JP3532075B2 - Information processing method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electronic transaction method utilizing broadcasting and communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a home page provided by a web server on the Internet can be easily set up and operated at low cost, it has been attempted to use it as an advertising means. However, since the home page is not visible to general consumers, it is not an effective advertising means at present.

By the way, the applicant of the present invention has a technique for including information related to the Internet in a broadcast signal and broadcasting the information to a receiver so that the information related to the Internet can be used to easily access information on the Internet. (Japanese Patent Application No. 9-12286). According to this proposal, for example, by superimposing web information or icon information on a television broadcast signal and clicking TCP / I on a reference area or icon area in the web information,
Information can be easily acquired by accessing a predetermined web server through P connection.

Therefore, the technology proposed by the applicant is used to bridge broadcasting and communication (Internet),
As a result, it is expected that the advertisement property of the Internet homepage will be improved.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to facilitate transactions on the Internet by using information multiplexed in a broadcast signal.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in the claims is made.
It adopts the configuration of R. That is, one aspect of the present invention
According to the information processing method: related to display time information
Written HTML document and W on the Internet
An HTML document containing an anchor tag to a WW server, and above
The HTML document and the application associated with the display time information.
Receiving a broadcast signal including icon information;
From the received broadcast signal, the HTML document and the icon
And a step of retrieving information on the HTML;
If it is open, it will be handled based on the above display time information.
At a certain time, the HTML document is displayed in the HTML display area.
Steps to show; take action based on the display time information
The icon corresponding to the above icon information is displayed in a predetermined area at
The step of displaying the icon; to the icon displayed above
The HTML display area based on a predetermined click operation of
To the icon corresponding to the clicked icon
Displaying the HTML document; the HTML document
Depending on the click operation of the anchor tag area of
Steps for obtaining the corresponding HTML document from the W server
And; above the HTML document transferred from the WWW server
The step of displaying in the HTML document display area is executed.
I am trying to do it. Also, the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention and
Other aspects of the invention are described in the claims below,
This will be described in detail using examples.

With this configuration, even if the location of the WWW server is unknown, the WWW server that easily corresponds to the broadcast content can be used.
You can access the server and conduct transactions .

The broadcast signal may be ordinary terrestrial television broadcasting, or cable television broadcasting or satellite television broadcasting. Also, the broadcast content is not limited to the television program, and may be a radio broadcast program, a data broadcast program, or the like.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, the embodiment will be described in Bitcast.
(Trademark of Infocity Inc.) system.

1 Outline of Bitcast System 1.1 Overview of Bitcast System First, the outline of the Bitcast system will be briefly described.

The Bitcast system handles the HTML format data by the data multiplex broadcasting, the architecture of the terminal side / sending side / server side system,
It is a generic term for content / service systems that utilize them.

The Bitcast system was developed for the purpose of establishing next-generation media and content services thereon by fusing communication and broadcasting. Behind this is the fact that the trend toward "digitalization of broadcasting" and "gigabit network of communication" will accelerate in the future, and on the other hand, making the content format that should be the Internet compliant is necessary for both content suppliers and users. There is a recognition that it is beneficial to

As a concrete example of TV ground wave, Bitca
st (Bitcast / VBI: described later) has the following usage pattern (FIG. 1). ○ Superimpose Internet format contents (homepage, etc.) on the terrestrial VBI (vertical blanking period) and send it from the broadcasting station. ○ The end user receives the broadcast on a compatible PC with a tuner, and simultaneously watches the contents while watching the TV screen. ○ If the user wants to get more information / services, click the tag to dial up and display the following page on the Internet.

Next, the features of the Bitcast system will be briefly described. <Wide range of application> The Bitcast system can be applied regardless of a specific delivery medium. In other words, not only terrestrial VBI, but also data broadcasting using satellite broadcasting, CATV, IP multicast, terrestrial audio subcarrier, digital TV, etc. can be applied.

In other words, the format is specified for scalable content that can withstand future increases in media type / transmission capacity. <Bitcast / VBI> A data multiplex broadcasting system using the terrestrial VBI is called Bitcast / VBI. B
The first implementation of the itcast system targets this, so Bitcast / VBI is notated as Bitc in the notation.
It may be ast.

VBI is a scanning line (vertical blanking period) called a gap between TV radio waves. In addition to the area that was previously used for teletext, four new lines were made available for data multiplex broadcasting in April 1996. <Connection to Internet> The content format broadcast by Bitcast / VBI is HTML as in the Internet. Therefore, it is possible to seamlessly connect to the Internet service from the broadcast page. However, it is a condition that the terminal can connect to the Internet with a telephone line or the like. <Business Model> The Bitcast system is intended not only to technically integrate broadcasting and communication, but also to integrate services and contents. This is the current T
By taking full advantage of the superiority of V-broadcasting content and its business model, we aim to improve the content and business aspects of communication (Internet) content. To put it another way, the purpose of the Bitcast system is to support the electric commerce (EC) of the Internet. <Processing from transmission to display> One of the characteristics of the Bitcast system that is different from teletext broadcasting is the time difference between transmission and display. That is, in the Bitcast system, the received content is once stored in the cache such as the hard disk. Then, it is displayed on the screen in synchronization with the display timing of the TV program or CM. <Link to TV program> The Bitcast system does not simply deliver home pages to users free of charge.
Rather, the main feature is to "link" from current TV programs and commercials to homepages. Simultaneously broadcast the linked page (if there is enough transmission time),
Furthermore, it is possible to display in synchronization with the program. <Support EC> The Bitcast system supports business on the Internet. In other words, it is possible to solve the problem that "the advertisement is difficult to be established" which is a problem of the Internet.

