GB2395388A - Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user - Google Patents

Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2395388A
GB2395388A GB0226755A GB0226755A GB2395388A GB 2395388 A GB2395388 A GB 2395388A GB 0226755 A GB0226755 A GB 0226755A GB 0226755 A GB0226755 A GB 0226755A GB 2395388 A GB2395388 A GB 2395388A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
information
operational information
messages
auditory
signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0226755A
Other versions
GB0226755D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Snee
Den Heuvel Sabine Van
Andrew Roger Kilner
Victoria Sophia Jennings
Katherine Stabler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sony Europe Ltd
Original Assignee
Sony United Kingdom Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sony United Kingdom Ltd filed Critical Sony United Kingdom Ltd
Priority to GB0226755A priority Critical patent/GB2395388A/en
Publication of GB0226755D0 publication Critical patent/GB0226755D0/en
Publication of GB2395388A publication Critical patent/GB2395388A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • 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
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4332—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository
    • 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
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H04N21/4355—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream involving reformatting operations of additional data, e.g. HTML pages on a television screen
    • 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
    • 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]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8106—Monomedia components thereof involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
    • 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
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/434—Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
    • H04N21/4345—Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
    • 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
    • H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
    • H04N21/4828—End-user interface for program selection for searching program descriptors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for receiving a signal including operational information for the apparatus which relates to the content of the signal, the apparatus including a message database for providing predetermined messages for a user, a user interface response to input by the user, a decoder for receiving operational information and providing the operational information as auditory information, a controller responsive to the user interface for causing selective portions of the operational information to be provided as auditory information with one or more of said predetermined messages as appropriate so the user is able to navigate the operational information. Preferably the signal is a television signal and the operational information relates to an auditory EPG. The predetermined messages may include 'press select to watch'.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING SIGNALS
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for receiving signals, in particular signals, which include operational information for the apparatus 5 and which relate to the content of the signal.
Various devices are known for receiving signals with content information.
For example, television devices receive and reproduce audio/video television signals and telephone devices receive and reproduce audio signals. Systems are known in which operational information is transmitted and received along with the content 10 information. For instance, in the field of television systems, information may be sent
regarding the programs and timing of those programs for a selection of channels.
Similarly, for telephone systems, information may be sent regarding the caller or the . service provider.
In general, the operational information is provided visually, for instance on a 15 television screen or the display screen of a telephone. This can be a significant problem when the television or telephone is used by someone who is visually . impaired. It is known to provide information in an audio form rather than a video form.
Indeed, it is possible to use a vocaliser to convert automatically displayed words into 20 spoken words. However, where the information allows interaction with the user, for instance a menu in which particular items may be selected, this becomes very difficult and time consuming to use. In particular, in order to convey all of the displayed information, it is neccessary for each word in turn to be vocalised such that a user may have to wait a considerable amount of time to hear all of the information 25 and may then find it difficult to select the required part of that information.
It is also known to provide described televisor services in which additional data is sent with a television signal which can be decoded to provide an audio description of the scenes and actions in a television program.
There is a problem with previous systems in providing convenient interaction 30 for a visually impaired user.
-2 According to the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving a signal including operational information relating to the content of the signal, the method including: decoding received operational information; 5 selectively providing decoded portions of the operational information as auditory information; and providing predetermined auditory messages in conjunction with the auditory information so as to navigate a user through the operational information.
According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for 10 receiving a signal including operational information for the apparatus which relates to the content of the signal, the apparatus including: a message database for providing predetermined messages for a users; a user interface responsive to input by the user; a decoder for receiving operational information and providing the operational 15 information as auditory information; a controller responsive to the user interface for causing selected portions of the operational information to be provided as auditory information with one or more of said predetermined messages as appropriate such that the user is able to navigate the operational information.
20 In this way, the messages may be provided with the operational information so to act as a navigational and selection guide for the received operational information. There need not be any prior knowledge of the exact data of the operational information. This data can be the standard data already transmitted for use in a visual display. Appropriate parts of the data can be extracted for conversion 25 into vocalised information. Presentation and navigation amongst the vocalised information can be achieved by the vocalised predetermined messages.
