FR2734976A1 - Interactive teletext method esp. for question and answer game - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves using an teletext reception system which can be switched between normal and interactive modes. In the interactive mode, three teletext pages are selected and a set of supplementary keys (T1-T4) in the control unit (Telec) are re-assigned. The questions are transmitted using digital teletext words, which are displayed on the screen. The viewer responses to the questions are stored and displayed on screen. Answers to the questions are stored both alone and with a personal identification code. Answer comparison is performed, and the viewer identification is used to output a win/lose indication.

Description

 The invention relates to an interactive teletext method and system, in particular for televised games.

 It relates more particularly to games of the type involving the movement of a cursor or the like on a television screen.

 It also relates to a system for implementing this method.

 In recent years many televised games of various types have been offered to viewers, with increasing participation success.

Among these, we can mention games that could be described as "police investigation", or "action game".

For this type of game, the usual process is as follows
- a given decor is displayed on the screen and one or more questions are asked, for example in which part of the displayed image is a desired object, among several possible zones (in the case of an action game, it can obstacles to avoid, etc.)
- Then, the televiewers telephone and give their coordinates and their result.

 The aforementioned success of this type of program poses a logistical problem.

It has happened on numerous occasions that the telephone switchboard of the television station, even that of a city, becomes saturated.

 To overcome this problem, software has been developed which limits the number of callers, for example to 1000 maximum. However, this solution is not satisfactory because it greatly limits the number of calls and therefore of participants in the game.

 We could think of a solution which would consist in allowing deferred calls. However, this solution is generally not applicable.

 Indeed, more often than not spectators are present on the set where the televised game takes place and also have the possibility of playing live. It is therefore necessary to give the solution within a reasonable period of time and therefore to also transmit it to the viewers, which closes the playing time. In addition, each answer has an impact on the rest of the story. A player who gives a wrong answer can be eliminated at any time. He must therefore know it in real time.

 In addition, regardless of this fact, it seems necessary to avoid any risk of fraud. In other words, the telephone results must remain personalized. Delayed response makes it easy and easy to share results with others.

 The invention proposes to provide a solution to this problem and more particularly to make it possible for as many people as possible to participate in this type of broadcast, without risk of saturation of the standards and while minimizing the possibilities of fraud.

 To do this, the invention takes advantage of certain technical characteristics of teletext type transmission systems.

 First of all, it seems useful to briefly recall the characteristics of this mode of transmission.

 The basic principle of teletext or similar system is to transmit digital information of the text or semi-graphic type by the channel of the television signals, but during time intervals not occupied by the video signal (scan return intervals) .

 There are several standards, such as the CEEFAX standard, level I.

 This system makes it possible to transmit all the characters, upper and lower case, eight colors, as well as some attributes. The display is done in 40 columns on 24 lines.

 Many modern television receivers are provided with circuits for displaying the data transmitted by this process. They include in particular a specialized decoder and memory circuits recording teletext pages, all controlled by a microprocessor. These televisions usually have a remote control comprising specialized keys making it possible to have selective access to particular pages and / or information of a particular type (theme, etc.).

 We can point out two axes of evolution of this standard.

 The first evolution concerns an improvement of the graphics. According to the aforementioned standard, if one wishes to display drawings, the minimum pattern is a square with an area equal to the intersection of a line and a column. It has therefore been proposed to replace the colored squares with colored points or pixels.

 The second development aims to speed up the reading of teletext pages. Indeed, the aforementioned CEEFAX standard allows 1000 pages to be transmitted. It is therefore laborious to turn page after page to access information sought.

 Also two methods have been proposed: the methods known under the acronyms "TOP" (for "Top Of Page"), implemented in Germany in particular, and the method "FLOF", simpler, implemented in other countries Europeans such as Spain.

 These two methods allow easier and faster navigation among the teletext pages.

 From a hardware point of view, the TV remote control has additional buttons, more precisely four colored buttons: red, green, blue and yellow.

 The "TOP" system organizes the teletext pages according to a tree structure: blocks, pages, etc.

 For example, the red button addresses blocks associated with themes: sport, news, etc. And the green touch of particular pages: national, international.

 In the "FLOF" system, there is an organization page after page: for example, from page 111 to 115, sports, etc. The red and green buttons play a role similar to that of a search button on a tape recorder (rear, front).

 The invention takes advantage of the possibilities of interactivity of teletext hitherto unused.

 The invention therefore relates to an interactive teletext method.

