CN1128599A - Interactive communications system with data distribution - Google Patents
Interactive communications system with data distribution Download PDFInfo
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- CN1128599A CN1128599A CN94192911A CN94192911A CN1128599A CN 1128599 A CN1128599 A CN 1128599A CN 94192911 A CN94192911 A CN 94192911A CN 94192911 A CN94192911 A CN 94192911A CN 1128599 A CN1128599 A CN 1128599A
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/38—Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/16—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
- H04H20/28—Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00281—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal
- H04N1/00283—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal with a television apparatus
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42212—Specific keyboard arrangements
- H04N21/42213—Specific keyboard arrangements for facilitating data entry
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client
- H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
- H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
- H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
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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
- H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
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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
- H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
- H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central
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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
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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
- H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H40/00—Arrangements specially adapted for receiving broadcast information
- H04H40/18—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
- H04H40/27—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
- H04H40/36—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95 specially adapted for stereophonic broadcast receiving
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
- H04H60/78—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations
- H04H60/80—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by source locations or destination locations characterised by transmission among terminal devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
- H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
- H04H60/76—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet
- H04H60/81—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems other than for broadcast, e.g. the Internet characterised by the transmission system itself
- H04H60/93—Wired transmission systems
- H04H60/95—Wired transmission systems for local area
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
An interactive television distribution system which includes a central processing station (20) having a source of programming, a central minicomputer configured to manage a variety of interactive television applications including digitally encoded video, and audio signals and other digital data, a receiver/processor unit (40) consisting of a central processor, random access memory, system software ROM, user interface, liquid crystal display, and a graphics generator. Primary features of the system include a printer and card reader together with supporting processing electronics and system management software to enable the production of coupons and other documents on demand in the home of a user, and to download credit card data directly into the system.
Description
Background technology
The application is that the part of on June 3rd, 1993 submitting, be entitled as the U.S. Patent application the 08/070th, 814 of " interactive TV system of allocate file " continues; Also be on November 29th, 1993 part that submit, the U.S. Patent application the 08/158th, 293 that is entitled as " the interactive television communication system of distribute data " continue.
The present invention relates to support the software and hardware that interactive TV program is used fully supporting hard copy file far to generate under the environment that efficiently move in a large number with solid data.
The present invention is particularly useful for a kind of distribution type interactive television method for communicating and system, and this method and system can distribute on the passage at existing TV and distribute sound/visual information and data.
The present invention includes a kind of special tuner and control computer or receiving system, it be positioned at user's television set near so that (i) receive digital and analog signaling and to decoding, thereby play the effect that the program of at every turn watching pay TV is selected access point; (ii) generate computer picture and the multi-media signal that shows usefulness; (iii) the input by graphical user interface reception user shows; (iv) encode and transmit the command sequence that the user sends and comprise user's input of credit card information; (v) print coupon (coupon) and other hard copies output; (vi) object computer software becomes a comprehensive family data processing center.
The invention provides a kind of image and data transmission system, this system distributes on the passage with new information format transmission digital command and data at existing TV, and this system uses advanced compression and sort method, effectively these data is dispensed on many receiving systems simultaneously.This information format all can be used on many broadcast bands and standard.In addition, can control the conversion that TV programme is selected with the virtual channel reflection, and these reflections are transmitted receiving system.Receiving system can extract information on demand selectively from continuous broadcasting stream.
Receiver is fit to receive and the digital coding of other same TV signal multiple connections and the compressed video signals that may encrypt.Any amount of independent receiving system can be selected the identical or different part of broadcast message simultaneously.In this way, the interactive comprehensive receiver turning that memory space is less and disposal ability is limited, except that utilizing direct broadcasting satellite (DBS), optical fiber and so on emerging distribution technique, can also utilize existing TV distribution network to use from the data of large-scale central database output with low-down cost.
In recent 20 years, the universal of TV programme that requires the user to get in touch by ordinary telephone wiring and broadcasting station shows that the demand to interactive television-j o-application constantly increases.
The function of the market that the TV that advertiser likes obtaining immediately to respond is sold program because these programs have an opportunity to contact a large amount of consumers, and is carried out real trade with these consumers in real time.For the home shopping program, the existing report that surpasses 1,000,000 dollars of commodity of per hour selling.But these systems can't make consumer's convenience and respond effectively.
Usually must get involved just and can get in touch by a staff, the user that the staff lacks experience by the home shopping process wizard.The information of credit card is open to the sales force by phone, so the salesman just has an opportunity to abuse this information.In addition, this type systematic can not be induced for the consumer provides the coupon of counter signed or other sale.All of these factors taken together integrates, and has dwindled the total size in interactive television market generally, and has reduced interests.
In addition, the present invention provides a special passage for data allocations.For example, existing catv line provides a frequency band very wide passage for data allocations.The terrestrial transmission that is positioned at hyperfrequency (UHF) wave band is a very attractive passage for the transmission of Digital Television and data-signal.DBS and microwave link television network also provide attractive data channel.
Along with the arriving of digital television signal operation in these passages, the open significant bandwidth in broadcasting station is made other usefulness.The analog channel of an original 6MHz only carries the picture-and-sound of a TV station, and new digital channel will carry the signal of four to six above-mentioned TV stations in identical 6MHz frequency bandwidth.Like this, the cable TV network operator who has 50 analog channels will obtain to surpass 200 digital channel.Rising to of this existing bandwidth usage degree utilizes existing distribution system to distribute non-TV data that unique chance is provided.
The purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of senior integrated system, this system utilizes existing TV and communication network distribute digital data and collect consumer's information widely.The present invention attempts to provide a kind of full automatic system, and this system does not need artificial intervention just can realize its purpose.It is made up of following part: (i) central treating stations can receive user's input and request, and management data flows to many receiving systems; (ii) new information format or data bus structure, guarantee data fast, effectively and high safety ground transfer to the distant place; (iii) interactive comprehensive receiver turning (IIRT), it sends user's request, and management is gone into to data flow, and provides Full Featured device management platform for various household electronic equipments.IIRT is a remote controller and be furnished with two-way infrared port with being connected of other computing equipments.In addition, IIRT is furnished with magnetic card reader, makes the user can import the information of credit card, and method is actual in a bank card, and makes it to slip over the lip-deep appointment notch of IIRT.So just do not need the user to remake the information that input just can be handled credit card automatically.
The present invention uses the novel information format of a kind of object-oriented level (object oriented class), and when this form was used for the standard of data distribution system, the data structure that it is supported and the number of type were unrestricted, referring to Figure 10.Prior art problems is in this area, and data model is originally very single with regard to performance, and is promptly dumb aspect the content of transmission data and type.The present invention has solved this problem by defining a main level (base class) that comprises the whole bag of tricks and object.By this pattern is used for data/address bus, just can expands the content and the function of this bus, thereby be better than the static characteristic of state of the art.
Just done to repay several times examination in the past for the demand of modified model interactive video distribution system.Existing United States Patent (USP) by the Rhoades invention has disclosed a kind of distribution system of using video game that connects with phone for the 5th, 051, No. 822.This system is made up of family's computing equipment and central authorities remote recreation storage center.Video game program software sends the user to by modulated carrier, and software is by forming by the executable object code of standard catv line transmission.The selection of remote recreation storage center control program, and keep accounts automatically by telephone line.Game software can connect in family's computing equipment of usefulness by the standard catv line user that packs into.Connect at every turn and use this recreation, a record keeping signal just is transferred to remote recreation storage center.This system is limited to the application of video game and other software.It directly carries software by catv distribution systems.The difficulty of Rhoades is, distributes to many users in the time of can not be with a large amount of information of same.In addition, the Rhoades system is without any the file transfers ability.
Another example is No. the 5th, 014,125, the United States Patent (USP) of invention such as Pocock in the existed system, relates to a kind of television system that can distribute optional image to show alternately.The Pocock system is a kind of still-picture television distribution system.Control signal is transmitted by telephone line, and image is by the catv line transmission of standard.The beholder selects program by telephone line.Central control station transfers to the frame that is arranged on the cable television system topological structure critical positions with needed picture frame and closes, with response spectators' request.This causes the trunk line of locating to serve for spectators with the still-picture television signal effectively.With Pocock system contrast, the present invention improvement aspect of this prior art relatively is, it does not need to close with frame and guides TV signal, thereby has reduced cost and the complexity of using this system.The present invention's improvement of this prior art relatively is that also it is not limited to rest image.
Another example is three relevant United States Patent (USP)s the 4th, 590, No. 516,4,521, No. 806 and 4,567, No. 512 of Abraham invention.The system of Abraham relates to the television distribution system that a kind of observer drives, and the user passes through alternatively appointment television of telephone line in this system, and this programme signal transfers out by the standard catv line at preset time then.This program or received in real time perhaps is stored in concentrated distributing center, to be redistributed to the node (node) of local cable TV at preset time.This system is commonly called as and is " (pay per view) watched in charge " system.The present invention relatively improvement of this prior art is to have used Real Time Compression/go compress technique.The present invention's improvement of this prior art relatively also is to the invention is not restricted to only distribute TV programme.
