HK1035098B - A digital broadcast system and its component devices that provide services in accordance with a broadcast watched by viewers - Google Patents

Description

Digital broadcasting system for providing service according to broadcast watched by viewer and component device thereof

The present application is based on the application 11-142844 filed in japan, and the content of the application is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system, and more particularly, to a system for providing predetermined services to viewers according to certain broadcasts viewed by the viewers.

Background

Advances in semiconductor and digital communication technologies have enabled digital satellite broadcasting. Non-satellite broadcasting via wired or wireless communication is also advancing.

Digital broadcasting allows various types of data to be transmitted to viewers in addition to image or sound data. For example, scripts (scripts) that control other displays that the user may select related to the programming content and reminders for viewer selection may be broadcast with the programming that allows the user to interact.

Furthermore, thanks to the digital broadcasting, viewer management, such as management of PPV (pay per view) services for selectively distributing programs to certain viewers, can be easily and accurately performed. In this service, a main station broadcasts an already encrypted (scrambled) PPV program, and only viewers who have paid are allowed to set key information for decryption (descrambling) in their digital broadcast receiving apparatuses to view pay-per-view (fee-based) programs. In most cases, the viewer will subscribe (order) to the premium program he wishes to watch before the program is broadcast and will receive data based on this critical information from the broadcast transmitter over the telephone line.

Such conventional digital broadcasting techniques have been disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent application Nos. 8-125624 and 8-56348.

Patent application No. 8-125624 discloses a technique of compressing information on a telephone number to which a viewer transmits his response, multiplexing it into a broadcast signal, and transmitting the broadcast signal. The viewer can easily share the interactive program by using the cellular phone which makes a response based on the transmitted information.

Patent application No. 8-56348 discloses an apparatus for integrating digital broadcast receiving apparatus and remote control function of a cellular phone. The apparatus allows the viewer to easily receive and set information for descrambling, such as a key.

These conventional technologies can provide viewers with various digital broadcasting services such as for PPV and interactive programs, and require only the viewers to perform quite simple operations.

Currently, various programs are digitally broadcast using a plurality of channels. Such as conventional TV channels, different programs are broadcast at different times on each channel.

In the present case, the user must perform a complicated operation to notify the broadcaster of the pay program that they want to watch the television program. For example, when a viewer watching a free program wants to watch an encrypted pay program following the free program on the same channel, the viewer must search a large amount of information for a large number of programs to find a channel number, a broadcast start time, or a code number designating the pay program before transmitting the information to the broadcasting apparatus through a cellular phone.

It is a very common occurrence for a user to record a program onto a recording medium for later viewing. If the broadcaster uses the same telephone number for programs broadcast at different times and the viewer does not specify the program they are watching, confusion may arise when the viewer recording the program dials the telephone number currently used for the different program.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above problems, a first object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcasting system which can provide a viewer with a suitable digital broadcasting service without requiring the viewer to perform complicated operations.

Since portable telephones including cellular telephones and portable electronic data apparatuses have wide applications, it is a second object of the present invention to provide suitable digital broadcast services to viewers having portable communication devices (such as portable telephones and the like) without requiring users to use any particular digital broadcast receiving device to receive digital broadcasts.

In order to achieve the above object, a digital broadcasting system of the present invention includes receiving means, one or more communication means, and a broadcasting station means,

wherein the receiving device comprises:

a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcast of a program;

a presentation unit for presenting the program received by the reception unit to a viewer; and

a program ID information transmitting unit for transmitting program ID information specifying the presented program or a program related to the presented program,

each communication device receives the transmitted program ID information and transmits device ID information specifying the communication device and the received program ID information to the broadcasting station device,

the broadcasting station apparatus includes:

a service processing unit for receiving the program ID information and the device ID information from the respective communication devices and transmitting service information, which is provided to viewers of the presented program and is information on the program specified by the program ID information, to the respective communication devices specified by the device ID information, and

each communication apparatus further includes:

and the service information receiving unit is used for receiving the service information.

With this structure, when a viewer receives and watches a digital broadcast program, a service processing unit such as in the host station can specify the program viewed by the viewer or other programs advertised by the program. This allows the service processing unit to provide services appropriate for the specified program without requiring the viewer to perform complicated operations. Meanwhile, the service processing unit may specify a device related to reproduction of the specified program, such as a receiving device of the reproduced program or a portable telephone carried by a viewer watching the reproduced program. Accordingly, the service processing unit can provide the service to the device specified in this manner.

Here, the program device information transmitting unit may include: a program ID information transmitting unit for transmitting program ID information specifying a program to be presented; and a communication means for receiving the program ID information from the program ID information transmitting unit and transmitting information specifying the communication means as the device ID information to the service processing unit together with the received program ID information.

With this structure, the program ID information transmitting unit such as in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus transmits the program ID information specifying the program watched by the viewer to the communication apparatus such as a portable telephone set carried by the viewer. The communication device then transmits this information, along with information specifying the communication device itself, to a service processing unit, perhaps located at the host station. Accordingly, the service processing unit can provide the communication apparatus with a suitable service for the program viewed by the viewer.

