WO2004110080A2

WO2004110080A2 - System for transmitting digital messages by land microwave link, wire connection or satellite

Info

Publication number: WO2004110080A2
Application number: PCT/FR2004/000771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Haddad; Charles Carlotti; Philippe Blouin
Original assignee: Texas De France (Sas)
Priority date: 2003-06-03
Filing date: 2004-03-26
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Also published as: WO2004110080A3; EP1629671A2; FR2855928A1; FR2855928B1

Abstract

System for transmitting digital messages by microwave link, wire connection or satellite, comprising transmitting the digital messages with an adapted server (1), via a wired network (5) or a microwave network (7) of land or satellite type, to all the digital receivers (12) used for the television channel reception, wherein the messages are received directly on digital topbox receivers so arranged that the messages received on the television set (11) can be viewed or listened, and wherein the system is further capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages and digital photographs shot by mobile phones. The system is designed for being capable of transmitting, particularly from a computer or a stationary or mobile phone, and receiving on a digital television terminal e-mails, SMS, voice messages or digital photographs shot by an mobile phone provided therefore.

Description

SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DIGITAL MESSAGES OVER THE TERRESTRIAL WIRELESS LINK, CABLE OR SATELLITE ^'

The present invention relates to a system for transmitting digital messages by terrestrial radio link, by cable or by satellite.

It is intended to allow the transmission, in particular from a computer or a fixed or portable telephone, as well as the reception on a digital television terminal, of an e-mail, of an "SMS" , a voice message or a digital photo taken by a mobile phone equipped for this purpose.

Currently, the reception of e-mails or electronic messages transmitted in "packets" according to the Internet protocol, requires the connection to a telephone line and the use of a computer or a mobile telephone provided with appropriate equipment. hoc.

The cost of these solutions is excessive for low-income populations, who generally did not _^ access to sufficient quality telecommunication networks for this type of service. The complexity of using a computer and the Internet also puts off many people, especially the elderly. However, these people would be delighted to be able to easily receive messages at a lower cost.

A patent application established by the applicant of this document and registered under the number FR 03 03 175, describes a multi-functional digital satellite terminal to which a "USB" (Universal Serial Bus) port has been added with one or more connectors, as well as office application software allowing basic functions such as word processing, printing, faxing, photo reader and video games.

This device is designed specifically for receiving stations. television channels transmitted by satellite and does not allow digital messages such as e-mails or "SMS" to be received television receiver.

Furthermore, existing network equipment does not allow the transmission from a fixed or mobile telephone set to a television receiver, of voice messages, "SMS" or e-mails, nor of digital photos taken by a telephone. portable.

The present invention aims to remedy this state of affairs. It allows reception of messages such as "e-mails", voice messages or digital photos on a television set. It does not require a telephone or computer connection to receive messages and the warning of receipt of a message is sent directly to the television without the need to connect to the Internet.

It also allows, thanks to specific addresses, the broadcasting of teletext or mobile telephony services, as well as the sending of advertising messages.

The method consists in transmitting by means of a suitable server, by terrestrial or satellite cable or hertzian network, the electronic messages to all the digital receivers used for the reception of television channels, the reception of the messages taking place directly on digital decoder receivers arranged to allow viewing or listening to messages received on the television, the system used being further equipped to be able to transmit and receive voice messages and digital photos taken by portable telephones.

In the accompanying drawing, given by way of nonlimiting example of an embodiment in accordance with the present application, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the method.

The system uses servers 1 provided with specific equipment 2 and software means able to receive digital messages sent for example from a computer 3 or a fixed or portable telephone 4 and to transmit them both to a cable network 5, only to a station transmission 6 of terrestrial radio network 7 or to a station 8 equipped with a parabolic antenna 9 pointed at a satellite 10.

The televisions 11 intended to receive digital messages are connected... Each to a digital decoder 12, itself connected either to a cable network 5, or to an antenna 13 for terrestrial radio network, or to a satellite antenna 14.

The digital decoders 12 are generally equipped with a common interface making it possible to insert into the device one or two decryption modules specific to each satellite bouquet operator. This module is called "CAM" (Conditioned Access Module) or conditional access module.

