WO2005003994A1 - Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor - Google Patents

Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005003994A1
WO2005003994A1 PCT/KR2004/001612 KR2004001612W WO2005003994A1 WO 2005003994 A1 WO2005003994 A1 WO 2005003994A1 KR 2004001612 W KR2004001612 W KR 2004001612W WO 2005003994 A1 WO2005003994 A1 WO 2005003994A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
answers
reply
users
information
time
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2004/001612
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ho-Cheol Yoo
Original Assignee
Ho-Cheol Yoo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020030044531A external-priority patent/KR20030079816A/en
Priority claimed from KR1020040047673A external-priority patent/KR20040069300A/en
Application filed by Ho-Cheol Yoo filed Critical Ho-Cheol Yoo
Publication of WO2005003994A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005003994A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4758—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for providing answers, e.g. voting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/65—Transmission of management data between client and server
    • H04N21/658—Transmission by the client directed to the server
    • H04N21/6582—Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of and a system for allowing audiences to actively participate in a variety of broadcast quiz programs.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method according to the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a system according to the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a method according to the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information entered before setting up a reference time according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing information entered after setting up a reference time according to the present invention
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a construction of a reply system according to the present invention
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a reply system according to the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method of allowing audiences to actively participate in a broadcast quiz program without interrupting the broadcast program.
  • the present invention also provides a system for implementing the method.
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and (b) extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and (b) extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • the method may further include (c) setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit.
  • the broadcast program may be broadcasted via any one of satellite TV, cable TV, over-the-air TV, or radio.
  • the information transmitted from the users may be information transmitted after a predetermined time from the time when the users enter the answers.
  • a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • the system may further comprise a time setting unit setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit.
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and (c) receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents from the information.
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program; (b) receiving correct answers to .the questions; (c) generating a reply system including information on the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (d) receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (e) extracting correct respondents by using the correct answers entered in operation (b) and the information received in operation (d).
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (c) receiving information on a time when the users enter the answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (d) extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for receiving answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (c) receiving information on a time when the users transmit the answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (d) extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
  • the information on the answers may include information on whether the answers are correct.
  • the method may further comprise entering a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit refers to a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit.
  • a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit and the answers are correct ; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents.
  • a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within the reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system.
  • a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to reply to the questions in the users' terminals; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on a time when answers are entered and information on the answers entered by the users from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system.
  • the system may further comprise a time setting unit used for receiving a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit indicates a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit.
  • a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit and whether the answers match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result to a server.
  • a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server. . . .
  • a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a determination unit determining whether answers entered by users match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server.
  • the reply unit may transmit the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers, or only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit.
  • the reply unit may transmit the information to the server at a predetermined time.
  • a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit and whether the answers match the correct answers; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result to a server.
  • a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions entered by users match the correct answers; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server.
  • a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing a reply time limit for entering answers to questions presented in the broadcast program the method comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server.
  • Operation (b) may transmit the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers, or only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit. In addition, operation (b) may transmit the information to the server at a predetermined time. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having embedded thereon a computer program for the method.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a system according to the present invention.
  • the system 100 comprises a receiving unit 101 , a time setting unit 102, and a correct respondent extracting unit 103.
  • the receiving unit 101 receives information on answers to quizzes presented in a broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users 1 10 accessing wireless Internet 120 via their wireless terminals such as a mobile phone or a time when the answers are input to the wireless terminals by the users.
  • Examples of the broadcast media include all kinds of broadcast media such as satellite TV, cable TV, over-the-air TV, and radio.
  • a reply time limit is set for the time setting unit 102 by an operator of the system 100 or a program.
  • the correct respondent extracting unit 103 receives information, which is received from the users 1 10 replying to the quizzes, from the receiving unit 101 , and extracts users verified to have transmitted correct answers within the reply time limit set for the time setting unit 102.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method according to the present invention, and more particularly, a method implemented via the server system 100 according to the present invention.
  • the users 1 10 access the server system 100 via wireless Internet 120 using their wireless terminals (operation 201 ), and download images to be displayed on their mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) and programs required for entering for a quiz contest (not shown).
  • a procedure of accessing a wireless Internet website and downloading necessary programs is the same as the procedure in a typical wireless website using wireless Internet protocols such as wireless application protocol (WAP), and thus a detailed description on the procedure is omitted here.
  • WAP wireless application protocol
  • users need not perform an additional login procedure since information on the wireless terminals is transmitted to the system 100.
  • the server system 100 When the server system 100 receives answers to questions in a quiz program broadcasted via only a single channel, particular procedures are not required. However, when the server system 100 receives answers to questions in quiz programs broadcasted via a number of channels, users accessing the system 100 require a procedure of selecting on a wireless web page a quiz program where quizzes to reply are presented (not shown). The users can reply to quizzes while watching TV or listening to a radio (hereinafter referred to as "watching TV") after completing this procedure. Meanwhile, the operator of the system 100 waits watching TV and sets up a time to reply to quizzes as soon as the quizzes are presented (operation 202).
  • the operator sets up a reply start time to allow the users 1 10 to replay to the quizzes for each of the quizzes whenever the quizzes are presented.
  • the reply start time may be set as follows. First, portions of the file where quizzes are presented are indexed in advance before the program is broadcasted. Next, when the indexed portions are played using a predetermined computer software program, the reply start time is automatically set by linking an apparatus broadcasting the program with the time setting unit 102.
  • a technology of indexing a multimedia file playable with a computer is well known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description is omitted here.
  • a broadcast station should operate the system 100, or the time setting unit 102 and an apparatus of the broadcast station should be directly connected if other service provider operates the system 100.
  • the operator of the system 100 sets up the reply start time while watching or listening to a broadcast program allowing replies to quizzes.
  • the users 110 enter answers to quizzes while watching or listening to broadcast programs and transmit the answers to the receiving unit 101 at regular intervals or at a predetermined time, and the receiving unit 101 receives information from the users 110 (operation 203).
  • the users 1 10 may enter a number in a multiple-choice question, or characters, or may use graphical user interface (GUI).
