535433 A7 -----— B7_ 五、發明説明(7~) ' " —~ 这發明是大致關於互動式電視或被增強的電視廣播。 在增強式電視廣播或互動式電視中，電視内容可以伴 隨著增強内容而一起被散播。這些增強内容可以是超文件 G飾m 5文件，包括廣告、和節目内容相關的額外訊息或 其它^息。在某些例子中，使用者能藉著以滑鼠點選在顯 不态螢幕上與電視節目相關的適當圖像而連結至該增強内 容。 增強式電視内容的散佈可以在初始時就由機房端或伺 服器牽涉到内容的傳播。内容可以直接地被傳播到多數個 接收器或者它可以被傳播到介於其間的網路運作中心，該 中G此後再傳播该訊息到適當的接收器。因此，使每份增 強内容符合與特定時間的特定節目相關之特定的網路或頻 道識別符是重要的。 使增強内容符合節目的一種方式是提供一背景頻道， 以便接收增強式電視廣播的實體可以存取使增強内容關聯 至頻道或網路識別符用的訊息。然而，此種技術非必要地 浪費頻寬並且必須存在背景頻道連線，比如電話或網際網 路連線。 而且’在許多例子中，在一地區的頻道配置不會對應 於在其它地區的頻道配置。例如在美國，某一地區的二號 頻道可以是CB S網路頻道，而另一個地區的二號頻道可以 是NBC頻道。使用者通常是以頻道的形式在思考。 所以’識別多來源傳播之網路來源用的網路識別符必 須被關聯至特定的頻道，正如同增強内容必須被關聯至特 -------------- 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（210><297公釐） -4 -535433 A7 -----— B7_ 5. Explanation of the invention (7 ~) '" — ~ This invention is about interactive TV or enhanced TV broadcasting. In enhanced television broadcasting or interactive television, television content can be distributed with enhanced content. These enhancements can be superfiles and m5 files, including advertisements, additional messages related to the content of the program, or other information. In some examples, the user can link to the enhanced content by clicking with the mouse on the appropriate image related to the television program on the display screen. The dissemination of enhanced TV content can involve the dissemination of content from the computer room or server at the beginning. The content can be transmitted directly to a large number of receivers or it can be transmitted to the intervening network operations center, which then transmits the message to the appropriate receivers. Therefore, it is important to match each enhanced content with a specific network or channel identifier associated with a specific program at a specific time. One way to make the enhanced content compliant with the program is to provide a background channel so that the entity receiving the enhanced television broadcast can access the message used to associate the enhanced content with a channel or network identifier. However, this technique unnecessarily wastes bandwidth and there must be a background channel connection, such as a telephone or Internet connection. And, in many examples, the channel configuration in one region will not correspond to the channel configuration in other regions. For example, in the United States, channel 2 in one region can be a CBS network channel, while channel 2 in another region can be an NBC channel. Users often think in the form of channels. Therefore, the network identifier used to identify the network source of multi-source transmission must be associated with a specific channel, just as enhanced content must be associated with a special -------------- this paper standard Applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 > < 297 mm) -4-
Φ;: (請先閲讀背面之注意事项再填窝本頁) .訂丨 Φ, 535433 五、發明說明（2 , 定的頻道或網路識別符。在某些例子中 識別符、頻道與增強内容之間的關排㈣路 未見有任何技術是用以完成這功能。 目則， 網路=道需要一種更好的方法使增強内容可符合特定的 第1圖是本發明一實施例的概要描述； 述；第2圖是依循本發明一實施例之時間_頻道對映圖的描 第3圖是簡單時間目錄的描述； “A圖是依循本發明—實施例的時間_頻道對映圖； 映圖第4B圖是依循本發明一實施例的時間'網路識別符對 口口第5圖是依循本發明一實施例之增強式電視廣播其接 收器用的演化時間_頻道對映圖； 第6圖是依循本發明一實施例供網路運作中心用的重 新對映時間-頻道對映圖； f 第7圖是依循本發明一實施例允許增強内容被與網路 識別符或頻道·匹配用的軟體其流程圖；以及 第8圖是依循本發明一實施例使頻道能夠被網路運作 中心重新對映用的軟體其流程圖。 參看第1圖，機房端或伺服器12可以散佈電視節目到多 數個接收器。節目表可以是來自一或多個網路或其它電視 内容提供者。這内容可以是伴隨著增強内容或者增強内容 可以是從單獨的增強提供者被接收。 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（CNS) A4規格（21〇χ297公釐） 535433 A7 B7 五、發明説明（ 在不同的時候，被增強的電視内容可以是直接地或經 由網路運作中心16從機房端12廣播或散佈到接收器2〇。在 採用網路運作中心時，傳輸器14可以連接機房端12和一或 多個網路運作中心16。在一例子中，網路運作中心16可以 是服務特定地理區域的當地内容轉送者。 傳輸器14可以是散佈類比或數位增強式電視内容用的 各種傳送器之一。此類傳送器的例子包括那些被採用與電 纜、衛星及無線電廣播系統連接者。 網路運作中心16可以是被連接到比如硬碟機之存儲器 衣置22的以處理器為基礎之系統。存儲器裝置22可以儲存 使增強内容匹配網路識別符以及供重新對映特定的頻道和 時間識別符之配置用的軟體24和34。 時間識別符可以是網路運作中心16從機房端12接收之 預告串流的一部份。該預告串流可以是依循本發明一實施 例之依循先進電視增強格式（ATVEF)規格。參見ATVEF内 容規格，版本1·1γ·26(1999)。時間識別符或sid使增強内容 關聯電視内容。