JP3679836B2 - Interactive broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bi-directional broadcast receiving apparatus for realizing interactive teletext, more particularly receiving and renewable interactive broadcast receiving apparatus an interactive broadcast programs transmitted by the television broadcast signal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the advancement of television broadcasting technology and the like, a teletext service that multiplexes and transmits characters and graphic data to a normal television broadcast signal has begun to spread. The teletext programs that are currently in service include news, weather forecasts, traffic information, tourist information, and TV shopping.
[0003]
However, since current television broadcasting provides information unilaterally to a viewer from a television station, for example, a viewer himself can select a desired product from a plurality of products introduced in a program. It was not possible to perform operations such as selectively displaying supplementary information or calling viewers in a program, collecting responses from viewers and reflecting them in the program in real time. The same applies to teletext.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, recently, the realization of interactive TV broadcasting has begun to attract attention as one of the new information service forms in the multimedia era, and interactive TV that combines television broadcasting and a public line network such as a telephone. Broadcasting systems are beginning to be proposed.
[0005]
In such an interactive TV broadcasting system, for example, when a viewer answers a questionnaire program or a quiz program, an automatic call is made from the home TV to the public line network. Data is transmitted to a broadcasting station or the like via a response server for data aggregation. TV broadcasting is provided simultaneously to the television of each home. For this reason, calls to the public line network from the television of each home are concentrated at the same time, and there is a danger that the number of calls exceeds the number of line contracts on the response server side.
[0006]
In this case, not only the busy state increases, but a large load is applied to the public line network, and in some cases, the interoffice line of the telephone station on the response server side is occupied by an invalid call. The congestion state of the line due to the concentration of calls from the interactive TV makes it impossible to connect other general telephone connections to and from the central office, and may develop into a social problem.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points. In consideration of the distribution of call request amounts from viewers for interactive TV broadcast programs, the call times for communication lines can be efficiently distributed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus that can prevent a station-to-station line or the like from being occupied by a bidirectional TV broadcast system.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in the receiving and reproducing bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus an interactive broadcast programs transmitted by the television broadcast signal, a predetermined call request input from the viewer that is executed in the interactive broadcast program In response to the operation, an automatic call is made to the other party specified by the telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program via a communication network, and response data from the viewer for the interactive broadcast program is transmitted. Auto dialing means, and call time control means for controlling the execution time of call processing by the auto dialing means, the call time control means starts accepting response data for the interactive broadcast program An elapsed time from the time until the call request is input is detected, and based on the detected elapsed time, the auto dialing means after the call request is input A waiting time determining means for determining a waiting time until call processing is executed, and a means for controlling a calling time of the auto dialing means using the waiting time determined by the waiting time determining means. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
In this interactive broadcast receiving apparatus , in consideration of the distribution of the call request amount from the viewer for the interactive TV broadcast program, the response request of the interactive broadcast program is received until the call request is input. Based on the elapsed time, the execution time of the calling process by the auto dialing means is delay-controlled. In other words, in a telephone questionnaire that asks viewers all at once and collects their responses over the telephone, etc., the call volume gradually increases from the start of answer acceptance, and when a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of acceptance. Then, the call volume reaches a peak. Then, the call distribution is generally such that the call volume gradually decreases thereafter. Therefore, based on the elapsed time from the response data reception start time to the time when the call request is input by the viewer, the time from when the call request is input until the call processing is actually executed by the auto dialing means By determining the waiting time, it is possible to efficiently distribute a call request generated during a period in which the call volume is large to a subsequent period in which the call volume is small.
[0010]
The waiting time determining means divides a period from the response data reception start time of the interactive broadcast program to the response data reception end time into at least three periods from the beginning to the first to third, A means for detecting which period the request input time belongs to, which period belongs to the first to third period, is provided. In the first period immediately after the start of answer reception, the waiting time is set to zero and the call volume is expected to increase. For the two periods, it is preferable to obtain a random value with the device ID or the subscriber telephone number as a variable, and to distribute the calling time over the second and third periods based on the random value.
[0011]
Furthermore, it is desirable that the ratio of the length of each of the first to third periods can be variably set according to control data included in the interactive broadcast program . As a result, more appropriate call distribution control can be performed in accordance with the contents of the program and the actual line usage at that time.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of an interactive TV system according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the principle of the interactive TV system will be described.
