WO1998020677A1

WO1998020677A1 - Radio broadcast signal and method for processing the same

Info

Publication number: WO1998020677A1
Application number: PCT/EP1997/006032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Eitz; Andreas Weiss; Joachim Bareiss
Original assignee: Institut für Rundfunktechnik GmbH
Priority date: 1996-11-04
Filing date: 1997-10-31
Publication date: 1998-05-14
Also published as: DE19645435A1

Abstract

A radio broadcast signal with an analog or digital broadcast channel and a data channel for additional information. According to the invention, the data channel contains a first series of additional dynamic information, which provides a preview of subsequent contents of a programme which is momentarily broadcast in the programme channel along with the title and channel of the broadcast that follows (fig 2). Alternately, the data channel contains a third series of dynamic additional information, which provides a preview of at least the titles and channels of the selected programmes on the transmitter side and whose content is related to the programme being momentarily broadcast in the programme channel (fig. 4). According to a third alternative, the data channel contains a second series of additional dynamic information representing key words and topics in relation to the content of the momentarily received programme.

Description

BROADCAST PROGRAM SIGNAL AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING THIS SIGNAL

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a radio program signal according to the preamble of the independent claims 1, 2 and 6 and to methods for processing these radio program signals.

In digital television, it is technically possible due to the reduction process used (ISO / MPEG 2 standard) to offer the viewer an estimated 300 different television programs via satellite reception. So that the viewer can keep track of this program flood, electronic program guides (EPG's) are transmitted in the data channel of the radio program signal for one or more programs ("program bouquet"). Such EPGs are already standardized for analog radio program signals (prETS 300 707). There is no standard for digital radio program signals; rather, in the so-called set-top boxes (digital attachments and control devices for conventional television receivers and video recorders) system-specific EPGs used. In an EPG, the program contributions included in it can be cataloged according to various criteria, e.g. according to content (e.g. sports, news, culture, entertainment, business, etc.), according to channel names (e.g. ARD, ZDF, BFS, WDR3, etc.) or after broadcast times (eg "what's going on now"). How the viewer evaluates the offered catalog of criteria is up to him, which in any case is associated with a not inconsiderable operating effort.

In contrast, the object of the invention is to offer the viewer a convenient opportunity to put together his “desired program” according to his individual wishes and preferences.

This object is achieved according to the invention by designing broadcast program signals in accordance with the characterizing features of the independent claims 1, 2 and 6.

Advantageous methods for processing the broadcast program signals according to the invention result from patent claims 3 to 5 and 7 to 24.

The invention is based on the basic idea that, within the data channel of a radio program signal, as additional information, either a preview of the continuation of the content of the current contribution in another channel (and possibly the title of the subsequent contribution in the same channel) or subject keywords relating to the content of the current contribution. In the first alternative, the television viewer can electronically select the related content electronically via his remote control in order to remain within an individual "specialty channel" (eg "sports"). In the second alternative, the television viewer can electronically select one or more Thematic keywords set individual bookmarks that document which program contributions the viewer is particularly interested in. The bookmark or bookmarks set can then be evaluated in different ways in the set-top box. For example, bookmarks that have been set can be compared with the subject keywords of the program programs currently being broadcast, in order to signal the start of a “desired program” in another channel to the viewer. The viewer can switch to this other channel by pressing a confirmation button on his remote control. Set bookmarks can also be compared with the keyword catalog of an EPG to put together a personal program guide. This "personal program guide" contains, in chronological order, a compilation of all program contributions for a broadcasting period (day, week), the topics of which match the bookmarks set. In this way too, an individual "specialty channel" of a large number of full programs can be put together without having to send specialty channels. It is also possible to transmit a preview of program items selected by the broadcaster in the data channel which are related in content to the item currently being broadcast.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to examples in the drawings. It shows:

1 shows time diagrams of the signal occupancy of the program channel and the data channel of a radio program signal designed according to the invention, dynamic additional information and quasi-static additional information being contained in the data channel.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating various ways to bookmarks from transmitted additional information set, save and evaluate;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view for the screen display and further processing of first additional information, which in plain text a preview of the content of the ongoing program contribution "Wimbledon-Live") in another channel and the title ("free time") of the subsequent contribution in the same channel include;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view for the screen display and further processing of second additional information, which contain, in plain text, subject headwords "News", "France", "Paris", "Eiffel Tower") relating to the content of the current contribution ("Paris nightlife");