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the users 110 When the users 110 enter their answers, information on a broadcast program selected by the users, answers entered by the users, and a time for entering or transmitting the answers is transmitted to the receiving unit 101 by a program downloaded to the users 110 accessing the server system 100 via wireless Internet.
  • the server system 100 receiving replies to quizzes presented in a plurality of broadcast programs, when a number of replies are simultaneously received, it may be uncertain which programs the users have participated in. Accordingly, when the users reply to quizzes, information on the quiz program selected by the users is preferably received.
  • the server receives replies only to a single quiz program, or when the server receives replies only to a specified program during a specific time period in a plurality of quiz programs, information on the program selected by the users is not necessarily included when the users participate in the •program. A description is omitted hereinafter on whether information on the program selected by the users is included in data transmitted when the users reply.
  • wireless terminals such as a mobile phone
  • a program downloaded to the wireless terminals generates information on a time when answers are entered or transmitted by using the clock function embedded into the wireless terminals. It takes time to transmit the information using wireless Internet.
  • answers may be received in the receiving unit 101 after a reply time limit although the answers are entered and transmitted within the given reply time.
  • the users 110 reply to quizzes
  • information on a time for entering or transmitting the answers is also transmitted. Therefore, it is determined whether the users reply to the quizzes within a predetermined reply time limit on the basis of a time when the users enter or transmit the answers, irrespective of a time when the answers are received in the receiving unit 101.
  • a server may be down or it may take a long time to transmit data to the server due to a sudden overload caused by access congestion when a number of audiences reply to quizzes presented in a popular program, so that answers entered and transmitted by the users within the reply time limit may not be received in the server within the reply time limit.
  • increasing the server capacity to accommodate millions of or ten millions of audiences would be too heavy an economic burden to system operators.
  • ARS automatic reply system
  • the system requires a huge capacity since phone lines should be assigned to each of the accessing users.
  • the system using the ARS where the users are charged for phone calls to a designated ARS number and the system operator makes a profit from the phone rates, there is a disadvantage in that if the capacity of the system is small, only a small number of users can contact with the ARS system, and thus the system operator can only make a small profit.
  • the users entering correct answers within a predetermined reply time limit may not be considered to be correct respondents.
  • the aforementioned problem can be prevented since correct respondents are extracted on the basis of a time when the users enter or transmit the answers to the system.
  • the present invention has an advantage in that it is possible to accommodate more users with a system having a smaller capacity than the aforementioned systems, since a substantial contact is made with a server only if data packets including information on answers and a time when the answers are entered or transmitted by the users are received from the users and thus the load imposed on the server is relatively small, and it is determined whether the users reply to quizzes within the replay time limit on the basis of a time when the users enter answers into their terminals or a time when the users transmit the answers to the system and thus the answers are not necessary to be received in the system on a real-time basis.
  • the present invention may be implemented in such a manner that answers entered by users are transmitted all together in a predetermined time set by the system operator or the users, after the users enter all of or more than predetermined numbers of answers to quizzes, rather than each of the answers is transmitted one by one.
  • the information entered by users should be preferably received in a predetermined time, for example, before performing a procedure of determining correct respondents by lot. For instance, it may be made a condition that the answers should be received within 24 hours from a time when the program is broadcasted.
  • the operator of the system 100 preferably sets up one reply closing time for four quizzes rather than sets up four separate closing times for the individual quizzes. "
  • the correct respondent extracting unit 103 extracts correct respondents from the users entering or transmitting answers within the reply time limit set into the time setting unit 102 among data on the users 1 10 received in the receiving unit 101 (operation 205).
  • the correct answers to the quizzes may be received from a broadcast station to be stored in the correct respondent extracting unit 103 in advance, or entered into the correct respondent extracting unit 103 by the operator of the system 100 viewing the broadcast program.
  • Prizes awarded to users entering correct answers within a reply time limit may be randomly determined by the operator of the system 100. For instance, the prizes may be awarded to all of the correct respondents, respondents determined by lot among the correct respondents, or respondents transmitting more than predetermined numbers of correct answers.
  • the operator of the system 100 which is linked with communication companies, can make a profit by collecting a predetermined amount of money whenever the users 110 access the system 100 via wireless Internet or participate in quiz programs.
  • FIGS. 3 through 8 are diagrams showing another embodiment according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a system according to the present invention.
  • a system 300 comprises a reply system generating unit 301 , a time setting unit 302, a transmitting unit 303, and a receiving unit 304.
  • the reply system generating unit 301 generates a predetermined reply system operating in the user's terminal to determine whether answers to quizzes are entered by the users within a reply time limit and the answers are correct.
  • the reply system may be generated to determine either whether answers to quizzes are entered by the user within the reply time limit or whether the answers are correct.
  • Information on answers to questions presented in a broadcast program of interest and reply time limits is entered into the reply system generating unit 301 by a broadcast station system or an operator of the system 300.
  • the information is stored in the reply system generated by the reply system generating unit 301.
  • Information entered into the system for example, includes information shown in FIG. 5.
  • examples of the information include information on a time when quizzes are presented on the basis of a program start time, information on correct answers, and information on a reply time limit for entering answers on the basis of the program start time. Since it is predetermined what time programs should be broadcasted, the information on a time may be indicated using absolute time specified in 24-hour format rather than using the program start time. In general, however, since TV broadcast programs except some specific programs, such as a news program, may have an error of about 1 or 2 minutes in the program start time, it may be unsuitable for implementing the present invention in most occasions to set up the replay start time and the replay closing time based on absolute time before the programs start.
  • the time information is preferably set on the basis of the program start time.
  • the construction and operation of the reply system generated by the reply system generating unit 301 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the time setting unit 302 receives information on a reference time from the system operator or the broadcast station system and sends the information to the reply system generating unit 301.
  • the reference time refers to a start time of a broadcast program of interest.
  • the reference time may be entered in such a manner that when a broadcast program of interest starts, the broadcast station system linked with the system of the present invention transmits a corresponding signal to the system of the present invention, or may be entered in such a manner that when the program starts, the system operator pushes a button while viewing the broadcast program.
  • the reply system generating unit 301 modifies time information stored in the reply system in 24-hour format.
