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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interactive television system
comprising a transmission device of television waves for teletext
multiplex broadcasting, a household receiver having a teletext multiplex
receiving function, and a circuit device connected to the receiver, and
more particularly to an interactive television system for transmitting
desired data in a vertical blanking interval. The invention also relates
to an interactive television system of complementary information display
type, virtual channel type, viewer participation type, response feedback
type, broadcast relative online type, and broadcast independent online
type.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, along with the trend of high function and high precision of
general household television using ground waves, the technology for
utilizing the general household television is noticed as part of
multimedia. At the present, teletext multiplex broadcast is available,
and, for example, cooking recipe guide and translation synchronized with
the voice by character row display are presented as the information
service relating to the program, or news, weather forecast, stock market
report and others are presented as the information service not relating to
the program.
This kind of television, at the present, offers one-way information
transmission from the broadcasting station to the general household
television, and the purpose of use is limited to a small range of
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is hence a first object of the invention to present an interactive
television system comprising a transmission device of television waves for
teletext multiplex broadcasting, a household receiver having a teletext
multiplex receiving function, and a circuit device connected to the
receiver, in which the consumer cost is kept to a minimum by effectively
utilizing the existing infrastructure, and versatile and specific
information linking with the program is timely. presented, and an
interactive function between a television (household receiver) and a
viewer is realized.
It is a second object of the invention to present an interactive television
system for realizing an information exchange system for general household
having the function of selection of information by the user, that is, the
interactive function, which is one of the features of multimedia
information, easily by effectively utilizing the existing infrastructure
without demanding large consumer cost.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a television system comprises
receiving means for receiving a video signal including control data, means
for identifying the control data from the video signal received by the
receiving means and for storing the identified control data, means for
inputting an instruction from an operator, a display, first display means
for displaying an additional information selection screen for selecting
arbitrary additional information from plural pieces of additional
information on the display, according to the stored control data, in
response to the instruction input by the input means, and second display
means for displaying a screen corresponding to additional information
selected by the operator of the plural pieces of additional information on
the display, according to the stored control data, in response to the
instruction input by the input means.
This interactive television system makes effective use of the existing
infrastructure for selection of information by the user, that is, the
interactive function, which is one of the features of multimedia
information. It hence presents an interactive television system of
complementary information display type that is easily realized without
demanding large extra cost to the broadcasting station and users.
Herein, as the existing infrastructure, the broadness in coverage and
rapidity in reporting which are basic features of television broadcast,
coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) of
television broadcast, and public telephone line are utilized effectively.
In an economically advantageous system, still more, the interactive
television system of complementary information display type capable of
presenting specific information timely by linking with the program is
realized.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a television system
comprises a receiver, and line processing device, the receiver comprising:
first receiving means for receiving a video signal including transfer
destination information and control data, means for identifying the
control data and the transfer destination information from the video
signal received by the first receiving means and for storing the
identified control data, means for inputting an instruction from an
operator, a display, a memory for storing identification information,
display means for displaying an additional information selection screen
for selecting arbitrary additional information from plural pieces of
additional information according to the stored control data, in response
to the instruction input by the input means, and output means for
outputting transfer data corresponding to additional information selected
by the operator of the plural pieces of additional information, together
with the identification information stored in the memory, according to the
transfer destination information, in response to the instruction input by
the input means, and the line processing device comprising: second
receiving means for receiving the transfer data and the identification
information output from the output means, and processing means for
executing processing which corresponds to the additional information
selected by the operator, according to the transfer data and
identification information received by the second receiving means.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a television system comprises
a plurality of receivers, and a line processing device connected to the
plurality of receivers, each one of the plurality of receivers comprising:
first receiving means for receiving a video signal including transfer
destination information and control data, means for identifying the
control data and the transfer destination information from the video
signal received by the first receiving means and for storing the control
data and the transfer destination information, means for inputting an
instruction from an operator, a display, a memory for storing
identification information, display means for displaying an additional
information selection screen for selecting arbitrary additional
information from plural pieces of additional information according to the
stored control data, in response to the instruction input by the input
means, and output means for outputting transfer data corresponding to the
additional information selected by the operator, together with the
identification information stored in the memory to the line processing
device, according to the transfer destination information, in response to
the instruction input by the input means, and the line processing device
comprising: second receiving means for receiving the transfer data and the
identification information outputted from the output means, and processing
means for executing predetermined processing in every one of the plural
