MXPA01000713A - Navigation system for a multichannel digital television system - Google Patents

Abstract

Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides a digital television system comprising a transmission means for transmitting a plurality of television channels and a decoder for receiving the plurality of channels and characterised in that one channel is used to carry audiovisual information (100) regarding programmes or services available on some or all of the other channels, the decoder being adapted to generate and display interactive messages (101) superimposed over and synchronised with the information regarding some or all of the other channels. From another aspect the system is characterised in that the decoder is adapted to display a service menu (61) providing access to one or more channels or service channels, access to one or more of said channels or service channels proceeding via at least one subsidiary menu accessed by the service menu.

Description

NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR A MULTI CHANNEL DIGITAL TELEVISION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a multi-channel digital television system and, in particular, to aspects of a system with respect to channel-to-channel navigation. One of the advantages of digital television lies in the number of channels that are available in such systems and the flexibility that is available to the television service provider with respect to those channel selections may be made available to a subscriber of the service. Unlike a standard group of subscription channels, the system may also include other controlled access channels such as, for example, a pay-per-view channel that allows a subscriber to pay for a particular movie, sports event, etc. In addition, the digital television system may allow access by the display to a number of other interactive type services, such as text-based program guides, weather maps, etc. These services can be associated with dedicated digital television channels used to carry the information. Other additional menu-based devices can be provided by enabling a user to access certain basic information in a series of drop-down menus, while observing a program -to Broadcasting These services operate using so-called "pilot" information carried on the same channel as normal audiovisual channels. Although the viewer benefits from the increased choice 5 available, the large numbers of channels and services that are available may prove distracting and, in practice, a viewer may usually have difficulties in handling the available vision possibilities. In addition, generally, existing navigation tools fail to correctly handle the interface between the browser and controlled access channels, some of which may not be available to a particular user. It is an object of the present invention, in its broader and / or specific aspects, to overcome some or all of these problems and facilitate navigation of the channels by a user, while respecting access control restrictions. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital television system comprising a decoder adapted to present a plurality of digital television channels in a mosaic formation where the rights of access to a program or channel are received and analyzed by the decoder to determine if all audio and visual access by the user to said user is allowed or prohibited. program or channel when presented in a window of mosaic.

