JP3712063B2 - Bidirectional program receiving apparatus and receiving method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an interactive program receiving apparatus and a receiving apparatus in which a response is made through a telephone line.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in television shopping, questionnaire surveys, and quiz programs with viewer participation, the reception telephone number for responding on the television broadcast side is displayed on the screen in superimposition for the appropriate time for viewing. Some respondents make a response by telephone or facsimile.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in response over a telephone line, both the sending side and the receiving side require a considerable amount of time and effort for processing, and the more attractive the program is, the more viewing it becomes. Calls and call requests from subscribers are concentrated on the receiving side of the response, that is, the line of the specific telephone station that manages the line of the broadcasting station, and the processing capacity of the line is exceeded, and the call is not connected or connected There was also a problem that the line was mixed (hereinafter, this state is called puncture of the telephone line).
[0004]
In order to solve such a line puncture problem, on the broadcast station side, for example, in the interactive program, the moderator specifies the number at the end of the telephone number of the viewer who is allowed to send a response. Often calls to restrict outgoing calls.
[0005]
However, since this call depends on the goodwill of the viewer, it has no absolute effect and does not prevent a viewer with an unspecified telephone number from accessing.
[0006]
The puncture of the telephone line is a mechanism that occurs not only in the state where the line is actually connected but also because the load is already applied in the part of the operation to connect the line. In other words, just raising the handset will already take up the capacity of one line. For example, if all the telephones in the area managed by a certain telephone office raise the handset at the same time, the line will puncture alone. Become.
[0007]
In reality, the above puncture condition occurs when a sudden use of a telephone from a certain region occurs due to a local disaster, etc., but in the case of interactive program broadcasting, it occurs unless the audience rating is considerable. Is unthinkable. If anything, this problem is expected to occur at the receiving side of the response, that is, the telephone station that manages the line of the broadcasting station. In other words, even if the line is not actually connected, there is a problem that many line use requests are concentrated on the line of one central office for line connection, even if reception (call) itself is not performed. However, if the transmission itself is not stopped, the load is still applied to the line.
[0008]
In addition, it is not intended to avoid such line punctures. For example, a local broadcast station, such as a CATV network or satellite broadcast, may be used for interactive programs that limit responders to a specific area corresponding to the local broadcast station. You may want to broadcast. However, even if it is a program of a local broadcasting station, it can be viewed in other areas, but just because it is an interactive program of a local broadcasting station, the local residents are not necessarily viewers. . For this reason, as in the case described above, even if the limited broadcast area is broadcast in the program, it is impossible to prohibit the response from viewers other than that area.
[0009]
Recently, a telephone voting service called "Telegong" or "Teledome" is used to solve the problem of telephone line congestion caused by a large number of viewers calling at the same time. Mass information provision services are now provided by telephone companies.
[0010]
The telephone voting service, for example, in a questionnaire survey or a quiz on a TV or radio program, a response destination telephone number is assigned to each of a plurality of responses to one question, and each response destination The number of incoming calls with respect to the telephone number, that is, the number of responses from the viewer is counted on the telephone station side, totaled, and notified to the broadcasting station side.
[0011]
On the broadcasting station side, for example, a screen such as a graph of the counting result is broadcasted in order to reflect the counting result notified from the telephone station in the broadcast program.
[0012]
In the telephone voting service, the response of the responder is substantially completed when the call arrives at the central office, the line can be disconnected, the load on the telephone line is reduced, and the viewer On the side, it is possible to go on-hook immediately after receiving a call, so the burden on the line usage fee is reduced.
[0013]
In addition, the telephone voting service receives calls at the subscriber switching center and distributes the telephone voting counts for each region, thus avoiding congestion on the trunk line and voting a relatively large number of calls in a short time. The number can be notified to the broadcasting station. Current systems can handle up to 500,000 calls, for example, in 5 minutes.
[0014]
Even when this telephone voting service is used for a response to an interactive program, the broadcast station can call the viewer in the interactive program and specify the voting area to limit outgoing calls. However, as in the case where the local broadcast station wants to restrict the response in the above region, even if the response transmission restriction is broadcasted in the interactive program of the local broadcast station, only the residents in the designated region can view the viewer. Not necessarily. For this reason, for example, even if the telephone voting service is expected only in the area of the local station, the telephone number of the telephone voting service may be accessed from outside the target area.
[0015]
If the above-mentioned telephone voting service is accessed from outside the target area, the access will be invalidated and a message “This number is not currently in use” will be sent, or outside the target area. If another interactive program is being broadcast, the telephone voting service will respond to the other interactive program. This not only wastefully adds to the line, but also annoys users of other telephone voting services such as the other interactive programs described above.
[0016]
On the other hand, in a mass information providing service, a service subscriber such as a broadcasting station prepares a sound source line and a sound source device, and a large number of users can access a predetermined telephone number (for example, 0180-99-xxx) set by a telephone company. When the user makes a phone call, the voice information from the sound source can be provided to the multiple users at the same time. In the case of this mass information providing service, it is possible to provide voice information to a large number of users at the same time, avoiding punctures of the lines for access to the above telephone numbers by a large number of users. When the sports broadcast program of the time expires, the subsequent broadcast content can be provided to the viewer from the broadcasting station side via the telephone company.
[0017]
Even when this mass information providing service is used for a response to an interactive program, an available area can be specified in the broadcast program, but the same problem as the above-described telephone voting service occurs.
[0018]
In view of the above, the present invention provides an interactive program receiving apparatus and an interactive program receiving method capable of reliably restricting the transmission of a response from a receiving side only to a desired area. It is an object of the present invention to be able to reliably control the amount of access from the side and to reliably limit the area where responses can be sent.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an interactive program receiving apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal multiplexed with interactive program related information including area transmission restriction information for specifying an area where transmission of a response of a receiver to an interactive program is permitted or prohibited ;
Operation input means for operating a response to the interactive program;
A transmission means for transmitting the response through a telephone line;
Obtaining means for obtaining regional transmission restriction information multiplexed on the broadcast signal;
A storage means for storing self-registered local information;
Comparison means for comparing the regional transmission restriction information acquired by the acquisition means with the regional information stored in the storage means;
Control means for permitting or prohibiting the transmission of the response based on the comparison result of the comparison means.