[0015]
The interactive TV system of FIG. 1 is for realizing the interactive effect of a program by utilizing the current teletext broadcasting function and telephone communication function, and is placed in each home as shown in the figure. An interactive TV receiver 11, a broadcasting station 12, a communication line network 13 including a public line network such as a telephone line network and ISDN, and an interactive TV server network system 14 including a response server 15. ing.
[0016]
The broadcast station 12 uses a teletext channel to broadcast a computer program (script) for realizing bidirectionality in synchronization with a normal program. This script is a kind of application program describing the progress procedure of the interactive teletext program, and is transmitted superimposed on the vertical blanking period of the TV broadcast signal.
[0017]
This script is stored in the memory of the TV receiver 11 that has received the TV broadcast signal, and is executed by the CPU of the character broadcast receiver (script decoder) incorporated in the TV receiver 11. This CPU displays on the screen a symbol mark “i” indicating that the current program is a two-way teletext program, notifies the viewer of the symbol mark, and starts script execution in response to a selection command from the viewer. The interactive teletext program is played.
[0018]
A response from the viewer to the interactive teletext program is received by the TV receiver 11 by a remote control operation or the like. In this case, the response may end autonomously in the TV receiver 11, but the response result is sent to the response server 15 provided in each place via the communication line network 13. It is also possible to reflect the content of the program provided by the station 12 in real time.
[0019]
This system can be realized by extending the functions of an existing teletext broadcasting system in terms of software. The response from the viewer is sent via a telephone line. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a new infrastructure. Further, even if the script is added to the text multiplex broadcast and broadcasted, the current TV broadcast, text broadcast, and TV receiver are not affected at all.
[0020]
Each TV receiver 11 includes a script decoder circuit 113 and a transmission / reception control as a bidirectional character broadcast receiving apparatus for realizing a bidirectional program in addition to a normal TV broadcast receiving circuit 111 and a video signal processing circuit 112. A circuit 114 is provided. The script decoder circuit 113 takes out the script from the TV broadcast signal from the broadcast station 12 and executes it to display the interactive text broadcast program on the screen.
[0021]
In this case, the viewer responds to the screen of the interactive teletext program using the TV remote control. When sending data to the response server 14, a call request is issued from the script decoder circuit 113 to the modem built in the transmission / reception control circuit 114, and automatic dialing for the response server 14 is performed. The transmission / reception control circuit 114 is provided with a function for delay controlling the actual call time in order to prevent call concentration on the response server 14. This delay control of the calling time is a feature of the present invention, and details thereof will be described with reference to FIG.
[0022]
Since the modem with built-in transmission / reception control circuit 114 has a function of automatically dialing, a dial operation by the viewer is not required only for data transmission itself. The telephone number of the automatic dialing destination is transmitted as telephone number information by embedding it in a script from the broadcasting station 12 for each interactive teletext program. One of the following information is used as the telephone number information. That is, telephone number itself, index (id) information for selecting one from a telephone number list stored in the memory of the TV receiver 11 in advance, or one telephone number stored in the memory of the TV receiver 11 The information that specifies the use corresponds to the telephone number information.
[0023]
The script decoder circuit 113 includes a processor that executes a program. Since the conventional character multiplex decoder also includes a processor, the script decoder circuit 113 can also be realized by extending the function of the conventional character multiplex decoder in software.
[0024]
The broadcast station 12 inserts a script into a broadcast signal including normal video / audio when transmitting a program of a viewer participation method in which a response from the viewer is reflected in the program. A program production system for playing and inserting scripts can be composed of a personal computer and a multiplexing device.
[0025]
The broadcast station 12 performs broadcasting by inserting a script into the broadcast wave in the form of being added to a normal program. Information programs to be added are broadly classified into those produced by broadcasters themselves, and those produced by third parties such as advertising companies and mail order companies. In addition, there are broadcasters that can be prepared in advance, and those that are inserted live as during sports broadcasts.
[0026]
The broadcasting facility of the broadcasting station 12 includes, in addition to a normal TV broadcast television program transmission device 121 and a television broadcast signal transmitter 126, a bidirectional character broadcast program production device 122, a large-capacity storage device 123, a bidirectional character broadcast. A program transmission device 124 and a multiplexing device 125 are added.
