JPH10200491A - Teletext broadcasting system, transmission equipment and transmission mehtod - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exactly transmit program selection information while securing transmission capacity for transmitting various kinds of programs by transmitting the information while adding only the time, in which the table of contents (TOC) of periodical program and a program list are broadcasted, to the TOC of routine program. SOLUTION: The program to be transmitted by FM telecast broadcast is divided into the routine program to be transmitted all the time and the periodical program to be transmitted at a specified time. Since the routine program is transmitted all the time without limiting the time, it is necessary for reception equipment to possess the TOC of the routine program just after the start of the receiving operation. Therefore, the TOC of a routine program is transmitted at the interval of 20sec. On the other hand, the TOC of a periodical program is not required just after the start of the receiving operation. Then, the TOC of the periodical program and the program list showing the time to broadcast the periodical program are transmitted just at a fixed time. Only time 1...m to transmit the TOC of the periodical programs 1...n and the program list is added to the TOC of the routine program and transmitted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a teletext broadcasting system, a transmitting apparatus and a transmitting method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Character information is multiplexed with audio information of an FM radio and transmitted, and a receiving device that receives the multiplexed information separates the character information from the audio information and displays the information on a display device.
There are services that provide information such as news and weather forecasts. This service is called FM teletext broadcasting, and has been put into practical use, for example, as a "visible radio" of the JFN series.

In FM text multiplex broadcasting, text information multiplexed with audio information is transmitted according to a DARC format. In this format, the table of contents is transmitted as a kind of program at a period of about 20 seconds in order to select a program desired by the user from a plurality of information-specific programs. Then, after the receiving device receives the table of contents, the program is selected from the table of contents and displayed on the display device. In the following, it is assumed that a table of contents is not included when simply called a program.

[0004] By the way, there has been proposed a service for providing information for a fee by using the FM teletext broadcasting.
This service provides information only to those who have signed a predetermined reception contract. When this service is realized, a wide variety of information will be provided using FM text multiplex broadcasting.

[0005] However, in providing such a wide variety of information, if all programs are selected from one table of contents, the data amount of the table of contents becomes enormous. On the other hand, the capacity to transmit information in FM teletext broadcasting is limited. Therefore, in providing a new service in FM teletext broadcasting, an efficient method capable of allocating a large amount of transmission capacity to a program and transmitting a wide variety of programs has been desired.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to starting a new service in FM teletext broadcasting.
It provides the desired technology. That is,
The present invention provides a text multiplex broadcasting system, a transmission device, and a transmission method capable of accurately transmitting information for selecting these programs while securing transmission capacity for transmitting various programs. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a teletext broadcasting system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a transmitting device and a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device plays a plurality of regular programs. A regular program transmitting means for constantly transmitting each, a regular program transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of regular programs at specific times, and a regular program selection information for displaying the regular programs on a display means of the receiving device, An information adding means for adding transmission information indicating a time at which the scheduled program selection information including the specific time for displaying the scheduled program on the display means is transmitted; and the transmission information is added by the information adding means. A constant program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the constant program selection information at a predetermined frequency; and a constant program selection information transmission for transmitting the regular program selection information at a time in the transmission information. Means, the receiving apparatus comprising: a constant program selection information receiving means for receiving the constant program selection information transmitted from the constant program selection information transmitting means; Constant program selection information storage means for storing the constant program selection information, reception means for receiving the constant program transmitted from the constant program transmission means, and constant program stored in the constant program selection information storage means Based on your selections,
A constant program display means for displaying the constant program, a clock means for measuring the current time, and a time measured by the clock means and the constant program selection information added to the constant program selection information stored in the constant program selection information storage means. First comparing means for comparing the time in the transmission information with the time, and receiving the timed program selection information transmitted from the timed program selection information transmitting means in response to a result of the comparison by the first comparing means; Program selection information receiving means, scheduled program selection information storage means for storing the scheduled program selection information received by the scheduled program selection information receiving means, and the scheduled program selection information stored in the scheduled program selection information storage means. Based on the time included, a reception time setting means for setting a time for receiving the scheduled program,
A second comparing means for comparing the time measured by the time measuring means with the time set by the receiving time setting means, and a second program transmitted from the scheduled program transmitting means in response to a result of the comparison by the second comparing means. The scheduled program receiving means for receiving the scheduled program, the scheduled program storage means for storing the scheduled program received by the scheduled program receiving means, and the scheduled program selection information stored in the scheduled program selection information storage means. A regular program display means for displaying the regular program on the basis of the regular program, the regular program, the regular program selection information, and the regular program selection information are transmitted through the same transmission path, respectively. In addition, the program number in the transmission format of the text multiplex broadcast information is different.

That is, unlike the regular program selection information, the regular program selection information only needs to be acquired by the receiving device by the time when the regular program desired by the user is transmitted. That is, the scheduled program selection information is transmitted separately from the regular program selection information, and the transmission frequency of the regular program selection information is reduced from the regular program selection information, so that the transmission capacity can be effectively used. Also,
Although the transmission information indicating the time for transmitting the scheduled program selection information is added to the constant program selection information, the information amount of the transmission information does not become so large.
Therefore, the problem of transmission capacity does not occur.