[0020]
A response method for an interactive program according to the present invention includes:
A receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal in which interactive program related information including area transmission restriction information for specifying an area for restricting transmission of a response of a receiver to the interactive program is multiplexed;
An operation input step of receiving an operation of response to the interactive program;
A sending step of sending the response through a telephone line;
An acquisition step of acquiring regional transmission restriction information multiplexed on the broadcast signal;
A storage process for storing pre-registered local information;
A comparison step of comparing the regional transmission restriction information acquired in the acquisition step with the regional information stored in the storage step;
And a control step of permitting or prohibiting the transmission of the response based on a comparison result in the comparison step.
[0021]
The local transmission restriction information provided from the broadcast side is not multiplexed with the broadcast signal, but the recipient of the interactive program accesses a specific telephone number in accordance with the instruction provided in the interactive program. It can also be obtained via a telephone line.
[0022]
[Action]
According to the configuration of the present invention described above, from the broadcast side, the regional information stored in advance in the storage means of the response device is designated by the regional transmission restriction information in order to specify the region where transmission of a response is permitted or prohibited. Multiple broadcasts including local transmission restriction information. Alternatively, the local call restriction information is transmitted to the response device through the telephone line.
[0023]
The response device acquires the local transmission restriction information and compares it with the local information stored in the storage means. And, for example, when a region where transmission of a response is permitted is specified by the regional transmission restriction information, if the local information is included in the acquired regional transmission restriction information, the response device is controlled. The means transmits a response according to a response operation on the assumption that transmission of a response from its own response device is permitted.
[0024]
On the other hand, if the acquired local transmission restriction information does not include its own local information, the control means of the response device determines that the response operation from the own response device is prohibited and performs a response operation. Do not send the response even if it is done by the user.
[0025]
For example, when the area where the transmission of the response is permitted is specified by the area transmission restriction information, the mode of the transmission restriction for the response by the response device is opposite to the above.
[0026]
As described above, from the broadcast station side, by designating the area where the transmission of the response is restricted by the area information stored in the receiver's response device, the area of the responder can be reliably limited. It is possible to prevent the puncture of a line in a specific area or to create an interactive program that solicits a response from a specific area.
[0027]
【Example】
Hereinafter, a case where an embodiment of a bidirectional program receiving apparatus and receiving method according to the present invention is applied to television broadcasting will be described.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the broadcast station side multiplexes and broadcasts the interactive program-related information to the broadcast signal as information for the receiver's response to the interactive program. In particular, in this embodiment, the interactive program-related information is multiplexed into a broadcast audio signal by using a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal as a multi-frequency signal used for selecting a telephone line or the like ( (Mixed voice).
[0029]
On the other hand, the receiving side separates and decodes the DTMF signal from the received broadcast audio signal, reproduces the interactive program related information, stores it in the memory, and uses it for telephone communication with a service station or program reservation .
[0030]
In the case of this example, the regional transmission restriction information is broadcast as a part of the interactive program related information by being multiplexed with a broadcast signal. As the local call restriction information in this example, information that limits a region in a telephone number, for example, an area code or a city code is used.
[0031]
On the other hand, in the response device on the receiving side in this example, the subscriber telephone number of the receiving user is registered in advance and stored in the memory. If the local transmission restriction information is included in the interactive program-related information, the responding device stores the area code and local number specified by the information and the subscription stored in the responding device on the receiving side. The telephone number is compared with the person's telephone number, and based on the comparison result, the transmission of the response is controlled by enabling the transmission of the response or prohibiting the transmission of the response.
[0032]
First, the DTMF signal will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
[DTMF signal]
The DTMF signaling system is a voice band signaling system that sends two tones simultaneously, one for a low frequency group (low group) and the other for a high frequency group (high group). Each of these low and high frequency groups consists of four voice band frequency tones, none of which are in articulation.
[0034]
In the DTMF signal, the four frequencies in the low group are, for example, 697 Hz, 770 Hz, 852 Hz, and 941 Hz, and the four frequencies in the high group are, for example, 1209 Hz, 1336 Hz, 1477 Hz, and 1633 Hz. Then, one frequency in each of the low group and the high group is combined, and each DTMF signal (each of these DTMF signals is hereinafter referred to as a function signal) composed of the combination is divided into four rows as shown in FIG. It is assigned to push buttons “0” to “D” arranged in four rows, respectively.
[0035]
In telephone communication, of the 16 combinations of DTMF signals, only 12 are generally used for subscriber address (telephone number) signals. That is, the above-mentioned 12 combinations of function signals correspond to the numbers “0” to “9” used as so-called numeric keys on the telephone and the symbols “*” and “#”. The function signals corresponding to the characters “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” shown by the broken lines in FIG. 2 are not generally used in Japan, and a push button (PB) dial is used. It is only used for data transmission.
[0036]
When a line is selected by telephone number using such a DTMF signal, signal transmission conditions are defined as shown in FIG.
[0037]
DTMF signals rarely occur in nature due to the combination of the two frequencies and the transmission conditions as described above, and can be clearly distinguished from natural sounds such as human voices. The signal can be multiplexed (mixed) and broadcast, and separation on the receiving side is relatively easy.
[0038]
By the way, the DTMF signal is also used in multi-function telephones. When you are away from home, you can play back the messages recorded on the answering machine by operating the buttons on the push button type telephone. You can record, play, and delete the message.
[0039]
[Multi-directional broadcasting of interactive program related information]
In the transmission side of this embodiment, that is, on the broadcasting station side, “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” that are not used for PB line selection as described above when transmitting interactive program related information. "A", "B", and "C" function signals are used as transmission start information for interactive program related information, and "D" function signals are used as transmission end information.