Here, the communication means may include: a destination telephone number storage unit for storing the telephone number of the service processing unit; and a transmission unit for transmitting the stored telephone number by telephone and transmitting the program ID information and the apparatus ID information to the service processing unit.

With this structure, the communication apparatus can reliably and quickly transmit information to the service processing unit via the telephone line.

Here, the communication apparatus may include a dedicated telephone number storage unit that stores a telephone number of the communication apparatus, and the apparatus ID information may be the telephone number stored by the dedicated telephone number storage unit.

With this structure, the telephone number of each communication apparatus is used as apparatus ID information that specifies the communication apparatus. Therefore, the service processing unit can provide a service corresponding to each communication apparatus and easily provide a service such as providing information to a viewer by transmitting a telephone number by telephone.

Here, the communication device may be a portable telephone, and the program ID information transmitting unit transmits the program ID information by emitting an IR (infrared) signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or lower than 1.0 mW.

With this structure, the receiving apparatus capable of reproducing digital broadcasting transmits the program ID information by emitting an IR signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or less than 1.0 mW. Therefore, the program ID information is transmitted to telephones around the receiving apparatus, such as portable telephones carried by each viewer. This allows the service processing unit to provide various services corresponding to each viewer, such as transmitting information to a portable telephone of each viewer.

Here, the service processing unit may provide the service by: (1) telephone-transmitting the telephone number that has been transmitted by the transmitting unit; and (2) transmitting predetermined information corresponding to the received program ID information.

This structure enables it to provide services, such as a service transmitting information corresponding to a program viewed by each viewer, to each viewer via a telephone line. Such information may be, for example, information showing whether the viewer's response to a competition problem in the program is correct or information for descrambling the program viewed by the viewer.

Here, the control instruction information may be multiplexed together with the program received by the receiving unit, and the program ID information transmitting unit may transmit the program ID information immediately upon detection of the control instruction information.

By multiplexing the control instruction information together with a certain program into a digital broadcast and broadcasting the digital broadcast, the service processing unit can provide a predetermined service only when the viewer watches the program. For example, when control instruction information and a program providing a bonus are multiplexed into a digital broadcast, the present digital broadcast system may automatically cause the audience of the program to enter a lottery.

Here, the program ID information may be additionally multiplexed together with the received program, and the program ID information transmitting unit may transmit the program ID information that the receiving unit has received.

With this configuration, the receiving apparatus for digital broadcasting can receive the program ID information together with the program and transmit the program ID information to the communication apparatus without providing the receiving apparatus with a special function of obtaining the program ID information other than the function of receiving the digital broadcasting.

Here, the program ID information may be information that specifies a program within a predetermined period and is specified in Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), a specification of Service Information (SI) of the DVB system, and may be: (a) a combination of (a) Bouquet _ id, (b) Transport Stream _ id, (c) sevice _ id, and (d) Event _ id, or a combination of (a) Bouquet _ id, (b) Service _ id, and (c) Event _ id.

With this structure, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives information defined in digital video broadcasting (DBV); the service information is specified in the DVB system and may be transmitted as program ID information specifying a reproduction program.

Here, the service processing unit may provide the service by citing program ID information of a specified program transmitted by the communication means and transmitting descrambling information for descrambling the program to the communication means, which may transmit the descrambling information having been transmitted by the service processing unit to the presentation unit by transmitting an IR signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or less than 1.0 Mw. The presentation unit may descramble the program using the descrambling information while presenting the program.

With this structure, the service processing unit such as in the main station can provide a service of transmitting descrambling information for descrambling a program watched by a viewer to the portable telephone set of the viewer. Then, the portable telephone set transmits the descrambling information to a reproduction unit in a reception apparatus such as one for digital broadcasting. Accordingly, the viewer can descramble and watch the scrambled program.

Here, the program ID information may also include information indicating a broadcast start time of the program.

Therefore, the program ID information can specify the program even when a predetermined period has elapsed since the program was broadcast. Therefore, even when the viewer views a program that is broadcast and recorded for a relatively long time ago, the service processing unit can specify the program and provide an appropriate service for the specified program,

here, the transmission unit may further transmit play time information indicating a time at which the program is presented by the presentation unit, and the service processing unit may provide a service based on the transmitted play time information.

This structure allows the service processing unit to provide a service based not only on the program ID information but also on the time at which the program is reproduced. Therefore, the service processing unit can provide different services for the same program depending on, for example, whether the program is reproduced when the program is received or after the program is recorded.

Here, the communication apparatus may further include a user operation receiving unit for receiving a user operation. The transmitting unit may transmit the program ID information and the device ID information if the user operation receiving unit has received a predetermined user operation.

With this structure, upon receiving an operation from the viewer, the portable telephone carried by the viewer transmits information to the service processing unit. This enables the service processing unit to provide the service only when required by the viewer.

Here, if the user operation receiving unit has received a user operation including data input, the transmitting unit may transmit the input data in addition to the program ID information and the device ID information.

With this structure, the service processing unit can provide the service to the viewer based on the data input by the viewer.