The scheduled program selection information is received by a timer based on the transmission information and stored in the scheduled program storage means. For this reason, if the constant program selection information can be obtained, the scheduled program selection information can also be automatically obtained. Further, the scheduled program can be timer-received by setting a reception time in the reception time setting means based on the scheduled program selection information. Therefore, no inconvenience occurs even if each of the scheduled programs is transmitted at a specific time.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a transmitting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided for selecting any one of a plurality of constantly transmitted constant programs and displaying the selected program on a display means of the receiving apparatus. Constant program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the constant program selection information at a predetermined frequency; and regular program selection information for selecting one of a plurality of regular programs transmitted at a specific time and displaying the selected program on the display means. A regular program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the constant program selection information at a frequency lower than a frequency at which the constant program selection information transmitting means transmits the constant program selection information, the constant program, the regular program, the constant program selection information , The scheduled program selection information is transmitted through the same transmission path.

That is, unlike the regular program selection information, the regular program selection information only needs to be acquired by the receiving device by the time when the regular program desired by the user is transmitted. That is, the scheduled program selection information is transmitted separately from the regular program selection information, and the transmission frequency of the regular program selection information is reduced from the regular program selection information, so that the transmission capacity can be effectively used.

When providing a wide variety of information, the number of scheduled programs increases. For this reason, the regular program selection information generally has a larger amount of information than the constant program selection information.

Therefore, in this case, the effect of effectively utilizing the transmission capacity by reducing the frequency of transmitting the scheduled program selection information is remarkable.

[0014] The transmitting apparatus further includes information adding means for adding information indicating a time at which the regular program selection information is transmitted to the constant program selection information, and the constant program selection information transmitting means includes: The constant program selection information to which the information has been added by the adding means is transmitted, and the regular program selection information transmitting means transmits the time in the information added to the constant program selection information by the information adding means. And transmitting the scheduled program selection information.

In this case, the transmission information including the time for transmitting the scheduled program selection information is added to the constant program selection information, but the information amount of the transmission information does not become so large. Therefore, the problem of transmission capacity does not occur. Further, the receiving device can receive the scheduled program selection information based on a timer based on the transmission information. For this reason, if the receiving device can always acquire the program selection information, it can automatically acquire the scheduled program selection information.

[0016] In the transmission device, the scheduled program includes:
The scheduled program selection information includes a plurality of types of programs, and the scheduled program selection information may include a table of contents for selecting one of the scheduled programs.

In the transmitting apparatus, the scheduled program selection information may include a program table including information indicating a time at which each of the scheduled programs is transmitted.

In order to select a desired scheduled program from the plurality of scheduled programs and to display the selected scheduled program on a display means provided in a receiving device, the plurality of scheduled programs are desirably divided for each type of information. . Further, in order for the receiving apparatus to receive the timer of the scheduled program, it is preferable that the scheduled program selection information is based on a program table. When the plurality of scheduled programs are constituted by a plurality of types of programs,
The program table can be prepared for each type of program.

It is preferable that the transmission apparatus is applied to a teletext broadcasting system. That is, the regular program and the regular program are text multiplex broadcast programs, and the regular program, the regular program selection information, the regular program, and the regular program selection information are each in a text multiplex broadcast information transmission format. May have different program numbers.

That is, in the teletext broadcasting system, a plurality of programs are transmitted using the same transmission path, and information for selecting the plurality of programs is transmitted using the same transmission path as the programs. . Therefore, by applying the transmitting apparatus to a teletext broadcasting system, it is possible to provide a wide variety of information by effectively utilizing the transmission capacity of the teletext broadcasting system.

In order to achieve the above object, a transmission method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a transmission method for selecting any one of a plurality of constantly transmitted constant programs and displaying the selected program on a display means of a receiving apparatus. A constant program selection information transmitting step of transmitting the constant program selection information at a predetermined frequency; and a constant program selection information for selecting one of a plurality of regular programs transmitted at a specific time and displaying the selected program on the display means. A regular program selection information transmitting step of transmitting at a frequency less than the frequency of transmitting the constant program selection information in the constant program selection information transmitting step, the constant program, the regular program, the constant program selection information And transmitting the scheduled program selection information through the same transmission path.

[0022] The transmission method further includes an information adding step of adding information indicating a time at which the scheduled program selection information is transmitted to the constant program selection information. The scheduled program selection information may be transmitted at a time in the information added to the constant program selection information in the adding step.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an FM teletext broadcasting system according to this embodiment. As shown, F
The text information provided in the M-text multiplex broadcasting is multiplexed with the audio information of the FM radio and transmitted from the transmission device arranged in the FM radio broadcasting station 1. The receiving device 2 receives the character information and displays it on the display unit 22.

The IC card 3 is connected to the slot 2 of the receiving device 2.
a. The IC card 3 is an EEPROM in which a program number of a table of contents of a constant program described later is written.
The range of the information that can be displayed on the display unit 22 of the received information is determined by the presence or absence of the IC card 3 and the content of the information written in the EEPROM. In addition, by selling the IC card 3 for a fee, it becomes a charging unit for the information provided.

That is, the character information includes information that can be displayed on the display unit 22 regardless of the presence or absence of the IC card 3 and the information written in the EEPROM. This information is provided free of charge to unspecified people,
Hereinafter, it is referred to as free information. In addition, the character information includes information that can be displayed only on the display unit 22 of the receiving device on which the IC card 3 in which the specific information is written in the EEPROM is mounted. This information is provided for a specific person for a fee and is hereinafter referred to as fee information.