Fig. 5 is a schematic view for the screen display and further processing of third additional information, which in plain text a preview of the title and broadcast times of content related to the current program ("Paris nightlife") program contributions ("20: 15: 100 years Eiffel Tower (MUX ) "and" 22:00: Paris at night - In the Lido (1 +) ") in the same channel and / or in other channels;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view for the screen display of bookmarks which the viewer has set by selecting the subject keywords reproduced according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view for the screen display of one of the bookmarks ("gymnastics") according to FIG. 6 and the title of a program contribution ("artistic gymnastics from Poing") which corresponds to the bookmarks set in another channel (1 +); Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a set-top box for connecting a television, video recorder or radio to a digital radio program signal including decoding of additional signals according to the invention.

The information necessary for the bookmark is sent as additional information in a time-correlated manner to the associated television program in the data channel. 1 shows an example of a program channel and the associated data channel with dynamic and quasi-static additional information.

For example, during the 'Foreign Journal' program, the keywords 'News' and 'Journal' and during the following 'Art Gymnastics from Poing' program, the keywords 'Sport' and 'Gymnastics' are repeatedly transmitted as additional quasi-static information for cataloging the individual programs.

In addition, dynamic additional information is sent for subject headings on the content of the current entry, for example for the post 'Paris nightlife' within the 'Foreign Journal' the subject headings 'News', 'France', 'Paris' and 'Eiffel Tower'. On the other hand, the dynamic additional information during the 'Chechnya' article contains information about the content of the ongoing article "20:15 Live from Chechnya (MUX channel)" and, for example, an announcement for another program contribution selected by the broadcaster "20:00 Tagesschau (ARD ) ".

2 shows the various options for setting, storing and evaluating bookmarks from transmitted additional information. Whenever the viewer is spontaneously interested in additional information on the topic being presented during the program, he can use his remote control to call up the associated, dynamic additional information and display it on the screen. In a second step, he selects the desired bookmark information and collects it in the bookmark memory of his set-top box as set bookmark (s). Bookmarks that are set can be subject keywords 'News, Classical Music, Cooking, Pedagogy, Tennis' as well as information for program contributions '17: 00 Advice (ARD) 'or addresses for' Online 'and other radio data services, for example for an' Info - Guide 'or for the' Tennis ATP ranking '(see Fig. 2 middle).

The viewer can also select bookmarks regardless of the program currently running and save them in the set-top box. To do this, he calls up an extended EPG, which, in addition to the normal information such as program name, broadcasting time and title, also contains quasi-static additional information for cataloging the associated program contributions and selects from a list of all quasi-static bookmarks (...., 'Schlager', ' Switzerland ',' Series', 'Show', 'Sport', 'Talk', ....) select the keywords that interest him and save them as bookmarks. In a similar manner, information for desired program contributions or addresses for 'online' and other data services can also be transferred to the bookmark memory (see FIG. 2 top right).

There are various options for calling up the set bookmarks. It can be called up automatically by comparing the set bookmarks from the bookmark memory with the current, quasi-static additional information of the program programs that have just been sent. If a match is found, the impending start of the associated program contribution is signaled accordingly. For example the viewer receives the message, as shown in Fig. 2 bottom left, that a contribution from the Philharmonic will shortly begin in the MUX channel, for which the keyword 'classical music' applies. The viewer has the option of leaving the program they have just selected and switching directly to the signaled program contribution. At the end you can switch back to the selected program if necessary.

There is also the option of using bookmarks to compile a personal EPG. For this purpose, a list with program suggestions is automatically compiled from the EPG, which is expanded with quasi-static additional information, according to the key words collected. In a further step, the viewer selects his desired program from these contributions and passes it on to a timer. In accordance with the timer entries, the set-top box automatically switches to the selected entries (see Fig. 2 bottom right).