[0040]
Since there are three types of transmission start information, in this example, three types of interactive program related information can be distinguished and transmitted. That is, the three types of interactive program-related information are broadcast for each type by dividing one of the function signals “A”, “B”, and “C” and the function signal “D”.
[0041]
For example, information related to response access to an interactive program, for example, interactive program related information such as a telephone number of a transmission destination of a response, a transmission rate, and the like is transmission end information with the function signal “A” as transmission start information. D ”is transmitted as a signal sandwiched between function signals.
[0042]
Similarly, interactive program related information related to environment settings such as local transmission restriction information on the responding side and current time setting is information related to clearing received data between the function signal “B” and the function signal “D”. Are multiplexed and broadcast as signals sandwiched between the function signal “C” and the function signal “D”.
[0043]
On the receiving side, numerical values or symbol data sandwiched between any one of the function signals “A”, “B”, and “C” as transmission start information and the function signal “D” as transmission end information. Are regarded as a data string (information group) of interactive program-related information, and are stored separately in a predetermined storage area of a memory as will be described later.
[0044]
For example, as information regarding response access, when an access to the reception telephone number 0990-1234-1234 is permitted for 120 minutes at a transmission rate of 300 bps with respect to a receiver whose interactive television standard version is 00, both Information related to the program
00 # 120 # 0990 * 1234 * 1234
A data string composed of functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed with a broadcast audio signal in a state of being sandwiched between the functional signal of “A” and the functional signal of “D” and transmitted. The
[0045]
Here, in the data string, the first 00 indicates that the interactive television standard version is 00 (transmission rate 300 bps), and the numerical data after the next symbol “#” indicates the response access permission time. The numerical data after the second symbol “#” indicates a response reception telephone number.
[0046]
In addition, when an access to the telephone number 0990-1234-1235 is permitted for 60 minutes at a transmission rate of 1200 bps to a receiver whose interactive television standard version is 01,
01 # 060 # 0990 * 1234 * 1235
A data string composed of each functional signal of the DTMF signal is multiplexed and transmitted to the broadcast audio signal in a state sandwiched between the functional signal “A” and the functional signal “D”. .
[0047]
Here, in the data string, the first 01 indicates the interactive (interactive) television standard version 01 (transmission rate 1200 bps), and the numerical data after the next symbol “#” indicates the response access permission time. Numerical data after the second symbol “#” indicates a response reception telephone number, indicating 60 minutes.
[0048]
In the data string related to response access as described above, the symbol “#” represents a separator, and the symbol “*” represents a pause.
[0049]
In the case of multiplex broadcasting of local transmission restriction information to restrict access only to viewers in a specific region as information on environment settings, for example, only to viewers in the Tokyo region whose area code is “03” To allow outgoing responses,
0 # 03
When the data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal such as the above is permitted to send a response only to viewers in the Kawasaki area whose area code is “044”,
0 # 044
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed with the broadcast audio signal in a state of being sandwiched between the functional signal of “B” and the functional signal of “D”. Sent out.
[0050]
In this case, the number “0” before the symbol “#” means that the transmission of a response from the telephone number having the number string after the symbol “#” as the area code is permitted.
[0051]
In addition, when allowing the transmission of responses only to the Tokyo and Kawasaki areas,
0 # 03 * 0 # 044
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed with the broadcast audio signal in a state of being sandwiched between the functional signal of “B” and the functional signal of “D”. Sent out. Here, the symbol “*” means a logical sum.
[0052]
In addition, it is possible to further restrict the area by using the local number of the telephone number as the local transmission restriction information. For example, in the case of permitting the transmission of the response of the viewer only in the area where the area code is “3343” in the Tokyo area,
0 # 03 * 3343
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed with the broadcast audio signal in a state of being sandwiched between the functional signal of “B” and the functional signal of “D”. Broadcast.
[0053]
Conversely, in this example, if you want to ban the response of viewers in the Tokyo area,
1 # 03
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed and transmitted to the broadcast audio signal in a state sandwiched between the functional signal “B” and the functional signal “D”. The In this case, the number “1” before the symbol “#” means that the transmission of a response from a telephone number having the number string after the symbol “#” as an area code is prohibited.
[0054]
Due to the regional restrictions as described above, the telephone number registered by the viewer to each response device is registered from the area code. At this time, on the response device side, for example, registration can be checked depending on whether or not “0” at the head of the telephone number has been input.
[0055]
In the above example, the area code of the local transmission restriction information multiplexed on the broadcast station side includes the leading “0”, but omits the leading “0” and only the area number. But you can.
[0056]
Other interactive program related information includes the following. For example, as time information for broadcast program reception reservation or recording reservation, for example, if the current time is Thursday, March 23, 1995, 7:00
2 # 1995032340700
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is multiplexed with the main broadcast audio signal and sent between the “B” functional signal and the “D” functional signal. Is done.
[0057]
Also, if a broadcast program is broadcast from 7:00 to 7:29 on the next Sunday as seen from the present time,
10 # 07000729
A data string composed of the function signals of the DTMF signal is sent between the function signal “B” and the function signal “D”, and another broadcast program is sent on the next Monday 12. When broadcasting from 0:00 to 14:15,
11 # 12001415
A data string composed of the functional signals of the DTMF signal is sandwiched between the functional signal “B” and the functional signal “D” and transmitted.
[0058]
Furthermore, as information on clearing received data, for example, when clearing number restrictions,
99 # 0
When a data string composed of each function signal of the DTMF signal is sent between the function signal of “C” and the function signal of “D”, and the response reception telephone number is cleared In
99 # 1
A data string composed of the function signals of the DTMF signal is sandwiched between the “C” function signal and the “D” function signal and transmitted.