In this FM teletext broadcasting system,
Free information is provided by the FM radio broadcast station 1.
The free information provides information linked to FM radio voice information, information such as news, weather forecast, and the like. Each piece of information is constantly transmitted without delimiting a specific time. Here, "always" does not mean that information is transmitted without interruption by repeatedly transmitting information without a specific time limit. Hereinafter, a program that provides this free information is referred to as a free program.

On the other hand, the pay information is provided by the carrier 4, and the carrier 4 commissions the FM radio broadcast station 1 to transmit. In order to be able to provide a wide variety of information, pay information is, like free information, information that is always transmitted (hereinafter, always referred to as information) and information that is transmitted only during a specific time zone ( Hereinafter, there is regular information).

Since the constant information is always transmitted in the same manner as the free information, it is suitable for information requiring real-time properties. On the other hand, the scheduled information is transmitted only during a specific time zone, and thus is not suitable for information that requires real-time properties, and is generally suitable for information that does not require real-time properties such as hit charts and new music information. The information that does not require the real-time property may be always used as the information. In addition,
Programs providing such information are called regular programs and scheduled programs, respectively, and these are collectively called pay programs. In addition, a simple program does not include a table of contents and a program table described later.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the transmitting device and the receiving device in the FM teletext broadcasting system of this embodiment will be described. First, the configuration of the transmitting device will be described. The transmitting device is arranged in the FM radio broadcasting station 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, the memories 11 to 13, the information processing unit 14, the instruction unit 1
5, a timing section 16, a multiplex processing section 17, a transmission section 18, and a transmission antenna 19.

The memory 11 stores free information created by the FM radio broadcasting station 1. Memory 12, 13
Stores the regular information and the scheduled information which are respectively created by the business operator 4 and entrusted to the FM radio broadcasting station 1 for transmission.

The information processing unit 14 reads predetermined free information, constant information, and scheduled information from the memories 11 to 13 in accordance with an instruction from the instruction unit 15, and stores the information in a D (described later).
The data is processed into an ARC format and sequentially output. Further, the scheduled information is read from the memory 13 based on the date and time measured by the timer 16 and processed by the information processor 14.

The multiplex processing section 17 generates an L + R signal and an LR signal from audio information composed of the L signal and the R signal. Further, the character information supplied from the information processing unit 14 is subjected to L-MSK modulation described later. The L-MSK modulated character information is added to audio information (L + R signal and LR signal).

The transmitting section 18 transmits, via a transmitting antenna 19, an FM signal obtained by FM-modulating a signal obtained by adding the character information and the voice information by the multiplex processing section 17 at a predetermined frequency.

Next, the configuration of the receiving device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated, the receiving device 2 includes a key input unit 21, a display unit 22, a timing unit 23, a receiving antenna 24, a receiving unit 25, a voice information reproducing unit 26, a character information reproducing unit 27, a processing unit 28, and a power supply device. 29.

The receiving unit 25 extracts an FM signal of a predetermined frequency band from a signal received by the receiving antenna 24.
Tuner 25a, FM taken out by FM tuner 25a
It comprises an FM demodulator 25b for demodulating a signal, and a reception controller 25c for controlling the tuning frequency of the FM tuner 25a according to the control of the MPU 28a.

The audio information reproducing section 26 includes an FM demodulator 25b
A stereo demodulator 26a for stereo demodulating the audio signals (L + R signal and LR signal) demodulated to extract the L signal and the R signal, an amplifier 26b for amplifying the L signal and the R signal respectively extracted by the stereo demodulator 26a, 26c,
And speakers 26d and 26e that output sounds corresponding to the L and R signals amplified by the amplifiers 26b and 26c.

The character information reproducing unit 27 demodulates an L-MSK demodulator 27a for demodulating the level of L-MSK-modulated character information, and detects an error in the character information demodulated by the L-MSK demodulator 27a based on the CRC. Error correction decoder 27 to correct
b.

The processing unit 28 includes an MPU 28a, a ROM 28
b, a RAM 28c, a reception data memory 28d, and a card processing unit 28e. The MPU 28a uses R
Based on the processing program stored in the OM 28b, the received character information is processed. Also, MPU28
a controls each unit of the receiving device 2.

The ROM 28b stores a program number of a table of contents of a free program in addition to a processing program of the MPU 28a, a standard message, and the like. The RAM 28c is an MPU2
8a is used as a work area. The reception data memory 28d stores received character information in accordance with the processing of the MPU 28a. The card processing unit 28e
IC card 3 mounted in slot 2a and MPU 28a
Controls the transfer of information between and.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Is EEPR in which the program number of the table of contents of the regular program is written
An OM 31 and an interface unit 32 are provided, and the card processing unit 28 e
The program number of the table of contents of the regular program read from the PROM 31 is sent to the MPU 28a.

The MPU 28a has a key input unit 2
1, a display unit 22, a clock unit 23, and a power supply 29 are connected to each other. The key input unit 21 has a tuning key, a mode setting key, a timer setting key, a display key, and the like, and externally instructs the operation of the receiving device 2. The display unit 22 is configured by a liquid crystal display device and displays the received character information. Clock section 2
Reference numeral 3 indicates the current time and the date.

