WO2001054408A1

WO2001054408A1 - Receiver device, information-providing device, information-providing system, and reproduction device

Info

Publication number: WO2001054408A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/000328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kazuhiro Sato
Original assignee: Sony Corporation
Priority date: 2000-01-19
Filing date: 2001-01-19
Publication date: 2001-07-26

Abstract

A televiewer pushes a predetermined button of a commander (21) to attempt to buy furniture (32) seen in a scene (31), such as a drama or movie, displayed on the screen of a television receiver (105). A remote control signal from the commander (21) reaches the receiver, and a description (33) of the furniture (32) appearing on the scene (31) is displayed. The televiewer determines whether to buy the furniture (32) based on the description (33). Upon deciding to buy the furniture (32), the televiewer pushes the purchase button of the commander (21) to send an electronic commerce company a purchase order for the furniture (32) together with the user ID. When the electronic commerce company accepts the order with the user ID, the television receiver displays information indicating that the purchase order has been accepted.

Description

Specification

Receiving device, information providing device, information providing system, and playback device

The present invention relates to a receiving device, an information providing device, an information providing system, and a reproducing device that enable a user to obtain information such as an advertisement and a product as required when receiving a television broadcast, for example.

Background art

In television broadcasting (commercial broadcasting), CM (commercial) is the main source of income and is essential, and it was common for CM to be broadcast during programs. The viewer purchases the product aired as CM at a store or the like. In recent years, network transactions and electronic commerce, which are represented by the Internet, have become popular as purchase forms of goods.

CM is sometimes annoying to viewers. Therefore, increasing the airing time of the CM had a problem of lowering the audience rating. It has also been proposed to automatically cut CM when recording a broadcast program on a VTR, a hard disk device, or the like. Therefore, there is a demand for an advertising method that does not make the consumer feel troublesome. In addition, when purchasing products through network transactions, there is a problem that it takes a great deal of effort to find the products that you want.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an effective advertisement for both a sponsor and a consumer, and a receiving device, an information providing device, To provide an information providing system and a playback device.

Disclosure of the invention

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 includes main information and Receiving means for receiving one or more sub-information related to the main information; separating means for separating the main information and the sub-information received by the receiving means;

Storage means for storing the sub-information separated by the separating means; reproducing means for providing the user with the main information separated by the separating means; and main information provided by the reproducing means, divided into a plurality of parts. Receiving means for receiving a part selection instruction,

A receiving device for providing a user with sub-information related to a selected portion.

The invention according to claim 12 is an information providing device for transmitting main information and sub-information multiplexed to the main information to a receiving device,

An information providing apparatus characterized in that main information is divided into parts provided to a user, and sub-information is information on the parts.

The invention according to claim 19 is an information providing system comprising an information providing device and a plurality of receiving devices,

The information providing device is

The receiver transmits, to the receiver, main information composed of a part provided to the user and sub-information multiplexed with the main information and relating to the part.

A receiver for receiving the main information and one or more sub-information related to the main information;

Separating means for separating the main information and the sub information received by the receiving means;

Storage means for storing the sub-information separated by the separating means; reproducing means for providing the user with the main information separated by the separating means; Main information provided by the reproducing means is divided into a plurality of parts, and a receiving means for receiving an instruction to select a part is provided;

An information providing system characterized by providing sub-information related to a selected portion to a user.

The invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that an information transmission signal including a main information transmission unit for transmitting main information and a sub information transmission unit capable of transmitting at least one of sub information related to the main information is input, Playback device that plays back the sub information based on the playback of

Reproducing means for reproducing main information based on the information transmission signal;

Separating means for separating sub-information from the information transmission signal;