Digital messages can be received using a specific "CAM" module that decrypt and store messages, as well as address management using specific integrated software. Each module will have a serial number. It may also be provided with an individual secret key. In this case, during the installation of the module, a questionnaire asks the user to choose an identification name. From this name, country and serial number, an algorithm creates a second number which, associated with the name, composes the user's address in this module, several users being able to create their own address on this same module. The user may be asked for other information which integrated into the address will give information to target advertising messages.

The server 1 will be provided with specific software capable of retrieving, from the address of the recipient, the serial number of the module as well as the secret key which it is the only one to know, the message with the address being encrypted with the secret key. Only the module addressed can decode it.

The transmission of voice messages takes place via - one or more telephone numbers offered to users. A voice server equipped with voice recognition software invites the user to spell the address assigned to the correspondent (for example: albert.xazgθt. - The rest of the address .... @ satmessenger.com is not necessary because not significant). After confirming the address, the server prompts the user to record his voice message. The message and its address are formatted and then retransmitted by satellite 10, terrestrial network 7 or cable network 5 to be sent to the recipient who can then listen to it thanks to a digital terminal 12.

For "SMS" type messages, the procedure is as follows:

- One or more specific telephone numbers are offered to users to send their "SMS" messages.

- The start of the "SMS" must start necessarily with the address of the correspondent (for example: albert.xazgδt) followed by the message "SMS". - The message and its address are formatted and then transmitted by satellite, terrestrial or cable network to the recipient who can then view it.

The broadcasting of a message will advantageously be repeated in the case where it is not possible to know the state of the digital decoder 12 which is normally unavailable during its use in television reception. For this purpose, all the addresses of the recipients of the current message may be sent in clear at a fixed time by the server 1 (for example at the start of each hour), so as to allow each decoder to know whether a message is intended for it. within an hour. Digital decoders 12 may be equipped to automatically turn on when they are idle, and connect to the correct transponder, and get back to standby upon receipt of the message ^until the next time; the module being arranged to be able to read the addresses and possibly recover the message (s). The periodicity of the message can be for example once an hour for four hours, then every two hours, then every six hours for two days. Advantageously, an algorithm will be provided for optimizing the number of repetitions as a function of the number of messages to be broadcast.

The server 1 could possibly be provided to be able to limit the size of the messages as well as the number of messages sent or intended for the same user.

The system can operate in four modes:

- "Total mobility" mode requiring an access module conditional ("CAM") with device allowing the reading of a smart card integrating the addressing and decoding parameters (secret key, serial number), which allows the reception of messages addressed to the user on other satellite receivers equipped with an integrated conditional access module. The smart card used as an access key for messaging and message storage, makes it possible to nomadically receive messages on other modules.

- "Partial mobility" mode without smart card. In this case, the addressing and decoding parameters are by default those which have been integrated into the conditional access module. - The "reduced mobility" mode with a smart card but without a conditional access module, the digital terminal 12 being equipped with a card reader and integrating the access module software, the decoder being programmed so as to be able to record on secret cards the secret key and the original serial number allowing decryption so as to allow the reception of messages on other modules.

- "No mobility" mode without a smart card or access module, the digital terminal 12 being equipped with the access module software. In this case, the key and the serial number are recorded in the terminal software either during its manufacture, or by the user who must enter the key and the number using the terminal's remote control.

To allow the use of the "total mobility" mode, the conditional access module will be programmed so as to be able to record on the smart card the secret key and the serial number of the original module in order to allow decryption. This key is encrypted on the smart card itself to prevent possible hacking. The card can also store the messages received within the limit of the size of its memory.

Most current computers are equipped with connectors conforming to the "USB" standard, for Universal Serial Bus, or universal serial bus. This interface allows a wide variety of peripherals to be connected without restarting the computer, with better bandwidth (and therefore higher transfer speed) than serial or parallel ports. The "USB" has many advantages: no risk of plugging the plug upside down (it does not fit), or breaking a pin (there is none), and especially no need to add a menu additional controller for each new device.

In order to allow the receiving station to fulfill the basic functions of a personal computer ("PC"), the digital decoder 12 is equipped with a "USB" port with one or more connectors, as well as application software office automation allowing basic functions such as word processing, printing, faxing, photo reader and video games.

