FR2626731A1 - Autonomous electronic device intended to allow participation in a radiophone or televised broadcast - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for participating in a radiophone or televised broadcast, characterised in that it comprises: - a unit 5 receiving a coded signal originating from the transmitter; - an electronic control assembly 1 including an interface 15 intended to transform the signal into a signal able to undergo electronic processing, a microprocessor 2 intended to process the signal, a ROM read-only memory, a RAM random-access memory; - a source of electrical energy 6; - a unit 3 for input into the electronic control assembly 1 of at least one response, and actuated by the user in step with questions posed during the transmission; - and finally, a sensorial recovery unit 4 for the correctness of the response.

Description

AUTONOMOUS ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR ALLOWING THE
PARTICIPATION IN A RADIO OR TELEVISION TRANSMISSION.

 The present invention relates to an autonomous electronic device intended to allow participation in a radio or television program.

 By participation, we generally mean participation of the listener and / or the spectator in a program, in particular by telematic means.

 Currently, there is a way that allows listeners or viewers to participate in programs. It consists of telephoning the number indicated during the broadcast and answering questions asked or participating in a debate, and.

 This particularly difficult to handle means that the person concerned is highly motivated, which therefore reduces the number of so-called "participation" broadcasts.

 In addition, when this motivation exists, the said person is frustrated in three quarters of the time, due to the size of the switchboard during such transmissions.

 There is another known means, the Minitel (registered trademark). However, its interactive range during a broadcast is quite small, considering among other things the cost of connection.

 In addition, the telephone or the Minitel not being portable, participation in a radio broadcast on his transistor radio (in the garden, on the beach, in the car, etc.) is difficult to achieve.

 The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. It proposes an autonomous electronic device intended to allow participation in a radio or television broadcast, of the type in which the radio or television transmitter transmits a coded signal corresponding to at least one determined question.

This device is characterized in that it comprises
- a receiver for said coded signal
- an electronic control unit integrating
an interface intended to transform the signal
received by the receiving organ for its
electronic processing
a microprocessor, intended to process the
signal thus transformed
ROM read only memory, intended to contain
a decoding program used by the
microprocessor,
a random access memory RAM, intended to memorize
the information entered by the user
coded information received
- a source of electrical energy intended to supply the control unit
- an input member into the control unit for at least one response, said member being actuated by the user as and when questions are asked during the transmission;
- And finally, a sensory feedback device for the accuracy of the response, for example connected to the electronic control device and actuated according to the response provided by the input device.

 In other words, the present invention is characterized in that, within the same set, different components thus allow interactivity in the context of a radio and / or television broadcast.

Advantageously, in practice:
- the receiving body of the coded signal consists of a microphone;
- the receiving body of the coded signal consists of a socket
- the device can be integrated into the receiver
TV or Radio
- the receiver of the coded signal is constituted by a direct connection to the receiver in the case where the device is an integral part of the receiver
- the input member to the control unit is constituted by a keyboard
- the sensory rendering organ consists of a loudspeaker and a speech synthesizer
- the sensory rendering organ is constituted by a liquid crystal screen
- the sensory restitution organ within the framework of a TV-only broadcast consists of the TV screen itself and / or the TV speaker
the device also comprises a connection member with an independent electronic identification and / or payment unit;
- The device also includes a communication outlet with a telephone line.

 The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, given by way of non-limiting example, in support of the appended figures.

 Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in the general case, that is to say in the context of a radio and / or television broadcast, the receiving member being constituted by a microphone.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention
as part of a television broadcast, and
in which the receiving organ is made up
by a scart socket,
as part of a radio program, and
in which the receiving organ is made up
by a Jack type plug.

 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in which the decoder system is independent of the microprocessor.

 Basically, and as can be seen in Figure 1, the device according to the invention comprises an autonomous control assembly (1), in the form of a box. This control assembly (1) comprises a plurality of electronic components, intended to allow the operation of said unit in the context of interactivity within a radio and / or television broadcast.