Next, the technical system of the Bitcast system will be briefly described.

The Bitcast system starts from Bitcast / VBI as described above, and can be implemented in a plurality of media (satellite broadcasting, CATV, etc.) in the future. In order to give the content scalability that does not depend on the transmission speed of the media while making the best use of the advantages of each of the plurality of media, the requirements for the Bitcast system are three products (sending system / terminal system /
Protocol).

These systems are shown in FIG.

Here, Bitcast products
Bitcast terminal system, Bitcast transmission system, Bitc are shown as (Product group).
There are three types of ast protocol. Bitcast technology includes Bitcast / VBI,
Bitcast / CATV, Bitcast / TSD
(Using audio subcarrier), Bitcast / Sat
There are Ellite and Bitcast / ISDB.

By both Bitcast Technology and Bitcast products, B
Itcast Architecture is configured. Furthermore, there is a service content for users called Bitcast services.

A product group is not necessarily required for each technology. In other words, Bit for satellite broadcasting
The cast terminal system is not necessarily different from the one for terrestrial VBI. However, in order to effectively utilize the characteristics of each medium, a function specialized for a specific medium may be prepared for each product group. Especially for the delivery system, it is important to consider the connection with the existing equipment.

1.2 User screen of Bitcast The Bitcast browser operates on the PC (it can be ported to other platforms) and has a plurality of screen display modes. One of them is the standard mode, and its screen image is shown in FIG. On this screen, it is assumed that the user is basically watching TV. At the bottom is a bitcast bar, which is a display area unique to the Bitcast system, and a part of the content sent through the VBI (banner-shaped area: called a bit mark) is displayed here. By clicking the bit mark, the screen switches to the detailed mode (Fig. 4).

In the detailed mode (FIG. 4), a plurality of screen parts (controls) are displayed. TV is displayed on TV control and HTM is displayed on browser control at the same time.
L is displayed. This HTML can be connected to a WWW server on the Internet, starting from the one sent through VBI and clicking on the link by the user.

Various applications are assumed in the multipurpose area. Those will be described later, but to make it possible to develop applications for specific programs,
Interface with TV control and browser control AP1 (Bitcast Applicati)
on programming Interface:
BAPI) is defined.

Details of the user screen will be described later.

1.3 Functions of Bitcast System The services enabled by the Bitcast system are as follows from the viewpoint of the end user. Display of TV programs and contents The basic function of the Bitcast system is to send out a home page. At that time, as in the case of text broadcasting, a method of transmitting contents unrelated to TV programs and CMs at their own timing (independent type) and a method of transmitting contents linked to TV programs / CM at linked timings ( Interlocking type). ○ Linking of TV programs and the Internet You can use services on the Internet by following the links from the website that was sent out. In particular, for catalog request, user registration, and online shopping, it is possible to provide fine-tuned services that could not be achieved by TV broadcasting. ○ File download Since the contents of the Bitcast system are temporarily stored in the hard disk of the terminal side after being transmitted, the file transfer / distribution service can be realized by using this mechanism.
It is especially effective for distributing various samples such as electronic versions of magazines. -Clipping During the Bitcast protocol, it is possible to add keywords to the transmitted content. By using this keyword, information can be used efficiently, such as saving only the content that matches the keyword specified by the user in advance. For that purpose, the system (code) of keywords is maintained. ○ Toll-free ・ You can add a telephone number when sending Internet contents.
There is a case where the user does not have to bear the network usage fee and telephone charges when connecting to the Internet from the sent contents (image of toll-free mail order). It is supposed to be used in such a case. ○ Distribution of application programs Application software can be distributed in the same way as downloading files. Therefore, the version upgrade service is also possible with the Bicast system. The distributed software can be one that makes full use of VBI data broadcasting and the Internet. Version upgrade of Bitcast terminal software Although this is one form of distribution of application programs, the terminal software itself of the Bitcast system can be upgraded as well. This will enable us to provide more services in the future. ○ The same idea as video reservation clipping, but Bitcast
It is possible to add a digital information header to each program / CM of the main part by the system. Using this header information, the terminal can determine which program is currently being broadcast. By combining this function with the fact that video control is possible from a PC, for example, when a recording reservation for a drama from 9:00 tonight is made, video recording can be performed without problems even if the broadcasting time is shifted by a night game or the like. However, for this purpose, it is necessary to send the program header at the timing when the drama program actually starts, and the browser that receives the program must control the video. ○ EPG (Electronic Program Gu)
It is possible to distribute the EPG required for download and video reservation. This EPG has a Bit program and a Bit program at the same time.
The cast content may also be described. An EPG that includes the header-level information mentioned above and more detailed information (synopsis, characters) and the like is possible. It is also possible to cooperate with EPG-like services that are currently being conducted on the Internet. Distribution of screen layout The Bitcast terminal system consists of multiple components such as TV and HTML browser. The size and position at the time of display can be freely set by the user, but when the user sets the auto mode, the display layout of the system setting is selected. At this time, by sending the layout designation information from a broadcasting station for a certain program, the user can view the layout in the station designated layout instead of the default. This function is especially useful for news / variety programs. ○ Paid broadcasting Content can be scrambled in program units to support paid broadcasting. To get the decryption key,
There are cases such as having the decryption key purchased in advance or obtaining it online from the Internet. ○ It is possible to transmit time signals using time-matched broadcasting VBI. As a result, the date / time of the receiving terminal (PC) can be changed (adjusted). However, this is Bitcast
It does not mean that the system always sends the time signal. Management of user profile The Bitcast browser can store user's personal information at the time of installation. Therefore, when inputting personal information (name, address, telephone number, etc.) in online shopping etc., it becomes possible to set information registered in advance with one touch. Cooperation with other VBI broadcasting Bitcast / VBI does not specify any application service. Therefore, it is open to any VBI application. That is, since the structure is such that HTTP is extended at the fifth layer level of the OSI model, no extension is added to the upper protocol HTML. As a result, even if the content format is other than HTML, transmission / reception by Bitcast is possible. For example, if the air format can be recognized for electronic newspapers and intertexts, the function expansion for displaying on the Bitcast browser can be realized.