Here, the telephone number of the device including the presentation unit is used as device ID information, and the program device information transmitting unit transmits it to the service processing unit together with the program ID information. If the apparatus has received the information for descrambling the program, the presentation unit may use the information for descrambling the program while presenting the program. The service processing unit may provide the service by: (1) quoting program ID information of a specified program; (2) telephone transmission telephone number; and (3) transmitting information for descrambling the specified program to the apparatus.

With this structure, the service processing unit can provide information for transmitting to an apparatus such as a digital broadcast receiving apparatus for descrambling a program, and the viewer need not perform a complicated operation.

Here, the program device information transmitting unit may include: an information transmitting unit that transmits program ID information and a telephone number specifying a program to be presented by transmitting an IR signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or less than 1.0 mW; and a portable telephone set which receives the program ID information and the telephone number from the information transmitting unit and transmits user ID information, which is stored in the portable telephone set and specifies a user of the portable telephone set, to the service processing unit together with the program ID information and the telephone number. The service processing unit may store at least the following combinations of information: (a) reservation (order) ID information specifying a viewer who has reserved a program; and (b) scheduled program ID information specifying a program scheduled by the viewer, and providing the service when storing a combination matching the user ID information and the program ID information transmitted from the portable telephone.

With this structure, if the viewer has subscribed to a certain program, it is possible to provide a service of transmitting information for descrambling the certain program to an apparatus reproducing the certain program, such as a receiving apparatus in which the viewer watches the program. Such a service does not require the viewer to perform complex operations. Thus, whenever a viewer subscribes to a program in advance, he can descramble and watch the program using any receiving device.

Here, the control instruction information may be multiplexed together with the program received by the receiving unit, and the program device information transmitting unit may transmit the telephone number of the device including the receiving unit as the device ID information to the service processing unit together with the program ID information if the receiving unit has received the control instruction information.

By playing a digital broadcast in which control instruction information has been multiplexed together with a program, the service processing unit can provide an appropriate service for the program only when the viewer views the program.

Here, the program presented by the presentation unit may be another program of the commercial. The program device information transmitting unit may include: a program ID information transmitting unit for transmitting program ID information specifying the advertised program; and a communication means for receiving the program ID information from the program ID information transmitting unit and, when a predetermined operation from the viewer is received, transmitting a communication means telephone number as the device ID information to the service processing unit together with the received program ID information. The service processing unit can provide the service by transmitting the transmitted telephone number by telephone to inform the viewer of the broadcast start time of the program specified by the program ID information.

With this structure, if a viewer watching a commercial program advertising a program has performed a predetermined operation on his communication device such as a portable telephone to display the program he wants to watch, a service processing unit such as in the host station can provide a service of notifying the communication device that the broadcast start time of the program has come so as not to miss the program by the viewer.

The above object can be achieved by a receiving apparatus for receiving digital broadcasting, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcast of a program; a presentation unit for presenting the received program to a viewer; and a program device information transmitting unit that transmits program ID information, which specifies the visualized program or a program related to the visualized program, by transmitting the IR signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or less than 1.0 mW.

With this structure, the receiving apparatus that receives and reproduces the digital broadcast can transmit program ID information specifying a second program related to the first program currently reproduced by the receiving apparatus to the apparatus capable of receiving the IR signal. That is, if a viewer carrying a device such as a portable telephone set watches a program on a receiving device at a sufficiently close distance and the portable telephone set has a function of receiving program ID information from the receiving device by an IR signal and transmitting the received program ID information to a main station together with other necessary information, a service processing unit such as in the main station can provide an appropriate service for the first program currently watched by the viewer and the viewer does not need to perform a complicated operation.

Here, if the control instruction information is additionally multiplexed into the digital broadcast, the receiving unit may also receive the control instruction information. The program device information transmitting unit may transmit the program ID information if the receiving unit has received the control instruction information.

With this structure, the receiving apparatus that receives and reproduces the digital broadcast can transmit the program ID information for the program broadcast together with the control instruction information to an apparatus such as a viewer's portable telephone set through an IR signal. If the viewer's portable telephone has a function of receiving program ID information from the receiving device via an IR signal and transmitting the program ID information to the main station together with other necessary information, a service processing unit such as in the main station can provide the viewer with an appropriate service for the program without the viewer having to perform complicated operations.

The above object is also achieved by a communication apparatus that receives program ID information and transmits the received program ID information to a predetermined destination, the program ID information specifying a program that has been digitally broadcast, the communication apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing a telephone number of the communication apparatus; a receiving unit that receives program ID information transmitted by a receiving apparatus by transmitting an IR signal or a radio wave whose output power is equal to or less than 1.0mW, wherein the receiving apparatus has received digital broadcasting of the program; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the received program ID information and telephone number to a predetermined destination via a telephone line.

With the above-described configuration, the communication apparatus can receive program ID information for specifying a program reproduced by one digital broadcast receiving apparatus from the receiving apparatus and transmit the program ID information to a predetermined destination together with the communication apparatus' own telephone number. For example, when this destination is a host station, the host station may specify a program to be reproduced from the transmitted program ID information and provide a service such as transmission information to the communication apparatus by telephonically transmitting the transmitted telephone number.