  • the modified reply system includes information shown in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the information shown in FIG. 5 is modified when the reference time is set to be 19 hour.
  • the transmitting unit 303 transmits the reply system generated in the reply system generating unit 301 to a user's terminal.
  • the reply system is transmitted with time information displayed on the basis of the reference time.
  • information on the reference time is transmitted again to the reply system downloaded to the accessing user.
  • the transmitting unit 303 may transmit information on the reference time to the user's mobile IP address.
  • the transmitting unit 303 may transmit information on the reference time to users who have accessed a server by sending a short message service (SMS) message, which includes a function of uniform resource locator (URL) callback, so that the users may access the server to receive the information on the reference time by selecting URL included in the SMS message.
  • SMS short message service
  • URL uniform resource locator
  • the reply system embedded into the user's terminal modifies the reply time limit using the reference time from a format shown in FIG. 5 to a format shown in FIG. 6.
  • the result may be transmitted to the system 300.
  • the receiving unit 304 receives answers from the user's terminal.
  • data may be transmitted from the user only if the user enters correct answers within the reply time limit.
  • information on whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct may be transmitted, irrespective of whether the answers are entered within the reply time limit and/or correct answers are entered.
  • the latter may be adapted to a case where prizes are awarded by lot among those who frequently participate in quiz programs, irrespective of whether the user enters correct answers.
  • the latter needs a procedure of extracting users who have entered correct answers among the participants, since data is received from users who do not enter correct answers.
  • the users do not enter answers within the reply time limit or the answers are incorrect, only information on the fact that the users participated is preferably transmitted since an amount of data can be reduced.
  • correct answers and reply time limits are assumed to be stored in the reply system in the present embodiment, only information on the reply time limits may be stored in the reply system.
  • the receiving unit 304 preferably performs a procedure of extracting correct answers among data received from users, similarly to the correct respondent extracting unit 103 shown in FIG. 1. This procedure was described in the correct respondent extracting unit 103 of FIG. 1 , and thus a detailed description is omitted here.
  • the receiving unit 304 receives information on a time from the reply system generating unit 301 and the time setting unit 302 or information on a reply time limit from the system operator, and extracts users entering correct answers within the reply time limit.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method according to the present invention.
  • the reply system generating unit 310 receives information on correct answers to questions and reply time limits (operation 401 ).
  • the information on correct answer to questions and reply time limits may be received from a broadcast station system directly connected to the system, or may be entered by the system operator.
  • information entered into the system includes information on a time when quizzes are presented on the basis of a program start time, information on correct answers, and information on a reply time limit for entering answers on the basis of the program start time, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the time setting unit 302 receives information on the reference time from the system operator or the broadcast station system (operation 402).
  • the time setting unit 302 sends the information on the reference time to the reply system generating unit 301 , and the reply system generating unit 301 generates a predetermined reply system, for example, including information shown in FIG. 6 using the information on the reference time and the information shown in FIG. 5 previously entered (operation 403).
  • the reply system generating unit 301 transmits a generated reply system to the user's terminal via the transmitting unit 303.
  • a reply system including the information shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the user's terminal.
  • information on a reference time is transmitted again to the user's terminal when the reference time is entered into the time setting unit 302.
  • a reply system employing the information shown in FIG. 6, which is modified to employ the reference time is transmitted to the user's terminal.
  • the transmitted reply system may include information on answers to questions presented in a broadcast program and reply time limits, or include only any one of them.
  • the latter may be employed to a case where a many number of users access simultaneously so that it is difficult to transmit a huge amount of data to the users. Accordingly, when the reply system is embedded into the user's terminal, the user can enter possible answers within the reply time limit while viewing a program of interest.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a construction of the reply system embedded into the user's terminal.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reply system according to the present invention.
  • the reply system comprises a correct answer storage unit 701 , a reply time limit storage unit 702, a determination unit 703, and a reply unit 704.
  • the correct answer storage unit 701 stores correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program.
  • the reply time limit storage unit 702 stores reply time limits for entering answers to questions.
  • the determination unit 703 receives information entered by a user (operation
  • the reply unit 704 determines whether the user enter answers within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit 702 (operation 802) and whether the answers match correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit 701 (operation 803), and outputs the results.
  • the reply unit 704 transmits the results of the determination unit 703 to the system 300 (operation 804). At this time, as described above, the reply unit 704 may transmit data only if the user enters correct answers within the reply time limit. In addition, when the user replies, the reply unit 704 may transmit information on whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct, irrespective of whether the answers are entered within the reply time limit by the user and/or the answers are correct.
  • the data may be automatically transmitted at a predetermined time which is entered into the reply unit 704 in advance when the reply system 700 is transmitted to the user's terminal. By doing so, data transmission from the users can be performed in different time periods.
  • the receiving unit 304 receives final results concerning the user's answers or whether the answers are correct (operation 405).
  • data is transmitted from the user only if the user enters correct answers within reply time limits, correct respondents can be determined soon.
  • a procedure of extracting correct respondents is required. In the embodiments shown in FIGS.
  • the reply system generating unit 301 of the server system 300 which generates the reply system 700 including both answers to quizzes and reply time limits.
  • the reply system 700 including any one of the correct answer storage unit 701 and the reply time limit storage unit 702 - that is, the reply system 700 including ejther answers to quizzes or reply time limits - may be generated and transmitted.
  • the reply system 700 embedded into the user's wireless terminal may transmit information on the answers (information entered by the user or information on whether the user enters correct or incorrect answers), together with information on a time when the user enters the answers, to the server system 300 via the reply unit 704 only if all of or predetermined numbers of the answers are correct.
  • the reply system 700 may transmit information on the answers and on whether the answers are correct, or information on whether the answers are correct or incorrect, together with information on a time when the user enters the answers, to the server system 300.
  • the reply system 700 may be set so that answers can be entered into the reply system 700 only if a user enters the answers and pushes a predetermined special key in a wireless terminal, such as a '*' or '#' key.
  • the reply system 700 may be set to consider the user to have skipped an answer to a presented question if the user entered a predetermined key rather than the answer to the question.