The power supply unit 29 supplies power to the key input unit 21, the display unit 22, the receiving unit 25, the audio information reproducing unit 26, and the character information reproducing unit 27 according to the control of the MPU 28a. Note that power is supplied to the processing unit 28 and the time counting unit 23 from a backup power supply.

Hereinafter, the structure of information in this embodiment will be described. In FM teletext broadcasting, programs (including a table of contents) are transmitted according to a DARC format. The format of the DARC system is defined hierarchically. This DARC format will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the transmission method includes a stereo difference signal (L
-R signal) in accordance with the level of the multiplex signal.
L-MSK (Level controlled Min) to change to 0%
imumShift Keying) modulation method is used. Also,
The sub-carrier frequency is 7 kHz for 38 kHz of the LR signal.
6 kHz. The bit rate is 16 kbit /
s.

Each frame in FM teletext broadcasting is
As shown in FIG. 4, it is composed of 272 blocks. At the head of each block, a 16-bit block identification code (BIC) is added. The receiving device 2 uses this BI
C detects frame synchronization and block synchronization. Further, 272 blocks are composed of 190 blocks of data packets and 82 blocks of parity bits. In addition to the BIC, each block has a 176-bit information section and a 14-bit CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Co.).
de) and a parity part of 82 bits. Parity packets are interleaved and distributed in blocks to prevent burst errors.

In this FM teletext broadcasting system,
The information multiplexed with the audio information and transmitted includes a program for providing character / graphic information such as the above-mentioned free information and paid information, and additional information such as the current date and time and an alternative frequency. In the format of the DARC system, the configuration below a data packet differs between a program and additional information.

First, in the case of a program, as shown in FIG. 5A, a data packet (information section) comprises a 32-bit prefix and a 144-bit data block.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the prefix includes service identification, decoding identification, information end, update, data group number, and data packet number. Here, the service identification represents the type of program content, and whether the program is a free program or a pay program is distinguished by the service identification.

The data group shown in FIG. 5C is composed of one or a plurality of data blocks. As shown in FIG. 5D, the data group includes an 8-bit heading start code (SOH), a 16-bit data group header, data group data, an 8-bit end code, and a 16-bit CRC. In addition, a length adjusting NULL may be added after the data group data to match the length of the data packet (information section).

The program data of one program is composed of program management data and zero or more page data. One data group (data group data)
Corresponds to program management data or page data (one page of a program) as shown in FIG. The program management data indicates information relating to the entire program, and is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), it is composed of a program data header and a data unit group. The page data includes a page data header and a data unit group as shown in FIG.

The program data header includes an information separating code and a data header parameter as data header identification, a program number as data header data, a content update flag,
It consists of a total of 48 bits such as the total number of pages and the type of information.
The page data header is composed of a total of 56 bits including a data header identification, a program number, a content update flag, a page number, and an information type. On the other hand, the data unit group includes zero or one or more data units. The data unit includes a text indicating the text information itself of the free information and the paid information, a header sentence, program information described later, a selection control data unit, and the like.

The format for transmitting the additional information is different in the number of bits of the prefix and the structure below the data group, but the description is omitted here. The number of data packets that can be transmitted per second in the DARC format is about 41 packets.

Next, the structure of a program and a table of contents in this embodiment will be described. For the free program, a predetermined value is inserted in the service identification in the prefix, and the receiving apparatus 2 can thereby determine that the program is a free program. A free program usually has one or more page data in the structure of the program data shown in FIG. In addition, there is no data unit added to the program management data of the free program, and a body is added to each page data as a data unit.

This free program includes a plurality of types of programs such as news and weather forecast. These programs are given different program numbers for each type of program. The table of contents is required to selectively receive these plural types of programs. In addition, as described later, the free program is required to be displayed on the display unit 22 of the receiving device 2. This table of contents is also a kind of free information program, and has the same service identification as the free program but a different program number.

As shown in FIG. 7, the table of contents of the free program has only enough character information to be displayed on the display unit 22 of the receiver 2 on one page. For this reason, the table of contents for free programs is usually
In the configuration of the program data shown in FIG. 6, there is one page data. Further, no data unit is added to the program management data, and a selection control data unit for designating a header sentence, a text and a jump destination to the program is added to the page data.

The data amount of the table of contents of the free program is about 10 packets, although the program management data is one packet, and the page data depends on the length of the header text and body and the number of programs to be jumped. Also, since the table of contents of the free program is information that is needed immediately, it is transmitted periodically at intervals of about 20 seconds.

On the other hand, for a pay program, a value different from that of a free program is entered in the service identification in the prefix.
The receiving device 2 can thereby determine that the program is a pay program. As described above, pay programs are divided into regular programs and scheduled programs. The regular program and the scheduled program have different forms of providing information, and the table of contents is also required immediately. Therefore, in this embodiment, the table of contents differs between the regular program and the regular program.

The structure of the program data of the pay program is the same as the structure of the program data of the free program for both the regular program and the scheduled program. Also, the regular program and the scheduled program are distinguished by their respective program numbers.

Both regular and scheduled programs have a plurality of types of programs in the same manner as free programs. These shows are
A different program number is assigned to each type of program. Both a table of contents of a regular program and a table of contents of a regular program are necessary for selectively receiving a plurality of types of programs. In addition, as described later, the pay program is required to be displayed on the display unit 22 of the receiving device 2. Here, the types of scheduled programs are referred to as channels for each type.

