JPH08336006A - Transmitter and transmission method, receiver and reception method, broadcast system and broadcast method and input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To facilitate provision and utilization of facsimile information service. CONSTITUTION: In a broadcast station, an index for indicating the contents of facsimile (FAX) information is inserted to the vertical blanking period of television broadcast signals and broadcasted. On a user side, the television broadcast signals from the broadcast station are received and the indexes are taken out of them and displayed on a television receiver or the like for instance. A user looks at the displayed indexes and selects a desired one from them. Then, a FAX information service provider company is requested through a public line for instance to transmit the FAX information corresponding to the selected index. In the FAX information service provider company, when the request is received, the FAX information is transmitted to the user who made the request.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting device and a transmitting method, a receiving device and a receiving method, a broadcasting system and a broadcasting method, and an input device. In particular, the present invention relates to a transmitting device and a transmitting method, a receiving device and a receiving method, a broadcasting system and a broadcasting method, and an input device that facilitate provision and use of a facsimile information service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, facsimile (hereinafter referred to as
With the spread of FAX (fax), FAX
Thus, it is possible to obtain, for example, housing information, traffic information, and various other information (in this specification, such information provided by FAX is called FAX information).
The use of X information services is increasing. FIG. 16 shows the provision and use form of a conventional FAX information service. The user first accesses the FAX information service providing company by, for example, a telephone and the like, and an index indicating the content of the FAX information provided by the provider (eg, FA
If the X information is housing information, send the title "Housing information" and also a list of the areas (for example, prefectures) where the housing information is related to the housing. And take it out by fax. This list is provided with an index and an ID number for obtaining FAX information corresponding to the index. When the user looks at the list and finds a desired index, the FAX information service is provided. The provider is called, and the telephone number (FAX number) of the FAX which outputs the FAX information corresponding to the index is input by operating the push button together with the ID number attached to the index.

When the FAX information service providing company receives the ID number and the FAX number, the FAX information corresponding to the ID number is sent to the FAX information corresponding to the received FAX number.
Send to X.

As described above, the user can obtain the desired F
AX information can be obtained.

[0005]

By the way, the user is
To know what kind of FAX information service providers exist when using the above-described FAX information service provision, and what kind of FAX information service providers provide FAX information services such as It is necessary, but conventionally, such information is small in advertisements such as booklets issued by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation and other magazines, so its recognition is high. However, despite the large amount of useful FAX information, it has not been used much.

Further, in order to obtain FAX information, as described above, first, the FAX information service providing company is called to obtain a list in which the index is described, and then the user is further called to obtain the ID number. I had to input the fax number and FAX number, which was troublesome. Furthermore, there is a problem that communication costs are required to obtain a list of indexes that is not information that the user originally needs.

On the other hand, in the FAX information service providing company,
In response to user calls, a list of indexes and F
It was necessary to give voice guidance for giving guidance on the operation method when extracting the AX information, and equipment for that purpose had to be provided.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to easily provide and use the FAX information service, and thereby to spread the FAX information service. It is something to do.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting device, wherein an index indicating contents of facsimile information,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a transmitting means for simultaneously transmitting to an unspecified number of access destinations for accessing the facsimile information.

The transmitting device may further comprise iconifying means for iconifying the index so that it is displayed as an icon on the receiving side which receives the output of the transmitting means. In addition, the transmitting device may further include a layering unit that layers the index so that the index is displayed hierarchically on the receiving side that receives the output of the transmitting unit. The index and access destination can be inserted into the blanking period of the television broadcast signal and transmitted by the transmitting means.

A transmission method according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that an index indicating the content of facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are simultaneously transmitted to an unspecified number.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving device that receives an index indicating the content of facsimile information, an access destination for accessing the facsimile information, and an index and an access destination received by the receiving means. Recording means for recording the information, display control means for controlling the index recorded by the recording means to be displayed on the display means for displaying information, and operation means operated when selecting the index displayed on the display means. And requesting means for requesting the access destination for the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operating means.

The receiving device may further include a display means. The receiving device can further include a reception output unit that receives and outputs the facsimile information transmitted from the access destination in response to the request of the request unit. The display control means can display the index as an icon. Further, the display control means,
Indexes can be displayed hierarchically. Further, when the index and the access destination are inserted and transmitted during the blanking period of the television broadcast, the receiving means is caused to receive the television broadcast signal,
The index and access destination can be retrieved from the television broadcast signal.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a receiving method receives an index indicating the content of facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information, records the index and the access destination, and stores the index in the information. Is displayed on the display means for displaying, and when the index displayed on the display means is selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is requested to the access destination.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting system in which an index representing the content of facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are transmitted to an unspecified number of persons at the same time, and a transmitting means. Receiving means for receiving the index and access destination, recording means for recording the index and access destination received by the receiving means, and control for displaying the index recorded by the recording means on display means for displaying information Display control means, operating means operated when selecting an index displayed on the display means, and requesting means for requesting the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operating means to the access destination. And is provided.

