DE10240273A1 - Reversed channel operation method for activating a reversed channel for interactive TV transmissions allows a viewer to select alternative screens - Google Patents

Abstract

An interactive TV transmission involves defined time intervals, during which a viewer is asked to select an alternative screen (4). The viewer uses a form (1) for this purpose, which is assigned to the TV transmission and has numerous blank alternatives so that each alternative screen can be assigned to a blank alternative (2). Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) A form for activating a reversed channel for interactive TV transmissions; (b) and for a read/evaluatory device (5) for evaluating such a form.

Description

The invention relates to a method to implement a return channel for interactive TV broadcasts using a form, as well as such forms and related Evaluation devices whereby value added services offered by modern telecommunication networks be used.

1. State of the art

1.1 Value-added telephone services

The tone dialing technology is known, which among other things allowed, by means of a handset And select certain phone numbers without pressing any key exchange data with the relevant participants. Such devices will be e.g. offered to automate telephone banking.

The is now also known in Mass market established ISDN technology, which among other things so called "Caller ID" Provides services such that e.g. a caller's phone number is displayed at the addressee and - e.g. from an answering machine or a PC phone - together can be recorded with the time, even if never a conversation comes about. This functionality - the below under the General term "TC value added services" is subsumed - can also in the telephone network itself, under a suitable "service number" be available.

Finally, processes are known which examine a telephone number for its area code and then - after Kind of a least cost router - one Create a new phone number and dial it.

1.2 Interactive forms

Electronic forms are known for PCs, PDAs, web pads, cell phones etc. which are electronically transferable are and are usually filled out in the receiving device and sent or sent on occasion. can be printed out. These have form entries, on the one hand visible entry, e.g. a displayed digit, on the other a corresponds to the addressable computer process under this point.

Are also known for the mass market certain barcode readers who e.g. allow one from a VCR Enter the television program to be recorded by the barcode reader Posts reads in a form in a television program guide; here are "speaking" barcodes, which directly evaluable data such as a television channel and include a time interval. The transaction remains local, the barcode reader prefers the one in the same room VCR controls.

Approaches are more recent, according to those, eg according to patent application DE 10133 259.9 , a very simple reader of this type, which is suitable for visible and transparent barcodes, is connected to a PC and thus to the telecommunications network; Such a reader can either read a barcode applied to a print template as a "speaking barcode" (for example, as in the above video recorder application), or else determine a position using a special, machine-readable "position code" and call up data associated with this position or call computer processes.

Patent application DE 102 38 003.1 describes another method which allows the barcodes to be read under a template using a similarly simple pen, so that the template can be reused as desired, since the patterns printed under the template are now protected.

So the above template can present a form, with the barcodes above as visible or act as invisible printed form entries.

1.3 Interactive TV

Interactive television services are known for Type of one built by Warner Cable in Columbus, Ohio, USA in 1977 Test system. The preferred labeling of such systems is a narrow band Return channel, designed as a cable modem with low bandwidth, the system on the one hand is technically designed so that the corresponding data telegrams if possible received and processed in real time in the cable headend, and on the other hand so that new program content is made possible in which the audience intervenes directly in the program, e.g. a local political vote or the correct answer a quiz question is made possible by the viewers, even during a broadcast, or a line of action for a movie while still selected a program can be.

Answered in a preferred form the viewer sitting in his living room on the show, numbered questions by pressing the corresponding button on a remote control.

This is wireless to a cable box connected, which in turn communicates with the cable head-end station via modem.

However, the majority of viewers do not have a cable box and can prefer to participate in such programs by telephone; mostly through a conventional call center. The advantage from the perspective of users and operators is that no additional hardware is required. Disadvantages are: the telephone system is not technically designed for this variant - that a large number of customers call the same number within a narrow time interval. Even if If solutions are offered under the keyword "intelligent networks", these are associated with additional costs for the organizer, which usually have to be passed on to the viewer. For example, participation is much too expensive if the viewer uses his telephone connection to the call center during the entire broadcast, or if he has to call every transaction once in a while. In extreme cases, there are unacceptable waiting times when handling calls, and calls may have to be rejected.