A reproduction device comprising: a temporary storage unit for temporarily storing the sub-information separated by the separation unit; and a control unit for reading and outputting the sub-information stored in the temporary storage unit from the temporary storage unit based on a user's instruction. Device. The main information is, for example, dramas and movies broadcasted on television. The sub information is, for example, advertisement information. If you are interested in a part of the screen, the music, etc. that is being broadcast and you are currently watching, you will be instructed to specify that part. In response to this instruction, that portion of the advertisement is made. Advertising information does not appear in the main information, and advertisements are provided only when the viewer is interested. As a result, it is possible to advertise in a preferred form for both the information provider (broadcasting station, sponsor) and the viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a VBI signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a data configuration of a VBI signal in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the definition of code 1 and word 2 of the VBI signal in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the definition of a category code in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of transmitting product data using a VBI signal in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of a receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of a commander of a remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart used for describing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram used for describing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of a remote control commander according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram used for describing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of data configuration in another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an entire system using a television broadcast according to an embodiment, for example, a current terrestrial television broadcast. 1 0 1 is a broadcasting station, Broadcasting station 101 broadcasts dramas, news, sports programs, etc. produced by the broadcasting station itself or an external program production company. The broadcasting station 101 is the information providing device. 102 is an advertising agency. The advertising agency 102 produces related information such as product advertisements, product purchases, and location guidance as advertisement information related to programs to be broadcast, for example, dramas. The advertisement information is superimposed on, for example, the vertical blanking period in the video signal of the program. The television broadcast 103 transmitted from the broadcasting station 101 is a television receiver 105 at home 104. Received and played back. Television receiver 105 is a user terminal. The receiver 105 is connected to an e-commerce company 107 via a communication path, for example, a telephone line 106. The telephone line 106 is an example of a communication path, and a network such as a digital line and the Internet may be used.

The e-commerce company 107 provides the product and settles the price when the viewer sees the advertisement multiplexed in the broadcasted program and decides to purchase the product. For example, the e-commerce company 107 is provided with a database for user management, and collates the user identification information received with the product purchase request with the database. When a purchase request is received from a user who has been registered in advance and is capable of making payment, information indicating that the purchase request has been received is returned to the television receiver 105, and The delivery information is sent to the product delivery system so that the target product is delivered to the user, and payment is made, such as withdrawing the price from the viewer's bank account, which has been contracted in advance. If a purchase request is made by a user who is not registered in the user database, no instructions for shipping the product and no payment will be made. However, in order to acquire new users, e-commerce company 107 Information for user registration may be transmitted to 105, and new registration of a user may be accepted.

In one embodiment, a broadcasted program, such as a thing or place appearing in a drama, has a function as an advertisement, and viewers watching the program by the television receiver 105 are interested. When an object, a place, and the like are instructed by the instruction means, advertisement information on the instructed object, the place, and the like is presented. Since the advertisement information is multiplexed with the video signal of the program, it is assumed that the advertisement information and the program are temporally synchronized. Looking at the presented advertisement information, the viewer performs an operation to instruct purchase of a product or the like. The purchase instruction is sent to the e-commerce company 107 via the telephone line 106, where the product is delivered and the price is settled.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. First, an identification signal referred to as a VBI signal used to multiplex the advertisement information into a television signal will be described. The VBI signal is inserted in the 20th and 283rd horizontal periods of the vertical blanking period in the video signal of one frame, respectively. The 20th vertical blanking period is in the first field, and the 283rd vertical blanking period is in the second field.

FIG. 2 shows the waveform of the VBI signal. A 2-bit reference Ref and a 20-bit digital signal from bit 1 to bit 10 are inserted into the effective video signal area after the horizontal synchronization signal and the color burst signal. The reference level is specified as 70 IRE (International Radio Engineers), and the binary level of the digital signal is specified as 0 IRE or 70 IRE. IRE indicates the luminance level of the video signal of the NTSC system, and 100 IRE is the brightest white. The reference frequency fc of the reference and digital signals is If the transmission frequency is fsc, it is selected as (fc = fsc / 8 ^ 447kHz).

FIG. 3 shows a 20-bit digital signal. If you add the numbers from bit 1 to bit 20 in temporal order, the first two bits are differentiated from word 0, the next four bits from word 1, and the next eight bits from word 2. Finally, a 6-bit CRC code (cyclic redundancy code) for error detection is attached.

Word 0 (bit 1, bit 2) contains information about the transmission format of the video signal. Word 1 (bit 3, bit 4, bit 5, bit 6) specifies the information carried in word 2 (bit 7, bit 8, ..., bit 14). It is a dad.