Note that the information on clearing received data is an erasure command because data such as number restriction is immediately cleared when this information is received.
[0059]
As described above, the function signals “A”, “B”, “C”; “D” that are not used as the telephone line selection signal are used as the transmission start information and transmission end information of the interactive program related information. By doing so, for example, even when a DTMF sound is transmitted in a scene of making a drama call, it is not confused with the interactive program related information. In addition, the interactive program related information can be reliably transmitted and received.
[0060]
[Configuration of response device]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, an embodiment of a television receiver equipped with the functions of an embodiment of a bidirectional broadcast response apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
[0061]
In FIG. 1, 10 is a signal system of a television receiver, and 20 is a control system thereof.
[0062]
Broadcast radio waves received by the antenna 1 are supplied to the tuner 11 of the signal system 10. A tuning signal is supplied from the control system 20 to the tuner 11, and a broadcast signal of a desired channel is selected by the tuner 11 and converted into an intermediate frequency signal. This intermediate frequency signal is supplied to the intermediate frequency circuit 12. The intermediate frequency circuit 12 includes a video demodulator 13 and an audio demodulator 14, and demodulates the video signal and the audio signal.
[0063]
The video signal Sv from the video demodulator 13 is supplied to the picture tube 16 through the video signal processing circuit 15. The audio signal Sa from the audio demodulator 14 is supplied to the audio multiplex decoder 17, and the bilingual signal or the stereo signals SL and SR are decoded. These signals SL and SR are supplied to the left and right speakers 19L and 19R through the amplifiers 18L and 18R, respectively.
[0064]
The audio signal Sa from the audio demodulator 14 is also supplied to the DTMF decoder 32 via the preprocessing circuit 31. The DTMF decoder 32 always searches the DTMF signal in the input signal and, when detecting the DTMF signal, decodes which function signal the DTMF signal is. That is, the numbers “0” to “9”, “#”, “*”, and “A” to “D” are decoded. Then, the decoded data is supplied to the control system 20.
[0065]
In the case of this example, as the DTMF decoder 32, a commercially available DTMF decoder widely used is used. The pre-processing circuit 31 is provided for performing pre-processing so that even when a commercially available DTMF decoder is used as the DTMF decoder 32, decoding of a DTMF signal with higher accuracy can be performed. That is, the preprocessing circuit 31 removes frequency components other than the DTMF signal from the audio signal Sa so that the input signal of the DTMF decoder 32 becomes a signal allowed by a commercially available DTMF decoder. Consists of.
[0066]
Further, in this embodiment, a modem (modem / demodulator) 33 for data communication is provided in order to deal with interactive programs such as responses to viewer participation programs.
The modem 33 incorporates a network control unit 33NC, which is a telephone function part such as on-hook, off-hook, and dial. The NCU 33NC includes a tone ringer.
[0067]
A telephone line 2 is connected to the line connection terminal Line of the modem 33, and a telephone 3 is connected to the telephone terminal Tel. This modem 33 is connected to the system bus 200 of the control system 20. Further, data from the modem 33 is supplied to the DTMF decoder 32 so that the DTMF signal transmitted via the telephone line 2 can be decoded by the DTMF decoder 32 and taken into the control system 20. Has been.
[0068]
The control system 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, an EEPROM 22 E, a DRAM 23, an SRAM 24, and a video RAM (VRAM) 25, each of which is connected to the system bus 200.
[0069]
The ROM 22 stores various control programs in addition to a DTMF data reception / intake processing program, which will be described later, and also stores font and graphic data used for display. The DRAM 23 is mainly used as a work area for calculation. The SRAM 24 stores setting information of the television receiver itself, and the EEPROM 22E stores ID information (the identification number of the television receiver in this example) and the subscriber telephone number of the user of the television receiver. Etc. are registered and saved.
[0070]
The television receiver displays a guidance message so that the user's subscriber telephone number is registered in the ROM 22E by the user in advance when the television receiver is installed, for example. In accordance with this guidance message, the user enters his / her subscriber telephone number and registers.
[0071]
The VRAM 25 is used for display. A display control circuit 25C is provided for the VRAM 25. The display control circuit 25C controls reading and writing of video data to the VRAM 25 and converts the read video data into an analog video signal.
[0072]
The control system 20 also includes I / O ports 261, 262, 263, 264 and a VTR control port 27. A control signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 15 and the audio multiplex decoder 17 through the I / O port 261.
[0073]
Further, a remote control signal of, for example, an infrared carrier type from a remote control transmitter (hereinafter referred to as a commander) 34 is received by a remote control receiver 35, and the received remote control signal is received by a decode circuit 36. The decoded remote control signal is fetched into the control system 20 from the I / O port 261.
[0074]
The CPU 21 performs control according to the operation of the viewer on the commander 34 and registration of the subscriber telephone number of the user according to the program in the ROM 22. For example, when the user purchases the television receiver of this example and turns on the power for the first time, a message such as “Please enter your phone number in order from the area code” is displayed according to the program in ROM22. 16 screens. That is, font data for displaying necessary characters and symbols is read from the ROM 22 and transferred to the VRAM 25. The data in the VRAM 25 is converted into an analog video signal by the display control circuit 25C, and the video signal Sv. By combining (for example, superimposing), it is displayed on the screen of the picture tube 16 for an appropriate time.
[0075]
When the user inputs a telephone number according to the message, the input telephone number is stored in the EEPROM 22E according to the program in the ROM 22. When the storage is completed, the message on the screen of the picture tube 16 disappears, and the fact that the telephone number has been registered is displayed for a predetermined time, and then disappears.
[0076]
Similarly, for example, in the case of remote control such as channel selection and volume control, tuner channel selection and volume control are executed, and at the same time, font data for displaying necessary characters and symbols is read from the ROM 22. And transferred to the VRAM 25. The data in the VRAM 25 is converted into an analog video signal by the display control circuit 25C and is combined with the video signal Sv (for example, superimposed), so that it is displayed on the screen of the picture tube 16 for an appropriate time.