通常，時間識別符識別出對特定的廣播的 預告並且该預告繼而識別出和特定電視節目相關聯的特定 增強内容。當然，增強内容以及電視節目可以透過相同的 或不同的傳送器在相同或不同的時間被廣播。 網路運作中心16可以然後透過傳輸器18散佈被增強的 電視内容到多數個接收器20。傳輸器18可以是在機房端12 和、、，罔路運作中心丨6之間所採用相同的傳輸器或者可以使用 元全不同的技術。 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（⑽）A4規格（21〇χ297公釐） 6 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) .、tr— 535433 A7 ^^ ----57 ______ 五、發明説明（4 ) 接收器20可以是以處理器為基礎之系統，比如桌上電 腦、手持式電腦、以處理器為基礎之應用比如機上盒或任 何一種f其它的應用。每個接收器2〇可以包括被連接到接收 為20之存儲器26，它儲存指令使接收器2〇能夠關聯透過傳 輸器18所接收的時間訊息。因此，軟體24可以依循本發明 一實施例被被儲存於存儲器26上。 參看第2圖，時間目錄或時間_頻道對映圖包含了訊息 使得在預告中接收的訊息能夠被關聯到其它必要的訊息。 例如，給定一頻道和時間區間，時間_頻道對映圖可以提供 關於被關聯到該頻道上在該時間區間之節目表的增強内容 之訊息。在本發明一實施例中增強内容可以依據時間識別 符和版本（sidl，verl)而被識別。相同地，時間識別符以及 版本可以被關聯到某一時間區間内一頻道。通常，若給定 一按鍵或輸入，時間-頻道對映圖會依據所接收詢問而傳回 值的列表。 在一假想的例子中，節目的格狀或電子節目表其時間 橫跨水平軸，並且往左邊垂直邊界下方延伸的頻道使人們 能夠如第3圖中所述地把特定的頻道和時間關聯至特定的 立曰強内谷。由時間識別符sid2ii，ver.2vi識別的增強内容可 以關聯至二號頻道上從七點鐘到九點鐘的節目。因此，第3 圖看起來標示出由第2圖中所述形式之時間_頻道對映圖實 際提供的訊息。 參看第4 A圖，頻道-時間對映圖使給定的頻道數目關 聯到一時間識別符或sid。在廣播節目時間區間之内從機房 本紙張尺度關家標準（CNS) A4規格（2歌297公 Ί --—Φ ;: (Please read the precautions on the back before filling in this page). Order 丨 Φ, 535433 V. Description of the invention (2, a certain channel or network identifier. In some examples, identifiers, channels and enhancements There is no technology that can be used to accomplish this function. Therefore, the Internet needs a better way to enhance the content to meet specific requirements. Figure 1 is an embodiment of the present invention. Brief description; Description; Figure 2 is a description of the time_channel map according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 is a description of a simple time directory; "Figure A is a time_channel map according to the present invention-embodiment Figure 4B is a diagram of the time 'network identifier counterpart according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an evolution time_channel map of the receiver of an enhanced television broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a re-mapping time-channel mapping diagram for a network operation center according to an embodiment of the present invention; f FIG. 7 is a diagram that allows enhanced content to be associated with a network identifier or channel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Matching software and its flowchart; and Figure 8 It is a flowchart of software for enabling a channel to be re-mapped by a network operation center according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the computer room terminal or server 12 can distribute television programs to a plurality of receivers. The program list may be From one or more Internet or other television content providers. This content may be accompanied by enhanced content or enhanced content may be received from a separate enhanced provider. This paper standard applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (21 〇χ297mm) 535433 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (At different times, the enhanced TV content can be broadcast or distributed from the computer room terminal 12 or to the receiver 2 directly or via the network operation center 16. When operating centers, the transmitter 14 may be connected to the computer room 12 and one or more network operation centers 16. In one example, the network operation center 16 may be a local content transferer serving a specific geographic area. The transmitter 14 may Is one of the various transmitters used to distribute analog or digitally enhanced television content. Examples of such transmitters include those used with cable, satellite, and A cable radio system connector. The network operations center 16 may be a processor-based system connected to a storage device 22, such as a hard drive. The storage device 22 may store the enhanced content matching network identifier and