FIG. 4 shows the information of word 2 specified by word 1. If word 1 is (100), word 2 represents the category code. In layer 2, bit 14 is the most significant bit (MSB) and bit 7 is the least significant bit (LSB). The "P" in the MSB represents the odd parity for bits 3 to 13, and the "CH" in the LSB represents the channel. The power categorical code has sixty-four bits (bit 8 to bit 13) indicating sixty-four categories, as shown partially in FIG. However, not all of the 64 types are specified. In FIG. 5, the blanks indicate the categories with undefined categories.

When word 1 is (1001), word 2 represents a control code or character code (upper data), and when word 1 is (1001), code 2 is a control code or character. Indicates the sign (lower order data). Here, in a language system in which the character code is expressed in two bytes, such as Japanese, for example, one character is designated by two data, upper data and lower data. In a language system that can be expressed in bytes, ヮ A character is represented only by data whose code 1 is the lower data of the character code of (1 0 1 0).

Furthermore, if word 1 '(110), word 2 represents the coordinate X (new), and if word 1 is (111), word 2 represents the coordinate Y (new). If word 1 is (0 1 0 0), word 2 represents the coordinate X (old); if word 1 is' (0 0 1 1), word 2 represents the coordinate Y (old). These coordinates X and Y define the position on the screen. For example, the previous position of a person with movement is represented by (X (old) Y (old)), and the new position is represented by (X (new) Y (new)).

The end code is defined as word 1 (1 1 1 1), and all 8 bits of word 2 are set to "0". The end code indicates the end of data related to one scene. A reset code is specified, in which word 1 is (0000) and all 8 bits of code 2 are set to "0". For example, this reset code is inserted into the data in correspondence with the scene change.

Characters for advertisement information and the like can be transmitted using the VBI signal in the format described above. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B show the product data in case of English as the 1-byte code character range, "Item Number 2 7 0 P rice ¥ 2, 0 0-G This explains an example of sending "oods". Fig. 6 (:, Fig. 6D, Fig. 6E show the product data as "product number (Japanese" 5110- ^ 88 [^-00 "" means Item Number) 2 7 0 Price (Japanese "KA-KAKU" means P rice.) 20000 yen (Japanese "MONO" means Goods.) For example, “go ods” is a commodity item, and in one embodiment, in addition to “goods”, “people”, “music”, and “place” are defined as items. The listener can specify an object of interest in the scene by specifying an item in each scene of the program.

For such product data, the advertising agency 102 receives program information such as dramas and movie scripts broadcast from the broadcasting station 101, and relevant information can be known from the program information. The related information is the product name of the thing used in the studio, its manufacturer or sales route, information on the location on the screen, the name of the actor, information on music such as back music, and the like. On the other hand, by comparing the database of a telecommunications sales company, etc., the price of the product can be determined, so that product data can be generated in association with the program.

When transmitting the above-mentioned product data, for example, in a broadcast in a language zone where characters can be specified in one byte, such as English, as shown in Fig. 6A, first, bits 6 to 7 of word 1 are transmitted. 3 powers (10000), indicating that word 2 is a category code. In word 2 (category code), bit 7 (LSB) is fixed to, the code indicating the category from bit 8 to bit 13 is (00111), and bit 14 (Odd parity) power 1 ". (0101100) can be understood from the table in FIG. 5 that the category content represents (product data: object).

Next, as shown in Fig. 6B, the code of the first character "I" in the product data is transmitted. Bits 6 to 3 of word 1 are assumed to be bits (1010), and bits 7 to 13 of word 2 are the lower bits of the character code (10011001) and odd parity ( It is composed of 0 of bit 14). Similarly, the characters "t", "e", "m",..., "0", "0", "0", "5" are transmitted.

Next, assuming that the broadcast was in a linguistic sphere where characters are specified in two bytes, such as kanji, as in Japanese, for example, as shown in Fig. 6C, Bits 6 to 3 of word 1 are the bits (10000), indicating that word 2 is a category code. Word 2 (category code) is fixed at bit 7 (LSB) power, and the code representing the category from bit 8 to bit 13 is (00111) and bit 1 4 (No, Rity) is set to "1".