 This control assembly is connected to a receiving member (5) of a coded signal emitted by the radio or television transmitter and this, via the radio and / or television receiving station.

 The electronic control assembly (1) comprises an interface (15), intended to transform the signals picked up by the receiver (5) of said signal into signals capable of undergoing processing by the electronic assembly composing the assembly of ordered. This electronic assembly basically consists of a microprocessor (2X, associated with a ROM read only memory and a RAM random access memory. The ROM memory contains in particular the decoding program used by the microprocessor, intended to decode the signal picked up by the organ receiver (5).

 The random access memory RAM is intended to memorize as will be described later the information introduced by the listener or the televiewer during ltmission.

 The microprocessor (2) is also intended to manage the information passing through the control unit, and in particular the input of data by the listener or the viewer.

 The control assembly (1) is connected to an information input device (3), actuated by the listener and / or the viewer. This input member is constituted by a numeric or alphanumeric keyboard according to the degree of evolution of the device.

 Similarly, a set of sensory reproduction (4) is connected to the microprocessor, and is intended to materialize in a visual or audio manner the information entered by the user and the messages emanating from the broadcast itself. This sensory rendering member can be either a liquid crystal type screen (16) or a speech synthesizer associated with a speaker (17).

 The entire device is electrically powered by means of an electrical energy source (6) consisting of cells or batteries.

 It should be noted that in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device described can be completely integrated within the radio or television receiver, and form only one device. In addition, the interface (15), the microprocessor (2) and the speech synthesizer (17), or simply the interface (15) and the microprocessor (2) can be reduced to a single component, thereby reducing the '' congestion within the device.

 The operation of the device will now be described in more detail during a radio or television broadcast.

 During a radio or television broadcast, an acoustic signal is sent via the radio and / or television receiver. This signal is incomprehensible to listeners, or viewers, and is picked up by the device either by means of a microphone acting as a receiving organ, or directly in the form of electrical signals via a connector integrated in the television and / or radio receiver. The signals thus coded are used in order to configure the device so that they can know a sequence corresponding to a series of responses or choices which will be submitted to the listener or viewer throughout the program. as the program progresses, the latter can enter, via the keyboard (3), their choices or their answers to the questions submitted to them during the program. Thanks to the configuration transmitted at the start of the broadcast, the device itself is able to control and interpret the choices and responses made by the listener or viewer.

 Thus, this process can be used in a wide variety of programs, such as variety shows, games, surveys, educational programs, after-school programs, etc.

 The basic principle consists in sending by the emitter of encrypted and condensed codes in sound form, for example, allowing to transmit to the device a quantity of information, this with the aim of configuring it and bringing it any informational richness in order that the spectator or listener has the impression of being connected to the studio in which the program takes place. Thus, the "intelligence" of the device made possible by its pre-configuration, allows to give free rein to any kind of creation. For example, in the context of school broadcasts, the device can correct the listener if he answered in an erroneous manner. In the context of games, the device can display or give a unique code at the end of the broadcast, for example if the spectator has correctly answered all the questions asked. This code is used to serve as proof of identification in the event response, for example by postcard or telephone.

 To rule out possible fraud, for example by communicating the result code from the device to other people who did not obtain it at the end of the transmission, we can combine the result code with a serial number of the device which is internal to the device, and external. The internal serial number is then used by the device, via the microprocessor to personalize the result code and this, by means of a simple boolean or mathematical type function. The player then has his external serial number mentioned with the personalized response code on his response card. Thus, the analysis of the results is then done simply by introducing two values into a computer which can, by performing the reciprocal function on the personalized code using the serial number, thus find the initial result code.

 We can proceed to all variants of "operating" systems of the devices and for example consider a hierarchical result code system according to the number of correct answers given by the listener or the viewer. This produces a pre-counting of the questionnaires which is more economical. Indeed, players who have not correctly answered a configured minimum number of questions do not receive any results. This eliminates part of the counting of response cards. Likewise, listeners or viewers can be informed by the device immediately at the end of the game whether they have won or not.