Here, the communication apparatus may further include a user operation receiving unit for receiving an operation by a user, wherein the transmitting unit may transmit the program ID information and the telephone number to a predetermined destination if the user operation receiving unit has received a predetermined user operation.

With this structure, a predetermined destination such as a system can obtain information reflecting the desire of the viewer, and thus a service can be provided according to the desire of the viewer.

Here, if the user operation receiving unit has received a user operation including data input, the transmitting unit may transmit the input data in addition to the program ID information and the telephone number.

Upon receiving the program ID information and viewer-entered data, a predetermined destination such as a system may provide a service based on the program viewed by the viewer and the information entered by the viewer. For example, if the viewer has already issued an answer to a question on a television quiz show while watching the program, the system may inform the viewer whether his answer is correct.

Here, the communication device may have a function of remotely controlling the receiving device.

With this structure, a viewer communication device such as a portable telephone set plays two roles: a remote control of a receiving apparatus capable of receiving and reproducing digital broadcasting; and a portable telephone set which transmits information of a program viewed by a viewer to a program provider such as a host station which provides an appropriate service to the program, through a telephone line. This allows the communication device to receive, for example, descrambling information from the host station via the telephone line and to pass it to the receiving device, which then uses the descrambling information to descramble and reproduce the program.

The above object is also achieved by a service providing apparatus for providing a service for a program that has been digitally broadcast, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving, via a telephone line, program ID information specifying that a viewer is watching a program with an apparatus and a telephone number of the apparatus; and a service processing unit for: (1) specifying information to be transmitted according to the received program ID information; (2) the telephone transmits the received telephone number; and (3) transmitting the specified information to the device.

With this configuration, the service providing apparatus can transmit information to the viewer apparatus such as a portable telephone set according to the program viewed by the viewer.

Here, the receiving device may also receive viewer ID information specifying a viewer via a telephone line, and the service processing unit may store at least one of the following combinations: (a) reservation ID information specifying a viewer who has reserved a program; and (b) scheduled program ID information specifying a program scheduled by the viewer, and when a combination matching the viewer ID information and the program ID information already received by the receiving unit is stored, information for descrambling the program specified by the program ID information may be specified as information to be transmitted.

With this structure, when receiving viewer ID information specifying a viewer from a viewer apparatus such as a portable telephone, if the viewer ID information indicates a viewer that a service providing apparatus has registered, the service providing apparatus transmits information for descrambling a program that the viewer has subscribed to, by telephone-transmitting the telephone number of the viewer apparatus. When the service provisioning device is used with: (a) a receiving means capable of receiving and reproducing the digital broadcast program and transmitting program ID information specifying the reproduced program; (b) a device such as a portable telephone set is capable of receiving program ID information from a receiving device and transmitting it to a service providing device together with other information such as viewer ID information, and if a viewer has subscribed to a program by paying a fee and the service providing device has registered his subscription to the program, the service providing device can transmit descrambling information for the program to the receiving device and/or to the portable telephone set currently used by the viewer to view the program as soon as the viewer views the scrambled program.

Drawings

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a digital broadcasting system 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the reception apparatus 202;

fig. 3 shows a hardware configuration of the operation device 203;

fig. 4 is an exemplary data content and structure of the telephone numbers of the operating device 203 and the host station 206 stored in the data storage unit 411 of the operating device 203;

FIG. 5 shows the hardware architecture of the host station 206;

fig. 6 shows a part of program ID information and program related information;

FIG. 7 shows a data structure of a descriptor;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary descriptor for control instruction information;

fig. 9 shows a period for broadcasting a bonus program (a program for providing a prize to a viewer);

fig. 10 shows an exemplary data structure and contents of first transmission data used by the reception apparatus 202 to transmit program ID information;

fig. 11 shows an exemplary data structure and contents of second transmission data transmitted from the operating device 203 to the host station 206;

fig. 12 shows a device information format;

fig. 13 shows a program information format;

fig. 14 shows an exemplary data structure for host station 206/207 to store device program information using the data structures shown in fig. 12 and 13;

fig. 15 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the reception apparatus 202 after receiving program-related information at the time of reproducing one program;

fig. 16 is a flowchart showing processing performed after the operation device 202 receives the first transmission data from the reception device 202;

fig. 17 is a flowchart showing processing performed after the host station 206 receives the second transmission data from the operation device 203;

fig. 18 is a flowchart showing execution of the registration search in step S1505 in fig. 17 by the CPU501 of the host station 206;

fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting one winner from the viewers, which is executed by the CPU 501;

fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a process of calculating the total number of viewers' audience, which is executed by the CPU 501;

fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting one winner, which is executed by the CPU 501;

fig. 23 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the operation device of the second embodiment after receiving data from the reception device;

fig. 24 shows an exemplary structure and contents of the second transmission data generated by the operating device in step S2104;

fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the host station that receives the second transmission data from the operation device;