1.4 Service image of Bitcast system The Bitcast system is a technology that incorporates both "popularity" which is an advantage of terrestrial television broadcasting (data multiplex broadcasting) and "interactivity" which is an advantage of the Internet. is there. At the same time, it is possible to provide both program-linked services that make the most of the superiority (excellent contents) of current TV programs and teletext-based program independent services that are not linked to the main program.

Therefore, according to the combination of the two types of the interlocking type / independent type and the unidirectional type / bidirectional type,
You can organize the services available on Bitcast. (Fig. 5)

1.5 Bitcast System Component To realize Bitcast / VBI, Bitcast is provided in the broadcasting station.
The cast transmission system is a Bitcast to the receiving terminal.
Requires a browser. The outline of them is as follows. Bitcast transmission system system In this system, contents that have been authored in advance are transmitted on the VBI according to a schedule.
It is built around three types of subsystems: packager / schedule editor / sequencer. In terms of system configuration, it is constructed with a minimum of 4 to 5 PCs (including a file server) and a VBI inserter (and peripheral equipment). Bitcast terminal system (Bitcast browser) Software that runs on a PC. The initial version is Windows 95 (trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA)
Was developed as a target OS. Internally, it consists of components such as TV control / browser control / cache control / bitcast bar. They are implemented by ActiveX (trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA). With the use of ActiveX, the Bitcast browser can be easily expanded in function, and different components can be added to each program as described above.

Various components can be mounted on the IP server of the Internet. Such a component realizes a function capable of more smoothly using electric commerce through the Bitcast system.

1.6 Business Model of Bitcast As shown in FIG. 6, the business model of Bitcast is a fusion of that for TV broadcasting and that for the Internet.

2 Bitcast Terminal System 2.1 Overview of Terminal System The terminal system operates on a PC running Windows 95, and a Bitcast card (hardware) and B
It is composed of itcast browser (software). This is shown in FIG. (1) Target hardware IBM-PC (trademark of US International Business Machines) compatible machine or PC-98 (trademark of NEC Corporation) series. (2) Bitcast card Hardware for extracting digital information superimposed on terrestrial television broadcasting. (3) Bitcast browser Application software that stores and displays information.

2.2 External Specifications 2.2.1 Screen Configuration The Bitcast terminal system has two types of screen display modes: "standard mode" and "detailed mode". (1) Standard Mode FIG. 3 shows the standard mode screen structure. In standard mode, V
Almost no relevant information transmitted by BI is displayed,
Only the TV is displayed large. On the right side of the screen is a general tuner control unit for channel switching, volume switching, etc. The lower part of the screen is a “Bitcast bar” including an area for displaying the received information as an icon and an area for arranging command buttons of the entire Bitcast browser. This mode is a screen mode that is used for the longest time while watching the Bitcast browser. It is assumed that the user does not interact with the information interactively, but interacts with the information (television broadcasting) in the same manner as the current television broadcasting. Considering that the user is a little far from the screen compared to when using a normal PC, large parts are arranged linearly to enable operation with a remote controller. (2) Detailed Mode FIG. 4 shows the detailed mode. In the detailed mode, the related information transmitted by VBI is displayed on the right side of the screen in addition to the video and audio of the television broadcast. In standard mode, when the user clicks the bit mark icon, this mode is entered.
The lower left is a space used for multiple purposes, and is mainly used to display a list of previously received contents (cache display). This mode is used when the user is interested in the contents, and the usage style is similar to that of a general PC, whereas the standard mode was the appearance of home appliances.

2.2.2 Components and Functions 2.2.2.1 Component Configuration Diagram FIG. 8 shows the component configuration. 2.2.2.2 TV control The TV control is a component that provides a UI (user interface) for displaying the TV and controlling the tuner. It is also implemented by an interface defined by the ActiveX specification, and it is possible to display a television in a WWW browser. The main functions are shown below. (1) Television display (2) Channel switching Channel switching and ground wave, CATV, BS switching are performed. (3) Volume adjustment (4) Freeze (5) Screen size change The TV display unit is resized in units of an integral multiple of 40 × 30. (6) Capture Capture a still image on the TV screen.

These functions are available in Video for W
It relies heavily on the functionality provided by the video capture driver for Windows. Switching of the input source depends on the function of the TV tuner driver.

FIG. 9 shows the browser control. The browser control provides the function of displaying the content transmitted by VBI. The content is HTML
This browser, which is transmitted in the format used in WWW and displays it, also functions as a browser for the Internet. The connection with the upstream is provided by dial-up PPP. When the upstream route (telephone number) is designated in the content, the dial-up connection is performed using the designated telephone number. Otherwise, normal dial-up connection is performed according to the user's Windows 95 settings. (1) Back Go back. (2) Forward Next. (3) Home Go to the default page. (4) Reload Read again. (5) Register in the Mark bookmark. (6) Search for character strings (7) Print

2.2.2.4 Cache Control FIG. 10 shows cache control. The cache control is the Bitcast that has been received and stored.
It is a control that divides content into groups and displays a list. By double-clicking the content, the specified content is displayed in the browser section. (1) Name (Name) The name of the content group of Bitcast is displayed. The name is decided by the content producer. By double-clicking, the corresponding content is displayed on the Web browser. If the content is an executable file, execute that file. (2) Station The name for identifying the broadcasting station is displayed. In the case of terrestrial waves, the channel number is displayed after the character string "TV". (3) Datetime The date and time of reception are displayed. (4) Category The category (genre) is displayed. (5) Delete trash can icon groups. (6) Export the bookshelf icon file as a normal file. (7) Start the timer icon reception reservation dialog. The received file is saved in the cache. The file saved by the reception reservation remains in the cache in preference to other files.