By use of the predetermined messages, it is possible to have a user navigate through the operational information without having all of that information vocalised word by word. Furthermore, the predetermined messages may be used to indicate 30 particular parts of current operational information, for instance part of a menu
-3 available for selection. This way, navigation is facilitated.
Preferably, the decoder coverts the operational information into a predetermined data structure and includes a vocaliser for converting the operational information of the predetermined data structure into the auditory information.
5 The operational information will often be transmitted in binary code which in itself is difficult to use and is intended for specific purposes in controlling the receiver and displaying information. By converting the operational information into the predetermined data structure, the required data becomes more readily available and usable. Indeed, once in a predetermined data structure, it becomes more straight 10 forward to provide an appropriaite vocaliser. Indeed, it becomes possible to use a standard vocaliser, irrespective of the particular data contained in the operational information. Preferably, the message database provides the predetermined messages in the predetermined data structure such that the vocaliser converts the predetermined 15 messages into auditory messages.
In this way, the overall structure of the apparatus may be simplified. The data of the messages and the data of the operational information may be combined if necessary by the controller and then provided to the vocaliser together for convers10n. 20 Alternatively, it is also possible for the message database to directly output audio messages which may be interleaved with the output of the vocaliser as necessary. Preferably the predetermined data structure is XML.
This forms a particularly useful structure and allows effective vocalisers to be 25 used. Preferably, the vocaliser is an XSLT. This is a particular effective way of converting from the XML data structure.
Preferably, the predetermined messages are combined with the auditory information so as to provide to the user selection options specific to the received 30 operational information.
-4 The controller may use the predetermined messages to provide a user with a basic menu of selection options for operation of the apparatus irrespective of received operational information. However, in addition, the predetermined messages maybe used to present various portions of received operational information and allow 5 selection depending on the content of the operational information. For instance, the predetermined messages may be used to present the program titles contained in the operational information for the available channels, such that the user can select a desired channel on the basis of the program titles.
Preferably, the decoder additionally provides the operational information as 10 visual information, the message data base additionally provider predetermined visual messages corresponding to the predetermined messages and the controller provides the visual messages and visual information together for display.
In this way, the apparatus may still be used effectively and conveniently by fully sighted users.
15 The message data base may provide the visual messages directly or may provide the same predetermined messages in the same predetermined data structure for conversion into a visual message.
Preferably, when the messages and/or the auditory information provided by the controller indicate a respective content portion of the received signal, the user 20 interface allows selection of the respective content portion and the controller is responsive to the user interface so as to provide the respective content portion to the user. In this way, the controller allows not only navigation between various messages and portions of the operational information but also allows selection of 25 actual content information.
Preferably, the content portion is an audio/video television channel.
Thus, the controller allows selection of a particular channel described by the messages and/or auditory information so to allow reproduction of the signal for that channel. 30 Preferably, the signal is a television signal and the operational information is
-s - program information such that the controller provides an auditory Electronic Program Guide.
Without the use of the predetermined messages in conjunction with vocalised operational information of the Electronic Program Guide, it is extremely difficult for 5 a visually impaired user to navigate an Electronic Program Guide. The present invention allows the user to be provided with an indication of where he or she is within the Electronic Program Guide without vocalising the entire content of the displayed Electronic Program Guide and allows navigation and selection of portions within the Electronic Program Guide.
10 Preferably, the operational information includes Event Information Tables.
The Event Information Tables may be of a standard format but, as raw data, are relatively unusable. By extraction of appropriate data, auditory information can be provided with the vocalised messages to allow navigation and selection to a visually impaired user.
15 Preferably the signal is a DVB signal.
The present invention is particualarly advantageous for use with such signals.
According to the present invention there is also provided a set top box for a television and including an apparatus as described above.