A broadcasting method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention broadcasts an index indicating the content of facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information to an unspecified number of people, and receives the index and the access destination. Then, the received index and access destination are recorded, the index is displayed on the display unit for displaying information, and when the index displayed on the display unit is selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is displayed as the access destination. It is characterized by requiring to.

An input device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention receives data relating to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, and receives an index indicating the content of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information. An input device for giving a predetermined input to a receiving device that records the index and the access destination, and operating modes are a telephone mode used as a telephone and a remote commander mode used as a remote commander for remotely controlling the receiving device. It is characterized by comprising switching means for switching to, operating means for operating when inputting a telephone number and selecting an index, and generating means for generating a signal corresponding to the operation of the operating means.

[0018]

In the transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect, the transmitting means includes an index indicating the content of the facsimile information,
The access destination for accessing the facsimile information is broadcast to an unspecified large number.

In the transmitting method according to the fifth aspect, the index indicating the content of the facsimile information and the access destination for accessing the facsimile information are simultaneously transmitted to an unspecified number.

In the receiving device according to the sixth aspect, the receiving means receives the index indicating the content of the facsimile information and the access destination for accessing the facsimile information, and the recording means is received by the receiving means. The index and the access destination are recorded. The display control means controls to display the index recorded by the recording means on the display means for displaying information, and the operation means is operated when selecting the index displayed on the display means. There is. The request unit requests the access destination for the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operation unit.

In the receiving method according to claim 12,
An index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are received, the received index and the access destination are recorded, and the index is displayed on the display unit that displays the information, and the display unit displays the index. When the displayed index is selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the selected index is requested from the access destination.

In the broadcasting system according to the thirteenth aspect, the transmitting means simultaneously transmits an index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information to an unspecified large number. ing. The receiving means receives the index and the access destination from the transmitting means, and the recording means records the index and the access destination received by the receiving means. The display control means controls to display the index recorded by the recording means on the display means for displaying information, and the operation means is operated when selecting the index displayed on the display means. There is. The request unit requests the access destination for the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operation unit.

In the broadcasting method according to claim 14,
An index showing the contents of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information,
Broadcast to an unspecified number of people, receive the index and access destination, record the index and access destination, display the index on the display unit that displays information, and select the index displayed on the display unit. At times, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is requested from the access destination.

In the input device according to the fifteenth aspect,
The switching means switches the operation mode between a telephone mode used as a telephone and a remote commander mode used as a remote commander for remotely controlling the receiving device, and the operation means selects a telephone number and an index. It is designed to be operated at times. The generating means is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to the operation of the operating means.

[0025]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below, but before that, in order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means will be described. In parentheses after the, add the corresponding example (however, one example),
The features of the present invention will be described as follows.

That is, the transmitting device according to the first aspect is a transmitting device for transmitting data relating to the facsimile information provided by the facsimile information service, and accesses the index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and the facsimile information. It is characterized in that it is provided with a transmitting means (for example, the transmitter 2 shown in FIG. 2) for simultaneously transmitting an unspecified number of access destinations for access.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting device in which an icon is converted into an icon so that the index is displayed as an icon on the receiving side which receives the output of the transmitting means (for example, index information shown in FIG. 2). The creation unit 1 and the like) are further provided.

In the transmitting device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the indexing means is hierarchized so that the index is hierarchically displayed on the receiving side which receives the output of the transmitting means (for example, shown in FIG. 2). Index information creation section 1 etc.)
Is further provided.

A receiving device according to a sixth aspect is a receiving device for receiving data relating to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, and an index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and an index for accessing the facsimile information. Receiving means for receiving the access destination (for example, the television tuner 71 and data decoder 73 shown in FIG. 8), and recording means for recording the index and the access destination received by the receiving means (for example, the data storage shown in FIG. 8). A controller 74 or the like) and display means (for example, the monitor 13 shown in FIG. 2) for displaying the information recorded by the recording means.
Display control means (eg,
A data display circuit 75 shown in FIG. 8), operation means operated when selecting the index displayed on the display means (for example, the remote commander 15 shown in FIG. 8),
It is characterized by comprising requesting means (for example, a line I / F (interface) 79 shown in FIG. 8) for requesting the access destination for the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operating means. To do.

According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving device, which is provided with reception output means (for example, FAX 81 shown in FIG. 8) which receives and outputs the facsimile information transmitted from the access destination in response to the request of the request means. It is characterized by further comprising.

A broadcasting system according to a thirteenth aspect is a broadcasting system for transmitting data concerning facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service and receiving the data, wherein an index showing the contents of the facsimile information and the facsimile thereof. Transmitting means for simultaneously transmitting an unspecified number of access destinations for accessing information (for example, the transmitter 2 shown in FIG. 2) and receiving means for receiving the index and the access destinations from the transmitting means (for example, the transmitting means). , A TV tuner 71 shown in FIG. 8), recording means for recording the index received by the receiving means and an access destination (for example, the data storage controller 74 shown in FIG. 8), and an index recorded by the recording means. , A table for controlling display on the display means for displaying information Control means (e.g., a data display circuit 75 shown in FIG. 8) and an operation means that is operated to select an index displayed on the display unit (e.g.,
Remote commander 15 shown in FIG. 8) and requesting means for requesting the access destination the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operating means (for example, line I / F 79 shown in FIG. 8). And is provided.