As shown in Fig. 6D, the upper-order code in the JIS code of the Chinese character "quotient" ("SH0" in Japanese) as the first character in the product data is transmitted. Word 1 is from bit 6 to bit 3 (1001), and word 2 is from bit 3 to bit 7 (0 1 1 1 1 1 0) and odd parity (bit) G) 14) 0. Then, as shown in Fig. 6E, the lower code of the character (kanji) "quote" ("SHO" in Japanese) is transmitted. Bit 1 to bit 3 of word 1 are assumed to be (1 0 1 0), and bit 13 to bit 7 of word 2 are the lower parity (0 1 0 0 1 1 0) of the character code and odd parity. It is composed of 0. As a result, the character "quote" ("SHO" in Japanese) is transmitted. In the same way, "product" ("HIN" in Japanese) "number" ("BAN") in Japanese "go" ("GO" in Japanese) Transmits the characters "MO NO").

Information related to the broadcasted video information and the like is created by creating a broadcast program so that the video information is projected or vertical blanking is always repeatedly received while music is being played. I have.

In the present invention, a method other than the above-described method using the VBI signal may be used to transmit advertisement information used for advertisement, sale, location guidance, and the like of a product. For example, in digital broadcasting such as digital satellite broadcasting, it is possible to multiplex a bucket of advertisement information while maintaining a relationship of being reproduced in synchronization with a program. Also, the program is VTR, When recording on a storage medium such as a hard disk or an optical disk, the received advertisement information is recorded together with the video and audio information of the medium. In that case, if it is an analog VTR, the VBI signal can be recorded as it is. In the case of a digital recording medium, the advertisement information obtained by demodulating the VBI signal is stored so as to maintain the synchronous relationship with each scene of the program.

Furthermore, it is also possible to form the advertising information into a fixed text and divide it into a fixed part and a variable part, and to omit the transmission of the character information itself in the fixed part. In the example of the product data described above, “Item Number 27 0 (“ Item No. ”(“ SH0-ΗίΝ-BAN-G0 ”in Japanese)),“ P rice ”(“ Price ”(Japanese Characters such as "KA-II))" and "YEN" ("Yen" (Japanese YEN)) can be assigned to distinguishable codes. The same standardization of messages used for sales is also possible.

Further, in the present invention, an object of interest is specified by an item in a display being broadcast as a program. However, the location information on the screen may be used as a parameter with or instead of the item. In other words, advertisement information is created corresponding to a position on the screen or an object, person, etc. included in the divided area of the screen, while the user specifies an object of interest by inputting the position or the area. It is made to do. For example, some digital broadcast receiving apparatuses receive an EPG (Electorical Program Guide) and display a cursor on a screen for an operation of receiving a desired program. Therefore, in the case of a digital broadcast receiving device, the user can specify a target by using a position input device such as a cursor. The advertisement information is linked to the user's instruction according to the location or area information. Further, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the television receiver 105. The television signal received by antenna 1 is supplied to high frequency amplifier and mixer 2. When a signal of a predetermined frequency from a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 3 is input to the high frequency amplifier and mixer 2, a desired channel is selected. Data defining the frequency generated by PLL 3 is input from CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4 to PLL 3.

The CPU 4 controls the entire receiver, and R 0 (Read Only Memory) 5, RA (Random Access Memory) 6, and a modem 7 are connected to the CPU 4. The CPU 4 executes the software stored in R0M5 and uses the RAM 6 as a work area. The user identifier of the television receiver 105 is registered in the ROM 5, the IC terminal, or the like. The user identifier registered in the IC card 17 allows data to be read out by the CPU 4 through the card connector 16 via the IC card interface.

In addition, information obtained by demodulating a reception signal from the remote control light receiving unit 8 by the remote control demodulation unit 9 is input to the CPU 4. The light receiving section 8 receives, for example, a transmission signal obtained by modulating infrared rays from the commander 21 of the wireless remote controller. Also, the product data obtained in the product data demodulator 12 is input to the CPU 4. In addition, the modem 7 enables two-way communication with the e-commerce company 107 as a settlement center via the telephone line 106.

The intermediate frequency signal from the high frequency amplifier and mixer 2 is supplied to the video and audio demodulation unit 11 via the intermediate frequency amplifier 10. Also, the intermediate frequency signal is supplied to the product data demodulator 12. The demodulation unit 1 and 2 It separates the VBI signal superimposed on the wave signal, and demodulates, for example, product data that is text information from the format VBI signal described above. The obtained product data is stored in the RAM 6 under the control of the CPU 4. Each time the product data is received under the control of the CPU 4, it is overwritten in the storage area of the RAM 6 divided into categories. By doing so, it is possible to easily maintain the relationship between the displayed video, the music being played back, and the related data stored in the RAM 6.