The set top box may be used in conjunction with a known set top box which 20 provides only decoding and visual EPG display. Alternatively, it may be a fully integrated set top box including audio/video decoding.
Preferably the audio messages and auditory information are provided as a signal for reproduction by audio transducers of a television.
Hence, the auditory presentaion is provided in the same way as for the audio 25 component of the audio/video signal.
Preferably the auditory messages and auditory information are provided as a signal for reproduction by audio transducers other than those of a television.
Hence, outputs may be provided for separate loud speakers or head phones.
According to the present invention there is also provided a television 30 apparatus including an apparatus as described above.
-6 According to the present invention there is also provided a mobile telephone apparatus including an apparatus as described above.
It will be appreciated that the present invention need not be implemented in hardware but could be implemented in a mixture of hardware and software or in 5 software alone. Hence, according to the present invention, there is also provided a computer program comprising program code means for performing all the steps described above when the program is run on a computer or in a suitable set top box, television or telephone apparatus.
There is also provided a computer program product comprising the program 10 code means stored on a computer readable medium.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings; in which: Figures l(a) to (c) illustrate devices embodying the present invention; 15 Figure 2 illustrates schematically component parts embodying the present invention; Figures 3 to 9 illustrate menus available to the user with various embodiments of the present invention; and Figure 10 illustrates schematically a particular implementation of the present 20 invention.
The present invention may be used in conjunction with any apparatus in which operational information is received and requires presentation to the user and navigation/selection by the user. It is particularly useful for providing an audio 25 reproduction of information previously only given in video form. Suitable examples include integrated televisions such as illustrated in figure l(a), set top boxes such as illustrated in figure l(b) and mobile telephones such as illustrated in figure l(c).
The television 2 of figure 1 (a) and the set top box 4 of figure 1 (b) both receive a broadcast television signal, such as a DVB. This signal includes not only 30 content information such as the actual television programs in the various channels
-7 but also operational information regarding the content information and its location in the data stream. Similarly, other devices, such as the mobile phone 6 figure l(c) may receive operational information as well as content information i.e the telephone audio signal in the case of the mobile telephone 6.
5 The operational information may be displayed on the television screen 8 or display screen 10. In the case of the set top box 4, the operational information may be provided as a video signal for display on an associated television display. A user interface including for instance a remote control 12, remote control 14 or keypad 16 allows the user to navigate through displayed operational information, selecting sub 10 menus and/or content information such as actual televisor programmes represented in the operational information.
The present invention addresses the problem that the operational information changes and is determined by the broadcaster. It is therefore not possible to have a predetermined representation of that operational information in an audio format.
15 Furthermore, merely vocalising the information as displayed can require considerable time when a large amount of information, such as an EPG, is displayed. Without the usual visual prompts, it also becomes extremely difficult to navigate the displayed information and select information as required.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically functional components embodying the 20 present invention. It will be appreciated that these functional components are defined and described so as to provide a clear understanding of the invention and do not necessarily represent actual components of an apparatus. In practice, the invention will be implemented in software, particularly as an object oriented structure, such that the precise division of functionality will not exist.
25 A signal in the form of a data stream 18 is received by decoder 20. The signal 18 may be a televisor signal having operational information including an Electronic Program Guide. The data of the operational information may be embedded as Event Information Tables. In this respect, the present invention is particular applicable to DVB signals. However, as explained above, the present 30 invention is applicable to devices receiving other signals, such as telephone signals.
-8 Under the control of controller 22, the decoder 20 produces a vocalised version of portions of the received operational information and provides this for audio reproduction, for instance audio driver 24. The exact nature of the audio output is not essential to the present invention. A signal may be provided for 5 insertion into the output television signal such that the vocalised messages and/or auditory operational information is inserted into the main television output signal and reproduced by means of the loud speakers of the television. Alternatively, the signal may be provided to alternative amplifier and/or loud speaker circuits for separate reproduction. 10 A message database 26 is also under the control of the controller 22 and includes a plurality of predetermined messages. These may be single words or phrases as required. The controller 22 is able to combine predetermined messages from the messages database 26 with portions of the received operational information so as to present corresponding auditory information i.e. vocalised operational 15 information, in a context indicated by the vocalised message. In this way, it is not necessary to vocalise all of the operational information as auditory information. The controller 22 can cause only certain portions of the operational information to be vocalised as auditory information with the context and/or relevance of those portions being indicated by a predetermined message from the message database 26.