pieces of additional information, according to the transfer data and the
identification information received by the second receiving means.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a television system
comprises a receiver, and line control device, the receiver comprising:
first receiving means for receiving a video signal including transfer
destination information and control data, means for identifying the
control data and the transfer destination information from the video
signal received by the first receiving means and for storing the control
data and the transfer destination information, means for inputting an
instruction from an operator, a display, a memory for storing
identification information, display means for displaying an additional
information selection screen for selecting arbitrary additional
information from plural pieces of additional information according to the
stored control data, in response to the instruction input by the input
means, and first output means for outputting transfer data corresponding
to additional information selected by the operator of the plural pieces of
additional information, together with the identification information
stored in the memory, according to the transfer destination information,
in response to the instruction input by the input means, and the line
control device comprising: second receiving means for receiving the
transfer data and the identification information output from the first
output means, a database dealing with at least one of the receiver and the
operator, and second output means for outputting response data
corresponding to the additional information selected by the operator of
the plural pieces of additional information, according to the transfer
data and the identification information received by the second receiving
means, and the database.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a television system comprises
a receiver, and a server, the receiver comprising: first receiving means
for receiving a video signal including telephone number information and
control data, means for identifying the control data and the telephone
number information from the video signal received in the first receiving
means and storing the control data and the telephone number information,
means for inputting an instruction from an operator, a display, a memory
for storing identification information, first display means for displaying
an additional information selection screen for selecting arbitrary
additional information from plural pieces of additional information
according to the stored control data, in response to the instruction input
by the input means, output means for outputting transfer data
corresponding to additional information selected by the operator of the
plural pieces of additional information, together with the identification
information stored in the memory onto a telephone line, according to the
telephone number information, in response to the instruction input by the
input means, and second display means for receiving the response data
output on the telephone line, and displaying the information corresponding
to the received response data on the display; and the server comprising:
second receiving means for receiving the transfer data and the
identification information output from the output means through the
telephone line, a database dealing with at least one of the receiver and
the operator, and means for retrieving the database according to the
identification information received by the second receiving means, and
outputting response data corresponding to the transfer data onto the
telephone line.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a television system comprises
a receiver, and a server, the receiver comprising: input means for
inputting an instruction from an operator, a display, a first memory for
storing identification information, a second memory for storing telephone
number information of a the server, output means for outputting transfer
data corresponding to the instruction input by the input means, together
with the identification information stored in the first memory, onto a
telephone line, according to the telephone number information, in response
to the instruction input by the input means, and display means for
receiving response data output onto the telephone line, and displaying
information corresponding to the received response data on the display,
and the server comprising: receiving means for receiving the transfer data
and the identification information output from the output means through
the telephone line, a database dealing with at least one of the receiver
and the operator, and means for retrieving the database according to the
identification information received in the second receiving means, and
outputting response data corresponding to the transfer data onto the
telephone line.
The interactive television system according to the second to sixth aspects
easily realizes an information exchange system for general household
having the function of selection of information by the user, that is, the
interactive function, which is one of the features of multimedia
information, by effectively utilizing the existing infrastructure without
demanding large consumer cost. Herein, as the existing infrastructure, the
broadness in coverage and rapidity in reporting which are basic features
of television broadcast, coding transmission system in vertical blanking
interval (VBI) of television broadcast, and public telephone line are
utilized effectively, and in an economically advantageous system
configuration, the interactive television system of virtual channel type,
viewer participation type, response feedback type, and online service type
for general household is realized.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects
and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of
the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part
of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the
invention and, together with the general description given above and the
detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of complementary information display type according to a
first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of operation interlocked with the on-screen program
in the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts shown in FIG. 1
in the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a multimedia
teletext broadcast receiving circuit 33 shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a button constitution example of television
remote control in the first embodiment;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing transmission timing of control data
(script and screen control information) in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the first
embodiment;
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of virtual channel type according to a second embodiment
of the invention;
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing operation not interlocked with the on-screen
program in the second embodiment;
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of viewer participation type according to a third
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked with the on-screen
program in the third embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts shown in FIG.