2.2.2.5 Bitcast Bar
Control Bitcast Bar control is an application desktop bar that is always displayed at the bottom of the desktop. (1) Bit mark display section (FIG. 11) The left part of the Bitcast Bar control is the bit mark display section. The bit mark is an icon that informs the user that the related information has been received. By clicking this, the information is displayed on the browser section.
Click while using in standard mode to switch to detailed mode. The size of the icon is 88 dots horizontally × 31 dots vertically, which is commonly used on homepages. Width 2
It generally has an outer frame of dots to give a three-dimensional effect. Since the information is displayed from the left in the order received, the latest information is displayed at the right end. When the screen cannot be displayed, it scrolls automatically. The button on the right side is a scroll control unit for the bit mark area (FIG. 12). The corresponding content is not displayed in the browser section, but the bit mark area is only scrolled. (2) Toolbar section (Fig. 13) The toolbar is for generating commands for the entire application. Details are shown in FIG.

2.2.3 Outline of Processing Method FIG. 15 shows a schematic flow from receiving data from VBI to displaying on the browser.

2.2.4 Explanation of Display Timing (1) Reception Indicator The reception indicator blinks at the end of the bit cast bar when a data packet of the layer 3 (network layer) of VBI is received. The reception indicator is a UI item for notifying the user that some Bitcast broadcast is being broadcast. (2) WWW contents for which automatic display is specified on the WWW content transmission side are
It is automatically displayed in the web browser at the designated time. (3) Bitmark In the case of Bitmark, the sending side designates the display time as in the case of WWW contents. On the terminal side, Bi
Display tmark on the Bitcast bar.

2.3 Internal specifications 3.3.1 Component configuration The component configuration is shown in FIG. The shaded blocks are components of the Bitcast browser.

The functions of the components are shown in the table.

[0051]

[Table 1] The processing flow from reception to display is shown in FIG. The numbers indicate the order. Hereafter, the internal specifications of each component will be explained generally in the order of the numbers shown in FIG.

2.3.2 Television control (10) The television control is a component for performing television display, tuner control and the like. Tuner control is performed via the TV tuner manager. TV display, AV
Video for W is used to create and display I files.
This is done using Windows. ActiveMovie
Supports capture and overlay display,
Video for Windows to Active
You can move to Movie. TV control is Ac
Since it is implemented based on the interface of the liveX Control, it is possible to embed the TV control in the content displayed on the browser in the future.

2.3.3 VBI capture driver (11) Software for controlling the VBI digitizer H / W and extracting packets. The extracted packet is passed to the VBI capture manager. This module is strongly H / W dependent and is provided by the VBI digitizer H / W vendor.

2.3.4 VBI Capture Manager (12) Assemble the packet passed from the VBI capture driver to assemble the data (data group) of the fourth layer (transport layer). The assembled data group is
Not only for Bitcast browser but also for other VBI compatible applications. This is for simultaneously operating a plurality of VBI compatible applications.

2.3.5 Bitcast loader (1
3) The Bitcast loader is a module that decodes the data group (Bitcast protocol) passed from the VBI capture driver. HTML or GIF
When the content described in the above is received, the content and the content attribute are extracted from the received data group and passed to the cache control. In the attribute,
When the display time and the like are included, the sequence controller is notified.

2.3.6 Cache control (1
4) The cache control stores all the content information passed from the Bitcast loader and the attribute information attached to the content (content name (pseudo URL), MIME type, display timing information, etc.). When the cache capacity becomes larger than the specified value, old expired contents are deleted.

2.3.7 Sequence controller (1
5) The sequence controller receives the time to be displayed and the content to be displayed from the Bitcast loader and stores it. When the timer is monitored and the memorized time is reached, the browser control is notified
Make a request to ate.

2.3.8 Browser Control (16) This is a control for displaying the related information sent by the VBI sent in a format such as HTML. The WebBrowser control is included in the browser control. The WebBrowser control is the Web
The control of the display area of is a component equivalent to the engine part of a normal browser. Therefore,
HTML compatible levels and the like are all based on a standard Web browser.

When a normal URL is designated, it operates as a Web browser for the Internet. Bitca
When the pseudo URL of st is specified or when the Navigate call is received from the sequence controller, the content call to Delegate is made instead of the content request to the Internet.

2.3.9 Delegate (17) A proxy server which receives a call from WebBrowser. When the call is received, the cache control is called to acquire the content, and WebBrowser
Return to. Ordinary We from the Web Browser
Act as a b server.

2.3.10 Bitcast Bar Control (18) Inside the control, the bit mark icon and the link destination pair information are accumulated as list information. Upon receiving the notification of the bit mark display timing from the sequence controller, the control calls the cache control to acquire the icon image information, adds it to the list, and displays the icon.

2.3.11 Data Management 2.3.1.11 Data Management on Cache Content itself is saved in the cache directory as an independent file.