[0027]
In the interactive text broadcast program production device 122, character and graphic data and computer programs for adding interactivity are encoded based on a predetermined standard, and converted into a data format script such as character code data. The The script is temporarily stored in the storage device 123, then sequentially read according to a predetermined reading procedure, and sent to the interactive program transmission device 124. In the interactive program transmission device 124, a synchronization code, an error correction code, or the like is added to the script, and a plurality of packets are generated from the script data. This packet is superimposed in the vertical blanking period of the TV video signal by the multiplexer 125.
[0028]
In the case of adopting a hybrid transmission TV character multiplex broadcast signal, the script data is superimposed on the 14th H (277H) to 16th H (279H) and 21st H (284H) of the vertical blanking period.
[0029]
It is also possible to transmit the text broadcast data on the FM broadcast signal. In this case, the script data is superimposed on the subcarrier of the DARC FM text multiplex broadcast signal.
[0030]
Here, the configuration of the script will be described.
The script is created by the production system of the broadcasting station 12, and is sent together with normal images and sounds. The script is realized as a set of objects as follows.
[0031]
(1) Background / display material (2) Action button (3) Character string (4) Each object such as an image can have a complementary procedure (procedure), and this procedure is described in an extended BASIC language. Is done. This language is a normal BASIC having a control command for bidirectional text broadcasting.
[0032]
The script also includes a program ID, response data destination telephone number information, acceptance start information for designating acceptance of response data, acceptance end time information for designating an acceptance end time, and the like.
[0033]
When this script is executed, screen components such as the screen background and action buttons are displayed first. When the viewer selects the operation button, a program corresponding to the button is activated.
[0034]
A response data processing method is registered in the response server 14 in advance, and the contents collected in response to this are redistributed to a broadcasting station, an advertising company, a sponsor, a mail order company, or a center server.
[0035]
The forms of interactive programs that can be realized with this interactive TV system can be broadly classified into the following four types.
(1) Additional information on complementary information programs / advertisement products is selectively displayed.
[0036]
・ Selectively display data during sports broadcasts.
・ Display program contents.
・ Memorize the food resurrection and display it later.
[0037]
・ Respond to answers to questions in early childhood education programs.
・ Respond to viewers' answers in quiz programs.
(2) Response feedback program (using response server)
・ Take questionnaires on politics, economics and social reports.
[0038]
・ Take questionnaires on sports programs.
・ In the audience participation quiz program, statistics of correct answerers and tournaments will be displayed.
(3) Programs with transactions (using a response server)
・ Receiving orders at the response server for TV shopping.
[0039]
・ Receiving a catalog request, etc., with an advertisement with information and other requests.
・ For audience rating investigation, obtain viewing consent and send viewing program data to response server.
(4-1) Online service (Type 1)
A mode in which a subsequent interactive program is shifted to an online service that is provided from a server via a communication network by the viewer's own selection of the program by interactive TV broadcasting.
[0040]
-Select online shopping during the CM. The request is transferred to the server via the communication line network, and the server shifts to an online service that provides an interactive program including detailed product information to the TV receiver via the communication line network.
[0041]
・ Looking at the seat reservation status of aircraft provided as interactive TV broadcasting or normal text multiplex broadcasting, when making a reservation application for an empty flight, shift to an online service. The server provides interactive programs including inquiries regarding classes, adults / children, number of people, smoking cessation / smoking, window / aisle side, etc. to the TV receiver via the communication network.
(4-2) Online service (Type 2)
A mode in which a bidirectional program is provided from a server to a TV receiver via a communication network independently of TV broadcasting. In this case, the information is provided from the server via the communication network, and the viewer selects this to communicate with the server.
[0042]
The viewer selects the interactive program itself from the online service menu transferred from the server.
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the interactive TV server network system 14.
[0043]
The server network system 14 receives and processes a response from the TV receiver 13 in each home via a communication line network 13 such as a telephone line, and sends the processing result to a broadcasting station or the like via a high-speed digital transmission network. For example, the response server systems 151 to 153 distributed throughout the country and the response server systems 151 to 153 are managed, and responses from the TV receivers 13 are individually received. Or it comprises a center server system 161 that performs processing in cooperation with each response server.
[0044]
Each of the response server systems 151 to 153 includes a response server 15 that receives and processes a response from each TV receiver, and an access point for receiving response data from each TV receiver via the communication network 13. It consists of a CCP (Communication Network Processor) 16.