20 An interface 28, for instance operated by remote controllers 12, 14 or keypad 16, provides input from the user to the controller 22. In this way, a user can move to other portions of the operational information guided by appropriate predetermined messages produced from the message database 26 under the control of the controller 22. Furthermore, the user interface 28 allows a user to select content information 25 corresponding to a particular portion of the operational information as indicated by a predetermined message from the message database 26. For example, a predetermined message from the message database 26 might indicate that a particular channel is "selective" and the associated operational information may indicate the title of the program currently showing on that channel. By means of the user
30 interface 28, for instance actuation of a "select" key on a remote control or keypad,
-9- the program content of that channel will be reproduced on the television, although not illustrated. At this point, the controller can cause another part of the apparatus or indeed another apparatus to decode and reproduce the selective channel.
As illustrated, the decoder is divided into 2 functional components, namely a 5 converter 30 and a vocaliser 32. In this embodiment, the converter 30 extracts appropriate data from the data stream 18 and converts operational information into a predetermined data structure, such as XML. By using a data structure of this type, it is relatively easy to implement a suitable vocaliser or auralization engine VOXML or Voice XML. With this embodiment, it then becomes advantageous to provide the 10 predetermined messages in the message database in the same data structure. The vocaliser 32 is then able to vocalise both the operational information and the predetermined messages. Under the control of the controller 22, the vocaliser 32 can take in the required sequence of predetermined messages and portions of the operational information so as to create an audio sequence of words as required.
15 Alternatively, the converter 30 could convert received data into a proprietary structure. Also, the message database 26 could store the predetermined messages in a different format for reproduction or store the messages in an audio format for direct reproduction. In any event, the controller 22 still controls which predetermined messages are used at what time and controls the order or sequence of any words 20 produced from the operational information and the message database 26.
It may be desirable for the operational information to be displayed visually in the normal manner. Hence, an output of operational information from the decoder 20 may be provided to a video driver 34. Usually, with this arranged, it is not necessary to provide any visual representation of the predetermined messages of the message 25 database 26. In this respect, it should be appreciated that the predetermined messages of the message database 26 are provided mainly to allow auditory navigation through the operational information. Nevertheless, the embodiment of figure 2 shows a connection between the message database 26 and the video driver 34 such that custom visual menus may be envisaged using messages from the 30 message database 26.
-10 The following provides an example of operation of the present invention with a television receiver in which portions of the operational information are additionally displayed on screen.
Figure 3 provides a main menu for operating the system. At this level, no 5 reference is required to the specific received operational information and the user is given a selection of options from which to choose.
The controller 22 may first cause a message ro be read from the message database 26 such as "Welcome to What's on TV."
10 "There are 7 options available on screen, press down and up arrow keys on remote control to go through each option. Press O to read through all options".
As the user scrolls through the selection, the controller 22 causes the following messages to be output: 15 "Press I or SELECT now to view all channels" "Press 2 or SELECT now to view favourites" "Press 3 or SELECT now to find by time" "Press 4 pr SELECT now to find by category" "Press 5 or SELECT now to find by channel (A-Z)" 20 "Press 6 or SELECT now to find by programme (A-Z)" "Press 7 or SELECT now to set up menu" Of course, if the user selects "O" then the controller 22 causes each of the messages to be read out in turn.
25 As should be appreciated if the user presses "SELECT" or an appropriate numeric key then the controller 22 will move to produce a new and appropriate menu. Figure 4 illustrates a sub-menu for an embodiment of the present invention (not necessarily the same as that for figure 3).