Another example is No. the 4th, 961,215, the United States Patent (USP) of Fernandez invention, and it relates to a kind of the continuously and automatically radio data distribution system of telephone line as allocation medium.Radio data is being delivered on the telephone line through modulator-demodulator or digital communication equipment can use data or storage data with standing of using after doing far awayly immediately.
Another example of interactive TV system is No. the 5th, 130,792, the United States Patent (USP) of people such as Tindell invention, and this invention is dispensed to the television program file after compressing with standing that this program goes to compress and reproduce far awayly.The present invention relatively improvement of this prior art is, used Real Time Compression/go compress technique.The present invention does not need spaceborne (onboard) high capacity memory subsystem, transmits structure and constructs so need not store, thereby reduced spectators' expense by the one-tenth of saving relevant high capacity memory subsystem originally.
The United States Patent (USP) the 4th, 829,372,5,119,188 and 5,191 of McCalley invention has provided another existed system No. 410.McCalley has disclosed a kind of system, can be with the image and the voice data television set that be transferred to observer by catv line of compression with this system.Observer can be rolled and be transferred to the information of its television set with the form of the image that has sound accompaniment.The present invention is improving to some extent aspect the interactivity of family's purchase system.Specifically, the present invention makes the user can stroll the TV shopping shopping district with the menu of actual non-simulation.Spectators utilize remote control to connect the function of using IIRT simply, and can be by comprehensive credit card reading device actual purchase article.The present invention does not need the frame storage device, is not limited to rest image yet and shows.
Another example is the United States Patent (USP) the 5th of Hoarty invention, 220, No. 420, this invention has disclosed a kind of interactive multimedia system, and this system carries out allocation process and storage to the image information in the node of whole catv distribution systems and related data thereof and sound.The present invention does not need to store image information and related data and the sound of transmitting in the whole catv distribution systems node, thus be different from this prior art on the structure, and improve to some extent.This improvement has reduced the cost and the complexity of system, thereby for spectators have reduced expense, and improved reliability.
Just as you will understand, be used for providing remote file to generate many shortcomings that system that interactive TV program selects has overcome prior art among the present invention.Above-mentioned difficulty and limitation are not exhaustive, but can reduce effect and make the user to discontented many limitations of conventional images distribution system and similar system and the part in the difficulty.Also may there be other problems deserving of attention.Yet those above-mentioned problems should suffice to show that the existing interactive TV system that emerges in large numbers in the past is worth improving.Summary of the invention
Contrast the existing equipment that those once attempted to seek a kind of interactive TV system of improvement, although not being unique, the present invention is not particularly suitable for as this interactive TV system, it can make far televiewer's data transmission simplification, send user's input back to, and the distinct advantages that allows to generate in spectators family's medium and long distance hard copy file is provided.
In its preferred embodiment, the present invention improvedly is used to support the method for interactive television and hardware to form by a kind of, comprising: (i) central treating stations, can carry out the transmission of Digital Television and the transmission of digital command and data; (ii) receiving system far, this device has
* handle and storage capacity, can from digital television transfer and/or digital data transfer, extract mutual digital command and/or data,
* the Digital Television with window and image covering shows back-up system,
* carry out sound and image in real time and go the ability compressed,
* user interface can send information and reception credit card information that the user selects,
* can produce the printer of hard copy file in user family, it can be synchronous with TV event,
* graphical user interface,
* radio remote controller,
* DBS interface,
* high-speed figure expansion interface cheaply.
The present invention is suitable for becoming a kind of comprehensive integrated system, can support the whole process of interactive television, comprises the selection of project or program, sends, responds and keeps accounts.Used information format or host-host protocol preferably (but not being unique) are purpose with a kind of digital scheme of uniqueness.
Principal advantages of the present invention is the reciprocation that can improve between spectators and the television program designing people.
Another advantage of the present invention is, its comprehensive Design allows to realize to comprise the function that is necessary that the user does shopping etc. in single automatic system.
Another advantage of the present invention is, can produce hard copy file in user's family.
An advantage more of the present invention is data compression that it is unique and transmission plan.
Another advantage of the present invention is the reverse addressing method of its uniqueness.
Another advantage of the present invention is the adaptive capacity of an one system to different broadcast modes.The present invention can hold cable TV, land pair of branches such as knob rigid line, optical fiber, DBS and microwave prescription formula.
Another advantage of the present invention is, uses separately addressable pixel bit map technology in a high quality image process system, with the image programs of supporting to make with extra care.
Another advantage of the present invention is, the structure that is used for grouped data of its uniqueness.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it uses unique data interlace method to adapt to more effective data allocations.
Another advantage of the present invention is small design and straighforward operation.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the maintenance that the user carries out is very simple.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it can handle consumer's credit card information automatically.
Another advantage of the present invention is, uses a kind of distributed user/server process system, allows system redundancy and expansion easily.
Another advantage of the present invention is multi-functional family receiving system.
Another advantage of the present invention is that family's receiving system can encourage the unique ability of its operating system from network.
Another advantage of the present invention is unique object-oriented main level, and this grade defined element the most basic in the communication system.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the user can do many selections to program and service.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it can use infrared communication link and other devices communicatings.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it can show digitally coded TV in real time.
Another advantage of the present invention is that receiving system can be carried out personal computer software and play.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be deciphered the transmission of Digital Television and digital command and data simultaneously.
So overall purpose of the present invention provides a kind of new interactive TV system with file allocation ability or similar capabilities, it will be avoided or reduce the problem of describing in the previous prior art as far as possible.
The present invention's one concrete purpose is that a kind of new interactive TV system that comprises advanced interactive performance and handling property is provided.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a kind of new interactive TV system, the file that it can generate with synchronously generation system of TV event in user family.
A further object of the present invention is, a kind of comprehensive interactive TV system comprehensively is provided, and its uses unique grouped data, and carries out data interlace and digital compression in this system.
Another purpose of the present invention is, a kind of comprehensive interactive TV system comprehensively is provided, and this system does not need people's intervention in order alternatively to work.
Another object of the present invention is, a kind of new receiving system is provided, and this device has user's interactive operation method pleasantly and can handle credit card information.
A further object of the present invention is that Digital Television stream is injected in instruction or digital code.
Another purpose of the present invention is to receive instruction from television data stream.
Read preferred embodiment described below, accompanying Claim and accompanying drawing and will understand other advantages of the present invention and valuable characteristic, briefly be described below.Summary of drawings
Identical label is represented respectively to scheme corresponding parts in the accompanying drawing, if the label difference then illustrates their relation in the text.With reference to accompanying drawing, read following detailed description, will be more readily understood various purpose of the present invention, advantage and new feature, wherein:
Fig. 1 is the block diagram that contains the part perspective, shows the general survey of interactive TV system of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is the block schematic of the present invention central authorities treating stations;
Fig. 3 is the block schematic of the interactive comprehensive receiver turning (IIRT) of the present invention;
Fig. 4 A is a block schematic, shows the source selection circuit 110 that IIRT of the present invention shown in Figure 3 uses;
Logic true value table when Fig. 4 B shows the selection of source shown in application drawing 4A circuit 110;
Fig. 4 C is a schematic diagram, shows to be used to the logical circuit that circuit 110 is selected in the source shown in Fig. 4 A of realizing;
Fig. 5 is the block schematic of television image subsystem of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is the front view of remote controller of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a flow chart, shows the initialization procedure that among the present invention operating system is guided to IIRT from central treating stations;
Fig. 8 is the block schematic of the present invention's one object assembler (object packager);
Fig. 9 shows the interleave method that is used to arrange the object that comprises data among a kind of the present invention;
Figure 10 is the schematic diagram of level, shows the object main level structure by the communication network transmission according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is the schematic diagram of level, shows the member object structure by the head object of communication network transmission according to the present invention;
Figure 12 is the schematic diagram of level, shows the member object structure by the data object of communication network transmission according to the present invention;
Figure 13 is a software flow pattern, is used for producing the contents table of a data object, and according to the present invention the contents table of this generation is contained in the operating system;
Figure 14 is a software flow pattern, and it is according to the size of cutting object data block of the present invention, and sets about continuous dateout object;
Figure 15 is a software flow pattern, and it exports data object to the IIRT device from central treating stations continuously according to the present invention;
Figure 16 A-C is the flow chart of a method, this method according to the present invention can request between central treating stations and IIRT device, Data transmission and paying.Preferred forms of the present invention
Referring now to accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is the block diagram that contains the part perspective, shows the general survey of interactive TV system of the present invention.Interactive TV system of the present invention is represented with label 10 generally, and is comprised two main subsystems.In these two subsystems, one is central treating stations 20, and it has an energy from the distribution interface such as satellite 24 received television programs such as device such as grade.Another subsystem is the comprehensive interactive tuner (IIRT) 40 that receives, and it links to each other with central broadcasting station by a communication network or transmission means.Although only show an IIRT among Fig. 1, in fact there are many IIRT40, and can have a plurality of central treating stations according to various functions and facility (just comprising size) in servo custom system.In Fig. 1, communicating by letter between central authorities treating stations 20 and IIRT40 finished by coaxial cable cable television network 32, but this class communication of the present invention can also by microwave, satellite 24, optical fiber 33, have a modulator-demodulator phone (promptly, telephone line 38), or other any communication networks that can transmitting television signals finish.There is polytype also to allow in the communication network.For example, according to the topological structure of cable television network 32, it can unite use asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and can be used for the present invention.