[0045]
There are many configurations of the CCP 16 and connection formats between the CCP 16 and the response server 15, and these configurations and formats are preferably used in accordance with the configuration scale of the response server system. As CCP16,
(1) CCP installed at the same location as the response server
(2) Adapter type CCP for multi-line accommodation (multi-line accommodation CCP)
(3) CCP using adapter 17 for accommodating decimal lines
(4) Remote CCP installed separately from the response server
(5) CCP (CCP facility) built in the response server
Can be used.
[0046]
As for the connection format of the CCP 16 and the response server 15, it is preferable that the response server system 151 installed in a main base such as Tokyo is connected between the CCP 16 and the response server 15 as shown in the figure. Further, in the response server system 151, it is desirable to provide two response servers 15 in a dual or duplex configuration in order to improve fault tolerance performance and processing performance.
[0047]
The response server 15 receives the response frame from the TV receiver via the corresponding CCP 16, and performs various processes on the response frame. The basic processing executed by the response server 15 is the following three.
[0048]
-Accumulate responses from TV receivers.
Processing the stored response data in accordance with an instruction from a predetermined broadcasting station or program ID and telephone number information included in the response data.
[0049]
A transfer destination of processing results is determined according to a program ID or telephone number information included in a predetermined instruction or response data from a broadcasting station, and is transmitted to the broadcasting station or the like.
The CCP 16 is a communication control device for configuring an access point with the communication line network 13, and has a modem function and a protocol control function for communicating with a TV receiver connected via the communication line network 13. Have.
[0050]
The center server system 161 is provided with a center server 18, a router 19, and a network management device 20. As described above, the center server 18 integrates responses from TV receivers in various locations in cooperation with the response server systems 151 to 153. In order to improve fault tolerance performance and processing performance, For example, it is composed of two computer systems having a dual or duplex configuration.
[0051]
The router 19 is connected to the high-speed digital communication network 22 and communicates with the center server system 161, the broadcasting station, the SP (Service Provider) / IP (Information Provider) 10, and the like via the high-speed digital communication network. . The network management apparatus 20 is an integrated operation server that manages the operation and maintenance of the entire server network system 14 and is operated by a network administrator. Each broadcasting station 12 and SP / IP 10 are also provided with routers 121 and 101 connected to the high-speed digital communication network 22, respectively.
[0052]
The function of the center server 18 can be executed by each response server. In FIG. 2, the high-speed digital communication network 22 is shown as a network via a router, but the connection between the center server system 161 and the broadcasting station, SP (Service Provider) / IP (Information Provider) 10, etc. X. A 25 packet switching network or a data switching network such as ISDN may be used, or a public line network such as a telephone line may be used.
[0053]
FIG. 3 shows an example of an actual operation mode of the server network system 14 of FIG.
The response server 15 and the CCP 16 are disposed only at one or more specific bases in the initial operation of the interactive TV system. However, with the widespread use of the interactive TV system, for example, a communication service such as a telephone network. It will be expanded as needed for each area or service area of the local broadcasting station.
[0054]
Here, the processing procedure of the response data from the viewer will be described taking some forms of two-way teletext programs as examples.
First, the response feedback program will be described.
[0055]
The response feedback program provides information related to the viewer-participation-type main broadcast program (for example, a selector for answering a question inquired to the viewer by the program) by the interactive text broadcasting, which is received by the viewer. By selecting it, it is reflected in the program content. A typical example of the response feedback program is a quiz program.
[0056]
When the TV receiver 11 receives a script while the main broadcast screen of the quiz program is flowing, a symbol mark “i” (interactive mark) indicating that the program is a two-way text broadcast program is displayed on the TV receiver 11. Is displayed on the screen.
[0057]
When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control, etc., the program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 in FIG. 1 is started. First, information indicating a selector for answering the question, etc. Is displayed on the screen. When a predetermined selector is selected by the viewer through the operation of the remote controller, it is sent from the script decoder circuit 113 to the transmission / reception control circuit 114 as an automatic call (dialing) request. Then, the call time is controlled, and when that time is reached, the actual call processing using the telephone number information embedded in the script is executed, and the predetermined response server system to which the telephone number is assigned is executed. The CCP 16 is connected to the line. Then, predetermined response data including a selector from the TV receiver 11 is sent to the broadcasting station 12 via the CCP 16, the response server 15, and the digital communication network 22. In this case, the response server 15 aggregates the data of the selectors, and the aggregation result is sent to the broadcast station 12 and reflected in the program content. In addition, when this quiz program is a national broadcast from a broadcasting station in Tokyo, the data collected by the response server 15 in each place is once sent to the center server 18, where it is counted again, and then the broadcasting station 12 is sent.