2.3.1.12 File system (1) Bitcast data directory The Bitcast data directory is Bitcast.
This is a directory for storing the cache information of. The directory is decided at the time of installation and stored in the registry. (2) The name and other attributes of the cache database content are managed using the JET engine (database engine that comes standard with Windows 95). Database files are stored in the Bitcast data directory,
The file name is fixed as'BitCaSt.MDB '. (3) Content File Content entities are stored in the cache directory as independent files. The cache directory is in the Bitcast data directory, and the directory name is fixed at'Cache '. The content file name is automatically generated by the cache database,
Stored in the cache database. (4) Drop directory cache control, the default of the transfer destination directory when content is dropped on the bookshelf icon and exported to a file.

2.4 Concept of Function Expansion The purpose of the lower left part of the screen (multipurpose area) is Bitcast.
To extend the functionality of your browser without upgrading your browser's white body. The multi-purpose area implements the ActiveX control container interface in order to be able to extend its functionality. Broadcaster,
A program production company or the like can create an ActiveX control to create a custom browser specialized for a program. Further, since this terminal system includes a server function inside, it is possible to construct a server machine for use in a LAN environment or the like by deleting the television display function and the browser function.

3 Bitcast Transmission System 3.1 Transmission System Overview 3.1.1 Logical System Configuration The Bitcast transmission system is a Bicast transmission system at the broadcasting station.
It is a hardware / software system for performing VBI broadcasting by tcast.

The main equipment is logically composed of five subsystems. Three of these subsystems are defined as Bitcast standards, and the rest are unique systems that match the circumstances of each broadcasting station.

FIG. 17 shows a delivery system. ○ Authoring subsystem (21): Image to be sent
A device for editing programs (VBI contents). ○ Packager subsystem (22): A device for organizing images, programs, etc. to be sent into one unit (sending unit). -Schedule editor subsystem (23): A device for setting when and how many times the organized package is sent out. It used to be called a scheduler,
The schedule editor is used because it causes confusion. Sequencer subsystem (24): A device that controls data conversion / transmission according to a set schedule. ○ VBI Insertion Subsystem (25): VBI
Sending device after the inserter.

3.1.3 System Operation Image FIG. 18 shows an example of a network configuration diagram. Here, an Internet server is installed in the station.

In this environment, the section in charge of program creation uses a file server (named local server) for authoring, and considers the operation of copying the completed contents to the file server (FTP server) in the section in charge of organization. ing. In addition, the person in charge of composition allocates the transmission time using the schedule editor, and the sequencer performs the transmission at that time.

FIG. 19 shows the work procedure from program creation to transmission in this environment.

3.2 Packager External Specifications 3.2.2 Function Explanation FIG. 20 shows the function of the packager. This application creates a data file for broadcasting Bitcast by a project file or GUI. The file created by this application is called a package file and is called Bit.
Time parameter and Bitca required for broadcasting cast
It includes parameters for determining the display of programs on the st terminal and the behavior of the content on the Bitcast terminal. Also,
It has functions such as combining package files that have already been created, checking the contents of package files, and previewing.

3.2.3 Function List / Basic Function Multiple materials are made into one file of Bitcast format. Checks and warns about time inconsistencies and setting parameter inconsistencies when integrating into one file. -Check function: Displays the file name of the contents included in the package file and the set parameters. -Merge function Combines multiple package files into one package file. -Viewer function Package file preview function-If an automatic creation directory is specified, all files under that directory will be included and a package file will be created. (Used when creating a new page for Bitcast.) ・ When an HTML file with automatic parsing is specified, the directory containing the file is set as the current directory and the H
Parse the TML file and import the gif file and the linked file to create a package file.
(Used for migration from existing home page.) 3.2.4 Setting item Refer to Bitcast protocol specification 3.2.5 Outline of processing method 3.2.5.1 Command line version (creation of package file) Create a project file and start the packager from the DOS prompt with the file name as an argument. Example: packagerabc. However, the files and directory paths described in the project file at this time are relative paths from the directory in which the Packager application exists. (There is also an absolute path specification method) (Check function) Outputs the files and parameters of the contents included in the package file to the standard output. Example: packager -v packagefile
name. bpk (Merge Package Files) Combine one package file and another package file into one package file. At this time, the package file specified earlier comes first in terms of time. Example: packager -m packagefile
1. bpk ,. ． ． , PackagefileN. bp
k (preview) Specify a package file to emulate the delivery of that package. The emulated result is output to COM1. Example: packager -e packagefile
e. bpk (automatic creation) Example: packager -d directorypay
th (automatic purse) Example: packager-p fi1name. ht
ml

3.2.5.2 GUI version (Create package file) Select to create a package file in the file menu of the application.
A file save dialog will be displayed, and specify the directory and file name to save. (Check function) Displayed in the Packager editor. (Merge Package File) Select [Merge] in the file menu. At this time, the file selection dialog is displayed. Select the combined package file. Here, it is assumed that the package file to be combined is already open. (Preview) Select a preview in the file menu. (Auto-load) Select a directory to read all files in that directory. After that, set or adjust the parameters in the editor. (Automatic parse) Select the read HTML file,
Select Berth from the File menu. If the file specified by the URL cannot be found, a file dialog is displayed, and the material file is directly read by this.

3.2.6 Bit Mark At least one bit mark is required in the project file. The substance of the bit mark is a Gif file, but its extension is ".icn". Create a Gif file for the bit mark and name the file xxx. gi
f to yyy. Change to icn (xxx may be equal to yyy).

3.3 Internal Specifications of Packager The internal specifications of the packager will be described. FIG. 21 shows a processing flow.

FIG. 22 shows the data structure of the package file.