The use of mosaic format presentations of available channels to aid channel navigation is known in the art. However, such mosaic tools allow full access by a user to all available channels, albeit in a reduced form. If the digital audio for this channel is also available, a user can observe and listen, for example, a whole normal program and only available after a special subscription or payment, but here presented in a window of the mosaic presentation. The present invention overcomes this problem. The access rights in information can be used by the decoder in a number of ways. For example, in an implementation where a cursor is used to select a desired channel and the audio information is generated by the decoder in response to cursor collation, the decoder can be adapted to allow or prohibit the generation of audio information. for a program or controlled access channel. The audio information may be disabled for programs or controlled access channels at any time if the decoder does not have the associated access rights. Alternatively, the audio information may be forbidden if the cursor is placed on a forbidden tile window for more than a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, or in addition, the decoder I could simply prohibit the generation of video information in a mosaic window depending on the access rights associated with the program or channel normally presented in that window. In yet another embodiment, the interaction of the cursor with a mosaic window may depend on the access rights associated with the program or channel presented in that window. For example, the decoder can be adapted to automatically reposition the cursor in case the cursor is placed in a forbidden tile window corresponding to a program or controlled access channel. This repositioning can be performed instantaneously, in the sense that the decoder does not allow a cursor to be placed directly on a program or controlled access channel presented in a mosaic window. Alternatively, repositioning can be performed after the expiration of a predetermined period of time. For example, in the case where an audio sound tape is activated if the window is illuminated by a cursor, this time delay allows the user have full access to a program sample for a period of time to allow the user to evaluate the interest of this program. In addition, or as an alternative to the previous steps, the decoder can also be adapted to generate a message informing a user of the lack of access rights to a program or channel in the case of placing the cursor on a forbidden mosaic window. The invention also extends to a digital television system comprising transmission means adapted to transmit access rights data together with the audiovisual data used to create the mosaic. This information can include a configuration list, updated every 24 hours or so, and listen to the access rights for the programs that will be broadcasted during the next 24 hours. After receiving the list, the decoder can compare the access rights with rights available to the decoder before performing the steps described above. The transmission means can also be adapted to receive audiovisual information from a plurality of channels and to process this information depending on the access rights for each program or channel forming the mosaic. For example, in the case of an adult broadcast or an adult channel, it may be preferable to simply obscure the corresponding tile window that this channel should display at all times. As will be appreciated, this can be done in addition to or as an alternative the steps carried out in the decoder to limit the mosaic presentation and / or the movement of the cursor. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital television system comprising a decoder, and wherein a decoder is adapted to present a service menu providing access to at least one of a plurality of channels comprising a channel and a service channel, access to at least one of a plurality of channels proceeding through at least one subsidiary menu which is accessed by the service menu. In a related aspect, the present invention provides a digital television system comprising a decoder, and wherein the decoder comprises means, such as an application for presenting a service menu providing access to at least one of a plurality of channels that they comprise a channel and a service channel, access to at least one of a plurality of preceding channels through at least one subsidiary menu accessed by the service menu. The advantage of an individual menu service, and an arborescence of one or more subsidiary menus, lies in the provision of an individual point of access to all channels and service channels accessible to the user. The organization of the channels in a series of subsidiary menus allows the information to be grouped in an efficient way behind the main service menu. In one embodiment, access to one or more channels or service channels proceeds through at least one second subsidiary menu accessible through the first subsidiary menu. The use of a multiple hierarchy of service menus is particularly advantageous to organize a large number of channels in a rational way. In some cases, for example, when there is only a limited number of channels, an individual hierarchy layer of subsidiary menus immediately behind the main service menus may suffice. Advantageously, the decoder is adapted to have access to a service channel in a particular display screen within that service channel depending on the option selected within the subsidiary menu. For example, in the case of a service channel that carries an electronic program guide, a user can navigate a number of sub-menus specifying what information has been inserted, after which the decoder changes the channel and immediately jumps to the page of the program guide of greatest interest to the user. This is particularly advantageous when the service and subsidiary menus are superimposed on a transmission as will be described later, since the channel change step is reversed until the last moment. In this context, the term "service channel" is used to refer to those digital channels dedicated to carrying text data and / or static image, such as, for example, a channel or digital channels that carry data used by the decoder for assemble a complete electronic program guide, or a dedicated channel to provide a catalog of purchases or the like. The term "channel" is inclusive of this term and also includes the most standard real-time audio-visual broadcasting program channels. Advantageously, the decoder is adapted to present the service menu and the subsidiary menu or menus superimposed on the information transmitted in one or more channels or service channels. In this way, the user can navigate in the service menu and sub-menus while continuing to watch a program broadcast on a given channel. In one embodiment, the information contained in the service and subsidiary means can be vastly unchanged, for example, comprising a list of channel choices that do not change on a day-to-day basis. However, preferably the service menu and subsidiary menus also comprise regularly updated information broadcast together with the channel or channel service information where the menus are superimposed. This information may also include basic pilot information representing a minimum of information regarding upcoming programs, etc., and which may be presented in the service and subsidiary menus without having to tune the decoder in an electronic program guide channel. dedicated. In order to provide a uniform menu interface across all channels, the digital television system preferably further comprises particular transmission means adapted to broadcast updated information for the menu or service menus substantially in all channels and service channels. Preferably, the digital television system further comprises a remote control microphone associated with the decoder, the decoder being adapted to present the service menu in response to the touch of an individual dedicated key in the microphone. This aspect of the present invention also provides a method for accessing at least a plurality of channels comprising a channel and a service channel of a digital television system, said method comprising the steps of: presenting a service menu; access at least one subsidiary menu through the service menu; and accessing at least one of a plurality of channels through at least one subsidiary menu. According to a third aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises a digital television system comprising transmission means for transmitting a plurality of television channels and a decoder for receiving the plurality of channels and wherein a channel is used to carry information. audiovisual with respect to programs or services available in at least some of the other channels, the decoder being adapted to generate and present interactive messages superimposed upon and synchronized with the information regarding at least some of the other channels. In a related aspect, the present invention provides a digital television system comprising transmission means for transmitting a plurality of television channels and a decoder for receiving the plurality of channels and wherein a channels used to carry audiovisual information with respect to programs or services available in at least some of the other channels, the decoder comprising menus for generating and presenting interactive messages superimposed upon and synchronized with the information with respect to at least some of the other channels. In