Central authorities' treating stations 20 has been equipped with automatic data processing equipment, and this device has enough fast speed and enough big capacity carries out real-time, interactive transmission of the present invention.For example referring to Fig. 2, comprise a plurality of data servers 832 that can be used to produce high-speed data-flow (shown in " A " to " X ", but can for any a plurality of).These data servers 832 (its quantity and choice of capacity should satisfy the requirement of any special 10 pairs of high-speed data-flows of interactive TV system) use the known warm formula disc driver of being made by Micropolis, and capacity has several GB.The present invention manages with processing and the transmission to high-speed data-flow of the interface of master computer 800 control and managing electronic equipment.In addition, master computer 800 usefulness multi-task operation systems (for example, UNIX, VAX VMS or WINDOWS NT) provide data necessary to handle and transmission circuit control, thereby according to real-time Transmission TV programme of the present invention and interaction data program.According to the application here, the interaction data program comprises data and information.For example, data and information can comprise instruction and/or the software program that is coded in data flow, multimedia display, sound, image, goods catalogue, stock list, computer software and the video game etc., and/or bit mapped graphics.Interactive TV system 10 is digital signal as long as the pattern of the input of interaction data program can be changed into, just can transmit and handle alternately.Thereby, requiring master computer 800 is the computers with multitask function, for example it can be VAX or the ALPHA computer system that Digital Equipment company sells, the SPARC10 computer system that Sun Microsystems limited company sells, the fault-tolerant computer system that Tandem Computer Company sells, or with the system of these computer system equivalences.
TV signal connects mouth by CATV30 or satellite 24 five equilibriums and is delivered to central treating stations 20.In most cases, these signals are digitized at central treating stations 20.Then, by a kind of transmission means (such as cable system 32) digitized TV signal is transferred out from central treating stations 20 together with digitized interaction data signal.The present invention can use any transmission means that can carry TV signal.Fig. 2 is to the central treating stations 20 used interface of this class transmission means that drawn, and these interfaces comprise the interface and the expanding communication interface 808 of satellite antenna 812.Total interfaces such as satellite repeater 858, optical fiber interface 860, terrestrial interface 862, packet radio communication interface 864, cellular interface 866 and phone (telephone line hereinafter referred to as) interface 868 have been shown in the expanding communication interface 808.In these interfaces each provides interconnection for a kind of transmission means, and central treating stations 20 is communicated by letter with IIRT40.This is some interfaces fully automatically, and the intervention that they need not the people just can communicate, and is the known circuit system that this two-way signaling is inputed to processing and transmission system.
Be connected between expanding communication interface 808 and the master computer 800 can be credit processing gateway 872, Order Fulfillment gateway 874 and/or other commodity and labor service gateway 876.In these gateways each is all used commercially available known communication device, and function separately is provided.For example, credit processing gateway 872 can be used the credit check apparatus interconnection that telephone line 38 and TRW limited company manage.These gateways use business machine to strengthen existing business.
As everyone knows, all transmission means all is subjected to the restriction of the effective bandwidth that can transmit.In many cases, anolog TV signals have been used up the bandwidth that a certain transmission means can be passed through.But the requirement of interactive TV system 10 is, the passage of selected transmission means is not got rid of previous operable television channel, and the actual recruitment of interaction data is also by should selected transmission means transmitting.Therefore, the present invention includes such feature, promptly can a large amount of additional data of real-time Transmission, thus support interaction characteristic by the transmission means that bandwidth capacity had before been taken by television channel.For obtaining this function, the present invention reduces the required bandwidth of transmission acoustic image TV signal, and uses remaining bandwidth to transmit the interaction data signal between central treating stations 20 and IIRT40, does not destroy or do not disturb in any form the television services that early pre-exists.This function realizes in central treating stations 20, at first the acoustic image TV signal is carried out real-time mould/number conversion, then the digital tv signal of compression transmission usefulness.The demand reduce by 3/4ths acoustic image TV signal transmission bandwidth is at least handled in this mould/number conversion and compression.For the sound signal of a television channel, when it transmits with analog form, generally require the bandwidth about 6MHz.Therefore, use mould/number conversion and compression to handle, and use the modulation technique of suitably selecting (such as 256 quadrature amplitude modulation QAM) to obtain the higher data character rate, do that like this each television channel is greatly reduced the demand of transmission bandwidth.When being used to transmit interaction data and other characteristic logotypes of whole television services still are provided, can save the more bandwidth demand with the present invention.
What the processing of interaction data of the present invention and transmittability were done further to improve is that operation system of software is based on object-oriented.Therefore, interactive TV system 10 of the present invention uses the object-oriented level, to carry interaction data by all transmission meanss.Like this, can support interaction data structure and the type that quantity is not limit with object-oriented level of the present invention.As everyone knows, because object-oriented provides preferably pattern and than the more effective true boundary simulation tool of previous model, so can obtain above-mentioned performance.Because transmission system is forced to the grouping service data with regular length, the method for existing transmission data is static.Therefore, because various data can not be handled and transmit to each existing data-translating system so its capacity is subjected to serious restriction, only to a kind of data type effective (for example, video game) of concrete selection.For example, if make the most suitable video game of certain data-translating system, then it will can not provide effective data processing or transmission for the application of video conference or the enhancing of other data.Therefore, the present invention uses revisable object-oriented way, discerns and propose the demand of dynamic data structure uniquely, to support the requirement of multinomial application.It also supports the handling capacity of used communication equipment, and adapts to the variable that the existing network bandwidth and other influences the valid data conveying.Owing to can regulate the scale of the object-oriented main level of the present invention's use, so the present invention can handle the data structure of any scale effectively.
For the present invention, comprise interaction data with segment mark object entity.As described below, the message segment length of object entity do not resemble above-mentioned stationary, but can dynamic adjustments, thus for following response personal user basic on-demand service as required, help data are transferred to all IIRT40 fast.Come the distribution of controlling object entity scale with the data in the system's table that is stored in master computer 800 visits.According to the data in data level and this table of sub level index; Also comprise data in the table such as the object entity scale of concrete transmission meanss such as utilance.By the function of object entity scale as interaction data type and transmission means distributed, the interactive TV system 10 that combines with selected transmission means can effectively be worked in all cases.Because the storage of relevant object entity scale is in the inquiry system table, rather than is hard-coded in the operating system, so the present invention provides optimum performance for all object entity types.
When operation, central treating stations 20 receives user's request, and the line data of going forward side by side sends.As mentioned above, the interaction data transmission can comprise software and other database informations, and promptly the interaction data of the distribution of transmission, bank and the financial business of catalogue, coupon distribution, home shopping application software, theater and sports items admission ticket, video game and support, e-mail and any other virtual assigned is used.