The structure of the fragment protocol header is shown in FIG. len: The number of bytes of data following the fragment protocol header. However, when the data exceeds 64 KB, the data is divided into a plurality of pieces, and a fragment protocol header is also created and divided for the data exceeding 64 KB. SB: Indicates that the data following this header is the start of the content message data. EB: Indicates that the data following this header is the end of the content message data. Where SB
And EB are present at the same time, the data following this header is within 64 KB. chunk: The value of the order of the decomposed data because the data was decomposed when the data that follows exceeded 64 KB. slot: The value of the number of each data group when totally different data are broadcast at the same time. media: A value of a number that uniquely determines the media in which this data is broadcast. channel: the value of the channel in the broadcast medium represented by media.

FIG. 2 shows the data structure of the content message.
4 shows. 3.4 External Specifications of Schedule Editor 3.4.1 Functional Description 3.4.1.1 Schedule unit The schedule editor schedules packages in package file units. 3.4.1.2 Function ○ Read the schedule. ○ Edit the schedule. (GUI) ○ Output a schedule file. (GUI) ○ Update the schedule file. (GUI) ○ Notify the sequencer of schedule registration. ○ Notify the sequencer of schedule updates. ○ Notify the sequencer of schedule deletion. ○ Acquire the current schedule status from the PLC. 3.4.1.3 Schedule item Refer to schedule file specifications.

3.4.2 Outline of processing method 3.4.2.1 Register the command line version schedule. Example: schedule schedulefilena
Example of updating me schedule: schedule -uschedulefill
Example of deleting the name schedule: schedule -d schedulefile
ename

3.5 Schedule Editor Internal Specifications 3.5.1 Processing flow The processing flow is shown in FIG.

3.5.2 Schedule Notification Method Various notifications regarding the schedule are notified to the sequencer by the following protocol. Various commands are notified to the sequencer through TCP / IP using the data of the format shown in FIG.

3.5.3 Command system Configuration file related: 1 Material file related: 2

3.5.4 Subcommand Registration: 1 Delete: 2 Update: 3 Acquisition: 4

3.5.5 Configuration data format The format of the configuration data is shown in FIG.

3.5.6 Format of Material Information Data The material information format is shown in FIG.

3.5.7 If data is not required in the other data section, insert 4 bytes 0x0 in the data length (FIG. 29)

3.5.8 Command Transmission Method WinSock is used to perform inter-application communication.

3.6 Sequencer external specifications 3.6.1 Screen configuration 3.6.2 Functional description 3.6.2.1 Data hierarchy It is passed to the sequencer application at the 5th layer. 3.6.2-2 Function list ○ Output to the VBI inserter according to the schedule file and package file. ○ Send data to the inserter with the specified number of scanning lines. ○ Interrupt the other transmission and send the time data to the inserter. ○ When sending multiple data at the same time, send the one with the higher priority level and send the data with the lower priority level in the idle time. ○ Update the schedule. ○ Stop and restart the data transmission to the inserter. ○ Stop sending data to the inserter. ○ Returns the current schedule. ○ Set TCD. ○ Output log file. ○ Send another service.

3.6.3 Outline of processing method 3.6.3.1 Outline Send data to the inserter according to the schedule. Refer to the sending time and the sending back file described in the schedule file, and fetch the package file from the file server before the sending time of the package file. The sequencer sends the contents message in units of content messages to the inserter relative to the sending time described in the schedule file and the relative time described in the package file. Sends data to the inserter with the specified number of scan lines. Send time data. Send in order of priority. Change to the newly notified schedule.

3.6.3.2 Notification Method By defining the command system and transmitting the command to the sequencer, the sequencer operates according to the received command.

3.6.4 VBI Insertion Requirements 3.6.4.1 Signal Specifications Communication Level: RS422 Synchronization Method: Step-Synchronous Communication Speed: 153.6 Kbps / 48 Kbps Switching Input Data: Start Bit: 1 Bit Data : 8-bit parity: Odd / even parity switching stop bit: 1/2 switching Data length: 37 bytes Control signal: INS ENA: 0 (positive) input data enable DATA REQ: 0 (negative) Input data request pulse DATA ERR: 0 (negative) Input data reception error

3.6.4.2 A packet of data sent to the inserter is 37 bytes. The breakdown is Figure 30.
It is as follows. 3.6.4.3 Input Timing The input timing is as shown in FIG.

3.6.5 External Interface The external interface is as shown in FIG. The schedule editor creates a program organization file (schedule file) offline. The created schedule file is saved in the file server.

The sequencer reads the schedule of the next day or the updated schedule from the file server before starting the daily signal or the schedule of the day or when receiving the update command from the schedule editor and starts the processing.

The sequencer has a transmission monitor, and performs the following processing by calling a command or a function from the monitor with respect to the currently carried schedule. -Delete schedule-Insert schedule-Stop schedule-Resume schedule

3.7 Inter-subsystem Interface 3.7.1 Data Flow-3.7.2 Package File Format 3.7.2.1 Overview Packager is software that forms part of the Bitcast production system and is an HTML file. ,
A package file having a unit of transmission schedule is created from a material such as a GIF file. The Package Project File is a file that describes the control information for the Packager The Package Project File is a text file with the extension ".PPR". This chapter defines the specifications of this package project file. This is shown in FIG.

The package transmission starts earlier than the corresponding audio or video. (FORWARD1). In addition, the package transmission ends the transmission earlier than the end of the corresponding video and audio for the transmission of the next package. (FO
WARD2). Package time frame and FORWARD
FIG. 34 shows the relationship between 1, FOARD2 and the time allotted to the actual package transmission.

4 Bitcast Protocol 4.1 Overview The Bitcast protocol is an object transfer protocol for transferring an object such as hypertext information described in HTML through a broadcasting type medium such as terrestrial television broadcasting and satellite digital broadcasting. HTT in WWW service in broadcasting network
It functions as an alternative protocol to the P protocol.