[0058]
Next, a program with a transaction will be described.
The transaction-added program is a program form in which an order from a viewer is received, for example, in TV shopping, and data is transmitted to the response server 15. When a script is received in a state where the main broadcast screen of the TV shopping program is flowing, A symbol mark “i” (interactive mark) indicating that the program is a two-way teletext program is displayed on the screen. When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control or the like, program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started, and first, product information and the like are displayed. When the viewer designates the purchase of a predetermined product by operating the remote controller, it is sent from the script decoder circuit 113 to the transmission / reception control circuit 114 as an automatic call (dialing) request. Then, the call time is controlled, and when that time is reached, the actual call processing using the telephone number information embedded in the script is executed, and the predetermined response server system to which the telephone number is assigned is executed. The CCP 16 is connected to the line. Then, predetermined response data including selection information indicating products, quantities, and the like is sent to the IP / SP 10 such as an advertising company or a mail order company via the CCP 16, the response server 15, and the digital communication network 22. Also in this case, it may be sent to the IP / SP 10 via the center server 18.
[0059]
Next, the online service (type 1) will be described.
The online service (type 1) is a mode in which a purchase request from a viewer is received, for example, in a TV commercial, and the mode is shifted to an online service mode. When a script is received in a state where the commercial broadcast is flowing, A symbol mark “i” indicating that the program is a two-way teletext program is displayed on the screen. When the symbol mark “i” is selected by the viewer operating the remote control or the like, program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started, and a screen for confirming the transition to the online service mode is displayed first. When the viewer specifies the transition to online service mode by operating the remote control (a specific product may be specified at this time), the phone number information embedded in the script and transmitted automatically A call request (dialing) is generated, and after the call time control, a line connection is established with the CCP 16 of a predetermined response server system to which the telephone number is assigned. Then, predetermined response data including the program ID and designated product selection information is sent to the CCP 16 and the response server 15. The response server 15 transfers the interactive program script for online service registered in advance for the program to the TV receiver through a path reverse to the path through which the response data is transferred. After that, the product purchase procedure is performed by the same operation as that of the program with transaction.
[0060]
Next, the online service (type 2) will be described.
The online service (type 2) is a mode in which the online service is shifted to a online operation by a predetermined operation of the viewer's remote control regardless of the TV broadcast. The online service is stored in advance in a storage medium such as a ROM in the TV receiver. Program execution by the CPU of the script decoder circuit 113 is started in accordance with the script for use, and a screen for confirming execution of the online service is displayed first. When the execution of the online service is specified by the viewer through the operation of the remote controller, automatic calling (dialing) is performed using the telephone number information embedded in the script of the ROM, and the predetermined telephone number is assigned. Is connected to the CCP 16 of the response server system. Then, predetermined response data indicating an online service request is sent to the CCP 16 and the response server 15. The response server 15 transfers the online service (homepage) interactive program script registered in advance to the TV receiver through a path reverse to the path through which the response data is transferred. After that, the product purchase procedure is performed by the same operation as that of the program with transaction.
[0061]
Next, call time control by the transmission / reception control circuit 114 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This call time control is for the purpose of preventing line congestion by distributing calls from the TV receiver 11 and is actually executed after a call request is input by a selection operation by the viewer. Controls the time until call processing is executed. In this case, the waiting time from when the call request is input to when the call process is actually executed is a bidirectional character in consideration of the distribution of the call request amount from the viewer for the interactive TV broadcast program. It is determined based on the elapsed time from when the broadcast program response data is received until the call request is input.
[0062]
In other words, in a telephone questionnaire that asks viewers all at once and collects their responses over the telephone, the call volume gradually increases from the start of answer acceptance, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The call distribution is generally such that the call volume reaches a peak when a certain period of time elapses from the start of reception, and then the call volume gradually decreases.
[0063]
Therefore, the waiting time from when the call request is input to when the call is actually executed is determined based on the elapsed time from when the response data is received until the call request is input by the viewer. As a result, it is possible to efficiently distribute the call requests generated during a period in which the call volume is large to a period in which the call volume is small.