We are looking for a procedure which interactive television services in one for viewers and organizers inexpensive Way enables for any number of participants, i.e. also at the OK postulated very high usage peaks.

The invention solves this problem by means of a A method according to claim 1, a form according to claim 6 and one Reading and evaluation device according to claim 11. Further embodiments of the invention are in the dependent Described claims.

2. Description

The description follows below a preferred embodiment of the invention.

2.1 An interactive television program according to the invention contains defined time intervals during which the viewer can choose a screen alternative ( 4 ) is asked to do a multiple choice question in a quiz show.

Examples:

• 2.1.1 the viewer can at home with one guess TV quiz designed in this way, but - for economic reasons and security reasons necessarily - too other conditions than the respective studio guest. Because after a short time Time the answer to the respective question is given, the Spectators guess faster than the studio guest or the moderator the broadcast: otherwise it would be his contribution is invalid. So must be preferred for this variant the time at each response of the viewer to which it takes place are logged.
• 2.1.2 the viewer can bid for a prize according to the invention let in, preferably to one on which the television program, or a commercial to help answer the questions. Also Here you can time limits are set.
• 2.1.3 the viewer takes part in a survey which is initiated by the television program as described above, where their statistically determined result prefers the further course influenced the broadcast. Here are also tight time limits for the decision set; there are constellations for which, in contrast to 2.1.3 no "correct" answer exist.

2.2 The return channel required for participation is realized by the viewer, once or periodically, using a form that can be used repeatedly ( 1 ), which can be in the form of printed paper or electronically, and which is a number of blank alternatives ( 2 ) with associated form entries, so that every screen alternative ( 4 ) exactly one blank alternative ( 2 ) is assigned so that the selection of a blank alternative becomes synonymous with the selection of a screen alternative. The selections made are processed as described below by using form entries, each corresponding to a blank alternative, using TK value-added services to a suitable server ( 7 ) be allocated.

• a) derartige Formulare nur von einem bestimmten Fernsehkanal benutzt werden. Damit stellen Datum und Uhrzeit der jeweiligen Auswahl den nötigen Zusammenhang her, wobei das Datum in der Regel fortgelassen wird.
• b) derartige Formulare mit mehreren Fernsehkanälen verwendet werden sollen. Nun muss jeweils vor der Nutzung der richtige Kanal selektiert werden. Bevorzugt wird dieser zu Beginn der Sendung von dem Formular eingelesen und der jeweiligen Auswahl als Parameter beigeordnet.

This ensures that a selection of the respective interactive television program is assigned correctly. This can be done by:

• a) such forms are only used by a certain television channel. In this way, the date and time of the respective selection create the necessary connection, whereby the date is usually omitted.
• b) such forms are to be used with several television channels. Now the correct channel must be selected before use. This is preferably read from the form at the beginning of the shipment and assigned to the respective selection as a parameter.

The screen alternatives and the blank alternatives are preferably numbered in this way, for example in 1 from 1 to 10 that the assignment is particularly easy. The form can preferably be used again within an interactive television program, and also over several television programs, until the viewer is given a new, up-to-date form. The viewer is preferably made aware during the broadcast or on the form that he should use the current forms.

• 2.2.1 Preferably, only a single blank alternative is selected. In 1 and 3 the first blank alternative is selected as an example and this corresponds to screen alternative 1.
• 2.2.2 In a preferred version acc. 3 the form is executed electronically so that it can be used as a reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) Acting cellphone, PDA, or webpad fed through a network; whereby this device makes the respective selection processes, acc. 2.4 additional data is determined and the transmission to an evaluation device ( 7 ) does.
• 2.2.3 In another preferred version acc. 1 and 2 the form is a print product, and manufactured in such a way that it can be read and labeled as a normal printed product in certain configurations. This form is used to select a blank alternative by using the associated form entry ( 3 ) from the reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) is read and evaluated. These form entries are realized in the form as machine-readable printed samples. These patterns are designed either in the manner of a speaking barcode (preferably one barcode per blank alternative), or in the manner of a position code (a subset of the positions on the form each corresponding to a form entry). These form entries are preferably invisible and / or encrypted.
• 2.2.4 The distribution of the forms acc. 2.2.2 or 2.2.3 preferably the broadcaster or a third party, whereby the latter in a contractual relationship with the broadcaster can stand. Address management methods preferably allow Send forms differentiated according to place of residence or other criteria.