Having selected this menu, the controller 22 causes a further message to be read from 30 the message database 26:
"Welcome to Find By Favourites" "There are 14 options available on screen press down and up arrow keys on remote control to go through each option. Press 0 to read through all options" By scrolling through the options in turn, the user is read the following 5 respective message: "Press 1 or SELECT now for ABC News" "Press 2 or SELECT now for Discovery" "Press 3 or SELECT now for MTV" 10 "Press 4 or SELECT now for Sky One" "Press 5 or SELECT now for Sky One" "Press 6 or SELECT now for Sky Sports l " "Press 7 or SELECT now for Sky Sports 2" "Press 8 or SELECT now for Sky Movie I " 15 "Press 9 or SELECT now for Sky Movie 2" "Press 10 or SELECT now for Sky Discovery" "Press 11 or SELECT now for ?" "Press 12 or SELECT now for ?" "Press 13 or SELECT now for ?" 20 "Press 14 or SELECT now for ?" Activation of key 0 will of course call all of the options to be read in turn.
It will be appreciated that with this menu, the controller 22 is combining messages from the database 26, such as "press 1 or SELECT now for" with 25 operational information, such as "ABC News", received in the broadcast signal.
Before use, the apparatus will not know the names of the available channels Indeed, the names of these channels may change over time or differ from region to region.
Hence, the operational information relating to the names of the channels may have been extracted and combined with messages from the message database 26 so as to 30 allow audio navigation between the selection of channel "favourites".
-12 It may be noted that in this example where the menu is a menu of "favourites" it is possible that, at the time of reproducing the menus, the names of the channels are not extracted and reproduced from the received signal 18. These names may have been retrieved during earlier uses of the apparatus and stored in a memory for the 5 "favourites".
For the illustrated example with 2 columns of options, the left and right arrow keys could also be used such that if, from the position illustrated in figure 4, the user presses the right arrow key, the highlighted section will move to " 10. Sky Discovery" and the controller will read out "Press l 0 or SELECT now for Sky Discovery" by 10 combining for instance messages "Press... or SELECT now for" with message " 10" and information "Sky Discovery".
Figure 5 illustrates another menu in which program listings are provided for each of the previously chosen "favourites".
Upon opening the menu, the user is read the following message, which must 15 be tailored according to the options available and, hence, program information contained in the operational information: "Welcome to Favourites Listing" "There are 16 options available on screen, press down and up arrow keys on remote control to go through each channel and press left and right arrow keys on 20 remote control to go through each time period. Press 0 to read through all options".
By scrolling down the channel "favourites", the user is read the following: "Press 1 or SELECT now for ABC News" "Press 2 or SELECT now for Discovery" 25 "Press 3 or SELECT now for Fox News" "Press 4 or SELECT now for MTV" "Press 5 or SELECT now for Sky One" "Press 6 or SELECT now for Sky Sports 1" As mentioned above, this is formed by combining predetermined messages 30 with program titles taken from operational information. However, contrary to the
-13 example given above, the listing refers to actual broadcast information regarding program name and times. Hence, it is preferred that the displayed and reproduced information is retrieved directly from the current broadcast signal 18.
For the example illustrated in figure 5 the user has pressed the down arrow 5 six times such that the highlighted section and currently selected channel is "Sky Sports". By combining appropriate predetermined messages with operational information regarding the channel name and the currently showing program name the apparatus reads: "Sky Sports" 10 "Currently showing is Football, press SELECT to watch" "If you want to know what is on next press right arrow key on the remote control" The user could then press the right arrow key such that the highlighted section moves to "Rugby" as illustrated in figure 5. The apparatus then reads: 15 "At 18:30 on Sky Sports there will be Rugby, for information press the Info key on the remote control" In this case, the controller has caused the program information "Rugby" and its start time of "18:30" to be extracted as operational information from the signal 18 and combined with messages from the message database 26.