information. Configuration software 24 and 34 for re-mapping specific channels and time identifiers. The time identifier can be part of the trailer stream received by the network operation center 16 from the computer room terminal 12. The trailer stream can be followed An embodiment of the present invention follows the Advanced Television Enhanced Format (ATVEF) specification. See ATVEF content specification, version 1.1 gamma 26 (1999). The time identifier or sid associates the enhanced content with the television content. Generally, the time identifier identifies A preview of a specific broadcast and the preview in turn identifies specific enhanced content associated with a specific television program. Of course, enhanced content and television programs can be broadcast at the same or different times through the same or different transmitters. The network operations center 16 may then distribute the enhanced television content through the transmitter 18 to the plurality of receivers 20. The transmitter 18 may be the same transmitter adopted between the computer room terminal 12 and the Kushiro operation center 6 or may use a completely different technology. The size of this paper applies the Chinese national standard (⑽) A4 specification (21 × 297 mm) 6 (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page). Tr- 535433 A7 ^^ ---- 57 ______ V. Invention Explanation (4) The receiver 20 may be a processor-based system, such as a desktop computer, a handheld computer, a processor-based application such as a set-top box, or any other application. Each receiver 20 may include a memory 26 connected to the receiver 20, which stores instructions to enable the receiver 20 to correlate time information received through the transmitter 18. Therefore, the software 24 can be stored on the memory 26 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2, the time list or time_channel map contains messages so that the messages received in the trailer can be linked to other necessary messages. For example, given a channel and time interval, the time_channel map may provide information about the enhanced content of the program schedule associated with that channel in that time interval. In an embodiment of the present invention, the enhanced content may be identified based on a time identifier and a version (sidl, verl). Similarly, the time identifier and version can be associated with a channel within a certain time interval. Normally, given a button or input, the time-channel map returns a list of values based on the query received. In a hypothetical example, a grid of programs or an electronic program schedule spans the horizontal axis, and the channels that extend below the left vertical border allow people to associate specific channels and times to those shown in Figure 3. The particular Li Yue Qiang Valley. The enhanced content identified by time identifiers sid2ii, ver.2vi can be linked to programs on Channel 2 from seven to nine o'clock. Therefore, Figure 3 appears to indicate the information actually provided by the time_channel map in the form described in Figure 2. Referring to Figure 4A, the channel-time map relates a given number of channels to a time identifier or sid. From the computer room within the time interval of the broadcast program, the paper standard (CNS) A4 specification (2 songs 297 km Ί ---