[0064]
In this embodiment, in order to control the waiting time based on the elapsed time from the response data acceptance start time to the input of the call request, the time from the response data acceptance start time to the acceptance end time is shown in FIG. In accordance with the typical call distribution shown in FIG. 4, it is divided into four periods from period a to period d and managed as shown in the figure.
[0065]
The period a starts from the response data reception start time and ends by the time when the call request amount is expected to exceed the call processing capability of the telephone station or the like. This period a is set to about 30 seconds to 60 seconds, for example. The period d is a period immediately before the reception end time, and this period d is set to about 5 to 30 seconds, for example.
[0066]
The periods b and c are the remaining time obtained by subtracting the times of the periods a and d from the time from the response data reception start time to the reception end time, and the period b is a call processing capability such as a telephone station where the call request amount is It starts from the time when it is expected to exceed, and ends at the time when the call request amount is expected to be less than the call processing capacity. The period c starts from the time when the call request amount is expected to be equal to or less than the call processing capacity, and ends before the period d immediately before the reception end time.
[0067]
The length of each of the periods b and c is the remaining time obtained by subtracting the times of the periods a and d from the time from the response data reception start time to the reception end time, and a predetermined ratio between the period b and the period c. Determined by.
[0068]
Regarding the length of the period a and the period d and the relative ratio between the period b and the period c, or the ratio of the relative lengths of the periods a to d, the reference value is stored in the TV receiver 11 in advance. Although registered, the reference value can be variably set according to the information transmitted while being embedded in the script.
[0069]
Call distribution control for each of these four periods a to d is performed as shown in FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the period a, it is expected that the call request amount is equal to or less than the call processing capacity, so that delay control for call distribution is not performed. Therefore, when a call request occurs during this period a, actual call processing is immediately executed. Therefore, call time = call request time.
[0070]
The period b is a period subject to delay control for call distribution, and for the call request generated in this period b, delay control for call distribution is performed, thereby extending the period b and c. The actual call time is distributed. That is, the actual call time for the call request generated in period b is call request time + delay time.
[0071]
Here, the delay time is determined using a random number function and a random number generation parameter substituted as a variable in the random number function. As the random number generation parameter, a device ID (TVID) unique to the TV receiver 11, a subscriber telephone number corresponding to the TV receiver 11, date information, time information, or an elapsed time since the start of reception is used.
[0072]
That is, a random number value is obtained by substituting a random number generation parameter such as a device ID or a subscriber telephone number into a random number function, and the random value is stored in a plurality of time slots assigned in advance to periods b and c. Used to select one of the time slots after the call request time. Therefore, the time from the call request time to the selected timing slot is the delay time.
[0073]
The period c is also a period subject to delay control for call distribution, and the call control generated in this period c is also subjected to delay control for call distribution. The calling time of is distributed. That is, the actual call time for the call request generated in the period c is also the call request time + delay time.
[0074]
Here, as described above, the delay time is a plurality of times assigned in advance to the period c from a random value obtained by substituting a random number generation parameter such as a device ID or a subscriber telephone number into a random number function. It is determined by selecting one of the time slots after the call request time in the slot, and the time from the call request time to the selected time slot is the delay time.
[0075]
Since the period d is a period immediately before the reception end time, delay control for call distribution is not performed. Also, during this period d, call distribution from the other periods b and c is not performed. This is because the call processing corresponding to the call request generated in the period d is executed within a short time until the remaining reception end time. Therefore, when a call request occurs during this period d, actual call processing is immediately executed. Therefore, in period d, call time = call request time.
[0076]
Due to such delay control for call distribution, call requests exceeding the call processing capacity in the period b are distributed in the period c and the like, and as shown by a solid line in FIG. The actual call volume for the communication line can be distributed.
[0077]
FIG. 6 shows how time slots are assigned to periods b and c.
The time (unit time) of each of the time slots allocated to the periods b and c may be uniform. However, in order to distribute the call requests in the period b more in the period c, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to set the time slot allocation of c finely. In this case, it is desirable that the minimum unit time of the time slot is equal to the time required for processing the maximum call volume that can be processed by the telephone station.