 In a variant, it is possible to display a telephone number to be called by the spectator only if he has replied exactly to the choice proposed and this, in a desired order, this or these telephone numbers having been transmitted in the same way as the configuration parameters = figuration, that is to say in coded form at the start of the broadcast. We can thus reduce the size of the switchboard used to collect calls and at the same time eliminate all fanciful calls, since these numbers only appear after exact answers given by the viewer or listener.

 In an advantageous version, the device may also include a connector for connection with authentication and identification systems "or even payment systems when the issue requires it.

This connector is indicated by the reference (8).

 Similarly, the device may include a telephone connector (9), connected directly to the telephone line of the listener or the viewer. The latter no longer has to type the telephone number displayed on the liquid crystal screen (6) or on the television screen (7), the call then being made automatically.

 In a particularly advanced version of the device according to the invention, the device comprises a “data broadcasting” type decoder also called “DIDON ANTIOPE”. Coding is carried out in this embodiment, by the "image" channel and not by the "sound" channel. This form of transmission has the advantage of being able to carry out much higher data rates and can be permanent throughout the duration of the transmission.

 Indeed, the "DIDON" type decoder separates the codes and information to store images. The different codes go into the RAM memory (23) (fig. 3) after having passed through the microprocessor (2), while the images go to the screen (6) via a video controller (21).

Thus, it allows not only to transmit the digital parameters but also images as well as voice parameters. The latter can be stored and regenerated locally as mentioned above, in particular at the level of the device as a function of the responses given by the viewer, so as to increase the interactivity of the latter within the program.

 Thus, the device according to the invention has advantages which were not known to date.

We can cite
- a system allowing to be autonomous (operation without being connected either to the television set or to the telephone or to a transmitter, and neither to the sector),
- a low cost price
- no modification to be made to the transmitter
- many possibilities of operation, because the control unit is perfectly configurable.

 In addition, the device according to the invention, by the possibly coded signals which it receives from the transmitter, is configured in order to adapt its behavior to the planned course of the transmission.

 It can therefore allow the correction of responses entered by the user. He can also communicate an acreditative code, a telephone number, even a "Minitel" access code after examination and according to the answers entered by the user. Finally, it allows you to store information or partial results, in order to combine them with one or more subsequent programs.

Claims (10)

 1 / Autonomous electronic device, intended to allow participation in a radio or television broadcast, of the type in which, the radio (10) or television (11) transmitter transmits a coded signal (12) corresponding to at least one determined question , characterized in that it comprises  - a member (5) receiving said coded signal  - an integrated electronic control unit (1)  grant a plurality of electronic components  comprising  an interface (151 intended to transform the  signal received by the receiving organ in one  signal likely to be processed  electronic;  . a microprocessor (2), intended to process the  signal thus transformed  . ROM read only memory, intended to contain  a decoding program ;;  . a random access memory RAM, intended to memorize  the information entered by the user  and the codes received;  - a source of electrical energy (6) intended to supply the electronic control assembly (1)  - an input member (3) in the electronic control assembly (1) of at least one response, actuated by the user as and when questions are asked during the transmission  - And finally, a sensory feedback device (4) for the accuracy of the response connected to the electronic control device (1) and actuated according to the response provided by the input device (3).  2 / autonomous electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving member (5) of the coded signal consists of a microphone.  3 / autonomous electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the final coded receiving member (5) is constituted by an electrical connection.  4 / autonomous electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sensory rendering member (4) consists of a synthesizer associated with a loudspeaker (173;  5 / autonomous electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensory rendering member (4) consists of a liquid crystal screen.  6 / autonomous electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the context of television broadcasts only, the sensory rendering member (4) is constituted by the screen of the television itself.  7 / autonomous electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is integrated in the radio and / or television receiver.  8 / autonomous electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the receiver of the coded signal is constituted by a direct connection with the receiver (7).  9 / autonomous electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it also comprises a connection member with an independent electronic assembly for identification and / or payment (8).  10 / autonomous electronic device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized en.ce that it comprises a communication outlet (9) with a telephone line.