 111 of the embodiment is preferably provided with an automatic calling function to the database center 300 according to telephone number indicated from outside, the CPU 101 in the embod-iment.
Now, configuration of the video display processor 106 is described 20 in connection with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B each illustrating an example to be applied for the analog system and the digital system, respectively.
In FIGs. 4A and 4B, corresponding parts are indicated with the same numerals, and duplicated description is omitted.
Referring to FIG. 4A, an analog video package 51a is played back 25 by an analog video player 52a for generating video signals, of which video pictures and sounds are demodulated by a demodulator 53a to be displayed and output by a display 56 and a speaker 57. On the 2~ 95273 other hand, the guidance information multiplexed in the video signals is decoded by a decoder 112a and stored in a video memory 54 to be displayed together with the video pictures controlled by a display controller 55.
In a simil~r way, a digital video package 51b of FIG. 4B is played back by a digital video player 52b for generating digital video signals, - of which audio and video signals are decoded by a video decoder 53b and converted into analog signals by a D/A converter 49 to be output and displayed through a display 56 and a speaker 57, together with the 0 guidance information decoded by a decoder 112b and stored in a video memory 54, controlled by a display controller 55, in the same way.
The decoder 112a and the decoder 112b are provided for decod-ing the guidance information multiplexed in the analog video signals and the digital video signals, respectively. In the analog video sig-nals, the guidance information is multiplexed in their vertical bl~nking intervals, and can be decoded in a .simil~r way with a conventional de-coder prepared for decoding the character multiplexed signals or the data multiplexed signals. The guidance information inserted in certain parts in the bit stream of the digital video signals can be decoded in a 20 simil~r way with a conventional decoder of the digital TV signals.
The CPU 101 of FIG. 3 controls the video memory 54 through the common bus 110. The guidance information decoded by the decoder 112a/112b is once stored in the RAM 103 and then written in the video memory 54 by the CPU 101 after converted into character patterns 25 together with information received from the database center 300, to be displayed in a window of the display 56 as character messages.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating configuration of the video 2t 95273 display processor 106 of the embodiment, such as a modification of a conventional STB, to be applied in a VOD system.
Referring to FIG. 13, wherein corresponding parts with FIGs. 4A
and 4B are indicated by the same numerals, a digital bit stream deliv-5 ered through the network 200 is reformed by a network interface 52cand decoded by a video decoder 53c into video signals while the guid-ance information multiplexed in the bit stream is decoded by a decoder 112c to be processed in the same way with the video display processors of FIGs. 4A and 4B. Principal performances of the video decoder 53c 0 and the decoder 112c may be the same with the video decoder 53b and the decoder 112b of FIG. 4B.
Now, returning to FIG. 2, when the ordinary mode is indicated through the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, the CPU 101 controls the video display processor 106 in the ordinary mode and transfers thereto operational instructions input from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109. When the communication mode is designated, the CPU 101 controls the video display processor 106 in the communication mode for the navigation video 100 communicating with the database center 300 according to a 20 protocol as illustrated in FIG. 6.
That is, first, a bi-directional communication program is activated in the navigation video 100 to call the database center 300, which re-turns a communication permission/rejection verifying the user ID and the password transmitted. When the commllnication is permissible, 25 information is exchanged and then, the database center 300 sends a terminate signal for disconnecting the telephone communication.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating system configuration of the database center 300, wherein comprised a sub-computer 304 for me-diating between the network 200 and a host computer 303 having a keyboard 301 and a display 302. Connected with the navigation video 100, the sub-computer 304 performs demanded information processing 5 together with the host computer 303 for returning response information to the navigation video 100, as follows.
In the host computer 303, there is prepared database information, such as the database server ID, the database ID or the video ID, corre-sponding to the guidance information transmitted multiplexed in the 0 video signals. When the host computer receives the guidance informa-tion from a user through the sub-computer 304 by way of a data path 305, the host computer 303 verifies it and extracts necessary ID infor-mation therefrom. Operator of the host computer 303 inputs necessary informatio~ from the keyboard 301 monitoring the host computer 303 5 by the display 302.
The database center 300 may be constituted with a database server connected to a BBS, the Internet or a domestic LAN. The database server may be connected to the database center 300 through an ISDN
cable or a CATV cable, or further it may be replaced with a database 20 service prepared by a public telephone company.