this context, the term "interactive message" refers to any request message in which a user may respond in order to activate an action in the decoder. In one embodiment, the decoder is adapted to change to another channel in response to a positive response by a user to an interactive message. For example, when a speaker is describing the summary channel of a program that starts on another channel, an interactive message can be displayed by asking the user if he wants to change to the channel in question. In the case where the summary channel is describing a functionality or offer available in a service channel, for example the decoder preferably can be adapted to switch to a presentation screen default of a service channel in response to a positive response. For example, in the case of a summary of a product available in a sales channel, the decoder can be adapted to jump directly to the display screen associated with the product described by the speaker in the summary channel. In other embodiments, the decoder is adapted to perform payment steps in response to a positive reply by a user to an interactive message. These payment steps may include charging a credit value, generating a subscription request to a central modem. These steps can be associated with messages related to watching pay-per-view movies on a controlled access channel, directly ordering a product described in a shopping or sales channel, etc. Other actions performed by the decoder may include setting a timer to remind the user of a program that comes when it occurs. Advantageously, the decoder is adapted when it is tuned to the guide channel to permanently present a service menu providing access to the channels and service channels received by the decoder. The purpose of a summary channel is to encourage navigation by a user through the available channels and service options. In addition to responding to specifically generated interactive messages, a user may also be prompted by the information that appears in the summary channel to navigate to other channels and service channels through a main menu of this type. Preferably, the decoder is adapted to present the service menu in an idle form. This is to avoid, for example, the inadvertent selection of an option in the service menu channel when answering a specifically generated interactive message. In a similar manner, the decoder is preferably adapted to suppress interactive messages and / or ignore responses to such messages, when the service menu is activated, for example, through a dedicated touch on a remote control of the decoder. This aspect of the present invention also provides a method for providing access to information in a digital television system, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of television channels, a channel being used to carry audiovisual information with respect to one of programs and services available in at least some of the other channels; and generate and present interactive messages superimposed on and synchronized with the information with respect to at least some of the other channels. As will be understood, some or all of the above aspects of the invention can be combined. For example, the mosaic channel and / or the summary channel described above can be broadcasted in the same system and, in reality, they can have access through subsidiary service menus of the type described above. The aspects described above in relation to apparatus aspects of the present invention can also be applied to method aspects, and vice versa. As used herein, the term "digital television system" includes any transmission system for transmitting or broadcasting, for example, digital data primarily audiovisual or multimedia. Although the present invention is particularly applicable to a digital television system based on broadcasting, the invention may also be applicable to a fixed telecommunications network for multimedia Internet applications, to a closed circuit television network, etc. The term also includes a system using any satellite, terrestrial cable link or other communication link. The term "decoder" or "receiver-decoder" used herein may include a receiver for receiving either encoded or uncoded signals, for example television and / or radio signals, which may be broadcast or transmitted by some other means . The term may also include a decoder for decoding received signals. The modalities of said receivers / decoders may include an integral decoder with the receiver for decoding the received signals, for example, in a "TV box per socket" such as a decoder operating in combination with a physically separate receiver, or said decoder including additional functions, such as a web browser or a video recorder or a television. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a digital television system as that which can be adapted in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a summary of the elements of a decoder for use in a digital television system; Figure 3 shows a microphone remote control for use with the decoder of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a sequence of scrolling display presentations associated with a main service menu; Figure 5 shows a sequence of screen presentations associated with the selection of a first and a second layer of subsidiary menus within the main service menu; Figure 6 shows an additional sequence of screen presentations associated with the selection of subsidiary menus within the main service menu; Figure 7 shows a sequence of screen presentations associated with the selection of sub-menus and channel change to a dedicated program guide channel, Figure 8 shows a sequence of screen presentations associated with a channel grid or mosaic; Figure 9 shows the elements of a transmission system associated with the generation of the mosaic of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a sequence of screen presentations associated with a dedicated summary or guide channel, and Figure 11 shows a sequence of screen presentations associated with the activation of the service menu within the guide channel of Figure 10. A Summary of a digital television system 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The invention includes a very conventional digital television system 2 which uses the known MPEG-2 compression system to transmit compressed digital signals. In more detail, the MPEG-2 compressor 3 in a broadcasting center receives a digital signal stream (typically a stream of video and audio signals). The compressor 3 is connected to a multiplexer and mixer 4 through a link 5. The multiplexer 4 receives a plurality of additional input signals, assembles one or more transport streams and transmits compressed digital signals to a transmitter 6 of the broadcasting center through a link 7, which, of course, has a wide variety of forms including telecommunications links. In this example, the transmitter 6 transmits electromagnetic signals through the uplink 8 towards a satellite transponder 9, where they are electronically processed and broadcast via a notional downlink 10 to the ground receiver 12, conventionally in the form of a dish owned or rented by the end user. The signals received by the receiver 12 are transmitted to an integrated receiver / decoder 13 belonging to or rented by the end user and connected to the television set 14 of the user. The decoder 13 decodes the compressed MPEG-2 signal to a television signal for the television set 14. In a multi-channel system, the multiplexer 4 handles audio and video information received from a number of parallel sources and interact with the transmitter 6 for broadcasting the information along a corresponding number of channels. In addition to audiovisual information, you can enter messages or applications or any other type of digital data on some or all of these channels and between the audio and digital video information transmitted. A conventional access system 15 is connected to the multiplexer 4 and the receiver 13, and is located partially in the broadcasting center and partially in the decoder. It allows the end user to access digital television broadcasts from one or more broadcasting providers. A smart card, capable of deciphering messages in relation to commercial offers (ie, one or more television programs sold by the broadcasting provider), can be inserted into the receiver / decoder 13. By using the decoder 13 and the smart card, the end user can buy commercial offers either in a subscription mode or in a pay-per-event mode. As mentioned above, the programs transmitted by the system are mixed in the multiplexer 4, the conditions and cryptic encoding keys applied to a given transmission are determined by the access control system 15. The transmission of data mixed in this manner is well known in the field of television payment systems. Typically, the mixed data is transmitted together with a control word to separate the data, the same control word being typically encoded by a so-called exploitation key and transmitted in a cryptically encoded form. The mixed data and the cryptically encoded control word are then received by decoder 13 having access to an equivalent of the operation key stored in a smart card inserted in the decoder to cryptically decode the control word encoded cryptically and then separate the transmitted data . A paid subscriber will receive, for example, in a monthly broadcast title management message (EMM), the exploitation key necessary to cryptically decode the control word encoded cryptically in order to allow viewing of the transmission.