  • the aforementioned problem may be prevented by dividing questions into several groups, for example, questions No. 1 through 5 belonging to a first group, questions No. 6 through 10 belonging to a second group, and the like, and making the user enter a predetermined special key when entering answers to questions in each group is completed.
  • a broadcast station preferably announces about special keys to be entered by a user in a broadcast program when the special keys have to be entered.
  • the present invention can be recorded on computer-readable recording media with computer-readable codes.
  • the computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices for storing computer-readable data, such as ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage apparatus, etc.
  • the computer-readable recording media include a device implemented in a form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission via Internet).
  • the computer-readable recording media may be distributed in a computer system connected via a network, and be recorded and executed with computer-readable codes in a distributed manner. According to the present invention, audiences watching or listening to a broadcast program can actively participate in the broadcast program, and service providers operating the system of the present invention can make a profit by collecting a predetermined amount of money whenever users access the system or reply to the broadcast program.

Abstract

Provided are a method of and a system for making it possible for audiences to actively participate in a variety of broadcast quiz programs, and more particularly, a method and system for including receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.

Description

METHOD FOR ALLOWING REAL-TIME-PARTICIPATING IN BROADCASTING PROGRAM AND SYSTEM THEREFOR
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of and a system for allowing audiences to actively participate in a variety of broadcast quiz programs.
BACKGROUND ART Among a variety of programs broadcasted via an over-the-air TV, cable TV, or satellite TV, or radio, there are a lot of quiz programs where entertainers or the public appear on TV or radio and guess puzzles. In addition, although broadcast programs are not quiz programs, quizzes have been presented to entertainers in a number of entertainment programs. While a number of quizzes are presented in these TV or radio programs, most of the quizzes are given to those who appear on TV or radio. Accordingly, audiences watching TV or listening to a radio cannot participate in the TV or radio programs actively. In a typical case of presenting quizzes to audiences, the audiences are notified of a designated telephone number and only a single person making a first phone call gets an opportunity to guess a quiz. Thus, a small minority of the audiences can gain opportunities to participate in the programs. In addition, program producers cannot give opportunities to reply to all quizzes presented in programs to the audiences since the programs are interrupted in order to give an additional time to the audiences to participate in the programs. It is almost impossible to give opportunities to participate in the programs to the audiences in the programs where a number of questions should be consecutively presented, since the rapid progress should be made in the programs. Therefore, the public can only check while watching or listening to programs if their own answers are correct, but cannot actively participate in the programs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a system according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a method according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information entered before setting up a reference time according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing information entered after setting up a reference time according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a construction of a reply system according to the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a reply system according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical Goal of the Invention The present invention provides a method of allowing audiences to actively participate in a broadcast quiz program without interrupting the broadcast program. The present invention also provides a system for implementing the method.
Disclosure of the Invention According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and (b) extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and (b) extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. The method may further include (c) setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit. In addition, the broadcast program may be broadcasted via any one of satellite TV, cable TV, over-the-air TV, or radio. In addition, the information transmitted from the users may be information transmitted after a predetermined time from the time when the users enter the answers. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. The system may further comprise a time setting unit setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and (c) receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents from the information. • According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program; (b) receiving correct answers to .the questions; (c) generating a reply system including information on the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (d) receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (e) extracting correct respondents by using the correct answers entered in operation (b) and the information received in operation (d). According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (c) receiving information on a time when the users enter the answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (d) extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: (a) receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for receiving answers to the questions; (b) generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; (c) receiving information on a time when the users transmit the answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and (d) extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. The information on the answers may include information on whether the answers are correct. In addition, the method may further comprise entering a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit refers to a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit and the answers are correct ; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within the reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to reply to the questions in the users' terminals; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on a time when answers are entered and information on the answers entered by the users from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system. The system may further comprise a time setting unit used for receiving a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit indicates a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit and whether the answers match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result to a server. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server. . . . According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a determination unit determining whether answers entered by users match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server. The reply unit may transmit the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers, or only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit. In addition, the reply unit may transmit the information to the server at a predetermined time. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions, the method comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit and whether the answers match the correct answers; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result to a server. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program, the method comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions entered by users match the correct answers; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing a reply time limit for entering answers to questions presented in the broadcast program, the method comprising: (a) determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit; and (b) transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server. Operation (b) may transmit the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers, or only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit. In addition, operation (b) may transmit the information to the server at a predetermined time. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having embedded thereon a computer program for the method.
Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, audiences watching or listening to a broadcast program can actively participate in the broadcast program, and service providers operating the system of the present invention can make a profit by collecting a predetermined amount of money whenever users access the system or reply to the broadcast program. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a system according to the present invention. The system 100 comprises a receiving unit 101 , a time setting unit 102, and a correct respondent extracting unit 103. The receiving unit 101 receives information on answers to quizzes presented in a broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users 1 10 accessing wireless Internet 120 via their wireless terminals such as a mobile phone or a time when the answers are input to the wireless terminals by the users. Examples of the broadcast media include all kinds of broadcast media such as satellite TV, cable TV, over-the-air TV, and radio. A reply time limit is set for the time setting unit 102 by an operator of the system 100 or a program. The correct respondent extracting unit 103 receives information, which is received from the users 1 10 replying to the quizzes, from the receiving unit 101 , and extracts users verified to have transmitted correct answers within the reply time limit set for the time setting unit 102. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method according to the present invention, and more particularly, a method implemented via the server system 100 according to the present invention. First, the users 1 10 access the server system 100 via wireless Internet 120 using their wireless terminals (operation 201 ), and download images to be displayed on their mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) and programs required for entering for a quiz contest (not shown). A procedure of accessing a wireless Internet website and downloading necessary programs is the same as the procedure in a typical wireless website using wireless Internet protocols such as wireless application protocol (WAP), and thus a detailed description on the procedure is omitted here. When accessing via wireless terminals such as a mobile phone, users need not perform an additional login procedure since information on the wireless terminals is transmitted to the system 100. When the server system 100 receives answers to questions in a quiz program broadcasted via only a single channel, particular procedures are not required. However, when the server system 100 receives answers to questions in quiz programs broadcasted via a number of channels, users accessing the system 100 require a procedure of selecting on a wireless web page a quiz program where quizzes to reply are presented (not shown). The users can reply to quizzes while watching TV or listening to a radio (hereinafter referred to as "watching TV") after completing this procedure. Meanwhile, the operator of the system 100 waits watching TV and sets up a time to reply to quizzes as soon as the quizzes are presented (operation 202). For instance, if panelists have opportunities to reply to quizzes consecutively presented in an entertainment program, the operator sets up a reply start time to allow the users 1 10 to replay to the quizzes for each of the quizzes whenever the quizzes are presented. In a program digitally recorded on a file in advance, the reply start time may be set as follows. First, portions of the file where quizzes are presented are indexed in advance before the program is broadcasted. Next, when the indexed portions are played using a predetermined computer software program, the reply start time is automatically set by linking an apparatus broadcasting the program with the time setting unit 102. Here, a technology of indexing a multimedia file playable with a computer is well known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description is omitted here. However, in this case, there is a disadvantage in that a broadcast station should operate the system 100, or the time setting unit 102 and an apparatus of the broadcast station should be directly connected if other service provider operates the system 100. Preferably, the operator of the system 100 sets up the reply start time while watching or listening to a broadcast program allowing replies to quizzes. Meanwhile, the users 110 enter answers to quizzes while watching or listening to broadcast programs and transmit the answers to the receiving unit 101 at regular intervals or at a predetermined time, and the receiving unit 101 receives information from the users 110 (operation 203). According to a format of a quiz, the users 1 10 may enter a number in a multiple-choice question, or characters, or may use graphical user interface (GUI). When the users 110 enter their answers, information on a broadcast program selected by the users, answers entered by the users, and a time for entering or transmitting the answers is transmitted to the receiving unit 101 by a program downloaded to the users 110 accessing the server system 100 via wireless Internet. In the server system 100 receiving replies to quizzes presented in a plurality of broadcast programs, when a number of replies are simultaneously received, it may be uncertain which programs the users have participated in. Accordingly, when the users reply to quizzes, information on the quiz program selected by the users is preferably received. However, when the server receives replies only to a single quiz program, or when the server receives replies only to a specified program during a specific time period in a plurality of quiz programs, information on the program selected by the users is not necessarily included when the users participate in the •program. A description is omitted hereinafter on whether information on the program selected by the users is included in data transmitted when the users reply. Since wireless terminals, such as a mobile phone, are embedded with a clock function which will not be typically altered by users, a program downloaded to the wireless terminals generates information on a time when answers are entered or transmitted by using the clock function embedded into the wireless terminals. It takes time to transmit the information using wireless Internet. Accordingly, if panelists are given a short time for solving questions, answers may be received in the receiving unit 101 after a reply time limit although the answers are entered and transmitted within the given reply time. According to the present invention, when the users 110 reply to quizzes, information on a time for entering or transmitting the answers is also transmitted. Therefore, it is determined whether the users reply to the quizzes within a predetermined reply time limit on the basis of a time when the users enter or transmit the answers, irrespective of a time when the answers are received in the receiving unit 101. That is, if it is determined whether the users reply within a predetermined reply time limit on the basis of a time when the answers are received in the system rather than a time when the users enter or transmit the answers, a server may be down or it may take a long time to transmit data to the server due to a sudden overload caused by access congestion when a number of audiences reply to quizzes presented in a popular program, so that answers entered and transmitted by the users within the reply time limit may not be received in the server within the reply time limit. In this case, increasing the server capacity to accommodate millions of or ten millions of audiences would be too heavy an economic burden to system operators. Meanwhile, in a system using an automatic reply system (ARS), which is constructed so that the users maintaining a connection with the ARS enter answers to quizzes presented in a program which is being broadcasted, or the users enter answers only for a predetermined reply time limit starting from a time when the quizzes are presented, there is a disadvantage in that the system requires a huge capacity since phone lines should be assigned to each of the accessing users. In addition, in the system using the ARS where the users are charged for phone calls to a designated ARS number and the system operator makes a profit from the phone rates, there is a disadvantage in that if the capacity of the system is small, only a small number of users can contact with the ARS system, and thus the system operator can only make a small profit. Meanwhile, in case of entering answers using short message service (SMS) in a mobile phone, there is a disadvantage in that the users should enter phone numbers assigned to the server system whenever the users transmit answers, and thus the answers may not be received in the server system within a predetermined reply time limit since it takes time for the answers to be received although the answers are entered within the reply time limit. If a closing time, which is set on the basis of a receiving time, is sufficiently given to solve the aforementioned problem, another problem may occur in that the answers the users may enter and transmit as soon as they see correct answers presented in a broadcast program can be regarded as correct answers. In the aforementioned system where correct respondents are extracted on the basis of a time when answers are received in the system, the users entering correct answers within a predetermined reply time limit may not be considered to be correct respondents. However, in the present invention, the aforementioned problem can be prevented since correct respondents are extracted on the basis of a time when the users enter or transmit the answers to the system. Accordingly, the present invention has an advantage in that it is possible to accommodate more users with a system having a smaller capacity than the aforementioned systems, since a substantial contact is made with a server only if data packets including information on answers and a time when the answers are entered or transmitted by the users are received from the users and thus the load imposed on the server is relatively small, and it is determined whether the users reply to quizzes within the replay time limit on the basis of a time when the users enter answers into their terminals or a time when the users transmit the answers to the system and thus the answers are not necessary to be received in the system on a real-time basis. In addition, the present invention may be implemented in such a manner that answers entered by users are transmitted all together in a predetermined time set by the system operator or the users, after the users enter all of or more than predetermined numbers of answers to quizzes, rather than each of the answers is transmitted one by one. In this case, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the case where information entered by users is transmitted whenever the users enter each of the answers, since information on a time when the users enter each of the answers is transmitted together with the answers. However, the information entered by the users should be preferably received in a predetermined time, for example, before performing a procedure of determining correct respondents by lot. For instance, it may be made a condition that the answers should be received within 24 hours from a time when the program is broadcasted. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent data from being simultaneously transmitted from all the users by inducing the users to transmit the data at different hours, by broadcasting. In addition, if a time when answers entered by the users are transmitted is set into a program, which is downloaded to user terminals accessing the system 100 and required for replying to quizzes, information on the answers and the time when the answers are entered by the users may be automatically transmitted from the users' terminals 1 10 to the server system 100 at the time set into the program after the users enter answers to the questions. The operator of the system 100 sets up a reply closing time while viewing the program after the lapse of a time for panelists to answer (operation 204). At this time, in a program recorded digitally in advance, it is possible to make a reply closing time automatically set up. If answers to some quizzes, e.g., four quizzes, rather than an answer to each quiz are simultaneously presented in a broadcast program, the operator of the system 100 preferably sets up one reply closing time for four quizzes rather than sets up four separate closing times for the individual quizzes." When the operator of the system 100 sets up the reply start time and reply closing time for the time setting unit 102, the correct respondent extracting unit 103 extracts correct respondents from the users entering or transmitting answers within the reply time limit set into the time setting unit 102 among data on the users 1 10 received in the receiving unit 101 (operation 205). At this time, the correct answers to the quizzes may be received from a broadcast station to be stored in the correct respondent extracting unit 103 in advance, or entered into the correct respondent extracting unit 103 by the operator of the system 100 viewing the broadcast program. Prizes awarded to users entering correct answers within a reply time limit may be randomly determined by the operator of the system 100. For instance, the prizes may be awarded to all of the correct respondents, respondents determined by lot among the correct respondents, or respondents transmitting more than predetermined numbers of correct answers. Meanwhile, the operator of the system 100, which is linked with communication companies, can make a profit by collecting a predetermined amount of money whenever the users 110 access the system 100 via wireless Internet or participate in quiz programs. FIGS. 3 through 8 are diagrams showing another embodiment according to the present invention. In a program recorded in advance, correct answers to quizzes and/or reply time limits may be transmitted to the users' terminals in advance. When the users enter answers to the quizzes, the users' terminals may determine whether the answers are entered within the reply time limit and/or the answers are correct, and transmit the result to the system. That is, either the answers to quizzes or the reply time limit may be transmitted to the users' terminals, or both of them are may be transmitted. A case where both of them are transmitted is now set forth. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a system according to the present invention. A system 300 comprises a reply system generating unit 301 , a time setting unit 302, a transmitting unit 303, and a receiving unit 304. The reply system generating unit 301 generates a predetermined reply system operating in the user's terminal to determine whether answers to quizzes are entered by the users within a reply time limit and the answers are correct. The reply system may be generated to determine either whether answers to quizzes are entered by the user within the reply time limit or whether the answers are correct. Information on answers to questions presented in a broadcast program of interest and reply time limits is entered into the reply system generating unit 301 by a broadcast station system or an operator of the system 300. The information is stored in the reply system generated by the reply system generating unit 301. Information entered into the system, for example, includes information shown in FIG. 5. That is, examples of the information include information on a time when quizzes are presented on the basis of a program start time, information on correct answers, and information on a reply time limit for entering answers on the basis of the program start time. Since it is predetermined what time programs should be broadcasted, the information on a time may be indicated using absolute time specified in 24-hour format rather than using the program start time. In general, however, since TV broadcast programs except some specific programs, such as a news program, may have an error of about 1 or 2 minutes in the program start time, it may be unsuitable for implementing the present invention in most occasions to set up the replay start time and the replay closing time based on absolute time before the programs start. In a quiz program where a reply time limit is about 10 seconds, for example, an error of about 1 or 2 minutes may lead to a serious problem in implementing the present invention. Accordingly, the time information is preferably set on the basis of the program start time. The construction and operation of the reply system generated by the reply system generating unit 301 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The time setting unit 302 receives information on a reference time from the system operator or the broadcast station system and sends the information to the reply system generating unit 301. The reference time refers to a start time of a broadcast program of interest. The reference time may be entered in such a manner that when a broadcast program of interest starts, the broadcast station system linked with the system of the present invention transmits a corresponding signal to the system of the present invention, or may be entered in such a manner that when the program starts, the system operator pushes a button while viewing the broadcast program. When receiving the reference time from the time setting unit 302, the reply system generating unit 301 modifies time information stored in the reply system in 24-hour format. The modified reply system, for example, includes information shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the information shown in FIG. 5 is modified when the reference time is set to be 19 hour. The transmitting unit 303 transmits the reply system generated in the reply system generating unit 301 to a user's terminal. At this time, before the reference time is entered into the time setting unit 302, that is, before a broadcast program of interest starts, the reply system is transmitted with time information displayed on the basis of the reference time. When the reference time is entered into the time setting unit 302, information on the reference time is transmitted again to the reply system downloaded to the accessing user. There may be a number of ways to transmit information on the reference time to the users who have accessed. For example, when a user accesses the system 300 for the first time, the user's mobile IP address is recorded on the system 300. Accordingly, when the reference time is transmitted, the transmitting unit 303 may transmit information on the reference time to the user's mobile IP address. In addition, the transmitting unit 303 may transmit information on the reference time to users who have accessed a server by sending a short message service (SMS) message, which includes a function of uniform resource locator (URL) callback, so that the users may access the server to receive the information on the reference time by selecting URL included in the SMS message. In addition, when the user accesses the system 300 to transmit answers and thus a communication channel is formed between the user's terminal and the system 300, information on the reference time is transmitted to the user's terminal before the answers are transmitted by the user, and the reply system embedded into the user's terminal modifies the reply time limit using the reference time from a format shown in FIG. 5 to a format shown in FIG. 6. Subsequently, after it is determined whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit, the result may be transmitted to the system 300. The receiving unit 304 receives answers from the user's terminal. At this time, according to information previously recorded on the reply system, data may be transmitted from the user only if the user enters correct answers within the reply time limit. In addition, when the user replies, information on whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct may be transmitted, irrespective of whether the answers are entered within the reply time limit and/or correct answers are entered. The latter may be adapted to a case where prizes are awarded by lot among those who frequently participate in quiz programs, irrespective of whether the user enters correct answers. In addition, the latter needs a procedure of extracting users who have entered correct answers among the participants, since data is received from users who do not enter correct answers. In this case, when the users do not enter answers within the reply time limit or the answers are incorrect, only information on the fact that the users participated is preferably transmitted since an amount of data can be reduced. While correct answers and reply time limits are assumed to be stored in the reply system in the present embodiment, only information on the reply time limits may be stored in the reply system. In this case, the receiving unit 304 preferably performs a procedure of extracting correct answers among data received from users, similarly