As shown in FIG. 8, the table of contents of the regular program has the character information enough to be displayed on one page on the display unit 22 of the receiving device 2 as shown in FIG. 9. For this reason, both the table of contents of regular programs and the table of scheduled programs
Normally, in the configuration of the program data shown in FIG.
One. In addition, a header text, a text, and a selection control data unit are added to each page data as in the table of contents of the free program. Note that the service identification is the same as the pay program in the table of contents of the regular program and the table of contents of the regular program, and the program number is different from each pay program.
These tables of contents are also a kind of pay information programs.

When a regular program is selected from the table of contents of the regular program, the receiving apparatus 2 sequentially displays the pages of the selected program on the display unit 22 based on the added selection control data unit, as described later. To go.

On the other hand, the scheduled program is transmitted only for a specific time for each piece of information. Desired information cannot be obtained simply by specifying a channel from the table of contents. Therefore, information indicating the time at which each scheduled program is transmitted in order for the receiving device 2 to receive the scheduled program is required.

Therefore, a program table as shown in FIG. 10 is prepared for each channel of the regular program, which has a different program number from the table of contents of the regular program. This program table branches from the table of contents for each channel. As will be described later, the scheduled program is received by a timer based on a program table. Further, this program table displays the scheduled program received by the timer on the display unit 2 of the receiving apparatus 2.
2 is used as a sub-table for selecting a program to be displayed.

Although this program table varies depending on the number of regular programs for each channel, the program table generally includes about 10 pages, and each channel requires a data amount of about 100 packets. That is, a data amount of about 300 packets is required for three channels and about 500 packets for five channels. In each case, it takes about 7.5 seconds and about 12 seconds to transmit the entire program guide.

Therefore, if the program table of the regular program is frequently transmitted, a large part of the transmission capacity is occupied by the program table. In addition, if the table of contents of the scheduled program can be obtained but the program table cannot be obtained, the user cannot select a desired scheduled program. On the other hand, since the regular program is not information that is immediately required, the table of contents and the program table are not immediately required.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the table of contents of the regular program and the program table are transmitted only at specific times. On the other hand, if the table of contents and the program table of the scheduled program cannot be obtained, the scheduled program cannot be obtained.
It is desired that the information indicating the time, the table of contents, and the program number in the program table can be reliably acquired. For this reason, in this embodiment, the program information shown in FIG. 11 is always added as a data unit to the program management data of the table of contents of the program. Also, the table of contents of the regular program is information that is needed immediately,
The transmission is performed periodically at intervals of about 20 seconds.

The program information shown in FIG. 11 includes a data unit header and data unit data. The data unit header is for separating / identifying this data unit from other data units, and includes a data unit separation code, a data unit parameter, and a data unit size upper and lower. On the other hand, the data unit data includes a type code, a type data size, an extended data size, an update flag, a program table transmission time data size, a program table transmission time, and a program number.

The type code contains a predetermined value and indicates that this data unit is program information. The type data size indicates the size of the data below the update flag. When the data amount exceeds this range, it is indicated by the extended data size. The update flag indicates whether or not the program information has been updated. The receiving apparatus 2 compares the update flag of the stored program information with the update flag of the received program information, and thereby determines whether the program information has been updated. Determine if it has been updated. The program table transmission time data size indicates the size of the program table transmission time (data size according to the number of times the program table is transmitted). The program number indicates the table of contents of the regular program transmitted at the program table transmission time and the program number of the program table.

The data amount of the program information varies depending on the size of the program guide transmission time (the number of transmissions of the program guide) and the number of program guides (the number of program numbers), but is generally about 2 to 3 packets. Therefore, the data amount of the table of contents of the regular program is about 13 to 14 packets including this program information.

The operation of the transmitting device and the receiving device according to this embodiment will be described below. First, the operation of the transmitting device will be described. In the memory 11, free information created by the FM radio broadcast station 1 is stored in a predetermined area for each type. In the memories 12 and 13, the constant information and the periodic information created by the business entity 4 are stored in predetermined areas for each type.

The information processing section 14 reads out information relating to the table of contents of the free program from the memory 11 every time the clock section 16 measures 20 seconds. Then, a table of contents of the free program according to the DARC format to which a predetermined service identification and a program number are added is generated. Then, the data is output to the multiplex processing unit 17.

The information processing section 14 has a
Every time 0 seconds are counted, information on the table of contents of the regular program is read from the memory 12, and information on the table of contents of the regular program and the program number and transmission time of the program are read from the memory 13. Then, a table of contents of a constant program in which the above-mentioned program information is added as a data unit to the program management, to which a predetermined service identification and a program number are added, is generated in accordance with the DARC format. Then, the data is output to the multiplex processing unit 17.

The information processing section 14 reads information on the table of contents of the scheduled program from the memory 13 when the timer section 16 has counted the transmission time of the table of contents of the scheduled program. Then, a table of contents of the scheduled program according to the DARC format to which a predetermined service identification and a program number are added is generated. Then, the data is output to the multiplex processing unit 17.

The information processing section 14 stores information on programs in the memories 11 to 13 in accordance with an instruction from the instruction section 15.
, And generates a program according to the DARC format to which a predetermined service identification and a program number are assigned, and outputs the generated program to the multiplex processing unit 17. When the information processing unit 14 reads the information on the scheduled program from the memory 13, the information to be read is determined based on the time measured by the clock unit 16. Further, the information processing unit 14 also transmits other information such as additional information according to the instruction from the instruction unit 15.
Processed into data according to ARC format,
Output to the multiplex processing unit 17.