An interactive system 16, also connected to the multiplexer 4 and the receiver / decoder 13 and again located partially in the broadcasting center and partially in the decoder, allows the user to interact with several applications through a modem return channel. The modem return channel can also be used for communications used in the conditional access system 15. An interactive system can be used, for example, to allow the viewer to communicate immediately with the transmission center to demand authorization for see a particular event, download an application, etc. Referring to Figure 2, the elements of the receiver / decoder 13 or the adaptive cable TV box to be used in the present invention will now be described. As will be understood, the elements of this decoder are enormously conventional and their implementation will be within the capabilities of one skilled in the art. As shown, the decoder 13 is equipped with several interfaces for receiving and transmitting data, in particular an MPEG tuner and demultiplexer 20 for receiving broadcast MPEG transmissions, a serial interface 23, a parallel interface 24, and a modem 25 for sending and receiving data. through the modem channel 17. In this mode, the decoder also includes a first and second smart card reader 26 and 27, the first reader 26 to accept a subscription smart card containing critical decoding keys associated with the system, and the second reader 27 for accepting bank cards or other specialized cards. The decoder also includes a receiver 28 for receiving infrared control signals from a remote control microphone 29 and a Peritel output 30 for sending audiovisual signals to the television 14 connected to the decoder. The processing of data within the decoder is handled through a central control unit 31. The software architecture of the control unit may correspond to that used in a known decoder and will not be described here in detail. It can be based, for example, on a virtual machine interacting through an interface layer with a lower level operating system implemented in the hardware components of the decoder. In terms of the hardware architecture, the decoder will be equipped with a processor, memory elements, such as ROM, RAM, FLASH, etc., as in known decoders. The control unit 31 can be adapted to operate a number of applications by defining the functionality of the decoder. An application introduced to the decoder corresponds to a section of the code entered in the machine that allows the control of, for example, higher level functions of the machine. Typical applications may include the generation of a graphic sequence on the television presentation screen in response to a command from the remote control, or the broadcast of a message through the modem of the decoder to the server associated with the digital broadcasting system. As will be described below, an application according to the present invention is adapted to generate display screens and menu information loaded on or replacing the normal television display and associated with navigation between a number of interactive channels or services proposed by the system. . The presented information may comprise substantially invariable menu data and / or updated data using the information contained in the MPEG transport stream of one or more channels. The applications may be resident applications stored in the decoder ROM or FLASH, or broadcast and downloaded applications through the decoder MPEG 20 interface or, in fact, any other decoder interface such as the serial port 23, a reader of the decoder. smart card 27, etc. Applications may include navigation tools, program guide applications, games, interactive services, television shopping applications, as well as initiation applications to allow the decoder to be immediately operational after startup applications to configure the decoder. The applications are stored in memory locations in the decoder and represented as files of resource comprising graphic object description files, unit files, variable block files, instruction sequence files, application files, data files, etc. Conventionally, the applications downloaded to the decoder via the broadcast link are divided into modules, each module corresponding to one or more MPEG tables. Each MPEG table can be divided into a number of sections. In the case where the data transfer also occurs through serial and parallel ports, the modules are similarly divided into tables and sections, the size of the sections depending on the channel used. In the case of broadcast transmission, the modules are transported in the form of data packets within respective types of data streams, for example, a video data stream, an audio data stream, a data stream of text. According to MPEG standards, each packet is preceded by a 13-bit packet identifier (PID), a PID for each packet transported in the MPEG stream. For a given frequency channel, one or more program map tables (PMTs) contains a list of different data streams within that channel and defines the content of each stream through the reference to its respective PID. The PMT table or tables are accessible through a first Main Program Access Table (PAT).