29 in the third embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of response feedback type according to a fourth
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked with the on-screen
program in the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of online service type according to a fifth embodiment
of the invention;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked or not interlocked
with the on-screen program in the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a multimedia
teletext broadcast receiving circuit 33 in the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the second
embodiment;
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the second
embodiment;
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the second
embodiment;
FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the second
embodiment;
FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the fourth
embodiment;
FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the fourth
embodiment;
FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactive
television system of online service type according to a sixth embodiment
of the invention; and
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing operation independent of broadcast in the
sixth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, first to sixth embodiments of the invention
are described in detail below.
First, a first embodiment of the invention is described by reference to
FIGS. 1 to 22.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining the
outline of the first embodiment.
The invention is an interactive television system of complementary
information display type realizing an interaction function between a
television and a viewer. From a transmission antenna 2 of a broadcasting
station 1, control data including scrip and screen control information for
presenting subsidiary image information relating to main broadcast is
transmitted in a vertical blanking interval (VBI) of main broadcasting
program.
Herein, the entire bit stream for display of additional information
transmitted in the teletext multiplex transmission period in VBI is called
merely "script" except for partial control information, and therefore the
script include the header, form, resource, and program (script main body).
The same definition of the term script is applied to other embodiments
described later.
A household interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television
wave transmitted from the broadcasting station 1, and accepts program
presentation of desired channel by button operation of a remote controller
(television remote controller) 308.
At this time, the interactive television receiver (TV) 3, when receiving
the broadcasting program by teletext (coded transmission type teletext),
receives and buffers the teletext signal in the teletext receiving
circuit.
When a teletext program is selected by button operation of the television
remote controller 308, the teletext program according to the selection
instruction is decoded by teletext decoder, and is displayed in a
specified display format.
In this invention, by the reception script by the received teletext signal,
the existing teletext program is further developed, and it is intended to
present various specific additional information widely linking with the
on-screen program timely, on the basis of the reception script for display
of additional information, according to the instruction of the viewer.
For example, referring to a sports program as additional information that
can be displayed by the reception script, as the additional information
for a gold live program, the rank, individual score, course layout and
others relating to the live program (on-screen program) are prepared, and
as the viewer manipulates the television remote controller 308 to request
to display selected screen of additional information, the desired
additional information can be selected on the additional information
selection screen according to the request, so that the selected rank,
individual score, or course layout relating to the on-screen program is
presented to the viewer.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing outline of processing procedure of the portion
relating to the invention, in this interactive television system of
complementary information display type.
In FIG. 2, step S1 shows transmission process of television wave for
teletext (coded transmission type teletext), and herein sowing the process
of transmission of script (herein, the script is meant to include the
header, form and resource, as well as the script main body (program)
describing the process procedure) for presenting plural types of
additional information relating to the main broadcast in the vertical
blanking interval (VBI) included in the video signal of the main
broadcast.
Step S2 shows the process of receiving the television wave in the
interactive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) the
reception script.
Step S3 shows the process of sending out a display output request signal of
additional information by manipulating the television remote controller
308.
Step S4 shows the process of executing the script according to the display
output request of additional information from the viewer, creating
additional information selection screen for selecting desired additional
information from plural types of additional information, and displaying in
part of the display screen.
Step S5 shows the process of manipulation of the television remote
controller 308 by the viewer for sending out the additional information
selection instruction signal.
Step S6 shows the process of displaying the screen of the selected and
instructed additional information according to the additional information
selection instruction from the viewer.