The multiplex processing section 17 L-MSK modulates the character information sent from the information processing section 14 and multiplexes the character information into audio information. The multiplexed signal is FM-modulated at a predetermined frequency by the transmitting unit 18 and transmitted via the transmitting antenna 19.

Next, the operation of the receiving device 2 will be described. When the power of the receiving device 2 is turned on, the FM tuner 2
The FM signal of the tuning frequency of 5a is
Demodulated at 5b. In the signal demodulated by the FM demodulator 25b, the character information is separated from the voice information by the L-MSK demodulator 27a, and the signal level is demodulated, and then input to the error correction decoder 27b. The error correction decoder 27b supplies the character information to the MPU 28a after performing error correction based on the CRC for each packet.

When the character information in packet units supplied from the error correction decoder 27b is supplied, the MPU 28a
The packets are temporarily stored in the RAM 28c sequentially, and when the data of one program (including the table of contents) is accumulated, the service identification is read out. Then, the type of the service identification is determined.

If it is determined that the service identification is for free information, the program number of the table of contents of the free program is read from the ROM 28b. Then, the program number read from the ROM 28b is compared with the program number of the program temporarily stored in the RAM 28c. Here, if the comparison results do not match, this processing is continued. On the other hand, if the comparison results match, the program is a table of contents of the free program, and is transferred to the reception data memory 28d.

After obtaining the table of contents of the free program,
The MPU 28a sequentially accumulates in the reception data memory 28d the free programs with the program numbers indicated in the selection control data unit added to the table of contents.

When the table of contents of the free program is transferred to the reception data memory 28d, the table of contents of the free program is displayed on the display unit 22 by operating the mode setting key of the key input unit 21. The user operates a display key of the key input unit 21 to specify a desired type of free program. Thus, the MPU 28a sequentially reads out the free programs stored in the reception data memory 28d and displays them on the display unit 22.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the service identification is for pay information, the IC is transmitted via the card processing unit 28e.
The program number of the table of contents of the program is always read from the EEPROM 31 of the card 3. Then, the program number read from the EEPROM 31 is compared with the program number of the program temporarily stored in the RAM 28c. Here, if the comparison results do not match, this processing is continued. On the other hand, if the comparison results match, the program is always the table of contents of the program,
The data is transferred to the reception data memory 28d.

After the table of contents of the regular program is thus obtained,
The MPU 28a always accumulates programs in the reception data memory 28d sequentially based on the program number indicated in the selection control data unit added to the table of contents.

When the table of contents of the regular program is transferred to the reception data memory 28d, the table of contents of the regular program is displayed on the display unit 22 by operating the mode setting key of the key input unit 21. The user operates a display key of the key input unit 21 to designate a desired type of regular program. As a result, the MPU 28a sequentially reads out the regular programs stored in the reception data memory 28d and displays them on the display unit 22.

The table of contents of the regular program is the reception data memory 28d.
Is stored in the reception data memory 28d after being added thereto.

When the power of the receiving apparatus 2 is turned off, the MPU 28a supplied with power from the backup power supply
It is determined whether or not the time measured by the timer unit 23 is the program table transmission time in the program information stored in the reception data memory 28d. Here, when it is determined that the program table transmission time has come, the MPU 28a starts up the power supply device 29. As a result, power is supplied to the receiving unit 25 and the character information reproducing unit 27, and character information can be captured.

On the other hand, when the power of the receiving apparatus 2 is not turned off, the power is supplied to the receiving section 25 and the character information reproducing section 27 during the program table transmission time. For this reason, MP
U28a has already taken in the character information. Therefore,
If the power of the receiving device 2 is not turned off, the MPU 2
8a continuously performs the receiving process.

As described above, one RAM is stored in the RAM 28c.
When one program (including the table of contents and the program guide) is accumulated, M
The PU 28a determines whether the program is a free program or a pay program based on the service identification. Here, when it is determined that the program is a pay program, it is determined whether or not the program number matches the program number in the program information stored in the reception data memory 28d.

If the discrimination results match, the program is a table of contents or a program table of the regular program, and is transferred to the reception data memory 28d. This process is repeated to store the table of contents of the regular program and the program table in the reception data memory 28.
accumulate in d. When the user operates the mode setting key or the display key of the key input unit 21, the MP
The U 28 a sequentially reads out the table of contents and the program guide of the regular program from the reception data memory 28 d and displays them on the display unit 22.

In order to make the receiving apparatus 2 receive a regular program based on the table of contents of the regular program and the program table, the user first operates the mode setting key of the key input unit 21 to display the table of contents of the regular program on the display unit 22. To be displayed. Next, the key input unit 21
The desired channel is selected by operating the display key of. Thus, the program guide of the selected channel is displayed on the display unit 22.

The user operates the timer setting key of the key input unit 21 to select a regular program to be acquired from the program table displayed on the display unit 22. Then, MPU
Reference numeral 28a extracts information indicating the time included in the program table and sets timer reception reservation. The set timer reception reservation is stored in the RAM 28c. Here, timer reception can be reserved for a plurality of scheduled programs.