 The invention also relates to a system for implementing this method.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the description which follows with reference to the appended figures, and among which
- Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of an interactive teletext system architecture according to the invention;
- Figure 2 illustrates the coding process used in the invention;
- Figure 3 illustrates a particular step of comparison implemented in the method according to the invention;
To fix the ideas, and without this restricting in any way the scope of the invention, we will assume that the proposed game consists of guessing, according to a given scenario, where various objects are hidden in one or more images successively displayed.

 More specifically, according to an important aspect of the invention, provision is made to display, over the image, a mobile cursor on the screen: arrow or other suitable pictogram. The viewer can therefore play simply by controlling the movement of the cursor on the screen, as explained below, and click on the zone which he thinks corresponds to the correct answer.

 FIG. 1 illustrates the simplified architecture of an interactive teletext system according to the invention, applied to such a game.

 The main components are as follows: a teletext decoder 1, a microprocessor 2, a memory 4 of teletext pages, an interface circuit 3 capturing the radiation emitted by the Teiec remote control, and the screen 5 of the television set. A priori, these circuits are already present on a conventional television set equipped with a teletext system.

 In particular, a microprocessor 2 is present in most televisions and used for various functions of settings outside the precise scope of the invention.

 It was assumed, to fix the idea, that the number of teletext pages was equal to 1000: referenced po to p999. In the context of the invention, pages p997 to pggg are reserved by convention for a specific use which will be detailed below.

 The Teiec remote control includes, as has been recalled, in addition to the conventional function keys not shown, four special function keys, referenced T1 to T4. It is advantageously the colored keys (red, green, blue and yellow) used in the context of the above-mentioned "TOP" system. These keys are used for the teletext mode which we will describe as normal.

 When it is desired to switch to interactive teletext mode, that is to say according to the method of the invention, it is necessary to reallocate these keys to other functions specific to this mode.

 There are several ways to do this. By way of nonlimiting examples, one of the keys pressed first, for example the blue key, can be used to switch the system to interactive teletext mode. The interface 3 receives a code specific to this key and, after optoelectronic conversion, transmits, via a link 30, a binary code corresponding to the microprocessor.

This interprets it as a mode change command: "normal teletext mode" to "interactive teletext mode". You can also press one of the colored buttons twice, for example the blue button, to switch to interactive mode. We can still provide an additional touch.

 This action gives access to the teletext pages reserved for interactive mode, for example pages p997 to pggg, as indicated. In addition, the microprocessor 2 controls from this instant a character generator 6 creating the aforementioned cursor 50 and displaying it on the screen 5, at a coordinate transmitted by the link 32 to this character generator 6. The output signals of this character generator 6 are conventionally mixed with the video signals of the displayed image.

 Finally, the subsequent actions exerted on the colored keys are interpreted, by the microprocessor 2, in a different way than in the normal mode.

When entering this interactive mode, the above-mentioned function keys are used to control the movement of the cursor 50 on the screen 5: for example, the T1 key is used for horizontal movement to the left, the key
T2 for a horizontal movement to the right, the T3 key for a vertical movement up and the T4 key for a vertical movement down.

 It is therefore possible, by this means, to obtain a displacement of the cursor 50 on the screen and bring it to a desired area. To answer the question or questions asked, concerning the image being displayed, it will suffice to click on an additional key, arbitrarily referenced Tx in FIG. 1. This key can be a specific key in interactive mode or a usual key also re-allocated when switching to this mode.

 Before explaining how this last action can be taken into account to constitute an answer, it is necessary to describe the complete process of transmission of the questions and the accompanying teletext data, according to another aspect of the invention.

 During the display interval for each question, the microprocessor 2 receives from the decoder 1, via the link 11, a time signal, in this case the so-called "CEEFAX time" signal. There is therefore a one-to-one relationship between this signal and the instant of transmission of the question in progress. On the other hand, it receives the code of the colored button pressed, T1 to T4, by the viewer, via the link 30.

 More precisely, the start of the operation (game) is initialized by sending a particular code, for example the binary word "111", word recorded on page p999. It allows the start of a count when it is detected by microprocessor 2.

 Similarly, a particular code, for example the binary word "1 li" is transmitted at the end of the series of questions.

 These operations are under the control of microprocessor 2.

 For each question asked, a complete page of data describing screen 5 is transmitted, that is to say a matrix of 24 rows x 40 columns.

This matrix includes "0" for all the boxes except one which contains a "1".

This box indicates the correct answer, that is to say the place on the screen on which the viewer must click to obtain the correct answer. The data in this matrix, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are entered in one of the pages reserved for the interactive teletext mode, in this case page p998, in the example described.