In a digital broadcasting system, the information is carried in a plurality of frequency channels of a band of predetermined and fixed width. Within a single frequency channel, a plurality of audio and / or visual streams may be contained. For example, an individual video stream may be associated with a plurality of audio streams, doubling the program to a number of languages. Alternatively or in addition, multiple video streams may be contained in the video stream associated with the frequency channel and showing, for example, the same sporting event of different camera positions. Although these different audio and video streams are broadcast within the same frequency channel, the display can sense the change of the audio / video current within that frequency channel according to a real channel change. In addition to conventional audiovisual program information, other data can be carried in a frequency channel. As will be described later, this data may include menu presentation information associated with updated program summaries, etc. The PID values of said data can again be available through a PMT table. In order to provide a constant interface, some information is of necessity broadcast on all frequency channels. For example, the information associated with an application of "pilot" type indicating basic program information and options available to a user, can be broadcasted in all frequency channels, so that a user will always call this information, without considering the program or channel that is observing. In this way, a continuity of the interface is ensured. Referring to Figure 3, a group of controls associated with the remote control microphone 29 of the receiver / decoder will now be described. This representation of remote control corresponds to that currently supplied with the digital decoder system of Canal + media path. As will be understood, the response by the decoder to the activation of a particular control in the microphone is programmable and may vary according to the application loaded in the decoder. In this way, although certain functions (on / off, mute, etc.) are universal, others can change according to the decoder configuration. As shown, the microphone 29 includes a control PROG 40 and a PILOT control 41. In the channel decoder system + existing media path, these respective controls call a program guide listing the programs available on each channel and a pilot application giving information regarding the program that is being observed in the present channel as well as a certain amount of information with respect to other programs that will be shown in this or other channels at that moment, and in the near future, etc. In the context of the present application, as will be described below, the activation of the PROG 40 control of the microphone calls a more generalized main service menu, the program guide being accessible as an option within this menu, together with other services such as interactive shopping apps, etc. The application called by the pilot control 41 remains enormously unchanged. The microphone further includes a group of directional navigation buttons 42 for controlling the movement of a cursor on the screen within a menu presentation, as well as an "OK" control button 43 for selecting an item illuminated by the cursor. A group of number buttons 44 allows direct selection of an enumerated channel, input of numeric data such as credit card numbers, etc. The numerical controls 44 can also be associated with the input of a secondary group of data, such as the days of the week, day / night / afternoon, etc. These data can be printed on top of the controls and can be used when programming a timer application, navigation in a program guide, etc. The microphone 29 further includes a preference control button 45 giving access to a menu list of a limited number of preferred channels, as selected by the user. In this way, the user can quickly channel between the channels that you want to see more frequently. The control button 46 is used to exit an activated application or display menu. The SERV 47 control button is used to call a summary of the services available within an activated application, such as a user guide for a purchasing application. The "+" control button, 48, gives access to a menu allowing the selection of subtitles in a number of languages and / or the choice of the language used in the audio tape accompanying the presented program. The control button PERSO 49 calls an application that allows a user to establish and personalize certain basic functions of the decoder, including the volume of the audio output of the decoder, characteristics of the video output of the decoder. The control buttons A to E, 49, are generally not associated with a particular type of function, but can be used by certain applications and in the option of the programmer to activate particular functions such as returning to a previous menu, etc. Finally, the mute control button 50 deactivates or activates the sound that accompanies the presented channel, the TV / SAT 51 control allows the user to switch between received channels through a satellite input and those received at through a terrestrial antenna, and the dial button 52 allows the user to remotely switch the decoder on and off. Referring to Figure 4, the service menu 61 presented by the application after activation of the touch of PROG 40 in the present mode will now be described. As shown, the menu 61 comprises a list of services available to the user and is presented superimposed on the television program 60 broadcast on the channel in question. The list presented may vary according to the subscription rights of the user, it can also be ordered contextually depending on the channel that is currently being viewed and / or depending on the user's preferences. As shown, in the present case, the menu provides access to the following service groups: "Program Guide" Program Guide "Forum Stores" Interactive shopping channel "Channel Service" specialized service channels "Channel Mosaic" Presentation of mosaic channel (see below) "PERSONAL" Personalized services "Games" Games Interactive "Radios" Digital radios Menu 61 is a thematic menu and, as will be described, is associated with an arborescence of menu selections behind the indicated services. In some cases, the selection of a menu title, such as "Games" or "Channel Mosaic", can directly lead to a channel change. In such cases, the program 60 shown behind menu 61 in Figure 4 will be replaced. In other words, such as "Program Guide", "Channel Service", the selection of the title can lead to the presentation through the application of an additional sub-menu superimposed on the program that is currently being viewed. Of course, even after the channel has been changed, the user can be presented with an additional menu selection. For example, in the case of the selection of "Radios" a plurality of audio streams may be sent on the same frequency channel. The user being presented with an additional visual menu to allow selection of the desired radio station within that channel. Similarly, in the case of the "Games" channel, the user may select to download one of a plurality of games, all broadcast continuously on the same frequency channel. As shown in the two interior representations of Figure 4, the service menu 61 is deployed around a fixed bar 62 in response to commands received from the navigation keys 42 of the remote control microphone 29. The bar may include information additional, such as navigation arrows showing the possible directions of movement of the menu. Unlike conventional menu displays, where a movable cursor is moved around a fixed menu display, the same menu moves in response to the activation of the navigation keys 42. As shown in 62, in response to a first download navigation command, the menu scrolls to the title "Forum Stores", the previous title being moved above the horizontal bar 63 and the next title to the right of the menu scrolling over the title queue on the side on the left. At the same time, menu bar 62 has up and down navigation arrows to indicate that the menu can be moved in any direction. If the user again presses a downward navigation control, the menu is then displayed to the next title "Channel Service" as shown in 64. Again, the title immediately to the right of the menu is moved over the queue by hand left. A user can select the currently lit menu title in the menu bar by pressing the OK control button, 43, on the remote control microphone. Referring to Figure 5, the user selects the title of "Program Guide" shown in the upper frame, leading to a subsidiary menu or submenu shown in the second frame of Figure 5. This operation occurs on the current program background. observed, that is, the channel does not change. Within submenu 65, the user can select to have access to the information in relation to programs that are classified according to their gender ("By Gender") or according to the channel in which they are being broadcast ("By Channel") . The submenu may also include the option to access a complete electronic program guide ("The Magazine"). In addition to the downward navigation of the menu 65, as indicated by the down arrow, a user can also navigate backward to the previous menu 61 using the navigation button 42 which corresponds to the horizontal arrow that looks to the left shown above the menu 65. In the case in which the user selects summary information in relation to the genre of programs that come, the user will be presented with another menu 66 shown in the innermost frame of Figure 5 and classifying programs related to movies, sports , culture, documentaries, etc. As shown in the first frame of Figure 6, the user, in this case, has