2.3 A reading and evaluation device preferably reads ( 5 ) an entry designed as a one-dimensional barcode ( 3 ) in a printed form by moving it from left to right via an associated graphic feature ( 6 ) to be led. In 1 and 2 such a barcode is shown purely generically, the graphic features are in 1 omitted.

With visibly printed one-dimensional codes these themselves form the graphic feature, when printed invisibly Codes will preferably have a visible line segment on the form printed. The reading and evaluation device preferably also does that Decoding the read signal.

The evaluation process logs, explicitly or implicitly, the time at which the above blank alternative was selected by making this selection after decoding by the reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) electronically to an evaluation device ( 7 ), as described in 2.4 below: either immediately, in the manner of a real-time transaction, or only after several selections have been made, in the manner of an upload of a file, i.e. in a batch process. The evaluation device - henceforth referred to as the "server" - checks the transmitted selections for validity: for example, the selection must correspond to an alternative actually shown on the screen; or it can acc. 2.1.3 the selection should be time-critical, so that it is only valid if it is made within a prescribed time interval. The corresponding time interval - for example known in the television studio - is preferred in each case in the server ( 7 ) entered.

2.4 The reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) uses TK value-added services to select a server ( 7 ), which in turn communicates with the broadcaster or a third party:
2.4.1 The reading and evaluation device preferably chooses after each readout of a form entry ( 3 ) a telephone number included in this entry.

• a) The telephone number is preferably a cross-regional service number, functionalities of the so-called "intelligent networks" are used, for example the corresponding call is already intercepted in the local telephone exchange and processed separately, depending on the customer's request. Each blank can be selected -Alternative correspond to such a service number, so that the processing essentially consists only of logging the telephone number of the calling viewer together with the time of this call, which is technically feasible without problems - if the legal framework to be created by the television broadcaster and customer allows In this model, the broadcaster is a partner of the telecommunications provider: it prefers to determine the telephone tariff which the calling viewer has to pay and can share the respective revenues from viewer calls with the telecommunications provider Telecommunications network an essential part of the evaluation and acts as a front end to the server ( 7 ).
• b) Based on the telephone number dialed, a normal connection can also be set up which addresses an ISDN telephone set, but this does not "pick up", but only logs the incoming number and the associated time using the caller ID function. In this case, this device, preferably connected to a PC, represents the front end of the server ( 7 ). The viewer incurs no costs due to the fact that the selected apparatus has not been picked up. The operator does not incur any costs either, but if the additional burdens on the telephone network caused by him become significant, he will want to agree with the operator. This is obvious because the procedure described involves an actual switching process (even if no connection has actually been made) and therefore performs significantly less than the solution according to. Point 2.4.1a); so that this variant is particularly suitable for pilot tests and demonstrations. The reading and evaluation device can preferably be programmed in such a way that, based on the viewer's place of residence, the location code is omitted for each telephone number stored on the form and / or by a completely different number mer replaced, like a least-cost call router. This functionality can preferably be switched off.

The above service and Telephone numbers of any individual viewer or audience group be allocated by this according to 2.2.4 specific forms sends. The form can refer to the fact that e.g. only in a certain catchment area or at a certain place of residence is usable.

The advantage of proceeding according to a) or b) above is that it is real - in conventional Senses - interactive Participation in the broadcast.