To the cursor 50, an index is made to correspond, in the form of a given binary character I. When the cursor 51 is moved on the screen, the code I is also recorded in the page p997. This has the same configuration as page P998: 24 x 40 memory boxes which are one-to-one correlation with the physical position of cursor 51 on screen 5.

 When the player clicks on an area of the screen, a comparison is made with the content of the corresponding address (memory box) on page p998. If this box contains a "1", the comparison is positive and the comparison signal Scomp equal "1" (in the case of FIG. 2), otherwise the comparison is negative: Scomp = "O". FIG. 2 shows a comparator circuit Comp, responsible for carrying out the aforementioned comparison. In reality, it is advantageously the arithmetic and logic unit of the microprocessor 2 which will carry out this operation. The result of the comparison is saved on page p999.

 If Scomp = "0", the character generator can cause the display in real time, on the screen, of a message of the type "lost", "missed" or "won", as the case may be, indicating to the viewer that he was mistaken, either that he is definitively eliminated or that his final score will be lower, or on the contrary that he can continue. Such arrangements are likely to offer a better feeling of interactivity.

 After each response, the microprocessor 2 combines this information (5comp) with the above-mentioned temporal teletext signal ("CEEFAX time") and accumulates the partial results in a part of the page p999, not accessible to the teletext information.

 Advantageously, it is possible to provide a time window preventing any taking into account of a new choice, after a first press of the Tx key has been detected by the microprocessor 2. This time window makes it possible to proceed to the next question , and therefore allows only one answer.

 At the end of the game, the microprocessor 2 performs an additional operation which consists in combining the result of the answers to the questions, a result itself resulting from the combination of two types of data: the colored key codes and the time data, with additional data identifying the player. The name of the operation, i.e. the game, is also saved on the pggg page.

 Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, this data can be the serial number of the television set.

 Figure 3 schematically illustrates this process.

A Caïc calculation unit, advantageously the arithmetic and logical unit of microprocessor 2, combines the three types of data: Dt or transmitted time data (CEEFAX time), Scomp or comparison data derived from the action on the fifth key d - allocated from the Teîec remote control (key
Tx) and DN or serial number of the TV. The result of the combination is hereinafter called "SCORE" Score.

 The combination can be performed using a polynomial algorithm or by any conventional encryption method.

 The Score code is stored in the pggg page memory. Knowing this, the serial number of the TV and, of course, the result of the "Quiz", it is possible to determine if the player has found the right answers. However, even if the answer is displayed at the end of the game on the viewer's screen, it is not possible for him to defraud unless he breaks the code. It therefore suffices to use a sufficiently robust encryption algorithm so that the risk of fraud is reduced to an acceptable threshold.

 In practical terms, at the end of the game, in addition to the calculated SCORE SCOre, the name of the operation or game, the station serial number and a telephone number are stored in the page memory pggg. It is therefore sufficient to display them on the screen using the normal teletext functions.

 The viewer can therefore defer their telephone call to the aforementioned telephone number, without the risk of possible fraud. It also follows that a very large number of viewers will be able to participate effectively in the game, without risk of saturation of the station standard.

 The return to normal teletext mode can be carried out simply by pressing an appropriate button, for example a button called TTV controlling the usual functions of the television (see Figures 2).

 To summarize, according to one of the essential characteristics of the method of the invention, we proceed to a step of calculating a unique code word from which the choices made by the viewer during the game can be reconstructed and determine whether he has won . The coded word, or more precisely encrypted, is obtained, by application of an appropriate encryption algorithm, from three types of information: information transmitted by teletext in one-to-one relationship with the various questions asked, information identifying the player, such as the serial number of the television set, and information provided by the player himself, linked to the successive choices made.

 It is easy to see, after reading the description above that the invention achieves the goals it set for itself.

 It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited to only the examples of embodiments precisely described, in particular in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4.

 It only requires minor modifications to the circuits already present on modern televisions.

 In particular, it is not dependent on a particular teletext standard, for example the above-mentioned CEEFAX standard. It can indeed accommodate many modifications of it.

 For example, the colored keys could be replaced by specific keys.

 Other personal identification codes of the viewer can also be used: for example a subscriber number for an encrypted channel, etc. This code could also be entered before transmission, using the remote control, and saved in the specific teletext page.