[0077]
Data such as channel selection and volume control is written to the non-volatile SRAM 24 for each operation. When the power is turned off and then turned on again, the same channel with the same volume as that immediately before the power is turned off. A so-called last memory function for trial listening is realized.
[0078]
A channel selection signal is supplied to the tuner 11 through the I / O port 263. In this embodiment, the time data from the timer circuit 37 for notification of real time and occurrence of interruption for a predetermined time is input to the control system 20 through the I / O port 264.
[0079]
Further, the control port 27 of the VTR is configured to be able to control three VTR1, VTR2, and VTR3 in this example. The control system 20 can supply a control signal to the VTR through the control port 27 and can take in a status signal from the VTR and perform desired control on the VTR.
[0080]
Each VTR incorporates a tuner and an intermediate frequency circuit. For example, each VTR is connected to the antenna 1 via a distributor, and can perform scheduled recording under the control of the control system 20 as will be described later. it can.
[0081]
[Reception processing of multiplexed information]
Next, the multiplexed information reception process of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0082]
When the television receiver is turned on, the pre-processing circuit 31 and the DTMF decoder 32 are used to constantly monitor the DTMF signal mixed with the audio signal of the program of the currently selected channel. That is, the CPU 21 searches the output of the DTMF decoder 32 through the I / O port 262 constantly or at a predetermined cycle (step 101), and the DTMF signal is mixed with the audio signal Sa of the broadcast program currently being received. When this is detected (step 102), the decoded output D32 of the DTMF signal is fetched as a number or symbol as described above (step 103).
[0083]
At this time, the transmission condition as described above, that is, whether the length of the DTMF signal continues is 50 msec or longer, the pause time from the absence of the DTMF signal to the next signal rise is 30 msec or longer, the length of the DTMF signal and the pause time To determine whether the total detected signal is a predetermined value of 120 msec or more, and whether the detected signal is a DTMF signal (step 104). As a result, it is possible to prevent the reception of error data when the reception state of the broadcast radio wave is bad, and it is possible to prevent erroneous reception when the same frequency component as that of the DTMF signal is accidentally included in normal sound. .
[0084]
If it is determined in step 104 that the received data is not a DTMF signal, the process proceeds to step 105, the temporary storage area of the DRAM 23 is cleared and the save pointer is initialized, and then the process returns to step 101 to return to the DTMF decoder 32. Continue the output check.
[0085]
If it is determined that the received data is DTMF, the process proceeds to step 106 to check whether or not the save pointer address is within the range of the temporary storage area. If the save pointer address is not within the range of the temporary storage area, it is in a state immediately after the power is turned on or in an error state, so the process proceeds from step 106 to step 107 to temporarily store the save pointer from the meaning of reset. Initialize the area address. As a result, it is possible to prevent data from being written into the DRAM 23 while the address indicated by the storage pointer is indefinite and causing malfunction or software runaway.
[0086]
When it is determined in step 106 that the pointer address is within the range of the temporary storage area, or after the temporary storage area address is initially set in the pointer in step 107, the process proceeds to step 108 and the received data is "0" to "0". It is determined whether the number is up to “9” or symbol data such as “#” or “*”. If it is determined that these are numerical values or symbols, the process proceeds from step 108 to step 109 to check whether or not there is a free space in the temporary storage area.
[0087]
If the received data is such numerical value or symbol data and the temporary storage area is empty, that is, if the pointer indicates the range of the temporary storage area, the process proceeds to step 110 and the DRAM 23 The received data (“0” to “9”, “#”, “*”) is stored at the address indicated by the pointer. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 111 where the pointer is updated by one character. Thereafter, the process returns to step 101 and the reception check of the DTMF signal is continued.
[0088]
If it is determined in step 109 that there is no space in the temporary storage area, it is a reception error, so the process proceeds to step 112 to clear the temporary storage area and initialize the address of the temporary storage area in the pointer.
[0089]
If the received data is not a numerical value or symbol data such as “0” to “9”, “#”, “*” in the above-described step 108, the character data “4” corresponding to the four function signals described above is used. Since it is any one of A ”,“ B ”,“ C ”, and“ D ”, the storage routine 120 of FIG. 4 is entered. This routine 120 has the contents shown in FIG. 5. First, in step 121, the head address of the temporary storage area is set in the pointer. Next, in steps 122, 123, and 124, it is sequentially checked whether the received data is one of the three function signals “A”, “B”, and “C”.
[0090]
If it is determined in step 122 that the received data is a function signal “A”, the process proceeds to step 125 where “A” is set in the address indicated by the pointer. If it is determined in step 123 that the received data is a function signal “B”, the process proceeds to step 126 and “B” is set in the address indicated by the pointer. Further, if it is determined in step 124 that the received data is a function signal “C”, the process proceeds to step 127 and “C” is set in the address indicated by the pointer.
[0091]
After these steps 125, 126, and 127, the process proceeds to step 111 to update the pointer by one character. Thereafter, the process returns to step 101 and the reception check of the DTMF signal is continued.
[0092]
If it is determined in the above-described steps 122 to 124 that none of the three function signals “A”, “B”, and “C” is present, it is determined that the function signal is for the remaining character “D”. The data stored in the temporary storage area so far is processed as one data string (information group).
[0093]
That is, when the DTMF signal is transmitted, the broadcast side sends one of the function signals “A”, “B”, and “C” as a transmission start signal. As a result of steps 125 to 127, the temporary storage area One of “A”, “B”, and “C” is stored at the top. Therefore, in the next step 128, it is determined whether the head of the temporary storage area is “A”, “B”, or “C” character data.