• a) Die Protokollierung von T kann bevorzugt realisiert werden, indem der Stift eine Funkuhr enthält.
• b) Ein implizites W kann bevorzugt aus dem der Fernsehsendung zugeordneten Datenstrom erstellt werden, z.B. indem die Zeitintervalle zwischen den jeweils zuletzt erfolgten Video-Schnitten (also den „harten" Bildwechsel, welche über einen sehr einfachen Videobild-Korrelator ermittelbar sind), oder die zeitintervalle, in denen kein Ton übertragen wird, über eine Hash-Funktion zu einem Schlüssel endlicher Länge verarbeitet werden. Das „implizite" W hat den Vorteil, dass in seine Berechnung Merkmale eingearbeitet werden können, welche einen Missbrauch durch einzelne Teilnehmer erschweren. Ein einfaches Merkmal dieser Art besteht darin, den Algorithmus und sonstige Einzelheiten zur Berechnung von W nicht bekannt zu geben und/oder dynamisch zu verändern. Letzeres kann bevorzugt unter Nutzung des obigen Barcode-Formulares geschehen indem, nach Einlesen geeigneten Daten, Programmparameter geändert, oder Verzweigungen neu gesetzt, oder Programmcode ersetzt wird. Diese Verarbeitungsschritte können bevorzugt im Lese- und Auswertungsgerät, oder in einem mit dem Lese- und Auswertungsgerät (7) per Draht oder drahtlos verbundenen Hilfsgerät (8) welches W berechnet und mit dem Fernseher verbunden ist, erfolgen.

2.4.2 In another preferred variant, the reading and evaluation device (5) stores according to each selection process. 2.1.2 the form entry belonging to the chosen blank alternative together with the time T; Instead of the time T, a parameter W can also be stored, in particular to prevent misuse, which only implicitly represents the time. At the end of the broadcast, as described below, all the selections, including the associated times T or parameters W, are averaged by telephone to a server and processed there.

• a) The logging of T can preferably be implemented in that the pen contains a radio clock.
• b) An implicit W can preferably be created from the data stream assigned to the television program, for example by changing the time intervals between the most recent video cuts (ie the “hard” image changes, which can be determined using a very simple video image correlator), or the Time intervals in which no sound is transmitted are processed to a key of finite length using a hash function. The “implicit” W has the advantage that features can be incorporated into its calculation which make it difficult for individual participants to misuse it. A simple feature of this type consists in not disclosing the algorithm and other details for the calculation of W and / or changing it dynamically. The latter can preferably be done using the above barcode form, by changing the program parameters after reading in suitable data, setting new branches, or replacing the program code. These processing steps can preferably be carried out in the reading and evaluation device, or in one with the reading and evaluation device ( 7 ) by wire or wirelessly connected auxiliary device ( 8th ) which W is calculated and connected to the television.

2.5 The above-mentioned download to a server ( 7 ) is preferably done by dialing a service number before the last advertising break, whereby the organizer can set a time limit. The reading and evaluation device preferably includes ( 5 ) a conventional DTMF tone dialing unit, which can be implemented with a cheap microcontroller, so that the data is transmitted via a sound transducer held to the telephone handset. The above download service number is preferably used by the reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) from the form ( 1 ) read out, although this number can also vary per audience group.

The viewer incurs connection costs here.

2.6 The results - e.g. the winner of the hands-on quiz - yet be announced at the end of the program.

3. Advantages the invention

3.1 Easy participation

The handling and feel of a combination made of paper and reader offers an interesting alternative to conventional PC solutions; the intended goal can be whole families or groups again letting them watch television together - instead of according to the usual The trend to serve individual users more and more individually.

Of course, significant parts of the above functionality mapped on an Internet PC and greatly expanded become. However, the complexity involved is difficult to control; all of this requires deeper expert knowledge and the associated systems are more critical to handle due to their universality generally less stable. After all, PC systems are just because their polymorphism also stronger the various fads, as well as unpredictable market dynamics subject such systems to not only the end user, but also appear less stable to the organizer.

3.2 Step by step

It is comparatively easy for the organizer to get started because he has to distribute the forms ( 1 ) can initially be done via conventional distribution channels for print media - e.g. as a newspaper insert - and can advertise and control the use of these options via print media without changing the essentials of an established program - the instructions and messages to the viewer described above become preferably in the advertising blocks.

An entry can preferably be made via local television stations in cooperation with local print media. The resulting comparatively low response rates can be in a first phase functions with the above call waiting ("caller ID") functions.