From the video and audio demodulation unit 11, an audio output and a video output are obtained. The audio output is reproduced by a speaker via an audio signal output unit (not shown). The video output is supplied to a display such as a CRT or a liquid crystal (not shown) via a 0 SD (On Screen Display) unit 13. To the OSD unit 13, product data relating to the item based on, for example, text information specified by the user is input, and the display of the product data is added to the video output of the program. Note that a product advertisement, a product guide, a message for purchasing, or the like may be provided to the user as voice. As shown by the broken line, for example, a hard disk device 14 may be provided as the AV data storage device. The AV data storage device 14 solves the problem that the program cannot be watched for the user to specify the product, view the product data, or consider purchasing the product. . In other words, temporarily store the audio and video data (AV data) of the program being broadcast during the operation of the product, and after a series of operations are completed, play back and output from the AV data storage device 14 It is made to watch.

In addition, in the interactive television system and Internet TV, the content distributors such as dramas and movies are sent to the content distributors. The pause may be requested, and when the operation related to the product is completed, the pause may be released. Further, in one embodiment, since the demodulated product data is stored in the RAM 6, it is possible to perform an operation on the product after the end of the program.

An example of the commander 21 of the remote controller will be described with reference to FIG. The commander 21 has a power on / off button 2, a channel switching button 23, and a volume switching button 24, like the commander of a normal television receiver. In addition, item buttons 25a, 25b, 25c.25d for designating items and a purchase button 26 are provided. The item button 25a designates a "object (modeled object)" as an item. The item button 25b specifies "person" as an item. Item button 25c specifies "music" as the item. The item button 25d specifies "location" as an item. In addition, the purchase button 26 is pressed when deciding to actually purchase the item.

The purchase button 26 indicates a purchase decision, so that it is not accidentally pressed. For example, if the purchase button is pressed for more than a predetermined time, pressing the purchase button is valid, if pressing twice, pressing the purchase button is valid, or pressing the purchase button 26 causes yes / A no confirmation screen is displayed, prompting the user to select yes / no.

In each scene of a drama, movie, etc. being broadcast, each item corresponds to one specific object, so that the viewer can specify the object of interest without specifying the position or area on the screen can do. Therefore, the method using the commander 21 shown in FIG. 8 can be realized relatively easily in the current analog television broadcasting. Noh. It is not necessary to limit each item to one in each scene. For example, by pressing a button of the same item a plurality of times, advertisement information of products in the same item may be displayed in order. Each item will be described more specifically. Item button 25a is pressed when you want to purchase the currently displayed item. The item button 25b is pressed when you want to know the music software such as the CD of the currently displayed person, the book that was written, and concert information. As a result, they can purchase music software, books, and concert tickets. The item button 25c is pressed when the user wants to purchase information about the music currently being played and music software containing the music. The item button 25c is pressed when the user wants to know information about the current location such as an amusement park, a hotel, a restaurant, and the like. As a result, it is possible to purchase an amusement park admission ticket and make reservations for hotels, restaurants and the like. The purchase button 26 is pressed when the user sees the presented advertisement information and finally purchases a product or ticket or reserves a hotel. By pressing the purchase button 26, a purchase request is transmitted to the television receiver 105.

In the present invention, the user is not limited to the remote control, and the user may give an instruction by voice, and the television receiver 105 may understand the instruction by voice recognition. In addition, an imaging device may be provided on the television receiver 105 side so that a user's instruction can be understood by photographing a specific part of the user, for example, a hand movement, and analyzing the photographing result. One embodiment of the present invention described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process performed under the control of the CPU 4 of the television receiver 105. In Fig. 9 The first state S 1 is a state in which the desired product is shown in the scene of the program being viewed by the viewer. In step S2, it is waiting for the viewer to press the item button. When the viewer presses the item button, the product data of the specified item in the scene is input from RAM 6 to 0SD 13 (step S3).