Thereafter, when the power of the receiving apparatus 2 is turned off, the MPU supplied with power from the backup power supply
28a determines whether or not the time measured by the timer unit 23 is the time for transmitting the scheduled program reserved for timer reception stored in the RAM 28c. Here, when it is determined that the time for transmitting the scheduled program scheduled for timer reception has come, the power supply device 29 is started up and stored in the reception data memory 28d in the same manner as the table of contents and the program guide.

On the other hand, when the power of the receiving apparatus 2 is not turned off, the power is supplied to the receiving unit 25 and the character information reproducing unit 27 during the time when the scheduled program for which the timer reception reservation is reserved is transmitted. For this reason, the MPU 28a continuously performs the receiving process, and accumulates the scheduled program for which timer reception has been reserved in the reception data memory 28d. At this time, it is stored together with the information indicating the reception time.

When displaying the scheduled program stored in the reception data memory 28d on the display unit 22, the user first operates the mode setting key of the key input unit 21 to display the table of contents of the scheduled program on the display unit 22. I do. Next, a desired channel is selected by operating a display key of the key input unit 21. Thus, the program guide of the selected channel is displayed on the display unit 22.

The user operates a display key of the key input unit 21 to select a regular program to be displayed from the program guide displayed on the display unit 22. Then, the MPU 28a
Extracts the information indicating the time included in the program table, reads out the scheduled program stored in the reception data memory 28d at that time, and displays it on the display unit 22. Here, if there is no scheduled program stored at that time, the display unit 22 displays a message such as “The program has not been received”.

As described above, the program table is selected from the table of contents of the regular programs, and is also used as a sub table for selecting and displaying the regular programs.

As described above, the F of this embodiment is
In the M character multiplex broadcasting system, the table of contents of a regular program and the program table transmitted only at a specific time are always transmitted only during the time indicated by the program information added to the table of contents of the program. For this reason, transmission of a program guide having a large amount of information does not take up the transmission capacity of FM text multiplex broadcasting.

That is, it is not necessary to frequently transmit a program table of a regular program having a large data amount, and only the table of contents of a free program and the table of contents of a regular program need to be transmitted in a cycle of 20 seconds. Since the data amount of these tables of contents is about 20 packets in total, transmission is possible in about 0.5 to 0.6 seconds, and does not occupy much of the transmission capacity.

[0098] The table of contents of the regular program and the data amount of the program table depend on the number of channels of the regular program.
More than a packet. Transmission of these requires a time of 7.5 seconds or more. For example, if transmission is performed at a rate of about once an hour, the ratio of transmission capacity does not become so large.

On the other hand, even if the table of contents of the regular program and the program guide are transmitted only for a predetermined time, the information is
There is no problem because it is not immediately needed. Also,
Since the data amount of the program information always added to the table of contents of the program is about three packets, the program information does not occupy much of the transmission capacity.

As described above, according to the FM teletext broadcasting system of this embodiment, a transmission capacity for transmitting various programs can be secured, and a table of contents and a program table for selecting these programs can be secured. Can be transmitted accurately. In addition, as the number of types of programs increases, the amount of information in the table of contents increases, and as the number of programs increases, the amount of information in the program guide increases. Therefore, the effect of the FM teletext broadcasting system of this embodiment becomes more conspicuous as the type and number of programs increase.

In the above embodiment, the provider 4 that provides pay information using the FM teletext broadcasting system has one
There was only one. However, there may be a plurality of operators 4. The effect of the present invention increases as the number of businesses increases and the types of information increase.

In the above embodiment, the scheduled program is divided into channels for each type of program, and each channel is selected according to the table of contents. Further, a program guide is provided for each channel. That is, the table of contents and the program table have a hierarchical structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, each scheduled program may be selected only by a program table without dividing the scheduled program into channels.

In the above-described embodiment, at the time of timer reception reservation of a regular program, the time at which the regular program is transmitted is extracted from the program table, and the timer is received based on the extracted time.
Also, when receiving a scheduled program, the reception time is also recorded, and this reception time is compared with the time in the program table,
He had selected a scheduled program. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a different program number is assigned to each of the scheduled programs, and this program number is also included as information in the program guide, the desired scheduled program can be displayed on the display unit 22 based on the program number without recording the reception time. Can be displayed.

In the above embodiment, the programs having all the program numbers included in the selection control data unit added to the table of contents of the free programs, the regular programs, and the regular programs are stored in the reception data memory 28d. Was. However,
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, all programs may be stored in the reception data memory 28d regardless of the program number, and the program numbers may be compared when displayed on the display unit 22. In the case of a free program and a regular program, only the program specified from the table of contents may be compared with the program number and stored in the reception data memory 28d.

In the above embodiment, the program executed by the MPU 28a is stored in the ROM 28b.
However, this program uses the E
It may be stored in the EPROM 31. Further, the information may be stored in a medium such as a magnetic card that is configured to be detachable from the receiving device 2.

In the above embodiment, the method of transmitting and receiving programs and tables of contents of pay information has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to transmission and reception of programs and tables of contents of free information.