The positioning of the Bitcast protocol is shown in FIG.

The Bitcast protocol is composed of a content message, a content delete message, a content update message, a program information message, and the like.・ Content message: content (object)
Message Content Deliver Message: Invalidate already transferred content Message Content Update Message: Make changes to already transferred content Message Program Information Message: Concerning the content of the program that started broadcasting A message that carries information. Used for EPG operation.

4.2 Implementation Environment of Bitcast Protocol The Bitcast protocol is implemented on a specific lower layer protocol (Bitcast base protocol). 4.2.1 Bitcast Base Protocol The Bitcast base protocol corresponds to the session layer in the OSI reference model, and satisfies the following requirements in consideration of the VBI system and satellite digital broadcasting in terrestrial television broadcasting. -Has an error correction function. The Bitcast protocol does not provide an efficient means of error correction. -Transmits a transparent byte stream and its length. The DG configuration 2 of the VBI method is
Since the length of the byte string is not known exactly, Bitcas
Does not become a t-based protocol. -The base protocol entity provides the upper layer with information that identifies its connection destination. Bitc
Channel information is not always included in the ast protocol. In the terrestrial VBI example, the base protocol entity shall be able to provide the number of the television channel in the request from the upper layer.

4.2.2 Bitcas over the VBI method
When implementing the Bitcast protocol on the VBI method when implementing the t protocol, the Fragment protocol is defined above the transport layer (fourth layer) data group (DG) configuration 2 and the Fragment protocol is set to Bitcast.
The base protocol of the protocol. B other than VBI
For the itcast base protocol, this is not specified at this time. A Bitcast protocol implementation model on the VBI system is shown in FIG.

4.3 Content Delete Message The content delete message is a message for deleting the already transmitted content from the cache of the Bitcast browser and invalidating it. The format of the content delete message is shown in FIG. -The upper 4 bits of the version number B0 indicate the protocol version of the content update message. The current version is set to zero. -The lower 4 bits of the message identification B0 identify the message type. The value 0001 means a content delete message. -Name Specify the name of the content to be deleted.

4.4 Content Update Message The content delete message is a message for updating a part of the body part of the already transmitted content and for adding or modifying an element. The body part can be modified, for example, by modifying only the score information embedded in the HTML format during sports broadcasting. The element modification is supposed to be used when the queue information is to be transmitted later to the already transmitted content. The format of the content update message is shown in FIG.

5 Examples Next, examples of use of the Bitcast system will be described. 5.1 Distributing Newspaper Information FIG. 39 shows the configuration and processing flow when the Bitcast system is applied to distributing newspaper information. 5.2 Distribution of Extracted Weekly Magazine FIG. 40 shows the configuration and the flow of processing when the extracted version of the weekly magazine is regularly distributed to subscribers using the Bitcast system. 5.3 Advertising of retail stores (supermarkets, etc.) Figure 41 shows the configuration and processing flow when a retail store provides special sale information and value-added information such as the production location and recipe of the product using the Bitcast system. Indicates. 5.4 Distribution of Learning Text FIG. 42 shows a configuration and a flow of processing when a learning text is distributed by broadcasting using the Bitcast system and answers and the like are collected on the Internet.

First, the learning text is transmitted to the terminal using the broadcast signal. The transmitted text is stored on the terminal disk. The user operates a display object such as an icon to display the target learning text. Then, the user creates an answer, question, etc. using the learning text and transfers this to a predetermined server. This transfer can be performed by using a transfer instruction icon or the like. The server side processes the reply etc. sent. In addition, transfer of answers, etc.
You may make it transfer to a server using the special application installed in the terminal beforehand. 5.5 Introduction of New Video FIG. 43 shows the configuration and processing flow when introducing a new video using the Bitcast system. 5.6 Internet Delivery Delivery Reception FIG. 44 shows a configuration and a flow of processing when a home delivery service is introduced by broadcasting using the Bitcast system and home delivery is received via the Internet.

First, icon information (for example, bit mark) for receiving home delivery is transmitted using a broadcast signal, and the terminal displays the icon in synchronization with the broadcast program (commercial) based on the transmitted icon information. It When the user clicks the icon, the home page (server) of the courier is accessed by TCP / IP connection, and transaction information (transaction acceptance menu etc.) is transferred. The user makes a reservation for home delivery using the transaction page displayed based on the transaction information, and transfers the reservation content to the home page (server). The server extracts and processes the transaction information sent by the user. The courier will arrange delivery based on the transaction information.

This example is widely applicable to electronic transactions. Alternatively, the application page may be transmitted by Bitcast, and only the application information may be transmitted to the electronic transaction server using this. Further, the web page of the server may be accessed by using the anchor tag of the received page. Alternatively, a toll-free number may be used. Further, the server need not be connected to the Internet as long as it functions as an access point. 5.7 Viewer Participation Quiz Program FIG. 45 shows a configuration and a flow of processing when the Bitcast system is applied to a viewer participation quiz program using the Internet.

This is the end of the description of the embodiment. In this embodiment, since the configuration described in the claims is adopted, it is possible to easily perform information processing such as transactions using the Internet.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the message transmitted by using the broadcast signal can be stored in the cache, and the message can be invalidated or updated. That is, according to this embodiment, a content message that forms a content such as an HTML file is transmitted by a broadcast signal, the content message is taken out by the terminal and stored in the cache, and the content message transmitted earlier is invalidated. Sometimes
A content delete message including the identifier of the content message to be invalidated is transmitted by a broadcast signal, and the terminal, based on this content delete message,
I am trying to invalidate the specified content message.