As shown in Figure 2, the preferred embodiment of central treating stations 20 is introduced input signal from the satellite antenna 812 that is used for received television program, interaction data and other signals.Another can be to the satellite repeater 858 in the expanding communication interface 808 of being included in of central treating stations 20 inputs.Other inputs from different aforementioned sources also can be used.But think that those inputs shown in Fig. 2 are fit to support interactive TV system 10 of the present invention.Satellite antenna 812 receives the signal of satellite 24, and this satellite can be on geostationary orbit.The signal that receives with satellite antenna 812 reaches the satellite change-over circuit 814 that is used to regulate.Satellite change-over circuit 814 is the known circuits devices that use in the common TV receiving station.The received signal of analog format is partly by radio frequency (RF) tuning demodulator 816, further to be adjusted into the signal of single channel.RF tuning demodulator 816 can have been bought in Scientific Atlanta company or similar place.Signal with each channel reaches analog-digital converter 818 then, and this transducer 818 can carry out mould-data transaction to the acoustic image TV signal in real time.Analog-digital converter 818 can be the device of producing such as DiviCom limited company or other companies by California Milpitas city.The number of analog-digital converter 818 and relevant support circuit is corresponding with the channel number that central treating stations 20 will have.This number can according to circumstances be selected, and in fact, the number of analog-digital converter 818 and associated support circuitry can be greater than the television channel number that provides at first, so that the expansion capacity.Then the digitized signal of each channel is reached acoustic image compressor circuit 820 and compresses, this compressor circuit 820 can with those from the DiviCom limited company in California Milpitas city or other suppliers bought there identical.Then, in order to guarantee safety and to prevent the program illegal piracy, can be before central treating stations 20 send again, make signal after digitlization and the compression by data encryption circuit 822, the DES circuit, clipping circuit and the DSD circuit that provide as Teledyne or other suppliers.Because the broadcasting station brings into use numeral to send, will reduce the demand that mould-number signal is adjusted.Merge digitized signal compressed and that encrypt with channel multiplexer 830 then, its mid band multiplexer is the well known device that uses in a kind of television broadcasting, and can obtain from DiviCom limited company and other suppliers in California Milpitas city there.With radio frequency modulator 848 multiplex signal is applied on the Carrier.For a preferred embodiment, can use 256 quadrature modulators (QAM) to carry out the method for RF modulation with coaxial cable transmission means conveying high content information.Provide the radio frequency modulator of 256QAM to obtain from application signalling technique (the Applied Signal Technologies) limited company in California Sunnyvale city.Owing to various modulation methods because of playing better action such as system parameterss such as transmission meanss, so which kind of modulation method work the best, which kind of interactive TV system of the present invention just can use.For example, when using the terrestrial transmission mode, available VSB modulation method.Can obtain Full Featured VSB modulator from Zenith Data Systems company.Master computer 800 uses and connects 880 by the critical point and reach channel multiplexer 830 and be connected 884 gating signals that reach RF tuning demodulator 816 by the critical point, manages above-mentioned to receiving the processing of anolog TV signals.
Central authorities' treating stations 20 can also be handled by satellite antenna 812 and receive the situation of digitized TV signal earlier.In these cases, digitized signal reaches channel multiplexer 878 from RF tuning demodulator 816, and this multiplexer 878 can be of the same type with channel multiplexer 830, thereby both are identical.Then as shown in Figure 2, the digitized signal that merges is once more reached radio frequency modulator 848, so that send again.Method for processing signals is also controlled by master computer 800 usefulness gating signals.Here, gating signal connects 882 transmission between master computer 800 and channel multiplexer 878 by the critical point.
During work, master computer 800 is given TV programme to some channel, and gives two-way interaction data transmission other channel allocation.For example, master computer 800 can use specific address information to specific I-IRT device 40, with signals selected those I-IRT devices 40 of guiding into separately.
For carrying out its function, master computer 800 uses jumbo memory (not shown), and they can be one group of temperature formula disc drivers, and disk medium or other high speeds be hicap cheaply.Being stored on the mass storage can be various software programs, database information, the consumer information of playing, offer the IIRT device 40 of interactive TV system 10, static or live image by interactive TV system of the present invention 10 transmission, perhaps any other digitized interaction data.Also be stored in addition in the mass storage is the operating system of central treating stations 20 and IIRT device 40.As mentioned below, to the IIRT device 40 excitation operating systems of depositing.
Each user of interactive TV system 10 is furnished with the IIRT device 40 that links to each other with ordinary television receiver 26.Remote control 50 can be used to handle IIRT device 40.Although have the cable television network 32 of cable TV (CATV) head end 30 shown in Fig. 1, it can support I- IRT device 40 and 20 of central treating stations all communicate by letter, but it is again emphasized that and can use other any communication network or transmission means systems that can transmit digital signal and TV signal that comprise telephone line 38.
Fig. 3 shows IIRT device 40 of the present invention with the form of block schematic.The major part of IIRT device 40 comprises central processing unit (CPU) 160, and it has been equipped with the support electronic equipment of local bus controller 136 forms.This local bus controller 136 can be the 82420EX type PCTset that Intel Company or other companies sell.Also has memory module 138 in addition, it comprises the data access memory of the random-access memory (ram) with 2 Mbytes capacity, the read-only memory (ROM) with 64K byte capacity and nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) form, this data access memory has the capacity of 2K byte, such as the DS-1642 that is sold by Dallas semiconductor company or other companies.CPU160 is by local bus 134 and 122 couplings of video coprocessor, and this processor 122 comprises image coprocessor 124 (such as obtaining from Texas Instruments company and S3 company or other companies) and video RAM (RAM) 126 (such as can be from Texas Instruments or the acquisition of other companies).CPU160 can be the 6502 type machines that Signet-ics sells, the A80486DX type machine that Intel Company sells, or the PowerPC601 type machine of IBM Corporation's sale, the perhaps equipment of other similar models.
The major advantage of IIRT device 40 of the present invention is, it does not need complicated and expensive Circuits System just can handle a large amount of interaction datas and TV data in real time simultaneously, thereby has reduced cost and the maintenance needs that is included in the many IIRT devices 40 in the interactive television system 10.For example, although IIRT device 40 will carry out complex process to a large amount of signals, it does not comprise big capacity storage.
From the angle of system, owing to the many circuit that comprise in central treating stations 20 and the IIRT device 40 (although realizing new function with the device interconnecting of uniqueness) are known, and can obtain, so can save great amount of cost from multiple channel.
An example that reduces IIRT device 40 hsrdware requirements is that the IIRT device 40 above addressed is without any need for jumbo storage capacity.Although the storage of mass data and disposal ability are the parts that central treating stations 20 comprises, for example master computer 800 comprises many mass storages, but IIRT device 40 does not have big capacity storage capability can effectively work yet, and still can handle the signal that all receive in real time, its reason is that interaction data imports (packing into) continuously from master computer 800.Use this continuous input that basic on-demand service is provided.As interactive TV system 10 of the present invention was realized, input comprised the digitalized data segmentation of I-IRT device 40 being made to broadcast continuously usefulness continuously.The carrying out of above-mentioned continuous broadcasting is not that all data of an interactive program are broadcasted in uninterrupted data flow, and then broadcast all data of another interactive program or the like continuously, but interlocking from the object of distinct interaction program during broadcasting or the continuous input continuously.For example, if will broadcast three interactive programs, first broadcast object can be first object that one, the second broadcast object of interactive program can be an interactive program two, and the 3rd first object that broadcast object can be an interactive program three.This order can continue to second, third and later object of each interactive program.When IIRT device 40 receives, only handle the object of each IIRT device 40 selected interactive program.Each IIRT device 40 can refusal terminal uses select and/or central treating stations 20 allows the object of the interactive program that certain IIRT device 40 receives.Therefore, owing to the object of a plurality of interactive programs is interlocked during the input continuously, so each IIRT device 40 will be handled the signal of the interactive program that lacks when broadcasting.Thereby the continuous interactive data flow of broadcasting can not make each IIRT device 40 saturated.
Further improving data-handling capacity of the present invention is to make each IIRT device 40 comprise a plurality of channels.Single channel embodiment is easy, but as shown in Figure 3, the preferred embodiment of IIRT device 40 comprises two channels, is expressed as from the source to select circuit 110 to reach the signal of RF tuning demodulator (1) (unit 112) and RF tuning demodulator (2) (unit 112).But the present invention can comprise channel more than two according to system requirements, so be not limited only to two-way.Along with the increase of channel, system capability can improve, but does like this or causing expense and complexity.
IIRT device 40 is selected circuit 110 place's receiving inputted signals in the source, the source selects circuit 110 to be equipped with the interface of cable feeder line 102, microwave feeder 162, satellite feeder line 104, optical fiber feeder 106 and interface expander 108.The interface that Fig. 3 represents is not the unique acceptable interface feeder line group of the present invention, just the property represented.The adaptability that increases interface is in fact partly provided by interface expander 108.The source selects power supply 110 to comprise the electric bridge of many electronic technology controls, and they allow to receive and send data from any inlet.The source is selected specifically to comprise the tuning selector of wired television interface, the tuning selector of satellite interface and digital data stream router in the circuit 110, shown in the block schematic that Fig. 4 A provides.Also show radio frequency modulator 848 among Fig. 4 A, it has the delivery outlet that leads to cable feeder line 102.This radio frequency modulator 848 is used for interaction data is added on the carrier wave, to transfer to central treating stations 20 from IIRT device 40.Link to each other though its output is shown with cable feeder line 102, the mode that radio frequency modulator 848 also may be used according to the transmitted in both directions interaction data makes its output link to each other with in all the other available transmission modes any.That uses in radio frequency modulator 848 and the central treating stations 20 is identical.