In the next step S4, it is determined whether or not the viewer has pressed the purchase button 16. When the purchase button 6 is pressed, in step S5, the CPU 4 knows that a purchase request has been issued, and sends a product purchase request instructing the purchase of the target product via the modem 7 and the telephone line 106. Send to the trading company 107. In that case, a user identifier for identifying the viewer who wants to purchase is also transmitted. Preferably, the television receiver 1

Authentication and encryption are used between 05 and e-commerce company 107 to ensure the security of transmission and reception. Although omitted in FIG. 9, when the e-commerce company 107 receives the user identifier and the product purchase request, information indicating that the request has been received is returned to the television receiver 105. Then, the CPU 4 of the television receiver 105 displays a message to that effect and presents sound to the user.

The operation of one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A shows one scene 31 such as a drama or movie displayed on the screen of the television receiver 105. When the viewer wants the furniture 3 2 shown in the scene 3 1, he presses the item button 25 a of the commander 21. Item button 25a indicates the item of "thing".

The remote control signal from the commander 21 is supplied to the demodulation unit 9 via the light receiving unit 8 and demodulated in the demodulation unit 19. CPU 4 receives a signal indicating that item button 25a has been pressed, and displays the currently displayed item button. Control is performed so that product data on furniture 3 2 of scene 3 1 is input from RAM 6 to SD 13.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the message 33 is displayed in a display method related to the furniture 32 of the scene 31. For example, the message “ABC can be purchased at the furniture center. Item number 1 0 7 Price 1 5 0 0 Furniture. Would you like to buy it?” Is displayed. The viewer sees this message 33 and decides whether or not to purchase furniture 32.

If you want to purchase furniture 3, press the purchase button 16 of commander 21. When the purchase button 16 is pressed, a purchase request is accepted by the television receiver 105, and a purchase request of a product, such as furniture 32, and a user identifier are transmitted by the CPU 4 to the modem 7 and the telephone line 1. It is transmitted to e-commerce company 107 through 06.

When the user identifier and the product purchase request are received by the e-commerce company 107, information indicating that the request has been received is returned to the television receiver 105, and the information of the television receiver 105 is received. The CPU 4 is configured to display a message to that effect and present a sound to the viewer. Further, in one embodiment, a history of operations performed by the viewer, such as item selection, music selection, and purchase instruction, is stored in a non-volatile storage device of the receiver, and the operation history is periodically and irregularly recorded. The e-commerce company may be able to take this up. This is useful for investigating the effectiveness of advertising and preventing fraudulent transactions.

Next, another embodiment that is an extension of the embodiment will be described. In another embodiment, summary data and detailed data are prepared as product data for each item. Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 11, a remote control commander 2 1 having a detail button 27 'Is used. Also, in the example of FIG. 10 for explaining the above-described embodiment, one item is included in one scene, but in another embodiment, the same item is used. Consideration that two or more are included.

FIG. 12 shows two scenes of a television broadcast program for explaining another embodiment. In Scene 1 shown in Fig. 12A, there are Al1, A12, and A13 as objects belonging to the item, and B1 as a person belonging to the person's item. There are 11 and B12, and C11 as a music item. Scene 2 shown in Figure 12B below contains the music of A 21, the person of B 21, and the music of C 21.

An example of data transmitted as a VBI signal corresponding to such a television program is shown in FIG. At the beginning of scene 1, a reset code is inserted in response to switching from the previous scene to scene 1. The reset code will destroy the previous product data. Next, data related to the items included in scene 1 are arranged in order.

First, for example, data of the object A11 is arranged. The category code indicating the category of the thing is positioned at the top, and the category code indicating the summary data is positioned next. Next to this is summary data, for example, product data consisting of multiple 1-byte characters. Then, the category code indicating the detailed data is located after the summary data, and then the detailed data is located. A command corresponding to the summary data is displayed on the screen by selectively pressing the item buttons 25 a to 25 d of the commanders 21 and, and further detail data is displayed by pressing the detail button 27. It is displayed on the screen.

After the detailed data, coordinate data indicating the position of object A11 on the screen is placed. Is placed. The coordinate data indicates, for example, the coordinates of the center position of the object A11. As coordinate data, old coordinates (X1, Y1) and new coordinates (XI ', Y1') are added. Then, an end code indicating the end of data on the object A11 is arranged.

Next, the data of person B 11 is placed. The data regarding the person B 11 1 has the same data configuration as the data of the object A 11 described above. Hereinafter, data on other items included in scene 1 are arranged in order.