[0078]
Next, an example of a call distribution control process executed in the TV receiver 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the reception period is checked from the reception start instruction information and the reception end time information that are embedded and transmitted in the script, and four periods a, b, c, and d for distributed call control are determined from the reception period. (Step S11). In this case, the time width of each of the periods a, b, c, and d, the ratio between the periods b and c, and the like are variably set according to the program ID and other control information that are embedded in the script and transmitted.
[0079]
Next, for example, after tie slots as shown in FIG. 6 are assigned to the periods b and c (step S12), the device ID or the subscriber telephone number is used as a random number generation parameter (x) as a random number function (y = R (x )) To obtain a random value (y) (step S13).
[0080]
Thereafter, when a call request is generated from the script decoder circuit 113 to the transmission / reception control circuit 114 in response to a remote control operation by the viewer (step S14), the call request time belongs to the period b or c. Whether it is a call request subject to call distribution control (step S15). If it is a call request in the period a or d, call processing by automatic dialing is immediately performed (step S17).
[0081]
On the other hand, if it is a call request in period b or period c, first, a time slot to be called is determined according to the random value (y), and time waiting processing is performed for the time up to the time slot (step S16). . Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the selection of the time slot is performed so that the call request in the period b is distributed over the periods b and c, and the call request in the period c. Is performed so as to be distributed within the period c. Then, when the time of the selected time slot is reached, call processing by automatic dialing is performed (step S17).
[0082]
Thus, in this call distribution control process, based on the elapsed time from the reception start time of response data to the time when the call request is input by the viewer, that is, the call request time is during periods a to d. The execution time of the call processing by auto-dialing is delay-controlled depending on which period it belongs to. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently distribute call requests generated during a period when the call volume is large.
[0083]
Here, the period from the start to the end of reception is divided into four periods a to d. However, it is sufficient to make a call in period b even by dividing into three periods a to c without using period d. Can be dispersed.
[0084]
Further, without dividing the periods a to d, the call delay time is determined simply by using a random number function and a random number generation parameter (TVID, subscriber telephone number, etc.), thereby performing call distribution control processing. Also good.
[0085]
Next, a call restriction function provided in the TV receiver 11 will be described.
This call restriction function is used instead of distributed control of call time, and prevents the occurrence of a line congestion state due to call concentration by restricting the number of TV receivers 11 that can make calls. is there.
[0086]
That is, this call restriction function is applied to, for example, an interactive program in which a call request from the TV receiver 11 to the response server 15 is assumed to greatly exceed the call processing capability of the communication network 13. The end number of the device ID (or subscriber telephone number) of the TV receiver 11 to which the interactive program itself can transmit response data is specified, and the TV receiver 11 that matches the specified end number is designated. Used to implement a scheme that only allows calls.
[0087]
An example of the procedure of the call restriction process is shown in FIG.
That is, when a call request is generated from the script decoder circuit 113 to the transmission / reception control circuit 114 in response to a remote control operation by the viewer (step S21), the TVID (or subscriber telephone number) embedded in the script and transmitted. Is compared with the TVID (or subscriber telephone number) stored in the ROM or the like of the TV receiver 11 (step S22).
[0088]
If they match, call processing by auto dialing is executed (step S24). If they do not match, call processing is not executed and a message indicating that a call cannot be made due to call restriction. Is displayed in a drawing (step S25).
[0089]
Even with such tail restriction, the amount of calls can be restricted, so that the occurrence of calls exceeding the call processing capacity can be suppressed.
Also, instead of the above-mentioned tail restriction information, viewer designation information for designating a specific TVID or subscriber telephone number is embedded in a script and transmitted, and the TVID stored in the ROM of the TV receiver 11 or the like is transmitted. If the subscriber telephone number is compared, an operation of accepting only a response from a specific viewer can be performed. This is applied not only to the purpose of limiting the amount of calls but also to various program forms such as listening to opinions from specific viewers or being used as one of the winner selection methods in present programs. You can also do things.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the distribution of the call request amount from the viewer for the interactive TV broadcast program is taken into consideration until the call request is input by the viewer from the response data reception start time. Based on the elapsed time, the waiting time from when a call request is input until the call processing is actually executed by the auto dialing means is determined. Requests can be efficiently distributed over the period and subsequent periods when the call volume is reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to distribute the calling time for the communication line, and it is possible to prevent the inter-office line of the telephone station from being occupied by the interactive TV broadcasting system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an interactive TV system using an interactive TV receiver for bidirectional text broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server network system used in the interactive TV system of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation form of the server network system of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the principle of call distribution control executed by the two-way teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between four periods managed by the bidirectional teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment and the corresponding distributed control processing;
FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which call requests are distributed by the two-way teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of call distribution control processing executed by the bidirectional teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a call request during period b and a call request during period c are distributed by call distribution control by the two-way teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a call restriction process which is executed by the bidirectional teletext TV receiver according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... TV receiver, 12 ... Broadcasting station, 13 ... Communication network, 14 ... Server network system, 15 ... Response server, 113 ... Script decoder circuit, 114 ... Transmission / reception control circuit.

