Interactive video distribution systems – Video distribution system with local interaction – Interactive data transmitted in video signal band
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2003-04-29
Miller, John (Department: 2614)
Interactive video distribution systems
Video distribution system with local interaction
Interactive data transmitted in video signal band
C725S138000, C725S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06557171
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to preselection of TV programs in a digital TV broadcast system.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
There have been known several methods for preselecting TV programs for recording. In one method, viewers input recording dates, program start/end times, channel numbers or the like using a remote controller, obtaining these pieces of information from a printed program schedule. Recently, another method has become popular in which viewers input a sequence of numerals called “G-code” for preselecting programs. This method is thought to be easier than the first method.
In digital satellite broadcasting, the third method is available. The third method provides on-screen preselection of recording-target programs. In this method, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) being a screen used by viewers to preselect a desired program is displayed on the TV screen.
However, each of the above methods has problems. With the first method, viewers usually input data which is obtained from a printed program schedule. As a result, a printed source or the like is required to input information. With the second method, it is required to use recording apparatuses that have a function for decoding the G-codes.
With the third method, viewing the EPG displayed on the TV screen, viewers can easily preselect TV programs to be recorded. However, the EPG screen which is transmitted from the broadcasting station is monotonous. The EPG is displayed on the receiving apparatuses irrelevant to the contents of the currently displayed programs. Furthermore, it is impossible with this method to preselect a plurality of TV programs at a time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the first object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcast sending apparatus for sending a promotional program on which diversified screens are displayed in relation to preselection manipulations performed by the viewers. It is the second object of this invention to provide a digital broadcast receiving apparatus with which the viewers can preselect programs while watching the promotional program. It is the third object of this invention to provide a digital broadcast sending/receiving system in which the above two objects are both achieved.
The first object is fulfilled by a digital broadcast sending apparatus which sends a transport stream to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising: a presentation data storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of presentation data of a broadcast program, where each of the plurality of pieces of presentation data is either of video data and audio data; a preselection control information storage unit for storing preselection control information which is used by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus to receive instructions from a viewer concerning preselection of object programs, the preselection control information including: a first script which specifies a manipulation of the viewer performed to preselect an object program; and a second script which includes program identification information specifying the object program corresponding to the manipulation specified in the first script and includes an instruction to perform a process of preselecting the specified object program when the viewer performs the manipulation; a program schedule information storage unit for storing program schedule information which includes information used for identifying the broadcast program, includes broadcast time information of the broadcast program, and shows a relationship between the broadcast program and the preselection control information; a multiplexing control unit for referring to the program schedule information, reading the plurality of pieces of presentation data from the presentation data storage unit, and multiplexing the read plurality of pieces of presentation data into the transport stream during a transmission period which is determined based on the broadcast time information, and repeatedly reading the preselection control information specified in the program schedule information from the preselection control information storage unit and multiplexing the read preselection control information into the transport stream during the transmission period; and a sending unit for sending the transport stream in which the read plurality of pieces of presentation data and the read preselection control information are multiplexed.
With the above-stated construction, it is possible for a program supplier to send a broadcast program using the digital broadcast sending apparatus, where programs specified in the second script can be preselected when the viewer performs a manipulation specified in the first script while the broadcast program is broadcast.
In the above-described digital broadcast sending apparatus, the preselection control information may further include a third script which specifies that when an object program is preselected, either a piece of presentation data currently reproduced is changed to another piece of presentation data or graphics data is reproduced, the graphics data being included in the preselection control information.
With the above-stated construction, the viewer can recognize in diversified ways that a preselection of program has been registered.
In the above-described digital broadcast sending apparatus, the first script may further include a manipulation object which is superimposed on an original image of a piece of presentation data of video data reproduced on a display of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
With the above-stated construction, the manipulation object is superimposed on the original image of the broadcast program. This facilitates the program preselection since a program is preselected when the viewer presses a button corresponding to the program on the remote controller, for example.
In the above-described digital broadcast sending apparatus, the second script may specify a plurality of object programs.
With the above-stated construction, the viewer can preselect a plurality of programs with one manipulation for the preselection.
In the above-described digital broadcast sending apparatus, the presentation data storage unit may further store another plurality of presentation data of the object program specified in the second script, and the program schedule information storage unit includes the program identification information included in the second script and includes broadcast time information of the object program specified in the second script, and the digital broadcast sending apparatus further comprises: a system table generating unit for generating an Event Information Table (EIT) which shows the broadcast time information of the object program, and the multiplexing control unit starts, a predetermined time before a broadcast start of the object program, repeatedly multiplexing the generated EIT into the transport stream, reads the other plurality of presentation data of the object program from the presentation data storage unit, and multiplexes the presentation data into the transport stream during the transmission period.
With the above-stated construction, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus can reproduce the preselected program.
In the above-described digital broadcast sending apparatus, the second script may include a set of original network_id, transport_stream_id, service_id, and event_id for use of specifying object programs, and the system table generating unit generates system tables whereby the digital broadcast receiving apparatus extracts the other plurality of presentation data of the object program identified by the set of original_network_id, transport_stream_id, service_id, and event_id, and the multiplexing control unit starts, a predetermined time before a broadcast start of the object program, repeatedly multiplexing the generated system tables into the transport stream during the transmission period.
With the above-stated construction, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is assured to reproduce the preselected pr
Mimura Yoshihiro
Oashi Masahiro
Okamura Kazuo
Shimoji Tatsuya
Sonoda Yasuyuki
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Miller John
Shang Annan Q.
LandOfFree
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