[0094]
As a result of the determination, if the head of the temporary storage area is “A”, the process proceeds to step 129, and the data string from the head of the temporary storage area to the last part indicated by the pointer is stored in the corresponding storage area Ga. . If the head of the temporary storage area is “B”, the process proceeds to step 130, and the data string from the head of the temporary storage area to the last part indicated by the pointer is stored in the corresponding storage area Gb. Further, if the head of the temporary storage area is “C”, the process proceeds to step 131, and the data string from the head of the temporary storage area to the last part indicated by the pointer is stored in the corresponding storage area Gc. These storage areas Ga, Gb, Gc are set in the DRAM 23 or the SRAM 24.
[0095]
Then, the process proceeds to step 132 where the received data string is evaluated and analyzed, and if the information stored in the storage areas Ga, Gb, Gc is a command that needs to be executed at the time of reception, the command For example, clearing part or all of the received information, setting the current time to the timer, and menu display selection processing. Thereafter, the process returns to step 101 to continue the reception check.
[0096]
As described above, in the multiplexed data reception process of this embodiment, the character data “A”, “D”, and “B” corresponding to the function signal in the DTMF signal are constantly monitored while the audio signal of the broadcast program is constantly monitored. And “D”, “C” and “D” function data are regarded as one piece of information and divided according to the type of information as described above, and each information is stored in a separate storage area. Automatically save to Ga, Gb, Gc. Thus, in this embodiment, the received information can be classified and stored.
[0097]
For example, if the function signal is “A” at the beginning, the data string is stored in the storage area Ga as information related to response access to the interactive program. If the function signal is “B” at the start, it is stored in the storage area Gb as information related to the environment setting. If the function signal is “C” at the start, it is stored in the storage area Gc as information related to clearing received data.
[0098]
Temporary information corresponding to interactive programs, such as information related to response access, can be cleared when a number clear signal is received. However, considering the possibility that the channel may be switched when a clear signal is received, It is desirable to clear the old number at the timing. Therefore, information regarding response access may be stored in the DRAM 23 as it is. That is, the storage area Ga may be set on the DRAM 23.
[0099]
On the other hand, as described above, the information related to the environment setting includes time information for broadcast program reception reservation or recording reservation, and the time information of the reserved program exceeds one week, for example. Storage over a relatively long period of time. Therefore, these pieces of information should be transferred to the nonvolatile SRAM 24.
[0100]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the storage areas Ga, Gb, and Gc are volatile depending on the nature of the data to be stored, that is, whether long-term storage is necessary or whether they can be erased when the power is turned off. Is set on the volatile DRAM 23 or the non-volatile SRAM 24.
[0101]
In response processing as described later of a simple interactive television using a general telephone line for transmission of a response, the destination telephone number and communication conditions stored in the storage area Ga on the DRAM 23 are necessary. Information can be automatically read and used.
[0102]
Also, in the case of a recording reservation as described later, the time information of the reserved program transferred from the storage area Gb on the DRAM 23 to the SRAM 24 can be automatically used.
[0103]
[Regional transmission restrictions on responses to interactive programs]
Next, the local call restriction process of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, when the area information in the area transmission restriction information sent from the broadcast side and the area information of the response device, that is, the area code or the area code of the telephone number stored in the EEPROM 22E match, This is an example in which the transmission of is prohibited.
[0104]
In step 141 in FIG. 6, when the viewer operates the commander 34, the remote control signal (command) transmitted from the commander 34 is received by the remote control receiver 35. Then, it is determined whether or not the received command is a response command to an interactive program such as a viewer participation type quiz program (step 142).
[0105]
If the received command is a general command such as channel switching, for example, processing corresponding to the command is performed (step 140).
If the received command is a response command, access information such as the reception telephone number and communication speed of the response destination has already been received and saved in the DRAM 23 by the reception process as shown in FIGS. (Step 143), if not received, an icon or message indicating an error indicates that the access information has not been received on the screen of the picture tube 16 for a certain period of time (step) 144).
[0106]
If information for response access such as the telephone number of the response destination has been received, it is determined whether or not there is local call restriction information in the interactive program related information received at the same time (step 145), If the area transmission restriction information is included, the area information and the telephone number stored in the EEPROM 22E are compared to determine whether or not the transmission restriction condition is satisfied (step 146).
[0107]
For example, the local transmission restriction information is sent from the broadcasting station side as information related to the environment setting as described above. In this example, the area code of the telephone number “03 If you specify only the Tokyo area of “”, viewers in the Tokyo area with the same area code will be prohibited from sending responses, and viewers in areas other than Tokyo with a different area code will be sent out. Will be able to.
[0108]
Therefore, when it is determined in step 146 that the above-mentioned response prohibited region information matches the stored viewer region information, the viewer is prohibited from sending a response. Proceeding to 147, a message stating that “response cannot be sent because the response transmission is restricted” is displayed on the picture tube 16 for a certain period of time.
[0109]
If the response-prohibited area information does not match the stored viewer's area information in step 146 and the transmission of the response is not prohibited, the process proceeds to step 151. If it is determined in step 145 that there is no local transmission restriction information in the interactive program related information, the process also proceeds to step 151.
[0110]
In step 151, for example, as a response to the interactive program, the viewer's ID number is added to the predetermined response information, the response information is created, and the communication speed is set according to the response destination information as described above. Then, it is transmitted to the predetermined telephone number stored on the DRAM 23 through the modem 33. When the response is a vote for the telephone voting service, instead of the predetermined response information format, the response is a selection of the designated vote number, The call ends with a call to the telephone number designated for each vote number.
[0111]
In the next step 152, it is determined whether or not the transmission is successful. If the transmission is completed normally, the line is disconnected (step 153), and a message indicating that the transmission is successful is displayed for a certain period of time (step 153). 154). If the transmission is unsuccessful, a message to that effect is displayed for a certain time (step 155).
[0112]
The above example is a case where an area for which transmission of a response is prohibited is specified by the area transmission restriction information. As described above, the area transmission restriction information may be set as area information for which transmission of a response is permitted. it can. In that case, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the steps after “YES” and “NO” as a result of the determination in step 146 are reversed, and only the viewers in the region that match the region information of the region transmission restriction information are displayed. A response can be sent.