Now, information processings performed in the embodiments hereto-- fore described will be explained referring to flowcharts of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
FIG. 7 illustrates processes performed in the CPU 101 of FIG. 3 25 according to the system program, which is described with a program language executable by the CPU 101 and stored in the ROM 102, while the flowchart of FIG. 8 illustrating processes in the sub-computer 304 ~_ --13--of the database center 300 of FIG. 5 performed according to another system program prepared therein.
Suppose a case where a user, interested by a catalog video package, demands a shopping to the database center 300 of a provider.
When the user throws in a power, the navigation video 100 rises up in the ordinary mode. Selected by the user from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, a video program is displayed on the display 56.
In the video program, there are prepared telops inserted for tempt-0 ing the user to start the communication mode, together with the guid-ance information including telephone number or network ID of con-cerning database center, database server ID of the service provider, database ID of the services, the videotape ID etc., multiplexed in the video signals synchronized with the telops.
Tempted with a telop, the user indicates the communication mode by the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109, which is detected by the CPU 101 at step S10 of FIG. 7. Thus, a bi-directional commllnication program is started, steps S20 to S100 following the step S10.
At step 20, the CPU 101 converts the guidance information de-coded by the decoder 112 (112a, 112b or 112c) and temporally stored in the RAM 103 into character patterns and writes them in the video - memory 54, controlling the display controller 55 to open a window(such as the window 113 of FIG. 2) in the display 56 and display the 25 guidance information there as a message to the user. All or a part of the message may be displayed superimposed directly on the video pictures. A display example D10 of the guidance information is illus-2t 95273 trated in FIG. 9, wherein presented a video ID of the video program, telephone number of an access point and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator used in the Internet) representing the database server ID and the database ID.
Then, at step 30, the CPU 101 presents another message on the display 56 for demanding input of the user information, by reading out and converting a character code sequence prepared in the ROM 102 for the message. Reading the message, the user inputs his password, for example, at step 40 from the control panel ~07 or the wireless remote 0 controller 109. Another display example D20 of FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the message for inputting the user information, wherein a rectangular frame indicates user's input and the password is ciphered.
Confirming the displayed messages, the user pushes an execution key for starting the communication, and the CPU 101 sends a com-mand to the modem 111 through the I/O interface 105 for calling up the database center 300. So, connecting to the network 200 by auto-dialing, the modem 111 calls up the sub-computer 304 of the database center 300 and sends the user information and the guidance informa-tion, logging in automatically at step S50. Then, the CPU 101 waits response from the sub-computer 304, looping at step S60.
On the other hand, receiving the user ID and the password in the calling from the navigation video 100, the sub-computer 304 of the database center 300 verifies them with registered data. When the user ID is not registered or inconsistent with the password, sends a rejection signal in reply to the navigation video 100 at steps S200 to S225 of FIG. 8.
When the user information shows permissible, the sub-computer -21 ~5273 304 transfers the database ID and the video ID to be verified whether they are consistent with those prepared by the service provider. When inconsistency is found, the rejection signal is sent too to the navigation video 100, at steps S210 to S225. When they are confirmed to be 5 correct, the sub-computer mediates communication between the host computer 303 and the navigation video 100, at steps S220 to S240, and the processings in FIG. 8 are terminated after sending a terminAtion signal at step S250.
Returning to FIG. 7, the CPU 101 of the navigation video 100 0 forwards its control step from step S60 to step S100 when the rejection signal is received from the sub-computer 304 through the modem 111, comm~nding the modem 111 to cut the connection with the network 200. When the response signal shows permission, the CPU 101 commu-nicates with the sub-computer 304 and presents received information on the display 56 by writing it in the video-memory 54.
Numeral information input by the user from the control panel 107 or the wireless remote controller 109 concerning category number and color number of the selected articles, and payment number or credit number of the user, for example, is transmitted to the sub-computer 20 304 through the modem 111, and at the same time displayed on the display 56 of the video display processor 106 to be confirmed and cor-rected by the user, controlled by the CPU 101. Still another display example D30 illustrates an example of a communication message pre-senting the communicated information and the user's input indicated 25 in rectangular frames. The credit number may be ciphered such as the password in the display ex~rnple D20 for a confidence.