Fig. 4 C shows the circuit diagram that uses repeatedly in the transmission means of every kind of input source selection circuit 110.Specifically, the input and output when the circuit subscript shown in Fig. 4 C is understood with the logotype of digital data stream router, and in fact in the digital data stream router this circuit both inputs all are double to optical fiber 106 and interface expander 108.As shown in the figure, the output of these circuit is delivered to object assembler 131 or channel removes multiplexer 116.This circuit is made up of a pair of AND gate 190, such as the AND gate of using in TTL7408 type integrated circuit or other circuit.Can control this AND gate 190 circuit according to the logic that Fig. 4 B provides at this example, with direct transmission input signal.The logical message that offers identical selection input sends by local bus 134 from CPU160, and thus according to the logical signal that is provided, the data input signal that receives is delivered to object assembler 131 or channel removes multiplexer 116, perhaps both.Each IIRT device 40 receives control signals from the master computer 800 of central treating stations 20, and CPU160 deciphers control signal, so that logical signal is provided, the suitable output of circuit 110 is selected in the selection source.
Tuning selector of cable TV interface and satellite interface tuning demodulator that the source is selected to comprise in the circuit 110 all comprise AND gate 190 circuit shown in Fig. 4 C.Under the situation of tuning selector of cable TV interface and the used foregoing circuit of the tuning selector of satellite interface, output will be RF tuning demodulator (1) (unit 112) and RF tuning demodulator (2) (unit 112), thereby enlarge the signal handling capacity of IIRT device 40.This circuit still comes gating by CPU160 by local bus 134, and given identical of control logic and Fig. 4 B logic true value table.
All signals that offer IIRT device 40 can not transmit with digitized form.For example, anolog TV signals can reach IIRT device 40 by the input of cable feeder line 102 or any other transmission means.Under this class situation, as shown in Figure 3, available filter circuit reaches anolog TV signals the output lead 42 of the RF output that is used for feed-in IIRT device 40.For this example, digitized TV signal reaches the source and selects circuit 110.According to the expection needs, the interface of any or all other transmission meanss all can be equipped with this filter circuit.
Earlier multiplexed signal is selected circuit 110 to deliver to channel and is removed multiplexer 116 from the source, so that each signal flow is separated into independent channel.It can be the DMX-2000 type that Milpitas city, California state DiviCom limited company sells that channel removes multiplexer 116, or product of equal value.Then the channel behind the demultiplexing is reached data decryption circuit 118, this decrypt circuit can be DigiCypherII type descrambler or the like products that Chicago city, Illionois state General Instruments company sells.Now the signal after demultiplexing and the deciphering is reached video and remove compressor circuit 120, this circuit can be to handle Milpitas city, California C-Cube Microsystems being used to of selling CS4290 type product that is used for processing audio signal or the product of equal value that the SD4 type of picture signal or product of equal value and Crystal Semiconductor company are sold.Sound/image goes the determined MPEG1 of conditioned signal and 2, Digicipher2, JPEG or other standards that compressor circuit 120 can use to be provided to 40 outputs of IIRT device the time by central treating stations 20.In the contents table (TOC) that the represented software of described conditioned signal flow chart in about Figure 13 is discussed further.Reach video coprocessor 122 through demultiplexing, the signal deciphering and go to compress now, this processor 122 comprises image coprocessor 124 and video-ram 126.Image coprocessor 124 can be programmable DSP, TMS34010 type of selling as Texas Instruments or product roughly the same, and video-ram 126 can be used Texas Instruments product sold or product of equal value.Signal passes 3/4 channel radio frequency modulator 140 from video coprocessor 122s, thereby can see and hear signal transferring on the conventional simulation television receiver 26 of channel 3 or 4.3/4 channel radio frequency modulator 140 also is can be from the commodity of multiple channel acquisition.
Be included in channel in the IIRT device 40 and go multiplexer 116, data decryption circuit 118, sound/image to remove compressor reducer 120 and have image coprocessor 124 and the video coprocessor 122 of video-ram 126 is all being regulated digitized TV signal earlier, so that watch and listen to common simulated television receiver 26.If realize these signal conditioning functions, not only will reduce the cost and the complexity of IIRT device 40, and when the digitlization transmission that can directly be received is enabled in the broadcasting station, also can improve the effectiveness of television receiver with the circuit in the television receiver.Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram, shows the being used for Circuits System of digitized TV signal earlier of regulating like this that is included in the television receiver.For Circuits System shown in Figure 5, lead 107 direct outputs with RF tuning demodulator 112 in the IIRT device 40 offer the demultiplexing deciphering machine 119 in the television receiver, rather than the data decryption circuit 118 shown in the IIRT device 40 among Fig. 3.Demultiplexing deciphering machine circuit 119 can be the combination that channel removes multiplexer 116 and data decryption circuit 118.TV signal reaches sound/image from demultiplexing deciphering machine 119 and removes compressor reducer 120, conditioning signal 115 determined MPEG1 and 2, Digicipher2, JPEG or other standards of going compressor reducer 120 to use to be provided by central processing unit 125.Going 120 two-way connections of compressor reducer with sound/image is image decoding RAM127, and it can be the known VRAM that can buy.Sound/image go the output of compressor reducer 120 be reach digital picture combiner 113 go compress and decipher after video data stream, the circuit that this digital picture combiner 113 is made up of the known digital logic element with OR function.Digital picture combiner 113 is parts of video coprocessor 122, identical in the function of this video coprocessor 122 and the I-IRT device 40 shown in Figure 3.The image/video data flow is delivered to digital picture combiner circuit 113 from image coprocessor 124, and combiner circuit 113 goes compressor reducer 120 to go the video data merging of compressing and deciphering this image/video data flow and sound/image.Image/video random-access memory (ram) 130 and image coprocessor 124 bidirectional interconnect, it can be the known VRAM that can buy.As coprocessor 124, this processor 125 can be 6502,8051,6800 by the bidirectional interconnect control chart for central processing unit 125, any in Z80 or other known microprocessors of equal value that has the eight bit data bus at least or the microcontroller.
NTSC pictcure generator 133 is delivered in the output of digital picture combiner 113, and this generator 133 can be BT851 or the product of equal value that San Diego city, California Brooktree company sells.NTSC pictcure generator 133 is used for the analog image output signal to show on the television receiver cathode ray tube.Simulated sound output is provided by D-A converter 114, and it can be the CS4290 that is used to handle sound signal that Crystal Semiconductor company sells, or product of equal value.The input of D-A converter 114 goes compressor reducer 120 to provide by sound/image.
Return IIRT device 40 shown in Figure 3, wherein also have the Signal Processing electronic equipment that is used for regulating from central treating stations 20, these signals merge with the signal of mutual input port then.Specifically, can comprise audio frequency processing module circuit 142 (can be CS4231 or the product of equal value that Austin city, Texas state Crystal Semiconductor Corporation sells), to support signal from mutual mouth in the IIRT device 40.This audio frequency processing module circuit 142 comprises audio frequency coprocessor, number-Mo and analog-digital converter, audio mixer, audio frequency synthesizer and supports audio frequency and actual mutual mouthful midi (musical instrument digital interface) I/O (I/O).
Except audio frequency processing module circuit 142, IIRT device 40 also comprises peripheral processor 144, to introduce the input interactive signal that the user provides.Peripheral processor 144 can be 68000 or the product of equal value that motorola inc sells.The domestic consumer that peripheral processor 144 can be supported comprises to the example of the input interactive signal that IIRT device 40 provides:
-the signal that transmits from Local Area Network far away.These signals can be introduced IIRT device 40 by lan interfaces 154 (can be the Am 79c970 that Advanced Micro Device produces);
-from such as the signal of computer equipment far away such as keyboard.These signals are introduced IIRT device 40 by computer external circuit 152 (can be National Semiconductor company produce 87334);
-be used to operate video games, from signal such as joystick.These signals can pass through game port 156;
-from the signal of the magnetic card reader 70 that is used to Enter Your Credit Card Information;
The signal that-domestic consumer can provide by the conventional remote controller 52 (seeing Fig. 1 to 6) of communicating by letter with infrared remote control transceiver 54.Infrared remote control transceiver 54 can be 87334 types that NationalSemiconductor produces.
Infrared remote control transceiver 54 can provide two-way link with other similar devices for communication IIRT device 40.Also can use the modulator-demodulator 46 that has telephone line 38 with the two-way communication that peripheral processor 144 and IIRT device 40 carry out.Particularly, this communication link by telephone line 38 can be used for carrying out transfer of data between IIRT device 40 and control and treatment station 20.
In addition, available peripheral processor 144 directly upward or by printer 60 (can be the HTP-8050 that AXIOHM limited company produces) provides information and data for the domestic consumer at the display 56 (can be the LM 40255 that Sharp electronics, inc. produces) of liquid crystal display (LCD).Can add all these functions or other functions easily, thereby make IIRT device 40 become a big and adaptable household electronic integrated system of scope.The capacity that obtains to provide household electronic integrated system ability not only will provide interface for facsimile machine, home stereo, CD (miniature laser dish) machine, video tape recorder (VCR) and such as computer equipments such as personal computer, disc driver, keyboard and joysticks, can be used for monitoring/control safety system and such as the interface of domestic installations such as water, coal gas and electricity but also will provide.