[0113]
By restricting the local transmission in this way, the broadcast side can easily carry out bidirectional broadcasting while controlling the amount of response from the viewer side. In addition, when the regional transmission restriction information is used as regional information that permits transmission of a response, an interactive program in which only viewers in a specific region are responders can be easily provided.
[0114]
Also, even if the viewer side makes an invalid response operation when access is restricted, no outgoing call is made, so there is no unnecessary load on the line and there is no unnecessary line usage fee. There is no occurrence. In addition, the response results of other interactive programs are not affected.
[0115]
It should be noted that as a condition for restricting outgoing calls in step 146, by combining time limit information such as the response permission time range and response prohibition time range information related to response access as described above, it is possible for a viewer in a specific area, for example, It is also possible to provide various modes of programs as interactive programs, such as prohibiting or permitting access only for a period of time and then permitting or prohibiting access.
[0116]
[Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, as the area information for restricting outgoing calls, the use of the area code of the telephone number, or the use of the area code and the area code together, allows viewing of a specific area. Is restricted (prohibited or permitted), but as the local information for restricting outgoing calls, the postal code in each country such as the postal code in Japan and the Zip Code in the US It can also be. This postal code is clearly defined hierarchically in the target area, information is collectively managed and updated strictly, and the area is more detailed than the telephone area code + local area code. Can do.
[0117]
In addition, by letting the viewer enter the address instead of the telephone number, this is converted into a JIS code or a specific code, for example, representing a prefecture or city, and stored in a memory, and then sent to the local area. A prefecture code or a city code may be specified as the area information of the restriction information.
[0118]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the area information for restricting the transmission is broadcast in the DTMF signal format by multiplexing with the broadcast audio signal. A sound source that provides bidirectional related information is set, and a viewer makes a phone call to the sound source so that the response device on the viewer side acquires the local transmission restriction information from the sound source. You can also.
[0119]
For example, in an interactive program, before broadcasting the contents of a program that expects a response, the telephone number of the telephone voting service or mass information providing service as described above is guided, and the telephone voting service or mass information providing service is surely provided. Encourage viewers to call. Then, when the viewer accesses the telephone number of the telephone voting service or the mass information providing service, the local transmission restriction information for outgoing restriction is notified to the viewer in the DTMF signal format as the voice information of the automatic response. To do. At this time, the reception telephone number of the response is also transmitted so that only the viewer who has accessed the telephone voting service or the mass information providing service can respond.
[0120]
That is, for example, in a telephone voting service, when a call arrives, a response message such as “Thank you for voting” is automatically sent. For example, in addition to this, or instead of this response message, the above-mentioned response message is sent. Interactive program related information including local transmission restriction information for restricting the transmission of responses from viewers in a specific area and the telephone number of the response destination is received and decoded by the DTMF signal format and other modems. It is sent from the service side in a possible data format.
[0121]
In the case of a mass information providing service, as a sound source line or sound source, DTMF signals or other modems receive interactive program related information including the telephone number of the response destination and the local transmission restriction information as described above. In addition, a data format that can be decoded may be prepared.
[0122]
On the other hand, on the receiving side, the DTMF signal format received from the service side through the telephone line and the interactive program related information in the above data format are converted into data by the modem 33 in FIG. Store in etc.
[0123]
Thereby, on the broadcast side, as in the above-described embodiment, the two-way broadcast can be easily performed while controlling the amount of response from the viewer side.
[0124]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, all the information related to the reply destination, for example, the 10-digit telephone number [01800xxxxxxx] (x is an arbitrary number between 0 and 9) of the telephone voting service is multiplexed. However, the conversion table of such a long telephone number and a short identification number corresponding to each telephone number is mounted on the EEPROM (see FIG. 1) of the control system of the receiver, and the broadcasting station side Thus, the short identification number corresponding to each telephone number is multiplexed and broadcasted, and the receiving side can restore the received short identification number to a 10-digit telephone number by using a conversion table.
[0125]
As a result, the amount of information of a plurality of telephone numbers of response destinations is compressed, and the required transmission time is shortened by a slow transmission rate of about 8 characters / second, as is apparent from the period of the DTMF signal. Can do.
[0126]
Note that the above conversion table is also used when notifying the viewer of local information for call restriction, for example, in the form of a DTMF signal, via a telephone line, by an automatic response of a telephone voting service or a mass information providing service. it can. That is, for example, in an interactive program, an inquiry as to whether or not to participate in the program is made, for example, “11 if participating” or “22 if not participating”, and the identification number is broadcast to the viewer. If the viewer's selection is “participation” and the viewer operates “11”, the identification number of the telephone number of the telephone voting service or the mass information providing service that transmits the data of the bidirectional related information is “11”. Therefore, the telephone voting service and the mass information providing service are automatically accessed, and interactive program related information is acquired.
[0127]
In the case of an example using this conversion table, the conversion table of response reception telephone number and identification number mounted in the EEPROM of the receiver can be rewritten as needed from the local broadcasting station side via the telephone line. Therefore, the installation area of the receiver is not limited by the presence of the conversion table.
[0128]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a television receiver incorporating a DTMF decoder and a modem has been described. However, if the multiplexing method mixes a DTMF signal with broadcast audio, the DTMF decoder Alternatively, the modem and the related control system may be housed in a separate housing from the television receiver and combined as an adapter for the television receiver.
[0129]
That is, FIG. 7 shows a configuration example in that case. In the case of this example, the television receiver 40 remains in the conventional structure. On the other hand, the adapter 50 includes an adapter main body 51 connected to the telephone line L and a remote control commander 52 for inputting a response operation and a telephone number. The adapter main body 51 includes a light receiving unit that receives an infrared command from the commander 52.