3.3 Alternating numbers

In the preferred embodiment described above, the viewer never has to dial a telephone number, so that any change in individual numbers and even the telecommunications network is completely transparent to him. It is at the discretion of the organizer whether he or she reads and evaluates ( 5 ) specifies which the dialed numbers at least indicate, for example to provide remote diagnosis in the event of functional problems.

4. Extensions

4.1 Other media and telecommunications networks

4.1.1 Forms According to the Invention according to point 2.2.3, printing is preferably carried out in a bulk process. You can but be printed out by the viewer.

4.1.2 The telecommunications network according to the invention does not have to be a telephone network; it can also be a cable network or a Include local area network. Likewise, the "telephone number" is OK as the address understand a caller on such a network; instead of a phone number can e.g. an IP address or another user identifier can be used. Finally can each addressable instead of the ISDN telephone set described in 2.4.1b) terminal be sent in such a network, provided it is ensured that it can recognize the calling party's user identifier and can record.

4.1.3 The "interactive television program" according to the invention includes any type of audiovisual performance, if any apply it to a group. These include e.g. all variants of Television, even those that are not marked as "interactive", but can be used like this, e.g. with the participation of a third party; as well as multicasting according to web standards, or local broadcasts via a LAN.

4.2 Allocation of the screen to blank alternatives on the form

The assignment described above via a integer numbering is an obvious embodiment, however not the only one. The assignment can e.g. also about colors, shapes, or about a Design in the manner of two (each for television picture and form) homeomorphic images. Assignments are preferred selected the for are easy to understand for the viewer.

4.3 Radio tags or others Means for realizing form entries

Instead of a machine-readable barcode the form contains other machine-readable artifacts, e.g. a number of radio tags, or an optically stimulated and readable Semiconductor memory.

4.4 In a cell phone or PDA integrable reading and evaluation device

The reading and evaluation device can be in a cell phone or be integrated into a PDA, either by putting it designed as a suitable plug-in module or by directly e.g. integrated into the antenna of the cell phone is.

Claims (14)