indicated that he wishes to receive summary information regarding programs classified as movies. In this case, you are presented with a menu that asks you if you want to receive the summary information regarding movies that immediately come ("all") or movies that are going to be shown at a later time ("night"). As shown in 68, in the second box, this menu by itself can be scrollable to a second position to select movies in the last time slot. If the user selects one of these options, the movie information shown in 69 in the lower box of Figure 6 will then be displayed. In this case, the summary information regarding movies shown on the two channels available in the last time slot is presented. This display 60 can also be shifted down to view the summary information regarding film presented on other channels during this time slot. As will be appreciated, the decoder continues to receive broadcast audiovisual information along the original channel selected by the user during all these operations and the display 60 continues to show the program being broadcasted on that channel. The data necessary to create the menus and update the program summary information can be encapsulated in supplementary digital packages sent together with the audiovisual information in the packet stream of that channel. In order for the user to have access to these menus and sub-menus without considering the channel they are watching, it is necessary that these data be transmitted substantially in all channels. The data used in this case may correspond to the type of data accessible through the "pilot" application, which is available on all channels (see above). All the previous menus and submenus access information available within the decoder or broadcasted generally in a number of channels. However, in some cases, access to service and information through the main service menu 61 through one or more sub-menus may be associated with a change in a dedicated digital channel. For example, the activation of the "Forum Store" or "Channel Tile" in the menu bar can cause the decoder to switch to a dedicated digital channel carrying specific information. In particular, in the case in which the user selects the option "The Store" in the submenu associated with "Program Guide" (Figure 5, tables 1 and 2), the submenu 70 shown in the first table in Figure 7 , will be presented. In this submen?, The user is presented with the selection of accessing the magazine through a thematic menu ("Por Genero") or through a channel menu ("Por Canal"). As will be seen, during the presentation of the submenu 70, the decoder remains tuned to the first digital channel, the submenu 70 being presented superimposed on the presentation of channel 60. As shown in the second table of Figure 7, if the user has Once the thematic selection "By Genres" has been collected, submenu 71 will be presented, giving the user the option of selecting what kind of program (film, sport, nature, etc.) he wants to read in the magazine. If the user then selects the "Movie" genre, the decoder then switches to the frequency channel containing the magazine and access the magazine on a page giving the details of an upcoming film, as shown in 72 in the first box of Figure 7. As will be understood, the location of the information within the transport stream in a The given frequency channel is provided by the PMT tables, etc., within the stream and it is a simpler matter to arrange certain types of information in corresponding predetermined PID packets within the stream. Then, the decoder can directly download and present the information of interest to the user using this PID information. In other modalities, the option of "The Magazine" can make the decoder switch directly to a digital channel carrying the journal information, the user is then presented with a main menu annexing the contents of the magazine. However, the advantage of using superimposed sub-menus to pre-select the access point before a channel change is that the user jumps straight to the most important information at the time of the channel change. One of the services offered in the main service menu guide is a grid or tile showing the content of all currently broadcast channels to the decoder. See Figure 4, "Channel Mosaics." After the selection of this option, the decoder changes to the frequency channel associated with this service and the grid 80 shown in Figure 8A is presented. The grid 80 is composed of a number of windows of presentation of thumbnail screens 81, each one showing in real time the program that is being displayed in a channel and each one including in 82 an indication of the name of the channel shown in the display window 81. The grid also includes a bar General information 84. An application inside the decoder generates a movable frame cursor shown at 83, this cursor can be moved horizontally and vertically using the navigation arrows on the remote control. For example, in Figure 8b, the cursor 83 has been moved to select the screen display associated with the third channel down, third cross over. The title of the program currently displayed on this channel is presented in the display bar 84. The decoder also selects and reproduces the audio stream associated with this channel. Pressing "OK" on the remote control then causes the decoder to clear the selected channel shown on that item. The grid shown in Figure 8A presents 20 channels. In practice, up to 60 or more channels can be received by the decoder. In this case, access to other program grids may be necessary. For example, when the cursor is positioned as shown in Figure 8A, the selection of the navigation arrow looks to the left so that the presentation changes to another mosaic of 20 programs. Similarly, when the cursor is on the right-hand side, the arrow selection of Navigation that looks to the right will make the presentation change to show another mosaic of programs. Mosaic screens of programs can also be linked so that the output of the last mosaic screen will take the user back to the first screen, etc. The program tile shown in Figure 8A presents a selection of all program channels broadcast to the decoder. However, in some cases, the decoder may not have access rights to all channels. For example, some channels may be dedicated to pay-per-view programming, or may require an additional subscription by the user. In this case, it is undesirable for a user to have complete access to audio and video to a program, even in a reduced screen version shown in the display windows 81. Therefore, in one embodiment, the application of the decoder that handles the Mosaic presentation is adapted to verify the duration in which the frame cursor remains in one position. After a period of, for example, 30 seconds, the application will compare the access rights of the channel in question with the access rights in the decoder in order to verify whether or not the user has all the access to the program or presentation of the program. channel in the mosaic window. In the case in which the user does not have the necessary access rights, the frame course will jump to another window in This mosaic, such as the first element in the upper left hand corner of the first screen. Alternatively, the cursor can jump to a screen element in a different tile. For a period of 5 minutes or more, the application may reject the cursor being placed back in the prohibited access window. In the case where the decoder does not have the necessary access rights, other means for disabling the presentation are possible. For example, the application can simply act to cut the audio output after 30 seconds, so that the user will no longer hear the sound tape associated with that program. In addition, or alternatively, the application can also act to cut the video output. In an alternative, time-out procedure, the application may take the necessary steps to reposition the cursor and / or cut the audio output immediately as the cursor is placed over the screen element for a prohibited access program or channel . In some cases, for example, where an adult material is presented, the decoder in all cases may obscure the presentation of video and audio for the program and channel in question, so that only the channel title information and program is presented in bars 84, 82. Since such material can be removed from all the mosaic presentations, without considering the access rights of the decoder, this step can also be performed upstream of the decoder at the transmission end (see below). Before or after performing any of the above actions, the application may propose to the user the opinion of paying access to the channel in question. If the user agrees, the application can change directly to the channel in question, using, for example, credits stored in the user's subscription card. Alternatively, the application may activate payment menu screens necessary to allow the user to open a subscription. These steps are standards and will not be discussed here in detail. The decoder can be programmed which mosaic channel program is always presented when the decoder is turned on. In addition, although the cursor can also be set on the same channel (for example, a hyperchannel as described below), each time the decoder is activated or a user switches to the tiling channel, there are other possibilities. For example, when the decoder is activated, a mosaic can be presented with the cursor illuminating the last channel seen by the user. Likewise, when the user changes from a channel to the tiling channel, the tiling screen, including this channel illuminated by the cursor, may be displayed, providing a type of "zoom" effect of a full-screen channel presentation to a Miniature version in a mosaic window element.