Claims (11)

 1. Interactive teletext method, in particular for a game during which at least one question is asked and the answer to this question requires the designation of at least one area of an image displayed on the screen (5) of a television set. (Tv) provided with a teletext data reception system, this television set (Tv) comprising a control device of the keypad type (TeleC) characterized in that it further comprises at least the following steps  a preliminary step during which said teletext data reception system is switched from a so-called normal mode to a so-called interactive mode for which the received data is selectively transmitted to particular teletext pages (p997 to pggg), causes the re- allocation of a first series of keys (T1 to T4) and of an additional key (Tx) of said keyboard-type control member and the display on said screen of a mobile cursor, superimposed on said image; the position of this cursor being under control said first series of re-allocated keys  - N steps for transmitting teletext data associated with each question, with N> 1, and as many steps for recording data entered by the viewer in response to the questions asked and displayed on said screen (5) ;;  in that the teletext data include, for each question, temporal data (Dt), in one-to-one relation with the time of transmission of the said question and recorded in a first particular teletext page (p999) and data describing the topology of the said screen and entered in a second particular teletext page (P998) so as to enter a first binary code in a location on this page designating said area to be designated and a second binary code for all other locations;  in that the entry consists in actuating said additional key (Tx) so as to designate a determined area of the screen and to register a particular index code in a location of a particular teletext page (p997) in one-to-one relationship with the location of said cursor during actuation ;;  - N stages of comparison between the content of said second and third particular teletext pages, so as to generate comparison data whose binary value indicates whether the comparison is positive or negative, and of recording these comparison data in said first particular teletext page (pggg)  - N steps of combining said time data (Dt) with said comparison data (Scomp) so as to obtain an accumulation of partial results and their recording in said particular teletext page (P999);  - a calculation step combining the partial results with a personal code (DN) identifying the viewer so as to obtain a complete result in the form of a coded word called score (Score).  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an additional step consisting in the display, on said screen (5), of a message associated with the instant result of each action, in particular a message of the "won" type. " or  3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said first series of re-allocated keys comprising four keys (T1 to T4), each of the keys causes a movement of said cursor in one of the four directions of a quadrant.  4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a first additional step of transmission of a first particular code initializing the start of said television game, a second additional step of transmission of a code particular end of game time and a third additional step during which a data identifying the game is transmitted by teletext, these first and second particular codes as well as said identification data are recorded in said particular teletext page (p999).  5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said personal code (DN) identifying the viewer (U) consists of the serial number of the television set.  6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said calculation step consists in the application of an encryption algorithm.  7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, at the end of the game, the following additional steps  - recording in said particular teletext page of a telephone number that the viewer must dial to participate in the game;  - recording in said particular teletext page (p999) of said personal code (DN) identifying the viewer;  - control of the display on the screen (5) of said score (Score), said telephone number and said personal code (DN) identifying the viewer ;;  - deferred transmission, by telephone, by dialing said telephone number, of said score (Score) and of said personal code (DN) identifying the viewer, so as to be able to reconstruct the responses made by the viewer to said questions from the score (SCOre) and personal identification code (DN).  8. System for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one teletext decoder (1), a memory of teletext pages (4), a signal processing member (2) comprising calculation circuits, a character generator (6) for the display superimposed on said image of a cursor (51) and a control device of the key keyboard type (TeleC)) in that this organ includes special keys (T1 to T4) reserved for teletext functions, as well as at least one additional key (Tx) and allows the teletext system to be switched to said interactive mode, in that, in this mode, said particular keys (T1 to T4) and said additional key (Tx) are reallocated to functions specific to this mode and make it possible to move said cursor (51) and to make choices to answer said questions posed by actuating said key e additional when the cursor has reached a desired position on the screen, in that said signal processing member (2) is connected, on the one hand, to the teletext decoder (1) and, on the other hand, to the keyboard type control unit (Teîec), in that the signal processing unit (2) addresses particular teletext pages (p997 to p999) during the so-called interactive mode and stores the data transmitted by teletext therein as well as the data corresponding to the successive choices made, and in that this signal processing unit (2) performs the calculations necessary for the application of said algorithm so as to obtain said score (Score) and to record it in said teletext page particular (p999).  9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that in that said keyboard-type control member is an infrared remote control (TeleC) in that this remote control comprises four function keys (T1 to T4) of distinct colors corresponding to teletext functions and in that pressing one of the keys makes it possible to transmit commands for moving the cursor (51) to said signal processing device (2), via an interface device (3) converting infrared radiation captured in binary codes.  10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that in that said keyboard-type control member is an infrared remote control (Teîec), in that this remote control comprises an additional reallocated key (Tx) and in that the pressing this key (Tx) allows transmitting zone selection commands to said signal processing unit (2), via an interface unit (3) converting the received infrared radiation into binary codes.  11. System according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said signal processing member is a microprocessor (2).