r r f (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) 、τ· Φ, 535433 A7 -----------B7_ 五、發明説明（5 ) 端12或網路運作中心16，一或多個頻道可以具有相關的增 _容。假使接收裝置是接收器2G或網路運作中心16，它 還不可以取得特定的增強内容。 相同地，在第4B圖中所示實施例内，不採用關聯頻道 數目到時間識別符，採用網路識別符。網路識別符使增強 内容與特定的網路相關聯，比如美國廣播公司或ABC。第 '圖中所不μ施例可以搭配延伸跨越數個地理區域的廣 播使用各自使用不同的頻道供相同的網路用。假使接收 到網路識別符，它此後有可能在任何給定的地區之内關聯 到供該網路識別符用的適當的當地頻道數目。 曰對於不同的增強時間之預告開始被接收時，例如第 4Α圖中所示時間·頻道對映圖開始具有額外的訊息或鍵 結:所以增強的特定訊息可以然後變成可用的。所以，參 看=5圖4寺疋的頻道比如二號頻道可以擁有特定的時間識 別符和特定的版本。然而，在這情況中，特定的接收㈣ 或罔路運作中心16仍然尚未接收任何六號頻道用的訊息。 在使用符合第4Β圖的網路識別符之實施例能採用相 同形式的時間·頻道對映圖。可以從可自機房端㈣播的時 間敘述通訊協定（SDP)獲得版本識別。 時間敘述通訊協定是被陳述於例如可從網路工作群取 仵並於1998年4月發行的註解之請求(RFC)2327内。所以， 伴隨著時間識別符的版本可以識別出特定的增強内容。 第6圖顯示第4A圖的頻道-時間對映圖在它已經被例 如網路運作中心16重新對映去關聯到特定地區的頻道配置 ^紙張尺度適用中國哪）人4規格⑵似撕公^ *------rrf (please read the notes on the back before filling this page), τ · Φ, 535433 A7 ----------- B7_ V. Description of the invention (5) Terminal 12 or Network Operation Center 16, 1 Or multiple channels may have related capacity enhancements. If the receiving device is a receiver 2G or a network operation center 16, it cannot obtain specific enhanced content. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the number of associated channels to the time identifier is not used, and a network identifier is used. Network identifiers associate enhanced content with specific networks, such as the ABC or ABC. The embodiment shown in the figure can be used with broadcasts that extend across several geographical areas, each using different channels for the same network. If a network identifier is received, it may thereafter be associated with the appropriate number of local channels for that network identifier within any given region. When pre-announcements for different enhancement times begin to be received, for example, the time-channel map shown in Figure 4A begins to have additional messages or bonds: so specific information for enhancements can then become available. Therefore, see = 5 Figure 4 Temple Temple's channel such as channel two can have a specific time identifier and a specific version. However, in this case, the specific receiving station or the Kushiro operation center 16 has not yet received any message for the sixth channel. The embodiment using the network identifier according to Fig. 4B can use the same form of time-channel map. Version identification can be obtained from the Time Description Protocol (SDP), which can be broadcast from the computer room side. The narrative protocol is stated in, for example, a Request for Comments (RFC) 2327, which is available from the Internet Working Group and issued in April 1998. Therefore, the version accompanied by the time identifier can identify specific enhanced content. Fig. 6 shows the channel-time map of Fig. 4A. In it, it has been re-mapped by, for example, the network operation center 16 to disassociate the channel configuration to a specific region. * ------
(請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填寫本頁) Φ! 、?τ— 五、發明説明（6 ) 之後的情形。所以，—铗 χ 一唬頻道現在已經變成八號頻道並且 /號頻道現在擁有先前愈_ 、^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ I、一號頻道（當從機房端12接收時） 相關的時間識別符。可 认上 」以几成對其它頻道數目相同的轉 其内提供網路識別符的系統中可以採用相同的方 案。在此情況下，網路識別符可以被轉換至當地的頻道數 在某—例子中’特定的頻道可以由網路運作中心16被 重新對映到其它頻道數目，或者由於特定的網路運作中心 16不可以選擇再廣播特定的頻道而可以移除特定的頻道。 不透過月不頻道或使用其它技術存取所需的表格，比 如第4A圖中所示的時間·頻道對映圖可以從機房端被廣播 到網路運作中心16。此後，該對映圖可以簡單地在當地(亦 P在，罔路運作中〜16)被重新對映去關聯至適當的當地訊 息。重新對映原始廣播對映圖所需的訊息可以在當地從與 網路運作中心16相關的存儲器獲得。 所以，時間-頻道對映圖形式的物件導向設計可以提供 可插入式骨架元件，它可以被修正去符合發出標準以及^ 增強式預告圖表内的差異。配置特定的增強内容給特定的 網路或頻道可以在接收端方便地改變以達成當地的需求。 轉向第7圖，常駐於網路運作中心16的時間_頻道對映 軟體24是從判斷包含預告的内容是否已經被接收而開始， 如菱形28所判斷。如果是的話，頻道（或網路識別符），°時 間識別符以及版本可以如方塊30所標示地被抽出。然後可 以採用這訊息去充填例如第6圖中所示形式的時間_頻道對 映圖。相同地，接收器20可以採用第7圖中所示流程去生成 W5433 五、發明説明（7 例如第5圖中所示形式的對映圖。 轉運作中心16可以使用第8圖中所示頻道重新對映 體Κ去重新安排特定的增_容給特定賴道。-接收 一J重新對映q求，如方塊％所標示，軟體Μ如方塊μ所標 丁地接收頻道替換。替換的時間識別符是符合新的頻道如 方塊4〇所標示。新的時間-頻道對映圖然後被充填如方塊42 所標示。 士果如菱形44中所標示地選取，可以從對映圖刪除任 何未使用的增強内容。例如，如果旗標被設定，可以如方 ⑽所標示自動地刪除未使用的增強内容。否則，可以簡 單!也保持未使用的增強内容，即使它們從未會被最終的接 收為選取。旗標設定會是使用者可以經由圖形使用者介面 予以選取。 一在本發明已經針對有限數目的實施例描述加以描述的 同日守，熟悉此技藝者將會暸解從其而來的數種修正及變 異。吾人期望所附加的申請專利範圍涵蓋了落在本發明真 實精神及範疇之内的此等修正及變異。 元件標號對照 (請先閲讀背面之注意事項再填窝本頁) 、^τ— Φ, 12…機房端 14，18···傳輸器 16…網路運作中心 20··.接收器 22,26…存儲器裝置 24,34··.