By this interactive function using the television as the medium, for
example, linking with various onscreen programs such as live sports and
news, versatile and specific additional information can be presented
timely. For example, in a live golf program, as the additional information
for a gold live program, the rank, individual score, course layout and
others relating to the live program (on-screen program) are prepared, and
as the viewer manipulates the television remote controller 308 to request
to display selected screen of additional information, the desired
additional information can be selected on the additional information
selection screen according to the request, so that the selected rank,
individual score, or course layout relating to the on-screen program is
presented to the viewer.
Alternatively, as additional information, for example, in a children's
educational program, simple selectors may be provided, the script showing
the screen of right answer to a quiz by selection of viewer is prepared
and transmitted from the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting
station 1, and in the children's educational program, according to the
selection manipulation of selectors by the television remote controller
operation by the viewer, the answer is judged according to the received
right answer information, and the result of judgment may be displayed on
the screen.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts in the
interactive television system of complementary information display type in
the embodiment of the invention, and same parts as in FIG. 1 are
identified with same reference numerals and their explanations are
omitted.
Reference numerals 11 to 21 show constituent elements in the broadcasting
station 1. A television camera 11 is installed in the studio for producing
a program. A video tape recorder 12 records the picture and sound for
program production in a video tape, and reproduces. A control room 13 is
used for various adjustments for program production. A CG rendering 14 is
for computer graphic processing for program production.
An interactive teletext manufacturing apparatus 15 creates script data for
presenting plural types of additional information relating to main
broadcast in the VBI included in the video signal of main broadcast
(on-screen program). This script includes an individual program ID for
every bidirectional program (type of additional information).
A teletext manufacturing apparatus 16 creates transmission data for
existing teletext, for example, weather forecast and stock market
quotation.
An interface 17 is an application server for transferring the script
created in the interactive teletext manufacturing apparatus 15 to the
transmission apparatus of the television wave, and reference numeral 18 is
for connection control with an external line. A sending control apparatus
19 is responsible for control of teletext (VBI data transmission)
including the script relating to the invention. A multiplexing apparatus
20 superposes teletext (VBI data) on the main broadcast (on-screen
program). A transmitter 21 sends out the multiplexed television wave
(television wave for teletext) from the transmission antenna 2.
Reference numerals 31 to 34 show constituent elements of the interactive
television receiver (TV) 3. A teletext receiver 31 receives teletext
transmitted from the transmission antenna 2. A display unit (cathode-ray
tube: CRT) 32 selectively displays the ordinary teletext obtained in a
multimedia teletext receiver 33 or interactive teletext of the invention,
in addition to the main broadcast (on-screen program) obtained in the
teletext receiver 31.
The multimedia teletext receiver 33 discriminates and takes in the teletext
data (VBI data) from the received broadcast wave, and classifies into the
data of ordinary teletext, and data of interactive teletext (herein data
of plural types of additional information relating to the main broadcast),
and generates display data of ordinary teletext and display data of plural
types of additional information relating to the main broadcast. Herein,
however, the display control function of ordinary teletext is omitted, and
only the display control function of plural types of additional
information relating to the main broadcast (interactive teletext decoder)
is described. In the interactive teletext decoder of the multimedia
teletext receiver 33, the reception script is interpreted and executed,
and display information is supplied into the video processing circuit of
the teletext receiver 31, and the information to be sent out to the line
is supplied into a modem 34, and the detail is described later by
referring to FIG. 4.
The modem 34 is used for connecting the multimedia teletext receiver 33 to
the public telephone line, and hence, through the modem 34, the data
handled in the multimedia teletext receiver 33 can be transmitted by
dialing automatically to the line connection destination (for example,
server) given from the interactive teletext decoder of the receiver 33
(built in the reception script). That is, by specific key input operation
of the television remote controller 308, the information registered in the
registration setting unit ›PS! of ROM device control and individual
identification information mentioned later may be automatically dialed,
through the modem 34, to the line connection destination (for example,
server 4) given from the interactive teletext decoder (built in the
reception script) as the transmission source.
Reference numerals 41 to 46 show constituent elements of the server 4. A
communication control processor (CCP) facility 41 (41-1, 41-2, 41-3, . . .