FIG. 26 shows exemplary contents of Event Information Table (EIT)4700 broadcast with commercials and pay programs and EIT4710 broadcast with pay programs;

fig. 27 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the reception apparatus when receiving a broadcast;

fig. 28 shows an exemplary structure and contents of transmission data that the receiving apparatus generates and transmits to the operating apparatus when receiving a commercial broadcast of an advertising pay program;

fig. 29 shows an exemplary content and structure of transmission data that the receiving apparatus generates and transmits to the operating apparatus when receiving a pay program;

fig. 30 is a flowchart showing a process of an operation device receiving transmission data from a reception device;

fig. 31 shows an exemplary content and structure of third transmission data that the operating device transmits to the host station while the pay program is being broadcast;

fig. 32 shows an exemplary structure and contents of fourth transmission data which the operating means transmits to the host station while the pay program is being broadcast;

fig. 33 shows a viewer information format;

FIG. 34 illustrates an exemplary data state having the contents of a plurality of sets of third transmission data stored by the host station using the data structures of FIGS. 33 and 13;

fig. 35 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the host station of the third embodiment after receiving transmission data from the operation device;

fig. 36 is a flowchart showing a search process executed by the CPU in the host station;

fig. 37 is a flowchart showing a process of registering third transmission data executed by the CPU; and

fig. 38 shows an exemplary content and structure of transmission data which is transmitted from the receiving apparatus to the operating apparatus and contains program ID information containing broadcast start time information, the transmission data being not the first transmission data shown in fig. 10.

Detailed Description

Several embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First embodiment

A digital broadcasting system is explained below according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Overview of digital broadcast System

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a digital broadcasting system of a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the digital broadcasting system, a host station broadcasts a digital program for providing a prize to a viewer, and the viewer can automatically apply for the prize. The digital broadcasting system 200 includes a host station 206, a relay station 201, a receiving device 202, an operating device 203, a relay station 204, and a public telephone network 205.

Host station 206 transmits digital broadcast waves along with 207. In addition to the program itself, i.e., the content of the program, the host station 206-207 broadcasts program related information such as a broadcast start time and a channel number to be used to display an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) in the same manner as a general host station broadcasting a digital satellite program.

Generally, a program to be broadcast has a format consistent with Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); service Information (SI) specification in DVB system with standard number "EN 300468" standardized by the european broadcasting union. This standard is commonly referred to as "DVB-SI" or "SI information". Also, ARIB B-10 (radio industry and commercial Association standards) may be used based on the DVD-SI standard to be used in Japan. The host station 206-.

The relay station 201 delivers broadcast waves from the host station 206 and 207 to the reception device 202.

The receiving device 202 may be implemented by a set-top box or the like that receives digital broadcasts. The device 202 is connected to a receiving antenna and a TV monitor.

The operating device 203 and 204 is the same device that functions as both the cellular phone and the remote control of the receiving device 202. These means 203 and 204 may be provided separately to each user and allow the user to perform user operations.

The following is a brief description of the processing of the digital broadcasting system 200.

The main station 206 multiplexes and broadcasts the program and information such as program related information 207, which is then transmitted by the relay station 201 to the receiving device 202. The receiving means 202 receives a program in accordance with an instruction given by the viewer via the operating means 203/204, and refers to the broadcast program-related information to obtain program ID (identification) information specifying the program viewed by the viewer. The receiving means 202 then transmits the obtained program ID information to the operating means 203/204 by an IR (infrared) signal.

The operating means 203 and 204 send the respective telephone numbers and the already received program ID information to the host station 206/207 through the public telephone network 205.

Upon receiving the information transmitted by the operating device 203 and 204, the host station 206 and 207 analyzes the information and provides a predetermined service to the viewer. These predetermined services will be described hereinafter as part of the detailed description of the operation of the digital broadcasting system 200.

Architecture of digital broadcast system 200

< Structure of receiving apparatus 202 >

The following describes the receiving apparatus 202 in the digital broadcasting system 200.

Fig. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the receiving apparatus 202, which includes: a receiving antenna 301; a tuner 302; a demultiplexer 302; a TV monitor 304; a speaker 305; a video/audio decoder 306; a high-speed video storage unit 307; an IC card 308; a CPU 309; a memory cell 310; an IR data transmitting/receiving unit 311; a memory cell 312; a communication unit 313; and a bus 314.

The tuner 302 receives a modulated broadcast wave from the host station 206/207 through the receiving antenna 301 and obtains a digital stream from the modulated broadcast wave. For example, the tuner 302 obtains an MPEG-2 transport stream formed by multiplexing data for a plurality of channels so as to broadcast data using a single channel.

The demultiplexer 303 receives the transport stream from the tuner 302 and demultiplexes the transport stream into digital video information, digital audio information and data information. The data information includes program related information transmitted with the program.

The video/audio decoder 306 decompresses digital video information and digital audio information compressed according to, for example, MPEG into the original uncompressed format, and outputs them as an image signal and an audio signal. This produces a video image displayed by the TV monitor 304 and sound output by the speaker 305. The video/audio decoder 306 uses the high-speed video storage unit 307 for decompression as described above. The video/audio decoder 306 also has a function of descrambling digital video information and digital audio information that have been scrambled using the key information transmitted by the CPU 309.

The communication unit 313 connects to the public telephone network 205 and transfers data to and from peripheral devices.