An input device according to a fifteenth aspect receives data relating to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, and receives an index indicating the content of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information. An input device for giving a predetermined input to a receiving device that records the index and the access destination, and operating modes are a telephone mode used as a telephone and a remote commander mode used as a remote commander for remotely controlling the receiving device. Switching means for switching to (for example, TV button 4 shown in FIG.
4 and TEL button 45), and operating means (for example, the operation unit 43 shown in FIG. 5) operated when inputting a telephone number and selecting an index,
It is characterized by comprising a generating means (for example, the control circuit 51 shown in FIG. 7) for generating a signal corresponding to the operation of the operating means.

Of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to the above.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of a broadcasting form of a FAX information service broadcasting system which provides a FAX information service to which the present invention is applied. For example, a FAX information service providing company sends an index of FAX information provided by itself to a broadcasting station that performs terrestrial broadcasting, and this index is used by, for example, character multiplex broadcasting or F
Similar to the AX broadcast, it is inserted and broadcast in the blanking period (for example, vertical blanking period) of the television broadcast signal. On the user side, a television broadcast signal from a broadcasting station is received, an index is extracted from the signal, and displayed on a monitor such as a television receiver. The user looks at the displayed indexes and selects a desired one from the indexes. Then, the FAX information service providing company is requested to transmit the FAX information corresponding to the selected index. When the FAX information service providing company receives this request, the FAX information is transmitted to the user who made the request.

FIG. 2 shows more details of the FAX information service broadcasting system of FIG. The FAX information service providing company has a server 21 for providing FAX information associated with the index.
Stores the FAX information in association with the index. Further, the server 21 is connected to the public network 20 via a telephone line, and when a request for FAX information is received together with a predetermined index, FAX information corresponding to (corresponding to) the index is displayed. It is designed to be sent to the request source.

From the FAX information service providing company having the server 21 as described above, the telephone number (line number) of the telephone line to which the server 21 is connected and the server 21 are used as contacts for accessing the server 21. The index stored in and other necessary information is transmitted to the broadcasting station.

The FAX information service provider can transmit the index, telephone number, and other information to the broadcasting station via any transmission line such as the public network 20, a private line, or a wireless line. is there. Further, the FAX information and the telephone number are transmitted to the broadcasting station from other FAX information service providing companies as necessary.

Further, the FA stored in the server 21
When the X information and the index are updated, the updated index is transmitted to the broadcasting station automatically or by giving a predetermined command to the server 21.

The broadcasting station has an index information creating section 1 and a transmitter 2. The index and the telephone number transmitted from the FAX information service providing company are input to the index information creating unit 1. In the index information creation unit 1, the index is processed so as to be displayed as an icon and in a hierarchical structure on the user side (reception side).

That is, the index is, for example, the one for FAX information about shopping, or the F for travel / sightseeing.
It is classified into those of AX information, those of FAX information related to traffic and roads, and others. Then, for example, the fax information regarding traffic / roads is classified into the fax information regarding traffic / roads in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, and other regions, and further, for example, the fax information regarding traffic / roads in the Kanto region. Are classified into those in the 23 wards of Tokyo, fax information on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway / Expressway, and other traffic / roads. Hereinafter, similarly, all indexes are hierarchized into hierarchies of an appropriate number of hierarchies, and then iconified.

Then, in the index information creating section 1,
The telephone number sent from the FAX information service provider together with the index (hereinafter,
A contact telephone number) is appropriately associated, and further, necessary information is added and edited and processed so that a display as shown in FIGS. Is output to. Here, hereinafter, the information output from the index information creation unit 1 will be referred to as index information as appropriate.

The transmitter 2 broadcasts the index information to an unspecified number of users in the same manner as in the case of text broadcasting or FAX broadcasting. That is, the transmitter 2 inserts (superimposes) the index information into, for example, a vertical blanking period of a television broadcast signal that is normally broadcast (for example, a signal in the VHF or UHF band), and then performs modulation and other operations. Then, the antenna 3 radiates it as a radio wave (ground wave).

In the transmitter 2, the index information can be encrypted if necessary.

The radio wave from the antenna 3 is received by the antenna 11 on the user side, and the received signal thus obtained is
The signal is supplied to the receiving device 12 including a television tuner 71 (FIG. 8) described later. In the receiving device 12, the antenna 11
The received signal thus supplied is demodulated, and the index information is extracted from the demodulated signal. The index information 14 is, for example, a magneto-optical disk (for example, MD (trademark) for recording and reproducing data (MD data (Mini Disc
data) (trademark)) and the like, and is recorded on a recording medium 14 capable of recording and reproducing.

The user can select the recording medium 14 when desired.
The index information is reproduced from, and thus the index is displayed on the monitor 13. Then, when the user selects a desired one while looking at the index displayed on the monitor 13, the contact telephone number is called in association with the selected index. Receiver 1
2 is connected to the public network 20 via the FAX 81. For example, the contact telephone number that has just been called is the server 2
If it corresponds to 1, the communication link is established between the receiving device 12 and the server 21.