The dynamic additional information also contains identifiers which are evaluated on the reception side. The identifier 'Forced bookmarks' indicates whether the transmitted plain text information is displayed directly on the screen. In contrast, the identifier 'logo' signals whether a logo (see in Fig. 3-7, for example, 'LZ') should first signal the viewer of the presence of current additional information and the associated plain text information is only displayed after a specific button on the remote control has been pressed.

The method according to the invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of examples. With the help of the bookmark, an individual division program can be signaled from the sending side. This is achieved in that dynamic additional information of the first type with one or more Program suggestions in plain text and other information are transmitted, which enable easy switching to associated channels. It is thus easy for the viewer to be informed of the continuation of the content of a contribution or of a selected program color on another channel.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a television broadcast from Wimbledon in the MUX channel is continued in the 'ARD' channel because the 'Leisure time' contribution is provided at 16:00 in the ARD channel. Additional information with the identifier "compulsory bookmark" is now sent in the ARD channel, preferably at the end of the transmission from Wimbledon. The recipient evaluates the information and displays it on the screen in plain text "Next post 4:00 pm, Leisure time (ARD) or Wimbledon Live (MUX), switching: 'OK'". The viewer can accept the program proposal at the touch of a button change the new channel MUX and stay in the selected program color sports tennis.

Fig. 4 shows an example of dynamic additional information of the second type. During the contribution 'Parisian nightlife' additional information with the subject keywords "News", "France", "Paris", "Eiffel Tower" (see also Fig. 1) and the identifier Transfer 'logo'. The 'LZ' logo signals to the viewer that bookmark information is available. If he is interested in further information on the currently selected program, he presses a button on his remote control and the above-mentioned key words are shown in plain text. The viewer can select one or more subject keywords that are of interest to him and add them to the bookmark memory as set bookmarks.

5 shows an example of dynamic additional information of the third type shown. The dynamic additional data contains a preview of the titles and broadcast times of content related to the current program ("Paris nightlife") ("8:15 pm: 100 years Eiffel Tower (MUX)" and "10:00 pm: Paris at night - in the Lido" (1 +) "). Similar to Fig. 4, the logo 'LZ' signals that bookmark information is available. The above preview is displayed at the touch of a button. The viewer can mark one or both contributions and transfer them to the timer.

Similarly, the addresses for 'online' and other radio data services can be transmitted as dynamic additional information, called up by the viewer if interested, selected and possibly collected in the bookmark memory.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a compilation of set bookmarks "news, classical music, cooking, education, Paris, gymnastics", which the viewer receives from a bookmark offer from dynamic additional information according to FIG. 4 or from quasi-static additional information, as in FIG 2 shown at the top right. The subject keywords can be changed or deleted or a personal EPG can be called up, as already described in Fig. 2 below right.

FIG. 7 shows the automatic retrieval of bookmarks that have been set, as already indicated at the bottom left in FIG. 2. The viewer selected a children's program 'Pumuckl' on the ARD channel. Not perceptible to the viewer, the receiver carries out a continuous comparison in the background between the bookmark information set by the viewer and the received quasi-static additional information of the program programs just broadcast. In the example shown here, a match is found in the bookmark information "gymnastics" and one corresponding message is generated, for example a flashing logo 'LZ'. If the viewer is interested and presses a button on the remote control, the corresponding program contribution is announced in plain text: "Set bookmark gymnastics: gymnastics from Poing in channel '1 +', switch: OK". The viewer now has the option of switching directly to the announced contribution. If no key is pressed or the 'Cancel' key is pressed, the message disappears and the normal program sequence with the entry 'SchauXmal' is adhered to.

8 shows a block diagram of a set-top box for connecting a television set, video recorder or radio set to a digital radio program signal, including the decoding of additional signals according to the invention. Depending on the embodiment, the received RF signal is routed and demodulated on a satellite or cable tuner 1. In the following 'demux descrambler' 2, which is controlled by a processor 5, the signal is broken down into video, audio and data components and, if necessary, decrypted. The video components are fed to an MPEG video decoder 3, the audio components to an MPEG audio decoder 4 and the data components to processor 5. The decoded video and audio signals can, for example, be displayed or listened to on a television set using a SCART cable. The processor 5 is assigned a ROM 6, a RAM 7 and an interface 8, via which, for example, the remote control is queried.