The IC card 308 is equipped with a transient memory that can store key information for descrambling. When the key information that has been encrypted is received, the IC card 308 decrypts the key information and puts it into the flash memory.

The IR data transmission/reception unit 311 receives an IR signal showing the operation of the viewer from the operation device 203/204, and transmits data showing the operation of the viewer to the CPU 309. The viewer operates to send an instruction, such as receiving and reproducing a program, to the receiving device 202 to receive and record a program or to reproduce a program that has been recorded. The IR data transmission/reception unit 311 also transmits data transmitted from the CPU309 to the peripheral devices through an IR signal. For example, the IR data transmission/reception unit 311 transmits the program ID information to the operation device 203/204. It should be noted that the "reproduced program" is a signal for generating a display program in a format that can be viewed by a viewer.

The CPU309 controls other units in the reception unit 202 by executing the control program stored in the storage unit 310, and it also controls reproduction of a program according to data information transmitted to the storage unit 310.

More specifically, if the viewer operation is for standard reproduction, the CPU309 instructs the demultiplexer 303 to directly transmit the decomposed digital video information and digital audio information to the video/audio decoder 306, and to transmit the data information to the storage unit 310. On the other hand, if the viewer's operation instructs to record a program, the CPU309 instructs the demultiplexer 303 to transmit all the decomposed information to the storage unit 312. When the recorded program needs to be reproduced, the CPU309 reads out the stored information from the storage unit 312, transmits the read-out digital video information and audio digital information to the video/audio decoder 306, and transmits the read-out data information to the memory unit 310.

When receiving and reproducing the scrambled program, the CPU309 transmits key information for descrambling from the IC card 308 to the video/audio decoder 306. When the communication unit 313 receives the encrypted key information from the host station 206/207, the CPU309 transfers it from the communication unit 313 to the IC card 308.

< Structure of operation device 203 >

The following describes the operation device 203 and 204 in the digital broadcasting system 200.

Fig. 3 shows a hardware configuration of the operating device 203, which includes the following components: one transmission/reception antenna 401; a tuner 402; a multiplexer demultiplexer 403; a microphone 404; a speaker 405; an encoder/decoder 406; a vibrator 407; a CPU 408; a storage unit 409; an IR data transmitting/receiving unit 410; a data storage unit 411; a display unit 412; operation keys 413; and a bus 414.

When the operating device 203 transmits data, the tuner 402 modulates the data transmitted from the multiplexer circuit of the multiplexer/demultiplexer 403 and transmits the modulated data to the cellular phone network through the transmission/reception antenna 401. On the other hand, when the operation device 203 receives data from the cellular phone network via the transmission/reception antenna 401, the tuner 402 demodulates the received data and transmits it to the demultiplexing circuit of the multiplexer/demultiplexer 403.

As described above, the multiplexer/demultiplexer 403 has one multiplexer circuit and one demultiplexer circuit. The multiplexer circuit reads out data information from the storage unit 409 or the data storage unit 411, multiplexes the read out data information together with digital audio data encoded by the encoder circuit in the encoder/decoder 406, and sends it to the tuner 402. The demultiplexer circuit receives data that has been demodulated and transmitted by the tuner 402, and decomposes the received multiplexed data into data information and digital audio information. Thereafter, the demultiplexer circuit writes the decomposed data information to the storage unit 409 or the data storage unit 411, and sends the decomposed digital audio information to the decoding circuit in the encoder/decoder 406.

The operation keys 413 are input units that function as both a numeric keypad in a standard cellular phone and keys for controlling processing of the reception apparatus 202. When receiving an operation by the viewer who is the user of the operation device 203, the operation key 413 transmits the operation content to the CPU 408.

The display unit 412 is a liquid crystal panel or the like that displays text under the control of the CPU 408.

The data storage unit 411 is a nonvolatile memory that stores the telephone numbers of the operating device 203 and the host station 206/207.

Fig. 4 shows the data structure and contents of the telephone number stored in the data storage unit 411.

The IR data transmitting/receiving unit 410 transmits data to the receiving device 202 and transmits data from the receiving unit 202. When receiving data as an IR signal from the receiving device 202, the IR data transmitting/receiving unit 410 transmits the received data to the CPU 408. When receiving data showing the operation content of the user from the CPU408, the IR data transmitting/receiving unit 410 transmits the data as an IR signal to the receiving apparatus 202.

The encoder/decoder 406 has an encoder circuit for encoding the audio signal input from the microphone 404, and a decoder circuit for decoding the encoded data, and is used to obtain the audio signal and output the audio signal to the speaker 405.

The vibrator 407 vibrates under the control of the CPU408 to notify the user of an incoming call.

The CPU408 controls other units in the operation device 409 by executing a control program in the storage unit 409, and transfers data showing the operation contents of the user input via the operation keys 413 to the IR data transmission/reception unit 410. The CPU408 controls the other units to perform the following operations: (1) operations similar to those performed by an ordinary cellular phone, such as controlling other units to call out a predetermined telephone number; (2) similar to the operation performed by a common remote controller; and (3) operations unique to the present invention.