In order further to support interactive function, the present invention has a kind of like this ability, can image and other message formats be presented on television receiver 26 and the LCD display 56 with the signal of I-IRT device 40.Use this mode, point out the user, so that the service of selecting IIRT device 40 to provide in user's mode pleasantly by menu or other information of giving.
Except can being installed in LCD display 56 on the IIRT device 40, also be installed in it on the remote controller 52 so long, see Fig. 6.Install like this, user's hand-held remote controller 52 just can be read shown information easily.Because infrared remote control transceiver 54 and remote controller 52 two-way communications are so can be presented at the information of IIRT device 40 on this remote controller 52.Is furnished with control button 58 on the remote controller 52, in order to the input data.Also be furnished with tracking ball 64, joystick on the remote controller 52 and maybe can be used for regulating the equivalent device that is presented at the object's position on the television receiver 26.
As mentioned above, magnetic card reader 70 can be by peripheral processor 144 and 40 interconnection of IIRT device.Sometimes the magnetic card reader 70 that is called as the kelly reader can have been bought.Their convert the digital bit stream of expression holder's name, card number, validity date and other relevant informations to being stored in magnetic coded message on the credit card.When doing shopping or paying the bill, have magnetic card reader 70 user of IIRT device 40 simply and is exactly Entered Your Credit Card Information.Peripheral processor 144 receives the digital bit stream signal from magnetic card reader 70, and I-IRT device 40 with CPU160 this signal storage in the RAM of memory module 138 part.Then with Signal Compression and encryption, so that reach central treating stations 20.This automatically and the ability that directly credit card information is exported to central treating stations 20 reduced the danger that credit card is played tricks and usurped.The process that these data is transferred to central treating stations 20 from IIRT device 40 is discussed below.
The domestic consumer who uses printer 60 to can be interactive TV system 10 provides printed files such as comprising bill and coupon.According to selected equipment (the present invention stipulates), printer 60 can use dot matrix or other can produce the conventional printing technique of printing of type effect and figure.To present embodiment, printer 60 is for standard designs, and drives in proper order with common printer.Be reality release user's maintenance obligation, printer 60 can use is with black paper roll 62.If the print span of printer 60 is two to four inches, then can realize miniaturization Design.This print span provides enough big place for making coupon, bill, receipt and alternative document.Thus, the domestic consumer can make from coupon easily to lottery ticket, the various files from receipt to message.
Go to software and the method that interactive television system 10 uses of setting forth, now describe the software that is used to start of the operating system that comprises excitation IIRT device 40 referring to Fig. 7.As mentioned above, when connecting an IIRT device 40 at every turn, the operating system that central all IIRT devices 40 for the treatment of stations 20 excitations use.As the user of family during to IIRT device 40 energized (step 900), said process begins, and for example this can bring devices (step 910) all in the IIRT device 40 voltage and current by starting one switch.After powering on, CPU160 so that upload delivery signal at the channel of central treating stations 20 uses, sends operating system with the tuning RF tuning demodulator of data command (2) (unit 112) that is stored in the memory module 138 NVRAM part.If for some reason, the channel of original identification is invalid, and promptly in this channel output, then CPU160 order RF tuning demodulator (2) (element 112) does not transfer to next channel to operating system, can judge so whether that channel is effective.If that next channel is invalid, then order RF tuning demodulator (2) (element 112) to transfer to again next channel, until obtaining effective channel (step 912).Data by the central treating stations 20 continuous operating systems of exporting are assembled in the object with head, and the object assembler 131 in the IIRT device 40 can be discerned this head.The identification that object assembler 131 is done is used for confirming that channel is effective.When IIRT device 40 related operating system heads received object together, contained assembling data were transfused to RAM138 (step 914).Verify the data of the operating system that encourages then, the accuracy and the authentication of the data that receive with assurance are qualified.This verification is finished (step 916) by the algorithm that use is stored among the memory module 138ROM.If data by verifying, then do not repeat the output procedure of central treating stations 20 as shown in Figure 7.On the other hand, passed through if verify, then the CPU160 order is transferred to operating system, and IIRT device 40 is started working.
Can see that object assembler 131 plays filter the discussion from how to IIRT device 40 excitation operating systems, in order to the received object of identification IIRT device 40 and central treating stations 20.Identification realizes by the head of reading each object, below this is described.With numerical data contained in the object Nei Zhu message segment these object heads are encoded.Fig. 8 shows the Circuits System of a routine object assembler 131 with the form of block schematic.This concrete example shows the circuit that can be used to read 4 heads.But the present invention is not so limited.By the scale of this recommendation circuit or its equivalent electric circuit simply being amplified or dwindling, can admit object head with more or less bits data.As shown in the figure, the object header signal that receives is imported 4 parallel-by-bit access shift registers 90 (can be the 74LS95 that Texas Instruments produces).From local bus 4 bit data of the object head that will read are imported the bus transceiver 92 (can be the 74LS226 that Texas Instruments produces) that 4 parallel-by-bits latch simultaneously.The output of bus transceiver 92 that 4 parallel-by-bits latch and 4 parallel-by-bit access shift registers 90 is input to 4 magnitude comparators 94 (can be the 74LS85 that Texas Instruments produces).When input 4 parallel-by-bits latched bit pattern and input 4 parallel-by-bit access shift registers consistent of selected object head of bus transceiver 92,94 outputs one of 4 magnitude comparators represented receiving the signal of selected object.And prepare to further process.In this way, IIRT device 40 and central treating stations 20 can be discerned and transmission object, so that handle.This to identifying object head to read and transmit be to realize with the object assembler 131 or the equivalent device that are included in the expanding communication interface 808 shown in Figure 8 in the Circuits System of central treating stations 20.Owing to so arrange, after the signal that is received passes through above-mentioned interface, read, discern and selectively send.
No matter to as if to comprise the operating system data still be other interaction datas, they always send in staggered mode, so that realize continuous input according to the present invention.Fig. 9 has described the method for staggered transmission object.For here being illustrated, the first half of Fig. 9 shows three different interaction data program A, B and C, and they all will send from central treating stations 20.The first half of Fig. 9 also illustrates, and the included interaction data of each program is grouped and is included in object 1,2,3 etc.The latter half of Fig. 9 shows the structure of importing transmission according to the present invention at the enterprising line interlacing of single channel continuously.In this example, interleaving technique is at first placed the object 1 of program A above the other things and is sent, and being right after after this transmission is the object 1 of program B, is the object 1 of program C after again, or the like.According to this staggered continuous input technology, behind the object that sends certain program, can and then not send other objects of same program.Therefore should be routine, neither one IIRT device 40 needs to import on a channel and surpasses three objects.In addition, if do not consider this example, then neither one IIRT device 40 needs two or more objects that send continuously of input.At least follow behind the object that all are transfused in the transmission object that is not transfused to is arranged.As mentioned above, compare, use this staggered continuous input technology can make the electronic equipment that IIRT device 40 usefulness are cheap, complexity is lower, the data that received are handled in real time with the continuous reception interaction data of the same program of real-time processing.
As mentioned above, interactive TV system 10 usefulness object-oriented levels of the present invention are carried interaction data by various transmission meanss.Therefore the object-oriented level of uniqueness of the present invention is supported infinite kind of interaction data structure and type.These functions are that the object-oriented level of the application of the invention uniqueness obtains, its reason is that object-oriented compares with original not OO structure, provide better pattern and instrument for simulating true boundary, thereby can obtain better and more effective result.Generally, four rules must be observed by a system, the ability object-oriented:
-abstract be that every kind of object is used for feature that itself and other all types of objects are distinguished.According to the present invention,, because comprising at least, main level is used for constructing the basic common element of every kind of energy, so begin abstract from basic class with the object of certain transmission means conveying referring to Figure 10.
-must use encapsulation, thus abstract element isolated.For example, referring to Figure 10, the present invention uses the object address 504 after the encapsulation in main level, so that suitably receive object by a certain transmission means.
-modularity must be a feature of objective system, thereby makes this system can resolve into one group of interior gathering but loosely-coupled module.According to the present invention, comprise modularity in the definition of main level shown in Figure 10, so it can by the loose interconnectivity between the level and interior poly-ly with the group of objects that expands (i.e. level) coupling, these group of objects have common structure and behavior, and enjoy structure or the behavior that defines in other grades.These relations are called as succession.
-must use hierarchical structure to intrasystem abstract classification or ordering.Referring to Figure 10, owing to be with the element of the required minimal amount of object structure, so all following stages all begin foundation from main level according to main level of the present invention.This structure that begins from main level has been determined the hierarchical structure of object.Because hierarchical structure, succession are shared code and structure between object, thereby produce a repeatedly used module source.