After that, the receiving device 12 requests the server 21 for the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by the user. That is, the receiving device 1
From 2, the index selected by the user is
It is transmitted together with a telephone number (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as FAX number) corresponding to the telephone line connected to the FAX 81. Upon receiving the index and the FAX number, the server 21 retrieves FAX information corresponding to the index and transmits it to the FAX (in this case, FAX 81) corresponding to the received FAX number.

As a result, the FAX 81 outputs FAX information corresponding to the index selected by the user. Therefore, the user has to get F
Since you do not have to call the AX information service provider,
It is possible to facilitate the use of the FAX information service and reduce the communication cost.

FIG. 3 shows details of the configuration of the device on the user side. The receiving device 12 includes an antenna 11 and a monitor 1.
3 and FAX 81, and also FAX
Reference numeral 81 is connected to the telephone line (public network 20). The recording medium 14 is removable from the receiving device 12. The remote commander (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a remote controller) 15 is, for example, a cordless telephone attached to the FAX 81, but also functions as a remote commander that remotely controls the receiving device 12 (therefore,
Originally, it is more appropriate to call the remote controller 15 a cordless telephone, but in this embodiment, since the function as a remote controller is emphasized, it is called a remote controller).

As shown in FIG. 4, the user must select some F
When the user wants to obtain the AX information, he / she turns on the power of the monitor 13 and operates the remote controller 15 to remotely control the receiving device 12 to reproduce the index information recorded on the recording medium 14. The index iconized by is displayed on the monitor 13.

At this time, on the monitor 13, an iconized index and a cursor indicating the index (in FIG. 4, the cursor surrounds the icon, but the shape of the cursor is not limited to this). Not) 31 is also displayed. The cursor 31 can be moved by operating the remote controller 15.

The user moves the cursor 31 to the remote controller 15
By operating, the icon moves to the position of the icon of the desired index and that icon is selected. Then, as described above, the FAX information service providing company transmits the FAX information corresponding to the selected index (icon), and the FAX information is output from the FAX 81.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the front surface of the remote controller 15. As described above, the remote controller 15 has both a function as a cordless telephone and a function as a remote controller for remotely controlling the receiving device 12 including the television tuner 71. A speaker 41 is provided above the remote controller 15, and a TV button 44 is provided below the speaker 41.
And a TEL button 45 are provided. An operation unit 43 is provided below the TV button 44 and the TEL button 45, and a microphone 42 is provided below the operation unit 43.

When the TV button 44 is turned on, the operation mode of the remote controller 15 is set to the remote commander mode for remotely controlling the receiving device 12. In this case, by operating the remote controller 15, the channel to be demodulated by the TV tuner 71 incorporated in the receiving device 12 is selected, the volume of the program is adjusted, the index icon is displayed, and the cursor 31 is displayed. It is possible to move and to select the icon of the index. When the TEL button 45 is turned on, the operation mode of the remote controller 15 is set to a telephone mode in which the remote controller 15 operates as a telephone. In this case, by operating the remote controller 15, it is possible to make a call or answer an incoming call.

When either one of the TV button 44 and the TEL button 45 is turned on or off, the other is turned off or on, respectively.

When the user, for example, is watching a television broadcast received by the receiving device 12, and wants to change the channel, he / she operates (turns on) the TV button 44 to set the operation mode. Set to remote commander mode.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, the operation section 43 is constructed by disposing a transparent tablet 55 on a display section 54 made of, for example, liquid crystal. When the operation mode is set to the remote commander mode, the display unit 54 displays operation buttons as shown in FIG. 6A, for example.

The index button 61 is operated when displaying the icon of the index on the monitor 13. The cursor keys 62U, 62D, 62L, 62R are
These are operated when moving the cursor 31 vertically and horizontally. The enter key 63 is operated when selecting the icon where the cursor 31 is located.

Although not shown in FIG. 6 (A), the display section 54 displays not only the operation buttons described above but also buttons for selecting a channel and adjusting the volume.

On the other hand, for example, when the user wants to make a call, he operates (turns on) the TEL button 45 to set the operation mode to the telephone mode. In this case, the display unit 54
For example, operation buttons are displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (B).

The off (OFF) button 71 or the on (O)
The N) button 72 is operated to bring the telephone line into the on-hook state or the off-hook state. The key group 73 includes numeric keys 0 to 9, a "*" mark key, and a "#" mark key, and is operated when inputting a telephone number or other information.

As described above, the remote controller 15 which is a cordless telephone attached to the FAX 81 is not only used as a telephone but also the receiving device 12 having the television tuner 71 built therein.
Since it can also be used as a remote control to remotely control
It is not necessary to separately provide a remote controller for remote control of the receiving device 12, that is, the channel selection and the index icon selection can be performed only by the remote controller 15, so that the number of remote controllers in the home can be increased. Can be prevented.

Next, FIG. 7 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the remote controller 15. The control circuit 51 monitors the operation states of the TV button 44 and the TEL button 45, and when the TV button 44 or the TEL button 45 is turned on, sets the operation mode to the remote commander mode or the telephone mode, respectively. When the operation mode is set to the remote commander mode, the control circuit 51 causes the display unit 54 included in the operation unit 43 to display the operation buttons as shown in FIG.