41-m) possesses the multimedia teletext receiver 33. Dealing with the
interactive television receivers (TV) 3 at multiple homes, data is
transmitted and received with the multimedia teletext receiver 33 in each
TV 3.
Plural response server facilities 42 (42-1, 42-n) are provided under the
control of a center server facility 43 mentioned later, and transmission
and reception information is distributed and processed with multiple TV
receivers 3. The response server facility 42 is connected to local
database (L-DB) 42A accumulating the individual information of specific
area for subscriber control.
The center server facility 43 accumulates and processes the disperse
processing results of the response server facilities. The center sever
facility 43 is connected to the master database (M-DB) 43A accumulating
the individual information in the whole area for subscriber control.
A broadcast server facility 44 receives process instructions to response
from the interactive TV 3 preliminarily from the broadcasting station 1,
or sends back the response result of the interactive TV 3 to the
broadcasting station 1 in a format requested by the broadcasting station.
1.
An IP/SP (information provider/service provider) server facility 45
receives process instructions to the response from the interactive TV 3
preliminarily from network service 5, or sends back the response result of
the interactive TV 3 to the network service 5 in a format requested by the
network service 5.
An operation management facility 45 manages the operation of the server
system comprising the above facilities.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an internal structure of the
multimedia teletext receiver 33.
In FIG. 4, a CPU (central processing unit) 301 is responsible for control
of the multimedia teletext receiver 33. In this embodiment, the CPU 301
processes the script for presenting plural types of additional information
relating to the main broadcast, and as this CPU 301 executes the process
of the script process module ›SCR! in the ROM 302 mentioned later, an
interactive teletext decoder is realized. Herein, the reception script
distinguished from the video signal is buffered (stored) in the RAM 305,
and is interpreted and executed, and display data (RGB signal) is
generated.
A control memory (read-only memory: ROM) 302 stores the basic control
program executed by the CPU 301 and fixed information, and it is accessed
by the CPU 301 to be read. Herein, the script process module ›SCR! for
executing script process, teletext process module ›CBP! for executing
teletext, and others are stored, and there are also registration setting
unit ›PS! of machine control and individual identification information in
which machine individual ID designated in each receiver and individual ID
are registered, kanji and character control unit ›CHA! in which kanji and
characters are stored and controlled, and icon control unit ›ICON!, among
others.
A data separation processing circuit (waveform equalizing data separating
circuit) 303 discriminates teletext data and interactive teletext data
(that is, script for display of additional information) from the video
signal received in the teletext receiver 31. The discriminated reception
teletext data and reception script are stored in a RAM 305 under the
control of the CPU 301.
A display memory (VRAM: video random access memory) 304 is a memory for
storing display data, in which, for example, display data processed by a
picture process program ›PICM! is stored.
The memory (RAM) 305 is used as work memory of the CPU 301, and herein the
data communication control program ›DCOM!, picture process program ›PICM!,
user interface program ›USIF!, script buffer ›SCB!, and teletext data
buffer are provided.
A station selection microprocessor (MP) 307 receives a signal from the
television remote controller 308, separates into television manipulation
command, and selection control command for display of additional
information, sends out the television manipulation command such as channel
designation to the television receiver, and stores the selection control
command for display of additional information temporarily in the buffer
register for remote control reception, and sends to the CPU 301 in bit
parallel.
The television remote controller 308 remote controls the interactive
television receiver 3. Herein, as shown in FIG. 5, there are mode
selection key (i key) for changing the interactive mode between valid and
invalid, direction command keys (up key, down key, left key, right key)
for selecting a desired selector from plural selectors provided on the
additional information selection screen, and determination (firm) key.
The mode selection key (i key) is a toggle switch for changing over the
interactive mode valid and invalid alternately, and when the interactive
mode is valid, as shown in FIG. 7, an "i" mark appears in the upper left
corner of the display (CRT) 32.
The station selection MP 307 is usable only when the interactive mode is
valid (that is, when the "i" mark is shown), and some of the keys (for
example, numeric keys) are reflected only in the displayed additional
information.