Coordinate data is included in the same scene and is used to distinguish multiple identical items. For example, the coordinates of object A11 are different from the coordinates of object A12. Every time the user presses the item button 2 5 a of the commander 2 1 ′ on the remote control, the object to be selected is switched from the object A 1 1 to A 1 2 — A 1 3. A marker such as an arrow is displayed for each of the objects A11, A12, and A13 on the display screen, and each of them is highlighted, so that the object selected by the user is displayed. Recognize things.

In addition, the coordinate data is updated to the one after the item is moved in the same scene. For example, when a person moves, the coordinates of that person change even in the same scene. The coordinates before the change are the old coordinates, the coordinates after the change are the new coordinates, and the old coordinates need to be rewritten with the new coordinates. The reason for having both the old and new coordinates is to identify the coordinates to be rewritten by the old coordinates.

In the present invention, an image as main information and product information as sub-information are superimposed and displayed on the display screen of the television receiver. However, the sub information may be output to the outside, and the sub information may be displayed on a separate display device. For example, the sub information is output to a personal computer, and the sub information is displayed on a display. You may make it output.

The above embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to television broadcasting, but the present invention can also be applied to a CATV (cable television) receiver. Further, the present invention can be applied to text multiplex broadcasting such as FM text multiplex broadcasting. In FM text multiplex broadcasting, text data is frequency multiplexed on the higher frequency side than the stereo signal component. That is, a carrier of a predetermined frequency, for example, a carrier of 76 kHz is modulated with character data by LMSK (Level Controlled Minimum Shift Keying). Therefore, the advertisement information can be transmitted as character data.

The advertisement information in the case of FM text multiplex broadcasting is such that the item button is pressed when the viewer wants to purchase the music being broadcast, similarly to the above-described embodiment. As a result, information on the music being broadcast (artist name, record company, CD album name, price, artist concert information, etc.) is displayed as characters. Then, when the purchase button is pressed, the purchase request of the viewer is accepted by the radio receiver, and further, the user identifier and the product purchase request are transmitted from the radio receiver to the e-commerce company via a telephone line or the like. Sent. Thereafter, the viewer can purchase music software containing music by the same processing as in the above-described embodiment. Further, the present invention can be applied to a case where a computer receives images, sounds, and the like via the Internet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to display, to the viewer, the sub-information related to the part specified by the viewer in the main information of the received program or the like. Therefore, by applying the advertisement information as the sub information, the viewer can see only the advertisement related to the part of interest. Also, CM This makes it possible to reduce the time required for the advertisement, and to provide a preferable form of advertisement for both the broadcasting station and the viewer. In other words, movies, dramas, music, etc., which are broadcast by television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, etc., are equivalent to CMs, and the number of CMs that need to be broadcast independently can be reduced. As a result, the viewer does not have to watch the CMs he does not want to see, and the drop in audience rating due to the longer CM time can be prevented. Also, as in television receivers with a built-in hard disk drive, it is becoming possible to easily skip commercials. However, according to the present invention, broadcasted contents such as dramas and movies are used as advertisements. Playing a role makes it impossible for ads to be skipped.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Receiving means for receiving the main information and one or more sub-information related to the main information,

Storage means for storing the sub-information separated by the separating means, and a reproducing means for providing the user with the main information separated by the separating means;

The main information provided by the reproducing means is divided into a plurality of parts, and a receiving means for receiving an instruction to select the part is provided, and the sub information related to the selected part is provided. A receiving device provided to a user.

2. In Claim 1,

The reproducing means is a display means,

The receiving device is characterized in that the instruction is performed by dividing the image of the main information displayed on the display means into the parts, making the parts correspond to the items, and designating the items.

3. In Claim 2,

The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-information comprises data configured for each scene of the main information and for each of the portions.

4. In Claim 3,

The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-information includes coordinate data corresponding to a position where the portion is displayed by the display unit.

5. In Claim 4,

The coordinate data changes reflecting the movement of the part. Receiving device.

6. In Claim 1,

The receiving device, wherein the receiving means receives the instruction wirelessly.

7. In Claim 1,

The receiving device, wherein the receiving means receives a user's voice and analyzes the received voice.