After that, when the operation button displayed on the display section 54 is operated, the operation position is detected by the tablet 55, and the detection signal is supplied to the control circuit 51. The control circuit 51 uses the index button 61 and the cursor key 62 based on the detection signal from the tablet 55.
Identify which of the U, 62D, 62L, 62R, confirm key 63, or other key was operated,
The identification signal obtained as a result is output to the transmission circuit 52.
The transmission circuit 52 performs necessary transmission processing on the identification signal from the control circuit 51 to generate an RF signal, which is output from the antenna 53 (as a radio wave). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 8, this RF signal is received by the antenna 76 of the receiving device 12, and the receiving device 12 performs predetermined processing based on the received signal.

On the other hand, when the operation mode is set to the telephone mode, the control circuit 51 displays the operation section 43 on the display section 54.
Then, the operation buttons are displayed as shown in FIG.

After that, when the operation button displayed on the display section 54 is operated, the identification signal corresponding to the operation of the off button 71, the on button 72, or the key group 73 is received by the receiving device in the same manner as described above. 12 is sent.

The numeric keys of the key group 73 are operated,
Thus, when the telephone number is input, the receiving device 12 establishes a link with the terminal (for example, a telephone) corresponding to the telephone number via the FAX 81 and the public network 20. When receiving the voice from the other party, the receiving device 12 outputs the voice as an RF signal and outputs it. This RF
The signal is received by the antenna 53, and the received signal is supplied to the receiving circuit 56. In the receiving circuit 56, the necessary receiving processing is performed, and the sound obtained as a result is the control circuit 5.
It is supplied to the speaker 41 via 1 and output. On the other hand, the sound input to the microphone 42 is received by the receiving device 1 via the control circuit 51, the transmitting circuit 52, and the antenna 53.
2 is transmitted to the FAX No. 2 via the FAX 81 and the public network 20.
Sent to the other party.

A call is made with the other party as described above.

When a call is received from the other party, the receiving device 12 establishes a communication link with the other party, and thereafter, a call is made in the same manner as the above case.

Next, FIG. 8 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the receiver 12. The television broadcast signal received by the antenna 11 is supplied to the television tuner 71. On the other hand, as described above, the RF signal from the remote controller 15 is
The signal is received by the antenna 76 and supplied to the receiving circuit 77.
In the receiving circuit 77, the RF signal from the antenna 76 is demodulated and output to the control circuit 78. When the output of the receiving circuit 77 is an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the TV button 44, the control circuit 78 sets the operation mode to the remote commander mode. The control circuit 78 then controls the remote controller 15
When the operation signal corresponding to the operation for designating the channel is received from the antenna via the antenna 76 and the receiving circuit 77, the television tuner 71 is controlled to receive the channel.

As a result, the television tuner 71 demodulates the television broadcast signal of the predetermined channel in accordance with the instruction from the control circuit 78. Then, the demodulated signal obtained as a result is output to the television display circuit 72 and the data decoder 73.

The TV display circuit 72 is the TV tuner 7
The video signal is extracted from the demodulated signal from the monitor 1, and the necessary processing for displaying it on the monitor 13 is performed.
Output to 3. As a result, the program (video) of the channel corresponding to the operation of the remote controller 15 is displayed on the monitor 13. It should be noted that, from the demodulated signal, a sound associated with the program is also extracted in a predetermined processing circuit (not shown) and output from a speaker (not shown).

On the other hand, in the data decoder 73, the index information superposed on the video signal (vertical blanking period) of the demodulated signal is taken out and decoded (when the index information is encrypted). ,
The decoding is also done). Then, the index information is output to the data storage controller 74.
The data storage controller 74 is controlled by the control circuit 78, and stores index information, that is, index, contact telephone number, and other information (information necessary for displaying as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12) as a recording medium. 14
To record.

On the broadcast station side, the index information is transmitted, for example, at a time when character multiplex broadcasting or FAX broadcasting is not performed (for example, 2:00 am to 6:00 am), and the receiving device 12 It is preferable to receive this and record it in the recording medium 14.

After the index information is recorded on the recording medium 14 as described above, the index button 61 of the remote controller 15 is operated, and the operation signal corresponding to the operation is sent by the control circuit 78 as described above. When received, the control circuit 78 causes the data storage controller 7 to
4 is controlled so that the index is read from the recording medium 14. As a result, the data storage controller 74 reads the index (including other information necessary for display) from the recording medium 14, and the data display circuit 75.
Output to. The data display circuit 75 has a built-in memory, for example, and develops an index in the memory as a bitmap and outputs it to the monitor 13. Further, at this time, the data display circuit 75 also expands the bitmap corresponding to the cursor 31 in its built-in memory under the control of the control circuit 78. As a result, on the monitor 13, the cursor 31 is displayed together with the index as described with reference to FIG. 4 (FIG. 3).

When the video of the program is displayed on the monitor 13, the index can be displayed in place of the video, or can be displayed superimposed on the video, or It is possible to display it on a so-called picture-in-picture child screen.