Incidentally, valid/invalid setting of the interactive mode is selected by
force also at a certain timing according to the command built in the
script in a specified additional information display, aside from
manipulation of the television remote controller 308.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are transmission timing diagrams of control data including
the script and screen control information, and herein, in addition to the
horizontal scanning period (existing teletext signal) in the VBI for
transmitting ordinary teletext data, the control data is transmitted by
utilizing the horizontal scanning period in the VBI indicated by 6A and
6B. FIG. 6A shows even fields, and FIG. 6B shows odd fields.
FIGS. 7 to 22 show examples of screen transition state in the first
embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 7 to 15 show screen changes of a live golf
game as an example of sports program. FIGS. 16 to 22 show screen changes
in a quiz program. In the quiz program, the processing device for
executing the script, that is, the CPU 301 judges the reply entered from
the television remote controller 301 on the basis of the right answer
information built in the script (for example, yes/no, selector number,
quiz answer by symbol input), and displays the information of the result
of judgment on the display screen at the display timing conforming to the
screen control information received together with the script.
Examples of operation in this embodiment of the invention are described
below.
From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, the
television wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext) including
control data in VBI (script and image control information) is transmitted
in the transmission format shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B (step S1 in FIG. 2).
Herein, the script for presenting plural types of additional information
relating to the main broadcast in the vertical blanking interval (VBI)
included in the video signal of the main broadcast (including the script
main body (program) describing the processing procedure, header, form, and
resource) is transmitted. For example, in this explanation, a live golf
game is transmitted together with plural types of additional information.
The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave
(broadcast wave) of the live golf game, and the reception script included
in the broadcast is stored (buffered). That is, the multimedia teletext
receiver 33 provided in the interactive television receiver (TV) 3
discriminates and takes in the VBI data from the received broadcast wave,
and separates into the data of ordinary teletext program and data of
interactive teletext program (herein, the data of plural types of
additional information relating to main broadcast), and generates display
data of ordinary teletext program and display data of plural types of
additional information relating to the main broadcast, and stores
(buffers) them in the RAM 305 (step S2 in FIG. 2).
Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) of the
television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive mode valid, the
"i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit (CRT) 32,
telling that the interactive mode is valid (step S3 in FIG. 2).
Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (i key),
by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletext decoder
realized by execution of the process of script process module ›SCR! in the
ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, an additional information selection
screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (step S4 in FIG. 2).
On this additional information selection screen, as the viewer manipulates
the direction command key (herein up key or down key) of the television
remote controller 308, the selected and designated selector is emphasized
in display (for example, displayed in a special color frame), and the
specified selector is clarified (in FIG.8, the "rank" is emphasized by the
specific color frame). At this time, when the decision (firm) key of the
television remote controller 308 is manipulated, the script process is
executed again, and the selected and designated additional information
screen is displayed. For example, when the decision (firm) key is pressed
while the rank is emphasized in special color frame, the additional
information screen of rank is displayed as shown in FIG. 9 (steps S5 and
S6 in FIG. 2).
Or, when the decision (firm) key is manipulated when the course is
emphasized in special color frame on the additional information selection
screen shown in FIG. 8, the additional information screen of course guide
is displayed as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and further when a direction
command key (down key) is manipulated, as shown in FIG. 12., the
additional information screen of course layout is displayed. When the
decision (firm) key is manipulated while the score is emphasized in
special color frame on the additional information selection screen shown
in FIG. 8, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the additional information screen
of score is displayed. Moreover, when an arbitrary player is selected on
the screen display shown in FIG. 14 (in the first embodiment, the fourth
player from the left, the rank enclosed by double square), further
specific information is displayed as shown in FIG. 15.
Similarly, in a quiz program, the additional information of the quiz
program is displayed in the screen transition as shown in FIGS. 16 to 22.
Herein, the right answer information is preliminarily built in the
reception script, and according to the selection operation of selector by
manipulation of the television remote controller 308 by viewer, it is
judged if the reply is correct or not by the CPU 301 on the basis of the
received right answer information, and the result of judgment is displayed
on the screen.
By such interactive function using the television as the medium, versatile
and specific additional inf | | |