The data portions are decoded by processor 5 and processed differently depending on the decoding result. If the processor 5 detects additional dynamic information for the currently selected program, the logo 'LZ' or the plain text information is output via the MPEG video decoder 3 on the in accordance with the transmitted identifier Screen. If the viewer confirms the information displayed, then either a switch is made directly to a new program by the 'demux descrambler' receiving appropriate control commands, or the corresponding plain text information, together with further type information, is stored in RAM 7 as a set bookmark. RAM 7 is expediently designed such that information stored therein can be stored for a long time without loss of data.

For the automatic retrieval of set bookmarks, a comparison is made of the quasi-static additional information arriving in the data channel with the bookmark information stored in RAM 7. It is useful to not only transmit the quasi-static additional information of the programs in the own multiplex signal in the data channel of a multiplex signal, but also the corresponding information for programs of other multiplex signals. If a match is found, a corresponding message appears on the screen. If the viewer confirms, the associated channel information is evaluated and corresponding control commands are passed to the 'Demux Descrambler' 2.

Furthermore, it appears expedient to allow processor 5 to carry out a check before displaying bookmark information for other program channels as to whether a program channel is even available for the set-top box and can be selected.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1.Radio program signal which, in addition to an analog or digital program channel, contains a data channel for additional information, characterized in that the data channel contains first dynamic additional information which provides a preview of the content continuation of the program contribution currently being broadcast in the program channel and at least of the title and channel of the subsequent contribution in include the same program channel (Fig. 2).

2. Broadcast program signal, which contains a data channel for additional information in addition to an analog or digital program channel, characterized in that the data channel contains third dynamic additional information, which contains a preview of at least the title and channel of program contributions selected on the broadcast side, the content of which is currently being broadcast in the program channel Program contribution are related (Fig. 4).

3. A method for processing a broadcast program signal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first dynamic additional information is reproduced user-term.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the reproduced first dynamic additional information can be selected by the user and that the selected first dynamic additional information an automatic channel switching at the user trigger.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the automatic channel switching takes place at the time of the beginning of the selected program contribution, which is sent first of several selected program contributions.

6. Broadcast program signal which contains, in addition to an analog or digital program channel, a data channel for additional information, characterized in that the data channel contains second dynamic additional information which represent subject keywords relating to the content of the program contribution currently received (FIG. 3).

7. broadcast program signal according to claim 6, characterized in that the data channel contains control information which controls the user-side processing of the second dynamic additional information.

8. A method for processing the broadcast program signal according to claim 6, characterized in that the second dynamic additional information is reproduced, preferably at the command of the user.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the reproduced second dynamic additional information can be selected by the user, and that the selected dynamic (s) Show additional information (s) set bookmarks for desired topics.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that subject-related keywords in a program guide, which are contained in the form of quasi-static additional information in the data channel, can be selected by the user, and that selected search criteria represent set bookmarks.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the bookmark or bookmarks are used for addressing content-related pages of data services which are transmitted in the data channel of a radio program signal or in another data network (e.g. Internet).

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the bookmark or bookmarks are compared with search criteria of a program guide, which is contained in the form of quasi-static additional information in the data channel.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the bookmark or bookmarks are compared with the search criteria of the program guide.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that as a result of the comparison, those program contributions of the programmer who can be selected to the set Bookmarks fit.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the selected program contributions of the program guide are displayed to the user.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the displayed, selected program contributions can be selected by the user.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the selected program contributions of the program guide trigger an automatic channel switching.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the automatic channel switchover takes place at the time of the beginning of the selected program contribution or of the selected program contribution which is sent first from a plurality of selected program contributions.

19. A method for processing the broadcast program signal according to claim 7, characterized in that the control information is evaluated in such a way that the second dynamic additional information is automatically reproduced during or at the end of the program contribution currently contained in the program channel.

20. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the or the set bookmark (s) are compared with quasi-static additional information, each of which identifies a program amount in subject-related keywords and is contained in the data channel of the radio program signal in a time correlation to the program contribution concerned.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that as a result of the comparison, the user or the matching topic (s) of the other program contributions are optionally displayed together with their channel information.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the displayed other program contributions can be selected by the user.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the selected program contributions trigger an automatic channel switching for the user.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that the non-selected, displayed program contributions are no longer displayed.