When the control circuit 78 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the cursor keys 62U, 62D, 62L, 62R from the remote controller 15, the data display circuit 7
5, the cursor 31 is moved vertically and horizontally.

Further, when the control circuit 78 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the enter key 63 from the remote controller 15 as a signal indicating that the user has selected a predetermined index, the control circuit 78 controls the data storage controller 74, At this time, the contact telephone number associated with the index at which the cursor 31 is located (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a selection index) is read out. Then, the control circuit 78 controls the line I / F 79 connected to the telephone line via the FAX 81 to call the contact telephone number and establish the communication link. That is, in this case, F that provides FAX information corresponding to the index
A communication link is established with a server of the AX information service providing company (for example, the server 21 shown in FIG. 2).

When the communication link with the server 21 is established,
The control circuit 78 makes the line I / F 79 request the FAX information corresponding to the selected index by transmitting the selected index and the FAX number of the FAX 81. As described above, when the server 21 receives the FAX number and the request for the FAX information, the server 21 transmits the FAX information to the FAX 81 corresponding to the FAX number.

The FAX information transmitted is FAX 81.
And the line with the server 21 is disconnected after the reception. Then, the FAX 81 reproduces the FAX information on a predetermined sheet and outputs it.

Therefore, the user can obtain the desired FAX information by
It can be easily obtained simply by selecting the index. Further, since the index information is broadcast together with the television broadcast signal, the user does not need to call the FAX information service provider company to obtain the index information, and as a result, the communication cost can be reduced. You can Further, since the user does not have to operate the push button as in the conventional case to obtain the desired FAX information, it is possible to prevent making a wrong call. On the other hand, FAX information service companies respond to telephone calls from users with index lists and FAX.
It is not necessary to give a voice guidance for guiding the operation method when extracting the information, and it is not necessary to provide equipment for that. As a result, the FAX information service providing company does not need to add or change the index list or the voice guidance when adding or changing the FAX information to be provided, only adding or changing the index to be transmitted to the broadcasting station. It's done.

That is, it is possible to easily provide and use the FAX information service. And as a result, FA
It becomes possible to promote the spread of the X information service.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the FAX provided by the FAX information service providing company existing separately from the broadcasting station.
Although the information index is broadcast, the broadcasting station can also provide FAX information as a FAX information service providing company. In this case, for example, the broadcasting station may have information (for example,
By providing more detailed program guides than the program guides published in newspapers, secret stories and behind-the-scenes stories in program production, etc. as FAX information, it is possible to improve the audience rating of programs.

Next, when the output of the receiving circuit 77 is the operation signal corresponding to the operation of the TEL button 45, the control circuit 78 sets the operation mode to the telephone mode. And
When the control circuit 78 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the ON button 72 from the remote controller 15 via the antenna 76 and the receiving circuit 77, the control circuit 78 controls the line I / F 79,
The telephone line is put into the off-hook state via the FAX 81. After that, when the control circuit 78 receives the operation signal corresponding to the operation of the key group 73, the control circuit 78 causes the line I / F 79 to output the DTMF signal corresponding to the operation signal. The DTMF signal is output to the telephone line via the FAX 81, whereby the destination having the telephone number corresponding to the operation of the key group 73 is called.

When a voice is transmitted from the remote controller 15 via the antenna 76 and the receiving circuit 77 after the communication link with the other party is established, the control circuit 78 outputs the voice. Send to the line I / F 79. When voice is transmitted from the other party via the line I / F 79, the control circuit 78 causes the transmission circuit 8
By controlling 0, the voice is transmitted from the antenna 76 as an RF signal. As a result, the speaker 41 of the remote controller 15 outputs the other party's voice as described above.

A call is made as described above.

After that, when the control circuit 78 receives an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the off button 71 from the remote controller 15 via the antenna 76 and the receiving circuit 77, it controls the line I / F 79 to change the state of the telephone line. On-hook, which disconnects the line.

On the other hand, when a call is received from the other party, the line I / F 79 informs the control circuit 78 of that fact. In this case, the control circuit 78 transmits a control signal to the remote controller 15 via the receiving circuit 77 and the antenna 76. When the control signal is received, the remote controller 15 (control circuit 51) outputs a ringing sound from the speaker 41. In this case, the operation mode of the remote controller 15 is automatically set to the telephone mode. When the user recognizes that an incoming call is made by the ringing sound from the speaker 41 and the ON button 72 is operated by this, the control circuit 78 controls the line I / F 79 to establish a communication link with the other party. Establish. After that, a call is made in the same manner as the above case.

Next, the operation when the operation mode is the remote commander mode and the index button 61 is operated will be further described. The index is hierarchized and iconified as described above,
When the index button 61 is operated, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the icon of the index belonging to the highest layer is first displayed. FIG. 9 shows that there are indexes related to shopping, hobbies / events, variety, and the like as indexes belonging to the highest hierarchy.

The user selects the index by moving the cursor 31 to the icon of the desired index among the displayed icons and operating the confirm key 63. Then, the icon of the index classified into the lower hierarchy of the index is displayed. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the index of “traffic / road” is selected, and in this case, for example, the icon of the index as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. Figure 10
In, information on roads and traffic is classified into Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, and other regions.