The operation device 204 has the same structure as the operation device 203.

< Structure of host station 206 >

Host station 206 and 207 in digital broadcast system 200 are described below.

Fig. 5 shows a hardware configuration of the host station 206.

The host station 206 is a system for broadcasting programs, and includes the following elements shown in the figure: a CPU 501; a memory cell 502; a keyboard 503; a mouse 504; a bus 505; a monitor 506; a hard disk unit 507; a communication unit 508; a transmission/reception system control card 509; an encoder 510; a multiplexer 511; a modulator 512; one transmission antenna 513; a transmission data bus 514; a set of program data control units 515; and a set of program data storage units 516.

The bus 505 connects the following components: a CPU 501; a storage unit 502; a keyboard 503; a mouse 504; a monitor 506; a hard disk unit 507; a communication unit 508; and a transmission/reception unit control card 509. The transmission data bus 514 connects the following components: a transmission/reception system control card 509; an encoder 510; a multiplexer 511; a modulator 512; and a program data control unit group 515.

The program data storage unit group 516 is a group of hard disk units or the like that stores a plurality of programs (data of program contents) and program related information containing information specifying each program and condition information showing conditions for viewing the program.

The program data control unit group 515 reads out the program and information such as program-related information on the transmission data bus 514.

The CPU501 controls the operation of a circuit connected to the bus 505 by executing a control program stored in the memory 502. More specifically, the CPU501 receives data showing program ID information and a telephone number of the operating device 203/204 from the operating device 203/204 via the public telephone network 205. Then, the CPU501 analyzes the received data and controls a process of providing a predetermined service to the viewer. The CPU501 further instructs the transmission/reception system control card 509 to broadcast a program according to a predetermined broadcast schedule.

The communication unit 508 is connected to the public telephone network 205 and transmits and receives data from and from external devices such as the operation device 203 and 204. Specifically, the communication unit 508 receives data showing the program ID information and the telephone number of the operation device 203 and 204, and transmits the received data to the CPU 501. When key information for descrambling that has been encrypted is received from the CPU501, the communication means 508 transmits it to the reception means 202. CPU501 transmits key information in response to a given operator's instruction after host station 206 receives a request for the key information and a fee for a program from a viewer. Alternatively, the case where the CPU501 directly transmits the key information to the communication unit 508 and does not need to wait for an instruction from the operator will be described later.

A monitor 506 displays text or the like for the operator at the host station 206 under the control of the CPU 501. The keyboard 503 and the mouse 504 are input devices for receiving an operation by an operator and transmitting it to the CPU 501.

The transmission/reception system control card 509 controls various types of operations of the circuits relating to program broadcasting. Specifically, the transmission/reception system control card 509 controls the program data control unit group 515 to read out a program corresponding to the instruction from the CPU501 and information such as program-related information, and to transfer the read out program and information to the encoder 510.

Upon receiving the programs and information from the transmission/reception system control card 509, the encoder 510 converts them into an MPEG-PES (packetized elementary stream) packet format and sends it to the multiplexer 511.

The multiplexer 511 multiplexes the data in the MPEG-PES format and then sends it to the modulator 512.

The modulator 512 receives data in which the program and information are multiplexed from the multiplexer 511, converts the data into an electric signal, and then transmits the electric signal to the transmission antenna 513.

The transmission antenna 513 converts the electric signal transmitted by the modulator 512 into a radio wave signal and transmits the radio wave signal.

The host station 207 has the same structure as the host station 206 described above.

Data structure

< program-related information to be broadcast by host station 206/207 >

The following describes program related information broadcast by the host station 206.

According to DVB-SI, each program is identified by a combination of the following identifiers: network _ id (nid) of a network displaying the broadcast program; transport stream _ id (tid) of the physical channel displaying the program; service _ id (sid) of the logical channel displaying the program; and event _ id (eid) identifying the program in the program channel; . This combination of identifiers is the program ID information described above, and the term "program ID information" is used hereinafter to denote this combination.

Fig. 6 shows a part of the program ID information and the program related information.

The program related information includes a Network Information Table (NIT)601 and an Event Information Table (EITs) 602-.

Nid in the program ID information specifies an NIT which contains a set of information relating to a network.

tid specifies a set of tuning information (satellite _ deliver _ system _ descriptor) from a set of tuning information contained in information for a network, such as a frequency for a transmission over a physical channel.

The sid specifies a service for a transmission specified by the tuning information group. The service information (service _ manifest _ descriptor) corresponding to a set of tuning information contains a number of valid sids.

eid specifies a set of program information showing the broadcast start time, program duration and other information for a program from the set of program information contained in an EIT for a service.

In order to receive and reproduce a program desired by the viewer, the reception device 202 selectively separates and extracts one of program-related information, tuning information, service information, and program information broadcast for NIT, which corresponds to the desired program in accordance with the viewer's instruction given via the operation device 203/204. The receiving device 202 receives the program based on the obtained information.