20 Pressing the left arrow key would cause the highlighted section to move back to "Football" and the following message to be read: "Sky Sports" "Currently showing is Football, press SELECT to watch" Figure 5 also illustrates how the coloured function keys can have functions 25 which may be indicated to the user by appropriate auditory messages.
Figures 6 to 9 illustrate other possible display menus for which respective audio navigation may be provided.
In the example of figure 6, a menu is provided for selecting the particular time for which the user wishes to obtain a channel listing. For the illustrated, 30 example the apparatus might read:
-14 "Press SELECT now for 18:00pm" Figure 7 illustrates a menu for channel listings. This is similar to the favourite listing of figure 5. Thus, similarly the user can scroll up or down to change channels or left or right to hear programs and program times.
5 For some programs, program information may be available. The option of hearing this information will be read to the user using a message from the message database 26. Having selected this information, a display screen may appear such as illustrated in figure 8. The apparatus can then read the operational information as displayed. 10 It is also possible to implement the present invention simultaneously with reproduction of a television program. Hence, as illustrated in figure 9, operational information relating to program channels may be displayed on part of the screen along with the video program. It may be desireable to mute the sound of the television program while the apparatus reads messages and operational information 15 particularly where the apparatus uses the same audio transducers i.e. loud speakers.
The following description relates to a particular implementation of the present
invention. Figure 10 illustrates schematically an embodiment of the present invention which allows users to navigate around a broadcast digital television service with 20 television presented audibly.
It is particularly advantageous for tuning to unencrypted DVB compliant digital broadcasts, such as Free-To-Air (ETA) digital terrestrial broadcasts or, alternatively, satellite services.
It provides to the presentation device, such as a television, audio and video 25 signals for the desired channel and can be extended to provide audio description
services. It shows the current channel number and description along with the current
and next program name and time in a suitably readable font on thepresentation device (where the appropriate signalling is provided by the service).
30 It provides an audible rendition of the current channel number and the
-15 description along with the current and next program name and time (where the
appropriate signalling is provided by the service).
It allows direct navigation to a particular channel by entry of the approriate channel number, for instance via a remote control device.
5 It allows navigation from one channel to another in logical order through the use of suitable "next" and "previous" interaction, for instance with the remote control device. It allows the audible description to be switched on and off and allows a
direct command for the description to be spoken.
It allows a user to request a detailed description of the currently playing
10 program to be spoken where the information is available from the digital service.
With reference to figure 10, the functional architecture provides a layered design that allows particular application and technical details to be constrained into separate components. The interfaces A to G form a clearly specified API using open standards to allow effective interoperability of the components and individual unit 1 5 testing.
For the receiver platform, the NokiaMedia terminal may be used. This is a Linux device with integral components for digital tuning, decoding, remote device interface and audio output. The hardware layer is accessed through the open OSTdev library. 20 The hardware layer includes a digital tuner, a decoder, a remote device interface and an audio output device. The digital tuner enables the tuning and reception of Free-To-Air digital terrestrial (or digital satellite) signals. The tuner is able to be controlled by digital interface A allowing the specification of frequency
and other relevant parameters.
25 The decoder is able to multiplex the tuned unicripted potions of the digital multiplex and allow the filtering and access to table sections at the binary level. The decoder is able to provide access to the PAT, PMT, NIT, SDT, BAT, KIT tables where broadcast. The decoder is able to decode at least 2 unencrypted audio streams (specified PID) from the multiplex to an output port and at least one unencrypted 30 video stream (specified PID).
-16 The remote device interface is able to receive signals from a standard remote device. Specification of device characteristics may follow the guidelines set out by
the DVB.
The audio output device is able to generate an audio signal suitable for human 5 speech understanding.
The software layer includes digital stream navigation, EIT/STD decode, navigation logic and auralization engine.
The digital stream navigation handles the instructions and control of the hardware functional components, abstracting the control of navigation details from 10 the navigation logic component (discussed below). The module uses the interfaces A and C to instruct the hardware of channel tuning and decoding.