Thanks to this arrangement, it is in particular possible to connect a printer 15 making it possible inter alia to print the electronic mail.

("e-mails") received by the decoder thanks to a specific module carrying out the decryption and the memorization of messages, as well as the management of addresses thanks to an integrated software.

The positioning of the various constituent elements gives the object of the invention a maximum of useful effects which had not, to date, been obtained by similar systems.

Claims

1 °. System for transmitting digital messages by terrestrial radio link, by cable or by satellite, intended to allow transmission, in particular from a computer or a fixed or portable telephone, as well as reception on a digital terminal, an e-mail, an SMS, a voice message or a digital photo taken by a mobile phone equipped for this purpose, characterized by the combination, on the one hand, of servers (1) provided with '' specific equipment (2) and software means capable of receiving digital messages sent for example from a computer (3) or a fixed or portable telephone (4) and of transmitting them both to a cable network (5), only to a transmitting station (6) of terrestrial radio network (7) or to a station (8) equipped with a parabolic antenna (9) pointed at a satellite (10) and, on the other hand , digital decoders (12) connected either to the cable network (5) or to an antenna (13) for terrestrial radio network (7), or to a satellite antenna (14), the said decoders being arranged to allow reception of digital messages on a television set (11) without requiring the use of a computer.

2 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped to be able to transmit, format and receive voice messages.

3 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission of voice messages takes place via one or more telephone numbers offered to users, the system comprising a voice server equipped with voice recognition software inviting the user to spell the address assigned to the correspondent.

4 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to be able to format and transmit messages of the "SMS" type, and the receive on a television (11).

5 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmission of "SMS" type messages takes place via one or more telephone numbers offered to users.

6 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to be able to transmit and receive digital photos taken by portable telephones.

7 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital decoders (12) are provided with integrated software capable of performing the decryption and storage of messages, as well as the management of addresses, each decoder having a serial number.

8 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 7, characterized in that the digital decoders (12) are equipped with a smart card reader, the said decoders being programmed so as to be able to store the key on the smart cards secret and the original serial number allowing decryption so as to allow the reception of messages on other modules.

9 °. Transmission system for digital messages according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital decoders (12) are equipped with a specific condition access module "CAM" (Conditioned Access Module) performing decryption and message storage, as well as address management using integrated software, each module having a serial number.

10 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 7, characterized in that each conditional access module has an individual secret key registered by the user during installation, said module being programmed to compose the address of the user from. serial number and said secret key.

11 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 8, characterized in that the server (1) is provided with specific software capable of retrieving, from the address of the recipient, the serial number of its module d conditional access as well as the individual secret key which he is the only one to know, the message with the address being coded with this secret key.

12 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, which is ^{"characterized} by the fact that the server (1) sends clear and fixed time in all digital decoders (12) all the message recipients of addresses in course (for example at the beginning of each hour), so as to allow each decoder to know if a message is intended for it within the hour which follows, the so-called digital decoders being equipped to start automatically, when they are standby, connect to the correct transponder, and get back to standby upon receipt of the message ^until the next call from the server (1).

13 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the server (1) is arranged to be able to limit the size of the messages as well as the number of messages sent or intended for the same user.

14 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the secret key and the serial number are by default those which have been registered in the conditional access module.

15 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the digital decoders (12) intended to receive the messages are equipped with a device allowing the insertion of smart cards, the conditional access module being programmed so as to be able to record on said smart cards the secret key and the original serial number allowing decryption so as to allow the reception of messages on other modules.

16 °. Transmission system for digital messages according to claim 15, characterized in that the conditional access module is arranged to be able to store the messages received on the smart cards within the limit of the size of their memory.

17 °. Digital message transmission system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital decoders (12) are equipped with a "USB" (Universal Serial Bus) port with one or more connectors, as well as office application software enabling functions such as word processing, printing, faxing, photo reader and video games.

18 °. Digital message transmission system according to claim 16, characterized in that it is arranged to allow in particular the printing of electronic mail ("e-mails") received by the digital decoder (12) thanks to a printer (15) connected to a "USB" connector and to a specific module capable of decrypting and storing messages, as well as managing addresses using integrated software.