to the correct respondent extracting unit 103 shown in FIG. 1. This procedure was described in the correct respondent extracting unit 103 of FIG. 1 , and thus a detailed description is omitted here. In addition, only information on correct answers may be stored in the reply system in the present invention. In this case, preferably, the receiving unit 304 receives information on a time from the reply system generating unit 301 and the time setting unit 302 or information on a reply time limit from the system operator, and extracts users entering correct answers within the reply time limit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method according to the present invention. First, the reply system generating unit 310 receives information on correct answers to questions and reply time limits (operation 401 ). As described above, the information on correct answer to questions and reply time limits may be received from a broadcast station system directly connected to the system, or may be entered by the system operator. In addition, as described above, information entered into the system includes information on a time when quizzes are presented on the basis of a program start time, information on correct answers, and information on a reply time limit for entering answers on the basis of the program start time, as shown in FIG. 5. The time setting unit 302 receives information on the reference time from the system operator or the broadcast station system (operation 402). The time setting unit 302 sends the information on the reference time to the reply system generating unit 301 , and the reply system generating unit 301 generates a predetermined reply system, for example, including information shown in FIG. 6 using the information on the reference time and the information shown in FIG. 5 previously entered (operation 403). When a user accesses a server, the reply system generating unit 301 transmits a generated reply system to the user's terminal via the transmitting unit 303. As described in FIG. 3, when the user accesses the server before a broadcast program of interest starts, for example, a reply system including the information shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted to the user's terminal. Subsequently, information on a reference time is transmitted again to the user's terminal when the reference time is entered into the time setting unit 302. Meanwhile, when the user accesses the server after the broadcast program of interest starts, for example, a reply system employing the information shown in FIG. 6, which is modified to employ the reference time, is transmitted to the user's terminal. In addition, the transmitted reply system may include information on answers to questions presented in a broadcast program and reply time limits, or include only any one of them. The latter may be employed to a case where a many number of users access simultaneously so that it is difficult to transmit a huge amount of data to the users. Accordingly, when the reply system is embedded into the user's terminal, the user can enter possible answers within the reply time limit while viewing a program of interest. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a construction of the reply system embedded into the user's terminal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reply system according to the present invention. The reply system comprises a correct answer storage unit 701 , a reply time limit storage unit 702, a determination unit 703, and a reply unit 704. The correct answer storage unit 701 stores correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program. The reply time limit storage unit 702 stores reply time limits for entering answers to questions. The determination unit 703 receives information entered by a user (operation
801 ), determines whether the user enter answers within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit 702 (operation 802) and whether the answers match correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit 701 (operation 803), and outputs the results. The reply unit 704 transmits the results of the determination unit 703 to the system 300 (operation 804). At this time, as described above, the reply unit 704 may transmit data only if the user enters correct answers within the reply time limit. In addition, when the user replies, the reply unit 704 may transmit information on whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct, irrespective of whether the answers are entered within the reply time limit by the user and/or the answers are correct. While the user may determine a time to transmit data to the system 300 using the reply unit 704, the data may be automatically transmitted at a predetermined time which is entered into the reply unit 704 in advance when the reply system 700 is transmitted to the user's terminal. By doing so, data transmission from the users can be performed in different time periods. When the user replies, the receiving unit 304 receives final results concerning the user's answers or whether the answers are correct (operation 405). When data is transmitted from the user only if the user enters correct answers within reply time limits, correct respondents can be determined soon. However, as described above, when the user's data is transmitted irrespective of whether the answers are entered by the user within the reply time limit and/or the answers are correct, a procedure of extracting correct respondents is required. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 through 8, the foregoing description has been made on the reply system generating unit 301 of the server system 300 which generates the reply system 700 including both answers to quizzes and reply time limits. However, the reply system 700 including any one of the correct answer storage unit 701 and the reply time limit storage unit 702 - that is, the reply system 700 including ejther answers to quizzes or reply time limits - may be generated and transmitted. In case of generating and transmitting the reply system 700 including only correct answers, when the user enters possible answers, the reply system 700 embedded into the user's wireless terminal may transmit information on the answers (information entered by the user or information on whether the user enters correct or incorrect answers), together with information on a time when the user enters the answers, to the server system 300 via the reply unit 704 only if all of or predetermined numbers of the answers are correct. In addition, when the user entering incorrect answers is also allowed to reply to quiz programs, the reply system 700 may transmit information on the answers and on whether the answers are correct, or information on whether the answers are correct or incorrect, together with information on a time when the user enters the answers, to the server system 300. In this case, it is determined whether the user enters the answers within the reply time limit as described in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, after a system operator enters the reply time limit into the system, it is determined whether the user enters answers within the reply time limit by using information on a time when the user enters the answers. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, after information on the reply time limit is received from a broadcast station system in advance, it may be determined whether the user enters answers within the reply time limit. When only information on correct answers except information on the reply time limit is stored in the reply system 700, it may be determined whether the entered answers are correct by sequentially comparing the answers entered by the user with the correct answers entered in advance. In this case, if the user skips an answer to a certain question in the course of entering answers, a sequence of answers entered by the user may be different from that of correct answers stored in the reply system 700 with respect to questions presented after the skipped question. This will not cause a problem when a user is allowed to reply to a quiz program only if the user enters correct answers to all of the presented questions, but may cause a problem when a user entering more than predetermined numbers of correct answers is allowed to reply. In order to overcome this, problem, the reply system 700 may be set so that answers can be entered into the reply system 700 only if a user enters the answers and pushes a predetermined special key in a wireless terminal, such as a '*' or '#' key. In addition, the reply system 700 may be set to consider the user to have skipped an answer to a presented question if the user entered a predetermined key rather than the answer to the question. In addition, the aforementioned problem may be prevented by dividing questions into several groups, for example, questions No. 1 through 5 belonging to a first group, questions No. 6 through 10 belonging to a second group, and the like, and making the user enter a predetermined special key when entering answers to questions in each group is completed. In this case, a broadcast station preferably announces about special keys to be entered by a user in a broadcast program when the special keys have to be entered. When the reply system 700 including only information on the reply time limit is generated and transmitted to a user, procedures relating to the reply time limit are performed as shown in FIGS. 3 through 8, except that the server system 300 determines whether answers entered by the user are correct. The present invention can be recorded on computer-readable recording media with computer-readable codes. Examples of the computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices for storing computer-readable data, such as ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage apparatus, etc. Also, the computer-readable recording media include a device implemented in a form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission via Internet). In addition, the computer-readable recording media may be distributed in a computer system connected via a network, and be recorded and executed with computer-readable codes in a distributed manner. According to the present invention, audiences watching or listening to a broadcast program can actively participate in the broadcast program, and service providers operating the system of the present invention can make a profit by collecting a predetermined amount of money whenever users access the system or reply to the broadcast program.