Interface B enables the navigation logic to instruct this component to undertake the following functions (matching the functional requirements): directly navigate to a particular channel by entry of the channel number; and navigate from 15 one channel to another channel in logical order through the use of suitable "next" and "previous" commands.
Interface D provides section data for the KIT and SDT tables in binary format. The ETT/SDT decode modules takes the EIT/SDT sections containing 20 description information and decode them into a more generic format such as XML.
The navigation logic module represents the core application logic.
Instructions from the user acquired for instance through the remote control, are interpreted and provided as commands to the digital stream navigational component.
The appropriate EIT/SDT information for this application is provided to the 25 auralization component.
The auralization engine component takes textual input and renders it as spoken text. Known components may be used for this purpose.
Preferably, all software components are developed in Java. Existing standard interfaces and API standards may be used, such as XML, DVB-MHP and OSTdev.
30 Interfaces A,C, F and G provide the API to the hardware layer. The OSTdev
-1, 7_ API is used, and where possible, this provides support for the relevant DVB-MHP API packages.
Interface D is able to provide sections in binary format. A substitute for this interface where not possible shall be through the use of te DVB- MHP API.
5 Interface E provides a description of the service information contained in the
KIT and STD tables in XML format.
interface F is preferably OSTdev/MHP.
For interface H. a standard text-to-speech API is used, ideally based on XML.
Interface G is preferably OSTdev/MHP

Claims (1)

  1. -18 CLAIMS
    1. An apparatus for receiving a signal including operational information for the apparatus which relates to the content of the signal, the apparatus including: 5 a message database for providing predetermined messages for a user; a user interface response to input by the user; a decoder for receiving operational information and providing the operational information as auditory information; a controller responsive to the user interface for causing selective portions of 10 the operational information to be provided as auditory information with one or more of said predetermined messages as appropriate so the user is able to navigate the operational information.
    2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the decoder converts the 15 operational information into a predetermined data structure and includes a vocaliser for converting the operational information of the predetermined data structure into the auditory information.
    3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the message database 20 provides the predetermined messages in the predetermined data structure such that the vocaliser converts the predetermined messages into auditory messages.
    4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined data structure is XML.
    5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the vocaliser is an XSLT.
    6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined messages are combined with the auditory information so as to provide 30 to the user selection options specific to the received operational information.
    -19 7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the decoder additionally provides the operational information as visual information, the message database additionally provides predetermined visual messages corresponding to the predetermined messages and the controller provides the visual messages and visual 5 information together for display.
    8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, when the messages and/or auditory information provided by the controller indicate a respective content portion of the received signal, the user interface allows selection of the 10 respective content portion and the controller is responsive to the user interface so as to provide the respective content portion to the user.
    9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the content portion is an audio/video television channel.
    10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal is a television signal and the operational information is program information such that the controller provides an auditory Electric Program Guide.
    20 11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the operational information includes Event Information Tables.
    12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal is a DVB signal.
    13. A set top box apparatus for a television including an apparatus according to any preceding claim.
    14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the auditory messages 30 and auditory information are provided as a signal for reproduction by audio
    -20 transducers of a television.
    15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the auditory messages and auditory information are provided as a signal for reproduction by audio 5 transducers other than those of a television.
    l 6. A television apparatus including an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
    10 17. A mobile telephone apparatus including an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
    18. A method of receiving a signal including operational information relating to the content of the signal, the method including: 15 decoding received operational information; selectively providing decoded portions of the operational information as auditory information; and providing predetermined auditory messages in conjunction with the auditory information so as to navigate a user through the operational information.
    19. A method according to claim 18 further including: responding to input from the user so as to select further operational information or content according to the selection.
    25 20. A computer program comprising program code means for performing all of the steps of any one of the preceding claims when said program is run on a computer. 21. A computer program product comprising program code means stored 30 on a computer readable medium for performing the function of any one of claims I to
    -21 19 when said program product is run on a computer.