Further, according to this embodiment, a content message which forms a content such as an HTML file is transmitted by a broadcast signal, the content message is taken out at the terminal and stored in the cache, and the content message transmitted previously is stored. When modifying, a content updater message including the identifier of the content message to be modified is transmitted by a broadcast signal, and the terminal modifies the designated content message based on this content updater message.

Of course, the above content delete message and content update message can be applied to the transmission and storage of content by terrestrial broadcasting (TV, radio, etc.), cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and data communication broadcasting.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention, information processing such as a transaction on the Internet can be easily performed by using the information multiplexed on the broadcast signal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall outline of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a Bitcast architecture according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a standard mode screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed mode screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating service classification.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a business model.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a terminal system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating components of a terminal system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating browser control.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating cache control.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a bit mark display unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating scroll control of bit marks.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a toolbar unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating details of a toolbar unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating processing of the terminal system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing components of a terminal system.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a delivery system.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transmission system.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating work in the delivery system.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional outline of a packager.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a process of the packager.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a package file.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fragment protocol header of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the content message of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a schedule editor.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a protocol of notification regarding a schedule.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a configuration data format.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a material information format.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another format.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating data to be sent to the inserter.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating input timing of an inserter.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a schedule.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a package file format.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating package transmission.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the Bitcast protocol.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a protocol mounting model.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a format of a content delete message.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the format of a content updater message.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols] 10 TV control 11 VBI capture driver 12 VBI capture manager 13 BItcast loader 14 cache controller 15 Sequence controller 16 Web browser controller 17 Delegate 18 Bitcast Bar Control 21 Authoring Subsystem 22 Packager Subsystem 23 Schedule Editor Subsystem 24 Sequencer subsystem 25 VBI Insertion Subsystem

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-1-302978 (JP, A) JP-A-9-51314 (JP, A) JP-A-9-139933 (JP, A) JP-A-9- 162821 (JP, A) Internotes, fusion of TV broadcasting and Internet, WEB studio, Bunka Broadcasting Co., Ltd. Brain, June 1, 1997, Volume 3, P114-117 Yasushi Nakata, three vectors intersect 2000 Media, Nikkei multimedia, Nikkei BP, July 15, 1997, P. 58-63 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 17/60 H04N 7/08

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Information for displaying a television broadcast screen area and an icon display area in the first display mode, and displaying the television broadcast screen area, the icon display area and an HTML document display area in the second display mode. In an information processing method for performing information processing using a processing device, an HTML document associated with display time information, the HTML document including an anchor tag to a WWW server on the Internet, and the HTML document and display time information are associated with each other. Broadcast signal including the received icon information, a broadcast signal receiving step, an information extracting step for extracting the HTML document and the icon information from the received broadcast signal, and when automatic display is designated on the sending side. , Above HT
A first HTML document display step of displaying an ML document in the HTML display area at a corresponding time based on the display time information, and a corresponding HTML information to the icon display area at a corresponding time based on the display time information. In the second display mode, in the icon display step of displaying the icon, a click operation is performed on the HTML document display area in accordance with input information generated based on a predetermined click operation on the displayed icon. The HTML document corresponding to the icon is displayed, and in the first display mode, the HTML document corresponding to the icon is changed from the first display mode according to input information generated based on a predetermined click operation on the displayed icon. When the display mode is changed to the second display mode, the H
A second HTML for displaying the HTML document corresponding to the clicked icon in the TML document display area
An L document display step, an HTML document acquisition step of acquiring a corresponding HTML document from the WWW server according to input information generated based on a click operation in the anchor tag area of the HTML document, and a transfer from the WWW server The created HTML document as above H
An information processing method, comprising causing the information processing device to execute a third HTML document display step of displaying in a TML document display area. 2. The HTM transferred from the WWW server
The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the L document includes a transaction page for transmitting transaction information to the WWW server. 3. Information for displaying a television broadcast screen area and an icon display area in the first display mode, and displaying the television broadcast screen area, the icon display area and an HTML document display area in the second display mode. In an information processing method for performing information processing using a processing device, an HTML document associated with display time information, which describes a transaction content including a transaction page for transmitting information to a WWW server on the Internet And a broadcast signal receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal including the HTML document and icon information associated with the display time information, an information extracting step of extracting the HTML document and the icon information from the received broadcast signal, and a sending side If automatic display is specified in, the above HT
A first HTML document display step of displaying an ML document in the HTML display area at a corresponding time based on the display time information, and a corresponding HTML information to the icon display area at a corresponding time based on the display time information. In the second display mode, the click operation is performed on the HTML document display area in accordance with input information generated based on a predetermined click operation on the displayed icon. The HTML document corresponding to the icon is displayed, and in the first display mode, the HTML document corresponding to the icon is changed from the first display mode according to input information generated based on a predetermined click operation on the displayed icon. When the display mode is changed to the second display mode, the H
A second HTML for displaying the HTML document corresponding to the clicked icon in the TML document display area
The information processing device is caused to execute an L document display step and an information transmission step of transmitting information entered by the user using the transaction page of the HTML document to the WWW server, and the HTML document included in the broadcast signal is dealt with. it is intended to describe the contents, information sent to the WWW server information processing method according to claim <br/> that is used to describe the application content of the transaction. 4. A broadcast signal including a delete message for deleting the HTML document and icon information contained in the broadcast signal and stored in the cache is received, and corresponding information is received based on the delete message. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information is invalidated in the cache. 5. A broadcast signal including an update message for correcting the HTML document and icon information included in the broadcast signal and stored in a cache is received, and corresponding information is received based on the update message. 5. Correction in the cache
The information processing method described in any one of 1.