Here, in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 (the same applies to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 which will be described later), according to the icon “previous page”, by moving the cursor 31 to that position and selecting it, It is designed to return to the display state one step before.

For example, when the user desires information about roads / traffic in Kanto, the user moves the cursor 31 to the icon of the "Kanto" index and selects it. in this case,
It is classified in the lower hierarchy of the "Kanto" index,
For example, an index icon as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. Then, when the user desires information on roads / traffic in Kanto, for example, information on capital highways / highways, the user moves the cursor 31 to the icon of the index of “capital highways / highways” to select. The index of “Shutou Expressway / Expressway” belongs to the lowest hierarchy, and in this case, a screen as shown in FIG. 12, for example, is displayed.

That is, as a message for confirming the FAX information desired by the user, for example, "Traffic / Road Information / Kanto District Shuto Expressway / Expressway" shows the FAX information by FAX8
As a message showing the number of pages when output with 1 and the time required to output the FAX information, for example, "two pages, output required time is about 1 minute."
As a message indicating the cost required to provide the FAX information, for example, "the information fee of this information is free, only the call fee is charged."

Further, as an icon for confirming the output of FAX information, for example, an icon displaying "FAX output" (hereinafter, also referred to as "FAX output" icon as appropriate) is displayed.

When the user sees the display and wants to output the FAX information, the user moves the cursor 31 to "FAX output".
Move to the position of the icon and operate the enter key 63 to select. Then, the request for FAX information is made as described above, and as a result, for example, FIG. 13 and FIG.
2 pages of information related to Kanto roads and traffic, such as the Metropolitan Expressway and expressways, as shown in 4.
It is output from 81.

That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the user operates the index button 61 to display the index, and then displays "traffic / road", "Kanto", "Shuto Expressway", "FAX". By simply selecting the "output" icons in sequence, it is possible to obtain FAX information regarding roads and traffic in the Kanto area that is related to the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway and expressways.

As described above, the user can easily obtain desired FAX information simply by selecting (clicking) the icon.

In the present embodiment, the receiving device 12
Although the monitor 13 and the monitor 13 are independent devices,
The receiving device 12 and the monitor 13 can be integrally configured. Similarly, the FAX 81 can be built in the receiving device 12.

Further, in the present embodiment, only the iconized index is displayed, but it is possible to display the index and the contact telephone number associated therewith. In this case, the user selects the icon to obtain the FAX information, and sets the operation mode of the remote controller 15 as the telephone mode to the remote controller 15
It becomes possible to obtain the FAX information by directly entering the FAX information service providing company by inputting the contact telephone number from.

In the present embodiment, the hierarchization and iconification of the index are performed on the broadcasting station side. It is also possible to carry out in (). It is also possible to display the index without layering or iconizing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the broadcasting station transmits the contact telephone number together with the index. However, in addition to this, when the server 21 is connected to a network such as the so-called Internet, for example. It is also possible to send the domain name, etc.

Further, in the present embodiment, the index information is multiplexed and transmitted in the blanking period of the television broadcast signal, but in addition to this, the index information is transmitted by itself. It is also possible. Further, the index information can be transmitted not only by terrestrial waves but also by a wireless line such as a satellite line capable of transmitting information at once. Also, the index information can be transmitted by a wired line such as a CATV network capable of transmitting the information all at once.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the buttons / keys provided on the operation section 43 of the remote controller 15 are changed depending on whether the operation mode is the remote commander mode or the telephone mode. The buttons / keys that need to be operated in the phone mode are
It is also possible to physically provide the remote controller 15 in advance. However, the operability of the remote controller 15 can be improved by changing the button / key provided (displayed) on the operation unit 43 depending on the operation mode.

In this embodiment, the receiving device 12 is caused to perform a predetermined process in response to the operation of the remote controller 15. However, in addition to this, for example, the remote controller 15 or the receiving device 12 has a voice recognition device. Instead of operating the remote controller 15, a command or the like is input by voice, and the reception device 12 is caused to perform a predetermined process according to the voice recognition result of the voice by the voice recognition device. It is also possible to do so. Furthermore, in this case, the remote controller 15 or the receiving device 12 may be provided with a voice synthesizing device so that, for example, a message prompting confirmation or input can be output as a synthetic voice.

[0104]

According to the transmission device of the first aspect and the transmission method of the fifth aspect, the index indicating the content of the facsimile information and the access destination for accessing the facsimile information are unspecified. Broadcast to many. Therefore, the user can easily recognize what kind of facsimile information is provided.

A receiving device according to claim 6 and claim 1.
According to the receiving method described in 2, the index indicating the content of the facsimile information and the access destination for accessing the facsimile information are received and recorded. After that, when the index is displayed and selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is requested from the access destination. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the desired facsimile information.

According to the broadcasting system of the thirteenth aspect and the broadcasting method of the fourteenth aspect, the index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and the access destinations for accessing the facsimile information are simultaneously distributed to an unspecified number. Sent. Then, the index and the access destination are received and recorded. After that, when the index is displayed and selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is requested from the access destination. Therefore, the user can easily obtain the desired facsimile information.