Referring to Figure 9, the architecture of the elements of the transmission system associated with the generation of the tiling channel will now be described. The video signals of sixty channels are received by a server 90 associated with a station 91. The server 90 acts to filter these video signals, which are not included in the mosaic, for example, video signals associated with channels only for adults, etc. The processed signals then pass to a processor 92, which resizes and resets the video signals within a screen display in order to generate three grid or tile screens shown at 93, which are then fed to the multiplexer 4. In a similar way, the audio signals of each of the channels are filtered in 94 and assembled and assigned PID values in 95 before being fed to multiplexer 4. In addition to the broadcasting of audio and visual data, other data can be entered through the injection server SA / DA 96 and an associated workstation 97. In particular, the server and the station enter configuration data in relation to the configuration of the elements in the mosaic (see below) ) together with pilot data containing the minimum information with respect to the broadcasting of programs in each channel. The pilot data may correspond to those used by the "Pilot" application and will be used by the application to generate the header information bar 84 in the top of the mosaic screen. The configuration data typically includes a description of the number of tiles, the size and position of each screen element within each tile, the desired size of the frame cursor, the boundaries of the cursor movement. This information will be used to allow the associated decoder application to correctly place and move the frame cursor. In addition, the data includes the position of each channel in the tiles (page number and coordinate), the PID of the associated audio sound tape in the assembled audio stream, and the channel reference in the pilot data. In order to allow the decoder application to directly change to a desired channel, the configuration data must also include the details of the channel (frequency, PID value) associated with a given element. You can also include access details (pay per event, subscription, etc.) in order to allow the decoder application to perform the operations described above to prevent a user from seeing and listening to a prohibited access channel. Finally, the configuration data includes the PID value of each tile page and a default header message (if any) associated with that tile page. The combination of the mosaic channel and service menus described above allows a user to navigate relative and easily and conveniently between, on the one hand, channels of available television broadcasting, and on the other hand, particular services available in one or more service channels. Now, the operation of a dedicated channel to provide a summary or guide of the combined services and / or available channels ("hyperchannel") will now be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Referring to Figure 10, a particularity of the hyperchannel mode is the permanent display of the service menu 61 on an audiovisual broadcasting program 100. As will be described, the broadcasting program is used to provide a "travel guide" to programs that come in some or all channels as well as describe the services available. The program may comprise, for example, a prerecorded video broadcast in rotation and changing every 24 hours. Since the channel is dedicated to facilitating navigation between services and channels, the format of the service menu 61 will also be permanently presented in order to provide a signalized starting point for electronic navigation between the services. Although presented, the service menu 61 is inactive, in the sense that it is necessary to press the PROG control between 40 on the remote control before selecting or passing between the titles listed in the service menu. The inactive state of the service menu is signaled to the user through an additional display bar 103 above service menu 61. The video program in the hyper channel can be broadcast and presented in sync with interactive messages presented. The program can refer to, for example, a movie that comes, the details of which are available in the electronic program guide "Magazine". The data (channel frequency, PID value, etc.) needed to access the magazine channel and in particular, the page of the magazine where the film is described, are transmitted concurrently with the broadcasting video. In synchronization with the broadcast video, the application of the decoder loaded with the hyperchannel handling will present an interactive request message 101 shown in the second frame of Figure 10 inviting the user to change directly to the magazine channel by pressing the "OK" button 43 in the microphone. If the user presses "OK", the decoder will then automatically re-tune the desired channel and the page of the magazine. Other interactive messages with reference to available services can be used to allow the user to jump directly to the description of a product on the appropriate page of the shopping channel "Forum Stores", etc. The broadcast video can also describe a movie that is available on a pay-per-view channel. In such an example, the hyperchannel application in the decoder is adapted to synchronously generate an interactive subscription request message 102 as shown in the innermost box of Figure 10. In the case where the user presses "OK" In the microphone, the decoder will automatically take the necessary steps to reduce a credit value or send a subscription request to a main server in order to allow the user to have the access rights to view the movie. Alternatively, or in addition, if the movie is currently being shown or is going to be shown on another channel, the decoder will re-tune and change the channel to the appropriate channel. Alternatively, or in addition the decoder can set a timer to remind the user to watch the movie when it occurs. As will be understood, in view of the synchronization of the hyperchannel application with the broadcast video, and the user of the "OK" button to select services described in hyperchannel broadcasting, it is necessary to deactivate the main service menu 61 during these operations to avoid selecting a title option from the service menu when it responds "OK" to an interactive message presented in sync with hyperchannel broadcasting. If the viewer presses the "OK" button on the remote control, the service menu will then become active and instruct the display bar 103 to disappear, as shown in the second box of Figure 11. Afterwards, the user can navigate up and down in the service menu using the navigation arrows 42 on the remote control and, in particular, you can select a menu title using the "OK" button 43.