The existing means that are used for managing and send interaction data and information are static.Therefore, existing interactive system is being subjected to serious restriction aspect the capacity of its processing and exchange interaction data, but the present invention is not limited, because it has used OO main level, main level can rise to and comprise that various objects are to share.For example, according to the present invention, can use the used many combining forms of known Object-oriented Technique to make many objects not at the same level public super relevant down one.
Figure 10 shows a kind of grade composition diagram, and expression can be according to the main level structure of the present invention by the object of various transmission meanss propagation.Object structure of the present invention is assembled in central treating stations 20 usefulness master computers, 800 assemblings or at IIRT device 40 usefulness CPU160.After master computer 800 or CPU160 assembling, use such as 16 parallel-by-bits and advance the digital signal that displacement storage devices such as shift register (can be the 74LS674 or the product of equal value of Texas Instrument sale) that serial goes out send this object.For IIRT device 40, shown in Fig. 4 A, can comprise between local bus controller 134 and radio frequency modulator 848 that this 16 parallel-by-bit advances the shift register that serial goes out, as object maker 143, and for central treating stations 20, because of being big capacity storage originally, so can be included in this object maker 143 in the main frame 800.
The present invention uses the object of an individual packages to begin identifier 502 and object address 504.Existing data transmission technology is used grouping static or that length is fixed, and capacity can not be regulated, and for example is 1024 or 4096 bytes.But the present invention is not retrained by this, because object entity 506 is scalable message segments, can be fit to the needs of system.Thus, master computer 800 or CPU160 can regulate the scale of the object entity 506 of each object, so that interactive TV system 10 operations are best.Prior art and the present invention use error correction values 508 message segments, and the result of its cyclic redundancy code (CRC) algorithm known to can being also uses back signal or object end identifier 510, to finish main level.
Figure 11 shows the level structure sketch of the included member object of head object of the present invention.The level composition diagram that Figure 11 provides represents that the head object inherited the character of main level shown in Figure 10.Therefore, object shown in Figure 11 begins identifier 502 available objects assemblers 131 makes IIRT device 40 or central treating stations 20 identify the beginning of input object, and this object to begin identifier be to inherit and come from main level shown in Figure 10.For head object shown in Figure 11, object entity 506 comprises various message segments, can be used to further identifying object, thereby IIRT device 40 or central treating stations 20 can be exported concrete object entity 506 selectively.For example, the IIRT device 40 that 248 message segments identification in available IIRT address is chosen in advance is so that receive object entity 506 shown in Figure 11.What provided by segment identification in following table is each function corresponding of head object of the present invention.
Head object segment identification performance data block identifier 226 provides identification information in block level.Byte count 228 provides the byte number of data in the object.Offset address 230 provides the offset address that departs from the object starting point, so that arrange flexibly
Each object.Encryption type code 232 identification is used for the encryption type of encrypted data chunk.Compression type code 234 identification is used for the compression type of compression data block.The type of the data that data level and sub level 236 identifications are being transmitted, for example object identification code, soft
The part code, be used for that image shows or the figure figurate number of hard copy printout
According to, or the like.If next object channel 238 needs promptly to optimize with next object of new channel transmission
Systematic function, then this this information of section identification.Next object identifier is discerned the object address 230 of next object.240 next object data block identification are the data block identifier 226 of next object not.Knowing symbol 242 system times 244 these sections provides data, makes an incident and a common time base synchronous.Receive valid code 246 for confirming to receive the code information that concrete transmission provides.The IIRT device 40 that 248 identifications of IIRT address are chosen in advance is to receive an object.Command code 250 is used for the system-level instruction of command execution, as mimeograph documents.Director data 252 these sections comprise the data that are used for finishing system-level instruction execution, as
Data on Printing to File.Use in the future 254 to keep the message segment of using in the future to do.
Now, Figure 12 shows the member object level composition diagram of the present invention's one data object.Equally, the level composition diagram explanation that provides of Figure 12 is to the inherited characteristics of main level shown in Figure 10 with to the inherited characteristics of head shown in Figure 11.It in the data object object entity 506 that comprises data head 222 and data block 224.Data head 222 comprises data block identifier 226, byte count 228 and offset address 230 message segments.These data head 222 message segments provide information for realizing the given function of table.Data block 224 contains interaction data, and as mentioned above, it is the message segment of adjustable scale, can have peak efficiency arrangement by system.Therefore, of the present invention all to as if main level in the member, thereby inherited dynamic object entity scale.
When exporting the transmitted in both directions interaction data with object and staggered continuation, can obtain considerable efficiency of transmission according to the present invention.Consider that a per second can transmit the interactive TV system 10 of 24 megabits (being per second 3 Mbytes), can this efficient of practical illustration.When using existing equipment, above-mentioned transmission rate is rational.For such situation, promptly distribute 16 different objects to begin identifier 502 (alternative coefficient is 16) constantly, and the scale of each object is 2048 bytes at any one, then require to transmit each object with 109 milliseconds cycle.In other words, per second will begin 92 objects of identifier 502 transmission for 16 different objects.This number of objects obtains divided by the scale of single object and the product of alternative coefficient with the byte number of per second transmission.The overhead of supposing nonreciprocal data in each object is 10% (may be high), and interaction data stream is 350K byte long (this is the scale of normal dictionary in the word processor), then needs to transmit with 33 seconds time the data flow and the interaction data of all the other 15 categories like quantity of 350K byte.This example has illustrated why can be used as interactive communication system as required to the present invention effectively, come a large amount of interaction data of transmitted in both directions.
Referring to Figure 13, the figure shows a software flow pattern, be used for preparing with the interaction data of object form by each transmission means transmission.This software is used to check the information of interaction data source object file to be transmitted, comprising: object begins identifier 502, encryption type code 232, compression type sign indicating number 234 and data level and sub level 236 (seeing Figure 11).In central treating stations 20, carry out these softwares, then the CPU160 of result transmission to the IIRT device 40 with master computer 800.
When using software to bring into operation, open all and comprised relevant database of information or source object file (step 202) the interaction data that is transmitted.
After opening these databases and reading, generate the inventory that all have started file, comprise those files, promptly from the file of credit processing gateway 872, Order Fulfillment gateway 874 and other commodity and labor service gateway 876 (see figure 2)s from each gateway.Now this inventory of starting source obj ect file comprise at least: be enough to write information, encryption type code 232, compression type code 234 and data level and the sub level 236 (seeing Figure 11) that object begins identifier 502.
The above-mentioned inventory of master computer 800 usefulness writes and uses contents table (TOC) file (step 208), and it is inputed to all IIRT devices 40 continuously.So far, the described running software of Figure 13 flow chart finishes.
Then, master computer 800 uses the described software of flow chart among Figure 14, so that the interaction data that preliminary treatment sends with object form with the described staggered continuous input mode of Fig. 9.At first, the TOC208 of step 208 gained among Figure 13 pack into (step 522) in the storage buffer of master computer 800.Scan this storage buffer then, and open the object that all are listed, to read TOC file 208 (step 524).Then generate head object (step 526) for each file of opening.
Generated the head object now, listed object data level and sub level 236 are with reference to the system's table that is stored in the master computer 800, so that determine the scale (step 527) of best data block 224 among the master computer 800 usefulness TOC208.This is a process that the scale of listed optimum data piece 224 in system's table is searched as the function of operating condition.
Now, generate the starting and ending offset address 230 (step 580) of each object data piece 224 with the form of tabulation.At last, generate the file of DATABLKS.DAT by name and deposit it in the memory (step 530), this document comprises each object head, and the inventory of the starting and ending data block offset address 230 of each object is followed in the back.So far, the described running software of flow chart finishes among Figure 14.
Can send object now, but must be staggered according to the arrangement among Fig. 9.For finishing this work, use the described software of Figure 15 flow chart.At first, the DATABLKS.DAT file (step 302) of from disk, packing into and being obtained in Figure 14 step 530.Now must distribute enough big memory capacity (step 304) to hold enough big table, so that point to all the head object of in step 302, packing into and data blocks 224 with DATABLKS.DAT.By this operable memory capacity, software points to each head object and data block 224 one by one, makes the data block 224 staggered pointers (step 306) of input continuously thereby produce row.The pointer gauge of software execution now ring is swept, the renewal of the system information of head object and data block 224, and can be by the order input object that distributes.But owing to the DATABLKS.DAT file upgrades continuously, so the version in DATABLKS.DAT file (step 302) that software will be packed into and the memory compares (step 310).If there is difference, then software restarts step 302 and operation downwards.If there is not difference, then software returns step 308, and finishes operation.Whether IIRT40 imports the latest copy of TOC head earlier before input object, be current content with the TOC in the verification IIRT memory.If the non-current content of the TOC in the IIRT40 memory, then IIRT40 is new TOC input IIRT40 memory.
