NL1017540C2 - System allows remote individuals to take part in TV program via Internet and to determine changes in plot of dramas, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The viewer has a television receiver (2) and a computer (3) connected to the Internet. At the television studio (5) is a control system (4) also connected to the Internet via an input/output module (11). The viewer communicates with an operator (12) who is also equipped with a television receiver (9) and a computer (10). The viewer's wishes are communicated via a database (8) to the production suite (7).

Description

Method and system for participation in broadcasting programs BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a broadcasting system comprising broadcasting control means, a broadcasting transmitter and broadcasting receivers for producing, broadcasting and receiving radio or television broadcasting programs, respectively. Such a system is generally known as public radio or television broadcasting.

Recently there has been a movement in the television market towards a combination of internet and television and the introduction of digital television. It is expected that with the breakthrough of digital television all kinds of services will be introduced on the television such as interactive television shows, interactive weather reports, personalized television guides etc. However, it is to be expected that the introduction of these services will take quite a while. Until enough digital television sets are available on the market, it is already possible to offer similar services via the internet, but using current resources.

It is known that many viewers during television broadcasts 20 discuss questions that are raised there. These can be questions about the perpetrator in a thriller or questions asked to candidates in a game show. Viewers also often need a competitive element and, like the television candidate, they would like to participate.

25

THE INVENTION

The invention proposes a system in which - using the current conventional means - the public is offered the opportunity to participate in television (and radio) programs with a suitable character, such as quizzing, games, "televoting" etc To this end, the broadcasting system according to the invention provides for the presence of I / O means (server) for producing, transferring to user terminals and receiving back I / O data relating to the content of such a broadcasting program. 35 As user terminals, PCs, laptops, palm tops and (mobile) telephones can be used. The network to be used for exchanging the I / O data may be the internet or the network may be used. the (mobile) telephone network. The I / O data can be exchanged with the users via e-mail, via a suitable internet "page", for example 40 part of the internet "site" of the broadcaster, or from another organization that offers the service in question. does not offer for a fee. The I / O data can also be exchanged by means of SMS ("Short Message Service") or via a VRS ("Voice Response System").

The I / O data transmitted to the users generally comprise one or more queries to those users relating to the content of the relevant broadcast program. Preferably, the I / O means are suitable for automatic processing of the responses that are returned to the I / O means by the users in response to the questions. Furthermore, the orep call control means or the 1/0 means are preferably suitable for inserting the processed answers into the broadcast program 10. As a result, after the question / answer part of a program can be reported how many participants gave the correct answer, or how many votes were cast on A, B, C etc. Such "results" can even be sent to the individual participants via the "reply" function of e-mail and SMS. Depending on the purpose of use of the system according to the invention, it may be desirable for the user to log in to the I / O means, stating one or more broadcast programs and his / her (IP, GSM, etc.) address.

The I / O means may comprise data terminals operated by a human operator. This enters the questions associated with a program and sends them to the user terminals. If the operator is already engaged in the program preparations, the questions and answers can be entered into a van / 0 server database prior to broadcast. Because then also the "good answers" can be entered in that server, the I / O server is thus also able to compare answers received during or after the transmission of the users with the "good" answers and to compare them efficiently. process, resulting in a "public winner" or "viewers' preference".