8. In Claim 1,

The receiving device includes an imaging device that captures a user's motion, and analyzes a motion of a specific part of the user.

9. In Claim 5,

A receiving device, wherein the specific part is a movement of a user's hand.

10. In claim 1,

In addition, it has communication means with the outside,

A receiving apparatus for transmitting a request from a user based on the provided sub-information to the outside by the communication means.

1 1. In Claim 10,

The receiving device, wherein the request is a request to purchase a selected part.

12. An information providing device for transmitting main information and sub-information multiplexed to the main information to a receiving device,

An information providing apparatus, wherein the main information is divided into portions provided to a user, and the sub-information is information on the portions.

1 3. In Claims 1 and 2,

The sub-information is product information relating to the part. Information providing device.

1 4. In Claims 1 and 2,

An information providing device, wherein the sub-information is advertising information on the portion.

1 5. In Claims 1 and 2,

The main information is image information, and the image of the main information is divided into the portions,

The information providing apparatus, wherein the sub-information comprises data configured for each scene of the main information and for each part.

1 6. In Claim 15,

The receiving device, wherein the sub-information includes coordinate data corresponding to a position where the portion is displayed on a display unit of the receiving device.

1 7. In Claim 16,

The information providing device, wherein the coordinate data changes reflecting the movement of the portion.

1 8. In Claim 12,

Receiving means for receiving a user identifier from the receiving device and a purchase request for the part;

Has a user management database and

By comparing the received user identifier with the user management database, it is determined whether the purchase request can be accepted,

An information providing device, which transmits to the receiving device that the purchase request has been accepted.

1 9. In an information providing system comprising an information providing device and a plurality of receiving devices,

The information providing device, And transmitting, to the receiving device, main information composed of a portion provided to a user and sub-information related to the portion multiplexed with the main information,

The receiving device,

Receiving means for receiving the main information and one or more sub-information related to the main information;

Storage means for storing the sub-information separated by the separation means; and a reproducing means for providing the user with the main information separated by the separation means;

Receiving means for receiving an instruction to select the part, wherein the main information provided by the reproducing means is divided into a plurality of parts, and the sub information related to the selected part is provided to a user. An information providing system characterized by being provided.

20. An information transmission signal including a main information transmission unit for transmitting main information and a sub information transmission unit capable of transmitting at least one of the sub information related to the main information is input. In the reproducing apparatus that reproduces the sub information based on the instruction of

Reproduction means for reproducing the main information based on the information transmission signal; separation means for separating the sub information from the information transmission signal; and temporary storage means for temporarily storing the sub information separated by the separation means. When,

A control unit for reading and outputting the sub-information stored in the temporary storage unit from the temporary storage unit based on a user's instruction.

2 1. In Claim 20,

The main information is image data, and the reproducing unit reproduces an image and combines the sub information read from the temporary storage unit output by the control unit with the main information to form an image. Output playback device

2 2. In Claim 20,

The sub-information comprises classification information,

A reproducing apparatus, wherein the control means selects sub-information to be read from among the sub-information stored in the temporary storage means, based on the instruction of the user and the classification information of the sub-information.

2 3. In Claim 20,

The main information reproduced by the reproducing means is at least image information,

The sub information includes position data indicating a predetermined position in the image reproduced by the reproducing means.

The reproducing means is configured to combine predetermined information in the vicinity of a position corresponding to the position information among the reproduced image information based on the position information included in the selected sub-information, and reproduce the combined information. Playback device.

2 4. In Claim 13,

The reproduction device in which the predetermined information synthesized and displayed is a predetermined symbol.

2 5. In Claim 3,

The playback device, wherein the information displayed near the predetermined position is information related to the main information included in the sub information.

2 6. In Claim 20,

The reproducing device is a device for reproducing the sub data separated by the separating means. A playback device further comprising an output unit for outputting to the outside.

2 7. In Claim 20,

The reproducing apparatus further includes a detecting unit that detects a predetermined data from the sub data,

A reproducing apparatus, wherein the control means discards the sub-information stored in the temporary storage means when the predetermined data is detected by the detection means.

2 8. In Claim 17,

The above main information is at least image information,

A reproduction apparatus, wherein the predetermined data is included in the vicinity of a scene change in which relevance between image information is reduced.