In the above embodiment, the method of transmitting the table of contents in the FM teletext broadcasting system has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to other systems such as teletext broadcasting.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention,
While ensuring a transmission capacity for transmitting various programs, information for selecting these programs can be transmitted accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an FM teletext broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a frame configuration of information according to a DARC scheme in FM teletext broadcasting.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of program data according to the DARC method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of program data according to the DARC method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a table of contents of a free program in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a table of contents of a constant program according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a table of contents of a regular program in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a program table of a regular program in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a format of program information added to the table of contents of a regular program and transmitted in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... FM radio broadcasting station, 2 ... Receiving device, 3 ... IC card, 4 ... Business person, 11, 12, 13 ... Memory, 14
... information processing unit, 15 ... instruction unit, 16 ... clock unit, 17
..Multiprocessor, 18 ... transmitter, 19 ... transmitting antenna,
2a: slot, 21: key input unit, 22: display unit, 23: clock unit, 24: receiving antenna, 25a ...
FM tuner, 25b FM demodulator, 25c reception control unit, 27a L-MSK demodulator, 27b error correction decoder, 28a MPU, 28b ROM 28c ...
RAM, 28d: reception data memory, 28e: card processing unit, 29: power supply device, 31: EEPROM, 3
2 Interface unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A text multiplex broadcasting system comprising a transmitting device and a receiving device, wherein the transmitting device constantly transmits a plurality of regular programs, and transmits a plurality of regular programs at a specific time. A regular program transmitting unit for transmitting the regular program to the display unit of the receiving device, and a regular program including the specific time for displaying the regular program on the display unit. An information adding means for adding transmission information indicating a time at which the selection information is transmitted; and a constant program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the constant program selection information to which the transmission information is added by the information adding means at a predetermined frequency. And a scheduled program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the scheduled program selection information at a time in the transmission information, wherein the receiving device comprises: A constant program selection information receiving means for receiving the constant program selection information transmitted from the set selection information transmitting means; a constant program selection information storage means for storing the constant program selection information received by the constant program selection information receiving means; Receiving means for receiving the constant program transmitted from the constant program transmission means, and constant program display means for displaying the constant program based on the constant program selection information stored in the constant program selection information storage means Time measuring means for measuring the current time; and comparing the time measured by the time measuring means with the time in the transmission information added to the constant program selection information stored in the constant program selection information storage means. And receiving the scheduled program selection information transmitted from the scheduled program selection information transmitting means in response to a comparison result of the first comparing means. Timed program selection information receiving means, timed program selection information storage means for storing the timed program selection information received by the timed program selection information receiving means, and timed program selection information stored in the timed program selection information storage means Receiving time setting means for setting the time for receiving the scheduled program based on the time included in the second time; and second comparing means for comparing the time measured by the time measuring means with the time set by the receiving time setting means. A scheduled program receiving unit that receives the scheduled program transmitted from the scheduled program transmitting unit in response to a comparison result of the second comparing unit; and stores the scheduled program received by the scheduled program receiving unit. A scheduled program storage means, and a scheduled program display means for displaying the scheduled program based on the scheduled program selection information stored in the scheduled program selection information storage means. The constant program, the regular program, the constant program selection information,
The text-based multiplex broadcasting system, wherein the scheduled program selection information is transmitted through the same transmission path, and the program number in the transmission format of the text-based multiplex broadcasting information is different. 2. A constant program selection information transmitting means for transmitting, at a predetermined frequency, constant program selection information for selecting any one of a plurality of constant programs to be transmitted and displaying the selected program on a display means of the receiving apparatus. Scheduled program selection information for selecting one of a plurality of scheduled programs transmitted at a specific time and displaying the selected program on the display unit is determined based on the frequency at which the constant program selection information transmitting unit transmits the constant program selection information. A regular program selection information transmitting means for transmitting the regular program, the regular program, the regular program selection information,
The transmission device, wherein the scheduled program selection information is transmitted through the same transmission path. 3. The transmitting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the regular program selection information has a larger information amount than the constant program selection information. 4. An information adding means for adding information indicating a time at which the scheduled program selection information is transmitted to the constant program selection information, wherein the constant program selection information transmitting means includes: The regular program selection information transmitting means, to which the regular program selection information is added, is transmitted at the time in the information added to the regular program selection information by the information adding means. The transmitting device according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting device transmits information. 5. The scheduled program is constituted by a plurality of types of programs, wherein the scheduled program selection information includes a table of contents for selecting any one of the scheduled programs. The transmission device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a program table including information indicating a time at which each of the programs is transmitted. 6. The scheduled program selection information according to claim 2, wherein the scheduled program selection information includes a program table including information indicating a time at which each of the scheduled programs is transmitted. Transmission device. 7. The regular program and the regular program are text multiplex broadcast programs, the regular program, the regular program selection information, the regular program,
The transmission device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the scheduled program selection information has different program numbers in a transmission format of teletext information. 8. A constant program selection information transmitting step of transmitting at a predetermined frequency constant program selection information for selecting one of a plurality of constant transmission programs to be displayed on a display means of a receiving device, Scheduled program selection information for selecting any one of a plurality of scheduled programs transmitted at a specific time and displaying the selected program on the display means, based on a frequency of transmitting the constant program selection information in the constant program selection information transmitting step. A regular program selection information transmitting step of transmitting the regular program, the regular program, the regular program selection information,
The transmission method, wherein the scheduled program selection information is transmitted through the same transmission path. 9. An information adding step of adding information indicating a time at which the scheduled program selection information is transmitted to the constant program selection information, wherein the scheduled program selection information transmitting step includes the step of: The transmission method according to claim 8, wherein the scheduled program selection information is transmitted at a time in the information added to the constant program selection information.