[0130]
The adapter main body 51 includes a microphone 53 that picks up the reproduced sound of the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40, and includes a DTMF decoder, a memory that stores bidirectional related information, and a microcomputer that controls the whole. Prepare. Reference numeral 54 denotes a telephone.
[0131]
When interactive program-related information in the DTMF signal format is multiplexed, DTMF sound is mixed with broadcast sound and reproduced from the speaker 40SP of the television receiver 40. The adapter main body 51 picks up the reproduction sound of the speaker 40SP with the microphone 53, and separates and reproduces the DTMF sound from the sound with the DTMF decoder. Then, the reception telephone number of the response destination and the local transmission restriction information are taken into the memory. When the user performs a response operation from the commander 52, a response to the interactive program can be made in the same manner as described above, and the transmission control of the response according to the local transmission restriction information is performed.
[0132]
Although the present invention has been described with respect to the case where the present invention is applied to a television broadcast and a receiver, the present invention multiplexes the response access data into a broadcast signal and broadcasts it, and also receives the area code of the telephone number on the receiving side The local transmission restriction information that specifies the regional information and permits or prohibits the transmission of the response information is multiplexed with the broadcast signal and broadcast, so the access data, the local transmission restriction data, etc. When information is configured using, for example, a DTMF signal within a relatively narrow audio band, it can be applied to AM and FM radio broadcasts and PCM audio broadcasts, respectively.
[0133]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the broadcast transmission audio signal is broadcast with the DTMF signal format regional transmission restriction information multiplexed. However, the local transmission restriction information is multiplexed with the video signal and broadcast in the character multiplex broadcast format. Even if it does, the effect similar to the above-mentioned Example can be expected.
[0134]
Further, the interactive program related information including the local transmission restriction information may be multiplexed on the subchannel of the audio multiplex broadcasting. Furthermore, the interactive program related information may be multiplexed by FM character multiplexing.
[0135]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the reception side compares and refers to the area information unique to the response apparatus registered in advance in the response apparatus and the acquired area transmission restriction information, and the result Since the transmission of responses is controlled based on this, the amount of access from the receiving side can be reliably controlled on the broadcasting side, and interactive programs that limit responses from specific areas are easy. The degree of automation of interactive program production is increased.
[0136]
Also, when access is restricted on the receiving side, even if an invalid response operation is mistakenly performed, no outgoing call is made, so there is no unnecessary load on the line and there is no unnecessary line usage fee. There is no occurrence.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an apparatus for receiving an interactive program according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a DTMF signal.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transmission condition of a DTMF signal.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of receiving interactive program related information by the DTMF signal of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a portion of the flowchart of FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining a response processing operation for an interactive program in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of the interactive program receiving device according to the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Signal system, 14 ... Audio demodulator, 20 ... Control system, 21 ... CPU, 23 ... DRAM, 24 ... SRAM, 31 ... Pre-processing circuit, 32. ..DTMF decoder 33 ... modem

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal multiplexed with interactive program related information including area transmission restriction information for specifying an area where transmission of a response of a receiver to an interactive program is permitted or prohibited ;
Operation input means for operating a response to the interactive program;
A transmission means for transmitting the response through a telephone line;
Obtaining means for obtaining regional transmission restriction information multiplexed on the broadcast signal;
A storage means for storing self-registered local information;
Comparison means for comparing the regional transmission restriction information acquired by the acquisition means with the regional information stored in the storage means;
An interactive program receiving apparatus comprising: control means for permitting or prohibiting transmission of the response based on a comparison result of the comparison means. The interactive program receiving device according to claim 1,
The area information stored in the storage means is information on a telephone number;
2. The interactive program receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the local call restriction information is information including a number indicating a region in the telephone number. The interactive program receiving device according to claim 1,
The regional information stored in the storage means is information on a zip code,
The regional transmission restriction information is information including the zip code. The interactive program receiving device according to claim 1,
The interactive program receiving apparatus, wherein the regional transmission restriction information is transmitted in a state sandwiched between transmission start information and transmission end information of the interactive program related information. Operation input means for operating a response to the interactive broadcast program;
Transmitting means for transmitting the response to the broadcast side through a telephone line;
Means for receiving and reproducing local transmission restriction information for specifying an area where transmission of the response is permitted or prohibited;
Storage means for storing pre-registered area information;
A response apparatus for an interactive program comprising: control means for referring to the reproduced regional transmission restriction information and the regional information of the storage means and permitting or prohibiting the transmission of the response based on the result. A receiving step of receiving a broadcast signal in which interactive program related information including area transmission restriction information for specifying an area for restricting transmission of a response of a receiver to the interactive program is multiplexed;
An operation input step of receiving an operation of response to the interactive program;
A sending step of sending the response through a telephone line;
An acquisition step of acquiring regional transmission restriction information multiplexed on the broadcast signal;
A storage process for storing pre-registered local information;
A comparison step of comparing the regional transmission restriction information acquired in the acquisition step with the regional information stored in the storage step;
And a control step of permitting or prohibiting the transmission of the response based on a comparison result in the comparison step. The interactive program receiving method according to claim 6,
The area information stored by the storing step is information of a telephone number,
The regional transmission restriction information is information including a number indicating a region in the telephone number. The interactive program receiving method according to claim 6,
The regional information stored by the storage step is information on a zip code,
The regional transmission restriction information is information including the zip code. The interactive program receiving method according to claim 6,
The regional transmission restriction information is transmitted in a state sandwiched between transmission start information and transmission end information of the interactive program related information. An operation input step for accepting an operation of responding to the interactive broadcast program;
Transmitting the response to the broadcast side through a telephone line;
Receiving and reproducing local call restriction information for specifying a region where transmission of the response is permitted or prohibited, and playing back, and
A storage process for storing pre-registered area information;
An interactive program comprising: a control step of referring to the reproduced regional transmission restriction information and the regional information stored by the storage step and permitting or prohibiting the transmission of the response based on the result. Reception method.

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