30 IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 1 shows an implementation example of the invention.

Via a broadcasting channel 1, a television program is broadcast to television sets 2. The program is broadcast either "live" or after being recorded in advance. The means for this are represented by control means 4 and a studio 5. The heart of the control means 4 is formed by a computer system 6 with different interface elements: a control console 7, a database 8, monitors 9 and data terminals 10. One for the An essential part of the invention is an I / O module 11 through which I / O data relating to the television program 40 can be sent to the user terminals 3 and received back therefrom. The I / O data consists of questions - such as multiple choice questions etc. - that can be entered by an operator -3-12 during or before the broadcast via a data terminal 10. During the broadcast, for example, the operator 12 can read or listen to the questions from the monitor 9 on which, like the general public, she can follow the broadcast. However, the questions 5 can also be entered into the database 8 and stored therein very well in advance of the preparations for the program, as well as other program-related program elements and attributes such as lighting 13, background screens 14, image processing parameters. add separately included 10 sub-programs, etc., including the associated time schedules, which are also stored in the database. All this is well known in the modern broadcasting company: computer control plays an important role in this. Thus, the questions and answers in the computer system 6 can be properly "programmed" before the program 15 is broadcast. The processing of the replies to be received from "the public" during the broadcast via the "public terminals" 3 is therefore preferably also entered in advance in the server 6 and stored in the database 8. The questions and answers are exchanged with the public terminals 3 via the I / O module 11. The questions are sent either fully automatically, under the control of the time schedules stored in the database, all under the supervision of a director, who directs the whole via the console 7 or terminal 10. A certain amount of time is set for sending the answers back if the answers can be processed at a certain moment. Generally, this response time will expire before the television program has ended, so that the audience response can still be processed and shown during the broadcast.

In the manner described, asking questions to the public can form a substantial part of the program. In other words, in the development and development of new television programs, a substantially new dimension can be added to those programs by the present invention: automated audience participation. In the following we assume a game show, but the idea is also applicable to movies, SOAP series etc. The concept assumes that television viewers have a PC near the television that has an internet connection via cable, ADSL or a modem. Viewers who want to participate in a television show with, for example, ABCD multiple choice questions, must register via a webpage at the ISI game service. This recording can take place some time before the broadcast 40. Registration can be free or paid. With paid registration this can take place via a credit card or via a 0900 number. With both variants the user receives an identification code.

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That provides access to the final registration.

After registration, the viewer will receive an e-mail or SMS as confirmation. The viewer can register for the final game from a certain time before the start of the broadcast. At the start of the 5th game show, the viewer is pushed through the internet with a number of advertising messages. With every question asked in the game variant of this concept, the person asking for the question on his PC 3 is given the option of answering himself, alongside the candidate on the screen. You can only answer within a certain time and before the candidate gives an answer. Responding to the PC 3 can be done in many ways, among others.

by checking a box next to a, b. c or d or clicking on a button. Depending on the concept, the question and answers can also be displayed on the internet device.

After each question, every viewer gets to see what his score is and what his 15th place is in the ranking. The place on the ranking is based on different parameters: * Speed of response.

* Changing choice * Correct answer 20 * The point value of the question.

During advertising moments in the television program, the content on the PC 3 is also linked.

At certain moments in the television broadcast, extra questions will also be asked to the viewer. These are the bonus questions based on 25 of which the viewer can win a prize. These bonus questions are the only questions that entitle you to a prize, in order to prevent the public from benefiting from pre-recorded television broadcasts. At the end of the broadcast, the winners will be notified immediately but also by e-mail what their prize is.

Claims (11)

A broadcast system, comprising broadcast control means (4), a broadcast transmitter (1) and broadcast receivers (2) for producing, broadcasting and receiving radio or television broadcast programs respectively, characterized by I / O means (6-11) ) for producing, transferring to, and receiving back from, user terminals (3) of I / O data relating to the content of such a broadcast program. 2. A broadcasting system according to claim 1, characterized in that the I / O data transmitted to the users includes one or more queries to those users relating to the content of the relevant broadcast program. 3. A broadcasting system according to claim 2, characterized in that the I / O means are suitable for automatically processing the responses that are sent back by the users to the I / O means in response to the questions. A broadcast system according to claim 3, characterized in that the broadcast control means or the I / O means are capable of inserting the processed answers into the broadcast program. The public address system according to claim 1, characterized in that the user logs in to the I / O means. A broadcast system according to claim 1, characterized in that the I / O data is transmitted via an IP based network. 7. A broadcast system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the I / O data are transferred via an e-mail system. A broadcast system according to claim 6, characterized in that the I / O data is transmitted via an "internet site". The broadcast system according to claim 1, characterized in that the I / O data is transmitted via a telephony-based network. A broadcast system according to claim 9, characterized in that the I / O data is transmitted via an SMS system. A broadcast system according to claim 9, characterized in that the I / O data is transmitted via a "Voice Response" system.