According to the input device of the fifteenth aspect, the operation mode can be switched between a telephone mode used as a telephone and a remote commander mode used as a remote commander for remotely controlling the receiving device. The operation means can be operated both when a telephone number is input and when an index is selected. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a remote commander to select the index.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a FAX information service broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a FAX information service broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a device on the user side in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a device on the user side in FIG.

5 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a remote commander (telephone) 15. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing buttons / keys provided (displayed) on the operation unit 43 when the operation mode is the remote commander mode or the telephone mode.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration example of a remote commander 15.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration example of the reception device 12.

FIG. 9: Index button 6 on the remote commander 15
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the monitor 13 when 1 is operated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the monitor 13 when the index button 61 of the remote commander 15 is operated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the monitor 13 when the index button 61 of the remote commander 15 is operated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the monitor 13 when the index button 61 of the remote commander 15 is operated.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of FAX information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of FAX information.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure for obtaining FAX information in FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a conventional method of providing a FAX information service.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Index Information Creation Section 2 Transmitter 11 Antenna 12 Receiver 13 Monitor 14 Recording Medium 15 Remote Commander (Cordless Telephone) 20 Public Network 21 Server 31 Cursor 41 Speaker 42 Microphone 43 Operation Section 44 TV Button 45 TEL Button 51 Control Circuit 52 Transmission Circuit 53 Antenna 54 Display 55 Tablet 56 Receiver Circuit 71 TV Tuner 72 Television Display Circuit 73 Data Decoder (Data Broadcast Decoder) 74 Data Storage Controller 75 Data Display Circuit 76 Antenna 77 Receiver Circuit 78 Control Circuit 79 Circuit I / F (Interface) 80 Transmitting circuit 81 FAX (facsimile)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Chisato Kisanuki 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A transmission device for transmitting data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, wherein an index representing the content of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are unspecified. A transmitting device comprising a transmitting means for simultaneously transmitting to a large number. 2. The transmission according to claim 1, further comprising iconizing means for iconifying the index so that it is displayed as an icon on the receiving side that receives the output of the transmitting means. apparatus. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising layering means for layering the index so that the index is displayed layered on the receiving side that receives the output of the transmitting means. Transmitter. 4. The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit inserts the index and the access destination in a blanking period of a television broadcast signal and transmits the blank. 5. A transmission method for transmitting data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, wherein an index indicating the content of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are unspecified. A transmission method characterized by simultaneous transmission to a large number. 6. A receiving device for receiving data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, the receiving device receiving an index indicating the contents of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information. Means, recording means for recording the index and access destination received by the receiving means, and display control means for controlling the display means for displaying the index recorded by the recording means, A request for requesting the access destination the operation means operated when selecting the index displayed on the display means, and the facsimile information corresponding to the index selected by operating the operation means. A receiving device comprising: 7. The receiving apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising the display unit. 8. The receiving apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a reception output unit that receives and outputs the facsimile information transmitted from the access destination in response to a request from the request unit. .. 9. The receiving device according to claim 6, wherein the display control means displays the index by an icon. 10. The receiving device according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit displays the indexes in a hierarchical manner. 11. The index and the access destination are inserted and transmitted in a blanking period of a television broadcast signal, and the receiving means receives the television broadcast signal,
The receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the index and the access destination are extracted from the television broadcast signal. 12. A receiving method for receiving data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, comprising receiving an index representing the content of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information, The index and the access destination are recorded, the index is displayed on a display unit that displays information, and when the index displayed on the display unit is selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is displayed on the display unit. A receiving method characterized by requesting to an access destination. 13. A broadcasting system for transmitting data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service and receiving the data, wherein an index indicating the content of the facsimile information and an access for accessing the facsimile information. And a receiving unit that receives the index and the access destination from the transmitting unit, and a recording unit that records the index and the access destination received by the receiving unit. A display control unit that controls the display unit that displays information to display the index recorded by the recording unit; and an operation unit that is operated when selecting the index displayed on the display unit. , Selected by operating the operating means A broadcasting system comprising: requesting means for requesting the access destination for the facsimile information corresponding to the index. 14. A broadcasting method for transmitting data related to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service and receiving the data, comprising: an index indicating the content of the facsimile information and an access for accessing the facsimile information. Destination, and broadcast to an unspecified large number, receive the index and access destination, record the received index and access destination, and display the index on a display unit that displays information, the display unit When the index displayed in <1> is selected, the facsimile information corresponding to the index is requested to the access destination. 15. Data relating to facsimile information provided by a facsimile information service, wherein an index representing the contents of the facsimile information and an access destination for accessing the facsimile information are received, and the index and the access destination are set. An input device for giving a predetermined input to a receiving device for recording, the operation mode is a telephone mode used as a telephone,
Switching means for switching to a remote commander mode used as a remote commander for remotely controlling the receiving device, operating means for inputting a telephone number and selecting the index, and operating means for operating the operating means. An input device comprising: a generating unit that generates a corresponding signal.