軟體 10 本紙張尺度適用中國國家標準（〇^5) Α4規格（21〇χ297公釐）(Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) Φ !,? Τ— 5. The situation after the description of the invention (6). Therefore, the — 铗 χ channel has now become channel number eight and channel number / now has the previous time_, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ I, channel number 1 (when receiving from the computer room terminal 12) related time identifier. It can be recognized that the same scheme can be used in a system in which the network identifier is provided in the same number of pairs of other channels. In this case, the network identifier can be converted to the local channel number. In some cases, 'a specific channel can be remapped by the network operation center 16 to other channel numbers, or due to a specific network operation center. 16 You cannot choose to rebroadcast a specific channel and you can remove a specific channel. The required forms can be accessed without using the channel or using other technologies, such as the time-channel map shown in Figure 4A, which can be broadcast from the computer room to the network operation center16. After that, the map can simply be remapped locally (also in Kushiro in operation ~ 16) to be remapped to correlate to the appropriate local information. The information needed to remap the original broadcast map can be obtained locally from the memory associated with the network operations center 16. Therefore, an object-oriented design in the form of a time-channel map can provide a pluggable skeletal element that can be modified to comply with emission standards and the differences in the enhanced teaser chart. Assigning specific enhanced content to specific networks or channels can be easily changed at the receiving end to meet local needs. Turning to FIG. 7, the time_channel mapping software 24 resident in the network operation center 16 starts by judging whether the content containing the notice has been received, as judged by the diamond 28. If so, the channel (or network identifier), ° time identifier, and version can be extracted as indicated in box 30. This information can then be used to fill the time_channel map in the form shown in Figure 6, for example. Similarly, the receiver 20 can use the process shown in FIG. 7 to generate W5433. V. Invention Description (7 For example, the map in the form shown in FIG. 5. The transfer operation center 16 can use the channel shown in FIG. 8 Re-enantiomer K to re-arrange specific enhancements to specific channels.-Receive a J to re-map q, as indicated by block%, software M receives channel replacement as indicated by block μ. Time of replacement The identifier is consistent with the new channel as marked in box 40. The new time-channel map is then filled as indicated in box 42. The fruit is selected as indicated in diamond 44 and any unscheduled map can be deleted from the map Used enhancements. For example, if the flag is set, unused enhancements can be automatically deleted as indicated by Fang. Otherwise, it can be simple! Unused enhancements are also maintained, even if they will never be eventually received For selection. The flag setting will be selected by the user via a graphical user interface.-As the present invention has been described for a limited number of embodiment descriptions, those skilled in the art will Understand the several amendments and variations that come from it. I expect that the scope of the added patent application covers these amendments and variations that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Component reference comparison (please read the precautions on the back first) Refill this page), ^ τ— Φ, 12 ... machine room side 14,18 ... transmitter 16 ... network operation center 20 ... receiver 22,26 ... memory device 24,34 ... software 10 This paper size applies the Chinese national standard (〇 ^ 5) Α4 size (21〇297mm)