Claims

1. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
2. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit.
4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the broadcast program is broadcasted via any one of satellite TV (television), cable TV, over-the-air TV, and radio.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information transmitted from the users is information transmitted after a predetermined time from a time when the users enter the answers.
6. A system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are entered from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
7. A system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a receiving unit receiving information on answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and information on a time when the answers are transmitted from users accessing via wireless Internet; and a correct respondent extracting unit extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
8. The system according to claim 6 or 7 further comprising a time setting unit setting up start and closing times of the reply time limit.
9. The system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the broadcast program is broadcasted via any one of satellite TV, cable TV, over-the-air TV, and radio.
10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the information transmitted from the users is information transmitted after a predetermined time from a time when the users enter the answers.
11. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents from the information. 12. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program; receiving correct answers to the questions; generating a reply system including information on the reply time limit and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and extracting correct respondents by using the entered correct answers and the received information.
13. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; receiving information on a time when the users enter the answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
14. A method of allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the method comprising: receiving information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; generating a reply system including information on the correct answers and used for receiving answers to the questions in users' terminals, and transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; receiving information on a time when the users transmit answers and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system; and extracting information on users verified to have transmitted the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers.
15. The method according to claim 11 , 13, or 14, wherein the information on the answers includes information on whether the answers are correct. 6. The method according to claim 1 1 or 12 further comprising receiving a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit indicates a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit. 17. A system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program and information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit and the answers are correct; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and the answers are correct from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting correct respondents.
18. A system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on a predetermined reply time limit for entering answers to the questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to determine whether answers entered into the users' terminals by users are entered within the reply time limit; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on whether the users enter the answers within the reply time limit and information on the answers from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within the reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system.
19. A system for allowing real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a reply system generating unit generating a reply system equipped into users' terminals in order to store information on correct answers to questions to be presented in a broadcast program, and in order to reply to the questions in the users' terminals; a transmitting unit transmitting the reply system to the users' terminals; and a receiving unit receiving information on a time when answers are entered by users and information on the answers entered by the users from the users' terminals via the reply system, and extracting information on users verified to have entered the answers within a predetermined reply time limit and to have entered correct answers via the reply system.
20. The system according to claim 17 or 19, wherein the information on the answers entered by users includes information on whether the answers are correct. 21. The system according to claim 17 or 19 further comprising a time setting unit used for receiving a predetermined reference time, wherein the reply time limit indicates a period set on the basis of the reference time and a time allowed for entering the answer is set by using the reference time and the replay time limit.
22. A reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit and whether the answers match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result to a server.
23. A reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a reply time limit storage unit storing a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions; a determination unit determining whether the answers are entered by users within the reply time limit stored in the reply time limit storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server.
24. A reply system equipped into a wireless terminal and used for real-time participation in a broadcast program, the system comprising: a correct answer storage unit storing correct answers to questions presented in a broadcast program; a determination unit determining whether answers entered by users match the correct answers stored in the correct answer storage unit; and a reply unit transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server.
25. The reply system according to claim 22 or 24, wherein the reply unit transmits the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers.
26. The reply system according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the reply unit transmits the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit.
27. The reply system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the reply unit transmits the information to the server at a predetermined time.
28. A method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program and a reply time limit for entering answers to the questions, the method comprising: determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit and whether the answers match the correct answers; and transmitting information on the determined result to a server.
29. A method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing correct answers to questions presented in the broadcast program, the method comprising: determining whether answers to the questions entered by users match the correct answers; and transmitting information on the determined result and a time for entering the answers to a server. 30. A method of responding for real-time participation in a broadcast program by using a reply system storing a reply time limit for entering answers to questions presented in the broadcast program, the method comprising: determining whether answers to the questions are entered by users within the reply time limit; and transmitting information on the determined result and the answers entered by the users to a server.
31. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the transmitting of information transmits the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are correct answers.
32. The method according to claim 28 or 30, wherein the transmitting of information transmits the information to the server only if more than a predetermined proportion of the answers entered by the users are entered within the reply time limit.
33. The method according to any one of claims 28 through 30, wherein the transmitting of information transmits the information to the server at a predetermined time.
34. A computer-readable recording medium embedded with a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, claims 11 through 14, and claims 28 through 30.
PCT/KR2004/001612 2003-07-02 2004-07-01 Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor WO2005003994A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2003-0044531 2003-07-02
KR1020030044531A KR20030079816A (en) 2003-07-02 2003-07-02 Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor
KR10-2004-0020324 2004-03-25
KR1020040020324A KR20040041105A (en) 2003-07-02 2004-03-25 Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor
KR1020040047673A KR20040069300A (en) 2003-07-02 2004-06-24 Method for allowing real-time-participating in broadcasting program and system therefor
KR10-2004-0047673 2004-06-24

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WO2008017874A1 (en) * 2006-08-11 2008-02-14 Answerback Limited Interactive electronic system and method for a plurality of users
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