Figure 16 A to 16C has provided the method flow diagram that sends interaction data and pay from central treating stations 20 with request of the present invention.Beginning of the method is that the user of IIRT device 40 is with remote controller 52 or alternative signal generator input signal, to ask concrete interaction data (step 402).This request signal can select one concrete to import from shown menu or in the available any range information of the user of IIRT device 40.
IIRT device 40 will be selected the transmission means of communicating by letter with central treating stations 20, can comprise using modulator-demodulator 146 and telephone line 38.After choosing transmission means, IIRT device 40 is transferred to central treating stations 20 (step 406) to the identification code of request signal and request IIRT device 40.After receiving the identification code and request signal of IIRT device 40, master computer 800 judges with reference to the question blank of original storage whether whether the IIRT device 40 that is identified is in good state, for example, paid off all unpaid money (step 410).If the IIRT device 40 that is identified is not in shape, then central treating stations 20 sends out the error reporting signal to the I-IRT device 40 that is identified, to make to show (step 411).On the other hand, if the IIRT device 40 that is identified is in shape, then master computer 800 is determined relevant required interaction data of transmission or professional expense (step 414) with reference to the previous question blank of storage for the second time.If expense is arranged, then cost value is passed back IIRT device 40, and it is presented on television receiver 26 or the LCD display 56.The user can be transferred to central treating stations 20 to the signal with credit card information with magnetic card reader 70 according to this information.After receiving signal, whether be in the kilter that to pay with regard to fund card the information of fund card is confirmed.Can carry out this affirmation (step 415) with above-mentioned other commodity and labor service gateway 876.Can not pay off expense if confirm fund card, then error report be sent to IIRT device 40 (step 417).For following situation, promptly ought there be transmission cost, or the information of confirming the fund card be transmitted be for can pay off required expense the time, and master computer 800 distributes object address 504, data block identifier 226, next object channel 238 and transmits plan (step 416) for transmission.From central treating stations 20 this assignment information is sent to IIRT device 40 (step 418) now.If be sent out to as if encrypt, then encryption type code 232 is also sent to IIRT device 40.The preparation of all transmission objects all finishes now, subsequently object is sent to IIRT device 40 (step 424).
If the object that is sent out conforms to (step 426) with the transmission plan of previous identification, and if do not have transmission cost (step 428), process finishes so.If but transmission does not meet previous described transmission plan, IIRT device 40 sends to central treating stations 20 (step 432) to error signal so, and rearranges the transmission (step 434) of object.For transmitting again, process must be returned step 418.
In addition, if transmission conforms to (step 426) with described transmission plan, and have transmission cost (step 428), IIRT device 40 comes into force reception and yards 426 sends to central treating stations 20 (step 436) so.This actual payment.If execution in step 436, then because IIRT device 40 has not acknowledged receipt of required interaction data, so do not pay.At last, if desired, central treating stations 20 sends encryption type code 232, thereby can decipher the object that is received.In addition, if mimeograph documents then send to printer 60 (step 438) to the signal of necessity.
Above-mentioned discussion and relevant explanation of the present invention mainly touch upon a preferred embodiment and enforcement of the present invention.Yet, can believe that can carry out many variations and modification when reality realizes notion described herein, this is conspicuous for those skilled in the art, and can suspect that this class changes and modification can not break away from the scope of the present invention that following claim limits.
Claims (3)
1. interactive communication system, it comprises:
Central authorities handle station arrangement, are used to handle the digital signal streams that storage device provides, so that send, and receive the previous signal that sends, and handle the described signal that receives, so that transmission again, described processing comprises analog receiving signal is converted to digital signal streams;
The mutual reception of composite type tuning (IIRT) is installed, and is used to receive and handle described central authorities and handles the digital signal streams that station arrangement sends, and handle the digital signal streams that will send to described central processing station arrangement;
It is characterized in that,
Described central authorities handle station arrangement and described IIRT device both handles each described digital signal streams of transmission by determining described digital signal streams with dividing many digital signals position of entering, make each digital signal position dispensing number separate and be included in and send in the object, make up each described transmission object with main level then, described main level has the included digital signal bits dispensing number of each object in the object entity information section.
2. interactive communication system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described central authorities handle station arrangement and described IIRT device can both change the digital signal figure place that comprises in the object entity information section.
3. interactive communication system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, can send and receives different digital signal streams, and transmission is managed, so that can not send two objects that comprise the digital signal position of equalized digital signal stream continuously.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US7081493A | 1993-06-03 | 1993-06-03 | |
| US15829393A | 1993-11-29 | 1993-11-29 | |
| US08/070,814 | 1993-11-29 | ||
| US08/158,293 | 1993-11-29 |
Publications (1)
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|---|---|
| CN1128599A true CN1128599A (en) | 1996-08-07 |
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ID=26751523
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN94192911A Pending CN1128599A (en) | 1993-06-03 | 1994-06-03 | Interactive communications system with data distribution |
Country Status (7)
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| JP (1) | JPH09500771A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR960703307A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1128599A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7204894A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9406749A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2164300A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995001060A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5848352A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 1998-12-08 | Wink Communications, Inc. | Compact graphical interactive information system |
| US5815793A (en) * | 1995-10-05 | 1998-09-29 | Microsoft Corporation | Parallel computer |
| EP0810789B1 (en) | 1996-05-30 | 2004-07-14 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Data transmitting apparatus, data receiving apparatus and method and communication system |
| KR100506515B1 (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 2005-09-26 | 마츠시타 덴끼 산교 가부시키가이샤 | Data communicationn system, data transmission device and data reception device |
| EP0823823A3 (en) | 1996-08-07 | 2001-02-14 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Digital broadcasting system |
| US6725250B1 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2004-04-20 | Ellis, Iii Frampton E. | Global network computers |
| US7634529B2 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2009-12-15 | Ellis Iii Frampton E | Personal and server computers having microchips with multiple processing units and internal firewalls |
| US7805756B2 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2010-09-28 | Frampton E Ellis | Microchips with inner firewalls, faraday cages, and/or photovoltaic cells |
| US6732141B2 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2004-05-04 | Frampton Erroll Ellis | Commercial distributed processing by personal computers over the internet |
| US7035906B1 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2006-04-25 | Ellis Iii Frampton E | Global network computers |
| US7506020B2 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2009-03-17 | Frampton E Ellis | Global network computers |
| US7926097B2 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2011-04-12 | Ellis Iii Frampton E | Computer or microchip protected from the internet by internal hardware |
| US7024449B1 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2006-04-04 | Ellis Iii Frampton E | Global network computers |
| JP3985204B2 (en) | 1997-12-09 | 2007-10-03 | ソニー株式会社 | Information broadcasting method, receiver, information center, and receiving method |
| EP0934765A1 (en) * | 1998-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | CANAL+ Société Anonyme | Interactive gaming system |
| JP4591483B2 (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 2010-12-01 | ソニー株式会社 | Information replacing device and information replacing method |
| KR100713569B1 (en) | 1999-01-12 | 2007-05-02 | 소니 가부시끼 가이샤 | Information distribution system |
| CN100574423C (en) | 2004-01-27 | 2009-12-23 | 松下电器产业株式会社 | Television receiver and digit broadcasting system |
| WO2007038390A2 (en) | 2005-09-26 | 2007-04-05 | Coupons, Inc. | System and method for augmenting content in electronic documents with links to contextually relevant information |
| CA2672294A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 | 2008-07-24 | Coupons, Inc. | System and method for controlling distribution of electronic coupons |
| US8559667B2 (en) | 2007-04-27 | 2013-10-15 | Coupons.Com Incorporated | Coupon copy protection |
| US8125796B2 (en) | 2007-11-21 | 2012-02-28 | Frampton E. Ellis | Devices with faraday cages and internal flexibility sipes |
| WO2009140444A2 (en) | 2008-05-13 | 2009-11-19 | Coupons, Inc. | System and method for distributing coupon content and transactional advertisements |
| US8429735B2 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2013-04-23 | Frampton E. Ellis | Method of using one or more secure private networks to actively configure the hardware of a computer or microchip |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US5253341A (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 1993-10-12 | Rozmanith Anthony I | Remote query communication system |
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1994
- 1994-06-03 BR BR9406749A patent/BR9406749A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-06-03 CN CN94192911A patent/CN1128599A/en active Pending
- 1994-06-03 WO PCT/US1994/006408 patent/WO1995001060A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-06-03 CA CA002164300A patent/CA2164300A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-06-03 JP JP6525860A patent/JPH09500771A/en active Pending
- 1994-06-03 AU AU72048/94A patent/AU7204894A/en not_active Abandoned
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1995
- 1995-12-04 KR KR1019950705530A patent/KR960703307A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7204894A (en) | 1995-01-17 |
| CA2164300A1 (en) | 1995-01-05 |
| WO1995001060A1 (en) | 1995-01-05 |
| JPH09500771A (en) | 1997-01-21 |
| KR960703307A (en) | 1996-06-19 |
| BR9406749A (en) | 1996-02-27 |
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