Claims (7)

An interactive broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing an interactive broadcast program transmitted by a television broadcast signal,
In response to a predetermined call request input operation from the viewer that is executed during the interactive broadcast program, the other party specified by the telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program is communicated via a communication line network. Auto dialing means for automatically calling and transmitting response data from viewers to the interactive broadcast program;
Call time control means for controlling the execution time of call processing by the auto dialing means,
This calling time control means
An elapsed time from the response data reception start time of the interactive broadcast program until the call request is input is detected, and the auto dialing is performed after the call request is input based on the detected elapsed time. Wait time determining means for determining a wait time until call processing is executed by the means;
Means for controlling the calling time of the auto dialing means using the waiting time determined by the waiting time determining means. The waiting time determining means includes
The period from the response data reception start time to the response data reception end time of the interactive broadcast program is divided into at least three periods from the beginning in order, and the input time of the call request is the first time. Means for detecting which period from 1 to 3 belongs;
Means for determining a value of the waiting time to be zero when an input time of the call request belongs to the first period;
When the input time of the call request belongs to the second period, a random number value is obtained by substituting a device ID or subscriber telephone number assigned to the interactive broadcast receiving device as a variable into a predetermined random number function, Based on the random number value, one of the time slots after the call request input time is selected from among the plurality of time slots assigned over the second and third periods, and the selected time slot is selected. The interactive broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a time until a slot as the waiting time. The first to third periods each length or relative length ratio of their periods, is claimed in claim 2, wherein a is variably set by the control data included in the interactive broadcast program Interactive broadcast receiver. The waiting time determining means includes
The period from the response data reception start time to the response data reception end time of the interactive broadcast program is divided into first to fourth periods in order from the head, and the input time of the call request is the first to the fourth period. Means for detecting which period of 4 belongs,
Means for determining a value of the waiting time to be zero when an input time of the call request belongs to the first or fourth period;
When the input time of the call request belongs to the second period, a random number value is obtained by substituting a device ID or subscriber telephone number assigned to the interactive broadcast receiving device as a variable into a predetermined random number function, based on the random number, - time of the second and to select one of said call request input time subsequent time slot in a third plurality of time slots allocated over a period of, and the selection Means for determining the time to slot as the waiting time;
When the input time of the call request belongs to the third period, a random number value is obtained by substituting the device ID or the subscriber telephone number as a variable in the random number function, and based on the random value, the plurality of claims to select one of said call request input time after time slots in the time slot, characterized by comprising a means for determining the time until the selected-time slot as said waiting time 2. The bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus according to 1.   The interactive broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a tie slot having a unit time shorter than that of the second period is allocated to the third period. The first to fourth periods each length or relative length ratio of their periods, is claimed in claim 4, wherein the variably set by the control data included in the interactive broadcast program Interactive broadcast receiver. A receiving and reproducing bidirectional broadcast receiving apparatus an interactive broadcast programs transmitted by the television broadcast signal,
In response to a predetermined call request input operation from the viewer that is executed during the interactive broadcast program, the other party specified by the telephone number information included in the interactive broadcast program is communicated via a communication line network. Auto dialing means for automatically calling and transmitting response data from viewers to the interactive broadcast program;
Call time control means for controlling the execution time of call processing by the auto dialing means,
This calling time control means
Substituting a subscriber telephone number corresponding to the interactive broadcast receiving apparatus as a variable to a predetermined random number function to obtain a random value, and based on the random value, the auto dialing means after the call request is input Waiting time determining means for determining a waiting time until call processing is executed by
Means for controlling the calling time of the auto dialing means using the waiting time determined by the waiting time determining means.

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