Thus, until the termination signal is received from the sub-computer 304, the CPU 101 controls communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300, presenting the received infor-mation to the user, looping at steps S80 and S90 of FIG. 7. With the termination signal, these communication processes are terminated, the 5 public cable disconnected controlled by the CPU 101 at step S100. Al-though there is no description in FIGs. 7 and 8, the user can terminate the communication at any time by pushing a termination key provided in both of the control panel 107 and the wireless remote controller 109.
Heretofore, the embodiment is described as if the sub-computer 0 304 of the database center 100 is accessed directly from a public cable.
However, it is more general that the database center 300 is accessed by way of the Internet or a BBS service. In these cases, a gateway proces-sor of the Internet or the BBS can be considered to perform function of the sub-computer 304 of FIG. 5, their networks and database servers 15 performing roles of the data path 305 and the host computer 303, re-spectively.
In FIGs. 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 13, examples of the navigation video 100 prepared exclusively for the purpose are illustrated. However, by preparing an appropriate application software, the navigation video 20 can be realized with a personal computer together with a modem and a controllable video player.
For example, the CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the non-destructive memory 104, the I/O interface 105, the modem 111 and the control panel 107 can be replaced with a personal computer having an - 25 inner modem and an application program. Some gaming apparatuses having inner modems also can replace them. Further, some personal computers or g~ming apparatuses provided with video representation function can replace also the video player 52a, the video demodulator 53a, the speaker 57, the video memory 54, the display controller 55 and the display 56 of FIG. 4A. It is the same thing with the digital video display processor of FIG. 4B. Only the decoder 112a/112b/112c 5 controllable by the CPU 101 is needed in addition.
On the contrary, the embodiment can be also realized with a con-ventional video player provided with adapter means comprising a de-coder for decoding the guidance information, an input device, a mo-dem, and a communication controller.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating still another embodiment of the video display processor 106 of FIG. 3, wherein provided, further to the embodiment of FIG. 4B for example, a speech synthesizer 58 and a sound controller 59.
The display examples D10 to D30 illustrate examples of the bi-directional communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300, which is performed exclusively with character data. However, for attracting more customers, for example, more del-icate information services are desired. For the purpose, received in-formation from the database center 300 is also delivered to the speech 20 synthesizer 58 through the common bus 110, in the embodiment, to be converted into speech signals, which are mixed with audio signals from the D/A converter 49 by the sound controller 59 and output from the speaker 57. The sound controller 59 may changeover the two signals.
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating another example 25 Of the control sequence for controlling the communication between the navigation video 100 and the database center 300. In the control se-quences of FIGs. 7 and 8, accesses from users having no registered user ID are rejected a priori. However, there are database services such as those applied in TV broadcasting where newcomer users are preferably registered with a simple procedure. In the control sequences of FIGs.
11 and 12, processes for registering user ID for a newcomer user are 5 provided.
FIG.ll and FIG. 12 corresponding to FIG.7 and FIG.8, respec-tively, the same or corresponding processes are indicated by the same step numbers.
In processes of FIG.ll in the navigation video 100, when it is 0 controlled in the communication mode and the guidance information is displayed at the step S20, it is checked whether an initial registration for the database 300 of the user is needed or not at step S21 of FIG.
11, which may be performed either by the user himself or by the CPU
101. When the registration is not necessary, processes flow in the same way with FIG. 7 to the steps S30 to S100. When the registration is indicated, the navigation video 100 calls the database center 300 at step S51 and the registration processes are performed according to information transmitted from the database center 300 at steps S61 and S21. Then, the control follows ordinary sequences of the steps S70 to 20 Sloo.
In the database center 300, steps S201 to S203 for the registra-tion are provided in addition to the steps of FIG.8 as illustrated in FIG. 12. When a registration is required from a user, a registration program is activated at step S202 for guiding the user's registration.
25 When necessary information is obtained from the user, confidence of the information such as the credit number is verified by an ID/password confirmation program at step S203 and demands the user to confirm the registered user ID and its password, in a fiimil~r way with an on-line registration in a BBS. After the confirmation, the control sequences return to the ordinary processes of the steps S200 to S250.