Method for realizing a return channel for interactive television broadcasts using a form, the interactive television broadcast containing defined time intervals during which the viewer can select a screen alternative ( 4 ) is requested and he does this using a form ( 1 ) and where the form is associated with the interactive television show and where the form has a number of blank alternatives such that each screen alternative ( 4 ) a blank alternative ( 2 ) can be assigned so that the selection of a screen alternative is unambiguously made by the selection of a blank alternative, and the selection of a blank alternative is logged by reading the corresponding form entry, and the time at which a blank alternative and So that a screen alternative is selected, it can also be logged by collecting and evaluating the selection processes made by the viewer, together with the associated time information, using TK value-added services. Method according to Claim 1, in which the form is a printed product in which blank alternatives are printed, the blank alternative ( 2 ) appropriate form entry ( 3 ) is implemented as a speaking code or as a position code, which can be printed visibly or invisibly, and with a reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) is readable and decodable, so that a selection according to claim 1 is made by reading and decoding the barcode, and wherein the form can be distributed via distribution channels which are such that the content of the form and the barcodes printed therein can be specifically aimed at individual viewers or groups of viewers, and the same form can be used again and again in an interactive television program according to A1 for every time interval, and also over several interactive television programs until it is received by the operator of the interactive television program or a third party is replaced. The method of claim 1 in which the form is an electronic Document is that of a function as a reading and evaluation device mobile device can be displayed and its entries in this terminal selected and can be logged in which the form can be addressed so that forms with specific content and barcodes printed on it to individuals Spectators or groups of spectators can be sent and in which the same form for every time interval in an interactive television program according to A1 can be used again and again, and also over several interactive television programs away until it's through the organizer of the interactive television show or a third party is replaced. Method according to one of claims A1 to 3, in which the one Blank alternative corresponding form entry a phone number contains or refers to such that after every Selection of this blank alternative used a TK value-added service being, this phone number either cross-territorial Service number is, and the corresponding value-added service in this case the caller's telephone number and the time of his call logged and the result passed on to a central server, or triggers a normal connection establishment by a telecommunication unit is dialed like an ISDN telephone, which is the calling number and logs the time of the call without picking up, and consequently, without incurring costs to the organizer or the viewer. Method according to one of claims A1 to 3 in which the form includes a service number, where with every selection in the form the corresponding form entries, together with the respective time or together with respective Characteristics from which this time can be derived are stored, and where at the end of the program the saved selections and respective times or Characteristics for deriving these times, uploaded as a file to a server corresponding to this service number. Form for the implementation of a return channel for interactive television programs, the interactive television program containing defined time intervals during which the viewer can select a screen alternative ( 4 ) is requested and he does this using a form ( 1 ) and where the form is associated with the interactive television show and where the form has a number of blank alternatives such that each screen alternative ( 4 ) a blank alternative ( 2 ) can be assigned so that the selection of a screen alternative is made unambiguously by selecting a blank alternative, and the selection of a blank alternative is logged by reading out the corresponding form entry, and the time at which a blank alternative and so that a screen alternative is selected, can also be logged by collecting and evaluating the selection processes made by the viewer, together with the associated time information, using TK value-added services. Form according to claim 6, in which the form is a printed product, in which blank alternatives are printed, the blank alternative being ( 2 ) appropriate form entry ( 3 ) is implemented as a speaking code or as a position code, which can be printed visibly or invisibly, and with a reading and evaluation device ( 5 ) can be read out and decoded, so that a selection according to claim 1 is made by reading out and decoding the bar code, and the form can be distributed via distribution channels which are such that the content of the form and the bar codes printed therein are specific to individual persons Spectators or groups of viewers can be targeted and the same form can be used again and again for any time interval in an interactive television program according to A1, and also over several interactive television programs until it is replaced by the organizer of the interactive television program or a third party. Form according to Claim 6, in which the form is an electronic document which can be displayed by a mobile terminal functioning as a reading and evaluation device and whose entries can be selected and logged in this terminal, the form being able to be addressed in such a way that forms with specific Contents and barcodes printed therein can be sent to individual viewers or groups of viewers and where the same form can be used again and again for every time interval in an interactive television program according to A1, and also over several interactive television programs, until it is replaced by the operator of the interactive television program or a third party. Form according to one of claims A6 to 8, in which the one Blank alternative corresponding form entry a phone number contains or refers to such that after every Selection of this blank alternative used a TK value-added service being, this phone number either cross-territorial Service number is, and the corresponding value-added service in this case the caller's telephone number and the time of his call logged and the result passed on to a central server, or triggers a normal connection establishment by a telecommunication unit is dialed like an ISDN telephone, which is the calling number and logs the time of the call without picking up, and consequently, without incurring costs to the organizer or the viewer. Form according to one of claims A6 to 8, which is a service number includes, where with each selection in the form, the corresponding form entries with the respective time or together with the respective characteristics, from which this time can be derived, are stored, and where at End of the program the saved selections and respective times BEZW. Features for deriving these times, as a file in one server corresponding to the service number can be uploaded. Reading and evaluation device to evaluate a form according to claim 2 and one of claims 4 to 6, which reads barcodes printed on the form and turns them into one Information that it receives together with time information about the readout time and passes it on to a server using TK value-added services. Reading and evaluation device according to claim 11, corresponding to a blank alternative Form entry wins a phone number so that after every Selection of this blank alternative this phone number is dialed being this phone number is either a service number, which corresponds to a classic value-added telephone service, which in In this case, the phone number of the caller and the time of his Call logs and the result to a central server passes, or triggers a normal connection by a telecommunication unit is dialed like an ISDN telephone, which logs the calling number and the time of the call without to take off, and consequently without the organizer or the spectator To incur costs. Reading and evaluation device according to claim 11, which wins a service number from the form, in which the reading and evaluation device the corresponding after each selection Form entries, together with the time of selection or together with characteristics from which this point in time can be derived, stores, and where the Reading and evaluation device at the end of the program the saved codes and times resp. characteristics to derive the time, as a file in one of the service numbers uploads the corresponding server. Reading and evaluation device according to claim 11 which can be integrated into a cell phone or PDA.