    22. An apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
    23. A method of receiving a signal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
GB0226755A 2002-11-15 2002-11-15 Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user Withdrawn GB2395388A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0226755A GB2395388A (en) 2002-11-15 2002-11-15 Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0226755A GB2395388A (en) 2002-11-15 2002-11-15 Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0226755D0 GB0226755D0 (en) 2002-12-24
GB2395388A true GB2395388A (en) 2004-05-19

Family

ID=9947951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0226755A Withdrawn GB2395388A (en) 2002-11-15 2002-11-15 Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2395388A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2237188A1 (en) * 2009-03-30 2010-10-06 T.Med Gesellschaft Für Med. Systeme Mbh Device with an electronic component and use of the device
EP2407961A2 (en) 2010-07-13 2012-01-18 Sony Europe Limited Broadcast system using text to speech conversion

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2278196A (en) * 1993-05-18 1994-11-23 William Michael Frederi Taylor Information system using GPS
WO1998016062A1 (en) * 1996-10-08 1998-04-16 Allen Chang Talking remote control with display

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2278196A (en) * 1993-05-18 1994-11-23 William Michael Frederi Taylor Information system using GPS
WO1998016062A1 (en) * 1996-10-08 1998-04-16 Allen Chang Talking remote control with display

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2237188A1 (en) * 2009-03-30 2010-10-06 T.Med Gesellschaft Für Med. Systeme Mbh Device with an electronic component and use of the device
EP2407961A2 (en) 2010-07-13 2012-01-18 Sony Europe Limited Broadcast system using text to speech conversion
EP2407961A3 (en) * 2010-07-13 2012-02-01 Sony Europe Limited Broadcast system using text to speech conversion
CN102378050A (en) * 2010-07-13 2012-03-14 索尼欧洲有限公司 Broadcast system using text to speech conversion
US9263027B2 (en) 2010-07-13 2016-02-16 Sony Europe Limited Broadcast system using text to speech conversion
CN102378050B (en) * 2010-07-13 2017-03-01 索尼欧洲有限公司 Broadcast system using text-to-speech conversion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0226755D0 (en) 2002-12-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20030046075A1 (en) Apparatus and methods for providing television speech in a selected language
US20040261136A1 (en) Multi-media receiving device and multi-media receiving system
WO2010066189A1 (en) Method and device for quickly browsing programs
WO2011142129A1 (en) Digital broadcast reception device, and digital broadcast reception method
KR20090059281A (en) The image device of processing a plurality of images and the method thereof
KR20080004727A (en) Method and device for displaying electronic program guide of tv
US20040194137A1 (en) Method, system, and apparatus for aural presentation of program guide
JP4989271B2 (en) Broadcast receiver and display method
US8719863B2 (en) Broadcast receiving apparatus and method of outputting program information as speech in broadcast receiving apparatus
GB2395388A (en) Auditory EPG that provides navigational messages for the user
KR20090107350A (en) Method and Apparatus for providing virtual channel service
US8234671B2 (en) Broadcast terminal and favorite broadcast program notification method for the same
JP2000324417A (en) Auxiliary information reproducing device
US8122382B2 (en) Television broadcast receiver
JP3604030B2 (en) Electronic program guide transmitting device and receiving device
KR100635277B1 (en) Method for selecting PIP image in image reproduction device
KR100290871B1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Recording/Playing Caption Information of Digital TV
KR101276833B1 (en) Receiver and Method for watching a data broadcasting on the reciver thereof
KR20040066594A (en) Personal video recorder and reserved recording method using electronic program guide abstracted from vertical blanking interval on personal video recorder
KR100298413B1 (en) Digital tv
KR100693626B1 (en) Method for managing recorded broadcating in Personal Video Recorder system
KR20060113212A (en) Method for epg display of digital tv
JP2008124881A (en) Broadcast receiver
JP2009171015A (en) Closed-captioned video reproducer, and program
KR20000010145A (en) Pre-engaged recording device of a digital broadcasting system and a pre-engaged recording method thereof

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)