When the service menu 61 is in an active mode as shown in Figure 11, the hyperchannel application in the decoder will stop the display of the interactive messages shown in Figure 10 and / or will not respond to said messages. In this configuration, the decoder responds to an "OK" signal by the remote control only to change to a submenu or channel indicated in the service menu or subsidiary menus. A user can deactivate the service menu and return to respond to interactive messages synchronized with the hyperchannel radio broadcast by exiting the menu using the microphone button 46 and / or by pressing the PROG 40 button for one second.

Claims (30)

1. A digital television system comprising a decoder and wherein the decoder is adapted to present a service menu providing access to at least one of a plurality of channels comprising a channel and a service channel, access to at least one of a plurality of channels proceeding through at least one subsidiary menu accessed by the service menu.

A digital television system according to claim 1, wherein said access to at least one of a plurality of channels proceeds through at least a second subsidiary menu accessible through at least a first subsidiary menu .

3. A digital television system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the decoder is adapted to access a service channel in a particular display screen within that service channel depending on the selected option within a menu subsidiary.

A digital television system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decoder is adapted to present the service menu and at least one subsidiary menu superimposed on the information transmitted in at least one of a plurality of channels.

5. A digital television system in accordance with the claim 4, wherein at least one service menu further comprises regularly updated information broadcasting together with the channel information over which the menus are superimposed.

6. A digital television system according to claim 5, further comprising transmission means adapted to broadcast updated information for at least one service menu substantially in all channels and service channels.

A digital television system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a remote control microphone associated with the decoder, the decoder being adapted to present the service menu in response to the touch of a single dedicated key on the microphone.

8. A digital television system comprising transmission means for transmitting a plurality of television channels and a decoder for receiving the plurality of channels, and wherein a channel is used to carry audiovisual information with respect to programs or services available in at least some of the other channels, the decoder being adapted to generate and display interactive messages superimposed upon and synchronized with the information with respect to at least one of the other channels.

9. A digital television system in accordance with the claim 8, wherein the decoder is adapted to change to another channel in response to a positive reply by a user to an interactive message.

A digital television system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the decoder is further adapted to switch to a predetermined display screen of a service channel in response to a positive reply to an interactive message.

11. A digital television system according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the decoder is adapted to perform payment steps in response to a positive reply by a user in an interactive message.

12. A digital television system according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the decoder is adapted when tuned to the guide channel to permanently display a service menu providing access to the channels and service channels received by the channel. decoder.

13. A digital television system according to claim 12, wherein the decoder is adapted to present the service menu in an inactive form.

14. A digital television system comprising a combination of any of claims 1 to 7 and any of claims 8 to 13.

15. A method for accessing at least one of a plurality of channels, comprising a channel and a service channel of a digital television system, said method comprises the steps of: displaying a service menu; access at least one subsidiary menu through the service menu; and accessing at least a plurality of channels through at least one subsidiary menu.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein access to at least a plurality of channels proceeds through at least a second subsidiary menu accessible through at least a first subsidiary menu.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein a service channel is accessed in a particular display screen within the service channel depending on the selected option within a subsidiary menu.

18. A method according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the service menu and at least one subsidiary menu is presented superimposed on the information transmitted in at least one of a plurality of channels.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein at least one service menu further comprises regularly updated information broadcast together with the channel information on which the menus are superimposed.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the updated information for at least one service menu is broadcasted substantially in all channels and service channels.

21. A method according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the service menu is presented in response to the touch of an individual dedicated key in a remote control microphone.

22. A method for providing access to information in a digital television system, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of television channels, a channel being used to carry audiovisual information with respect to one of the programs and services available in at least some of the other channels; and generate and present interactive messages superimposed on and synchronized with the information with respect to at least some of the other channels.

23. A method according to claim 22, comprising the step of switching to another channel in response to a positive reply by a user to an interactive message.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, comprising the step of switching to a predetermined display screen of a service channel in response to a positive reply to an interactive message.

25. A method according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein the payment steps are performed in response to a positive reply by a user to an interactive message.

26. A method according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein a service menu is permanently displayed to provide access to the received channels and service channels.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the service menu is presented in an inactive form.

28. A digital television system substantially as described herein.

29. A method of accessing at least one of a plurality of channels substantially as described herein.

30. A method for providing access to information in a digital television system substantially as described herein.