Thus, a newcomer user can be registered with a simple procedure 5 n the embodiment.
Heretofore, the present invention is described in connection with embodiments applied for a database center for show;ng articles of a provider, but it is easily understood that a various application can be considered in the scope of the invention. For example, it can be 0 effectively applied for databases of training instruction data, teaching materials, education guidance information or electronic magazines.
Claims (25)
1. A network database system having a navigation video for guid-ing a user to access a database center, said navigation video compris-ing:
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing said database, said guidance information multiplexed in said video signal;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to said guidance infor-mation and information transmitted from the database center;
and means for transmitting, to the database center, data input by the user according to said messages.
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing said database, said guidance information multiplexed in said video signal;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to said guidance infor-mation and information transmitted from the database center;
and means for transmitting, to the database center, data input by the user according to said messages.
2. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said guidance information is multiplexed in said video signal making use of vertical blanking intervals of said video signal according to a character multiplex broadcasting standard.
3. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said guidance information is multiplexed in said video signal making use of vertical blanking intervals of said video signal according to a data multiplex broadcasting standard.
4. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said guidance information is multiplexed in said video signal making use of a part of a discrimination signal multiplexed in said video signal according to an EDTV-II standard.
5. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said guidance information is multiplexed in said video signal making use of a part of bit sequences of said video signal digitized.
6. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said guidance information is multiplexed in said video signal synchronized with telops inserted in said video picture.
7. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said video signal is recorded in one of a magnetic tape, an optical disk and a magnetic disk.
8. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said video signal is stored in a VOD server and delivered to the navigation video through a network.
9. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said network is a network prepared for a BBS.
10. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said network is a network called the Internet.
11. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said network is one of a public telephone network, a mobile telephone net-work, an ISDN and a LAN.
12. A network database system recited in claim 1, wherein said navigation video further comprises means for on-line-registering neces-sary information of a user for accessing said database into the database center.
13. A controller of a navigation video for guiding a user to access a database center, comprising:
means for decoding guidance information for accessing a database in the database center, said guidance information multiplexed in a video signal;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for controlling display of messages according to said guid-ance information and information transmitted from the database center; and means for controlling transmission of data input by the user ac-cording to said messages to the database center.
means for decoding guidance information for accessing a database in the database center, said guidance information multiplexed in a video signal;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance information, when indicated by the user;
means for controlling display of messages according to said guid-ance information and information transmitted from the database center; and means for controlling transmission of data input by the user ac-cording to said messages to the database center.
14. A controller of a navigation video recited in claim 13 further comprising a video player.
15. A controller of a navigation video recited in claim 13 for controlling a television receiver.
16. A navigation video for guiding a user to access a database center, comprising:
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing said database, said guidance information multiplexed in said video signal;
means for storing user information;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center with said user information, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance informa-tion, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to said guidance infor-mation and information transmitted from the database center;
and means for transmitting data input by the user according to said messages to the database center.
means for displaying a video picture of a video signal prepared for presenting introduction of data stored in a database of the database center;
means for decoding guidance information for accessing said database, said guidance information multiplexed in said video signal;
means for storing user information;
means for accessing said database by way of the database center with said user information, communicating with the database center through a network according to said guidance informa-tion, when indicated by the user;
means for displaying messages according to said guidance infor-mation and information transmitted from the database center;
and means for transmitting data input by the user according to said messages to the database center.
17. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein:
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving character multiplexed broadcasting is applied for said means for decoding guidance information.
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving character multiplexed broadcasting is applied for said means for decoding guidance information.
18. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein:
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving data multiplexed broad-casting is applied for said means for decoding guidance infor-mation.
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving data multiplexed broad-casting is applied for said means for decoding guidance infor-mation.
19. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein:
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared according to an EDTV-II standard is applied for said means for decoding guidance information.
an analog video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared according to an EDTV-II standard is applied for said means for decoding guidance information.
20. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein:
a digital video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving digital television broad-casting is applied for said means for decoding guidance infor-mation.
a digital video player is applied for said means for displaying a video picture; and a television receiver prepared for receiving digital television broad-casting is applied for said means for decoding guidance infor-mation.
21. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein said means for displaying a video picture is able to play back at least one of a CD-ROM and a DVD.
22. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein an STB pre-pared for displaying video data delivered from a VOD server is applied in said means for displaying a video picture.
23. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein one of a non-destructive semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk and an optical disk is applied for said means for storing user information.
24. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein one of a de-tachable magnetic card, a detachable optical card and a detachable IC
card is applied for said means for storing user information.
card is applied for said means for storing user information.
25. A navigation video recited in claim 16, wherein said messages are converted into speech signals and output from a speaker synchro-nized with said messages displayed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP8007411A JPH09200732A (en) | 1996-01-19 | 1996-01-19 | Network data base system and navigation system |
| JP8-007411 | 1996-01-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2195273A1 CA2195273A1 (en) | 1997-07-20 |
| CA2195273C true CA2195273C (en) | 2000-03-21 |
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| CA002195273A Expired - Fee Related CA2195273C (en) | 1996-01-19 | 1997-01-16 | A network database system and its navigator |
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| JP (1) | JPH09200732A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2195273C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2309356B (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3311568B2 (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2002-08-05 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Center device malfunction prevention method |
| JP2000316010A (en) | 1999-04-30 | 2000-11-14 | Fujitsu Ltd | Radio terminal and node unit |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60148290A (en) * | 1984-01-12 | 1985-08-05 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Character broadcasting receiver |
| JPS6238964A (en) * | 1985-08-13 | 1987-02-19 | Nec Corp | Security system by password |
| JPH0642699B2 (en) * | 1985-11-20 | 1994-06-01 | 任天堂株式会社 | Personal computer communication system |
| JPH0744616B2 (en) * | 1986-10-03 | 1995-05-15 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Data terminal device |
| JPH04127688A (en) * | 1990-09-18 | 1992-04-28 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Teletext broadcasting receiver |
| US5262860A (en) * | 1992-04-23 | 1993-11-16 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system communication establishment utilizing captured and processed visually perceptible data within a broadcast video signal |
| JP3083652B2 (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 2000-09-04 | シャープ株式会社 | Teletext transmission and reception device |
| US5410326A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1995-04-25 | Goldstein; Steven W. | Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices |
| IL105432A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1999-10-28 | New Datacom Res Ltd | Methods and systems for non-program applications for subscriber television |
| JPH07123395A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1995-05-12 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Character broadcast receiver |
| CA2109011C (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1999-09-07 | Michael D. Bell | Apparatus for television display of telephone audio and data dialog |
| DE4437928C1 (en) * | 1994-10-24 | 1995-10-26 | Grundig Emv | Device for realizing interactive television services |
| JP3014927U (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1995-08-22 | 有二 水野 | Image communication system using public telephone line |
| JPH08191283A (en) * | 1995-01-11 | 1996-07-23 | Victor Co Of Japan Ltd | Method for demand and response to information, reception equipment, and reproducing device |
| JP3624968B2 (en) * | 1995-06-22 | 2005-03-02 | ソニー株式会社 | Data receiving apparatus, data receiving method, data recording / reproducing apparatus, and data recording / reproducing method |
| JPH09128408A (en) * | 1995-08-25 | 1997-05-16 | Hitachi Ltd | Media for interactive recording and reproducing and reproducing device |
| JPH0965300A (en) * | 1995-08-29 | 1997-03-07 | Toshiba Corp | Information transmission/reception system, transmission information generator and received information reproducing device used for this system |
| US6230325B1 (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 2001-05-08 | Nec Corporation | Information network system making use of television or radio broadcasting and broadcast receiving user terminal |
| JPH09182038A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1997-07-11 | Sony Corp | Television broadcast device and method, television receiver, television reception method and television signal receiver |
-
1996
- 1996-01-19 JP JP8007411A patent/JPH09200732A/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-01-16 CA CA002195273A patent/CA2195273C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-01-20 GB GB9701082A patent/GB2309356B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9701082D0 (en) | 1997-03-12 |
| CA2195273A1 (en) | 1997-07-20 |
| GB2309356A (en) | 1997-07-23 |
| JPH09200732A (en) | 1997-07-31 |
| GB2309356B (en) | 2000-03-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20120116 |