NITs and EITs are played out after being multiplexed into a transport stream as data information. The receiving device 202 extracts the required NIT and EIT from the transport stream in the following manner. First, the CPU309 in the reception apparatus 202 sets the multiplexing identifiers such as the packet ID (pid) and the table ID (table _ ID) in the demultiplexer 303 as the filtering conditions. Then, the demultiplexer 303 separates and extracts NIT or EIT satisfying the set filtering condition and transmits the extracted NIT or EIT to the storage unit 310 so that the CPU309 can access it.

By displaying an EPG on the TV monitor 304 based on the information for displaying the EPG table and by causing the viewer to select a desired program in the displayed EPG table, the receiving apparatus 202 obtains program ID information that specifies the program desired by the viewer and is multiplexed into digital broadcasting together with the program.

After obtaining the program ID information, the receiving apparatus 202 obtains NIT corresponding to nid in the obtained program ID information, that is, a table that can be determined by PID 0X0010, table _ ID 0X40, and nid under the control of the CPU 309.

Next, the reception apparatus 202 finds a tuning information group 604 determined by tid in the obtained program ID information from the tuning information group contained in the found NIT. Next, the CPU309 searches for a plurality of valid sids contained in the service information corresponding to the obtained tuning information 604 to find a sid in the obtained program ID information. When a matching sid is found, the CPU 209 confirms a valid sid in the obtained program ID information. Then, the CPU309 obtains the frequency, the modulation method, and other necessary information in accordance with the tuning information 604, and controls the tuner 302 to tune to an appropriate frequency. Subsequently, the CPU309 finds the EIT 603-. Thus, the reception apparatus 202 obtains the broadcast start time and the program duration written in the obtained program information 605.

The control instruction information included in the EIT unique to the present invention is described below.

Various types of information contained in the NIT and EIT are written as descriptors.

Fig. 7 shows a data structure of one descriptor. As shown, the descriptor 701 is composed of a one-bit flag value 702 showing the content type of the descriptor, a one-bit descriptor length 703 showing the data amount of the descriptor, and a descriptor body 704 of a variable length.

For example, each set of tuning information in the NIT is written as a descriptor having a flag value of 0x41, and each set of service information in the NIT is written as a descriptor having a flag value of 0x 43.

Fig. 8 shows an example of control instruction information written as a descriptor. The control instruction information instructs the reception means 202 to transmit the program ID information to the operation means 203 and 204. The host station 206-207 inserts the control instruction information into the EIT and then broadcasts it along with the prize-offering program.

As shown, the control instruction information is written as a user-determined value descriptor with a flag value of 0xA 8. The descriptor length and the descriptor body of the control instruction information are not cited and are therefore represented by, for example, 0x 01.

Fig. 9 shows the broadcast duration of the prize program being provided. The host station 206/207 broadcasts control command information for a broadcast duration having a start point "a" and an end point "B".

< program ID information transmitted from the reception means 202 to the operation means 203/204 >

The following describes a data structure used by the receiving apparatus 202 that transmits program ID information to the operating apparatus 203/204.

Fig. 10 shows an exemplary data structure and contents of first transmission data containing program ID information transmitted by the reception apparatus 202 to the operation apparatus 203/204.

As shown, the first transmission data is composed of the following fields: a one-byte notification flag field 801 whose content is a constant value of 0x 00; two bytes nid specification field 802; two bytes tid specification field 803; two bytes sid description field 804; and a two-byte eid specification field 805.

The first transmission data shows program ID information consisting of nid-0 x1234, tid-0 x0005, sid-0 x0006, and eid-0 x 7890.

< information transmitted from the operating device 203/204 to the host station 206/207 >

Information transmitted from the operation device 203/204 to the host station 206/207 is explained below. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as "device program information".

Fig. 11 shows an exemplary data structure and content for device program information.

As shown, the device program information consists of the following fields: a one-byte notification flag field 901 whose content is a constant value of 0x 01; two bytes nid specification field 902; two bytes tid description field 903; a two byte sid specification field 904; two bytes eid specification field 905; a one-byte telephone number length specification field 906; and a variable length phone number description field 907.

The device program information shows that nid ═ 0x1234, tid ═ 0x0005, sid ═ 0x0006, eid ═ 0x7890, and that the telephone number of the operation device 203/204 is "09087654321".

< Structure of device program information stored by host station 206/207 >

The following describes a data structure used by the host station 206/207 that stores device program information transmitted from the operating device 203/204.

Upon receiving the device program information from the operating device 203/204, the host station 206/207 places the device program information into the storage unit 502 or the hard disk unit 507 by adjusting information on the operating device 203/204 into a device information format and adjusting program ID information into a program information data format. The host station manages device program information in both formats.

Fig. 12 shows a device information format 1300, which consists of the following elements: a top program node (top program node) pointer 1301; a subsequent device node pointer 1302; one phone number length 1303; and a device phone number description field 1304.

Here, the "program node" refers to information set in a program information format, and the "device node" refers to information set in a device information format.

Fig. 13 shows a program information format 1305, which is composed of the following elements: an nid specification field 1306; a tid description field 1307; a sid description field 1308; an eid description field 1309; and a subsequent program node pointer 1310.

Fig. 14 illustrates an example data structure for host station 206/207 to store program information for a device using the data structures illustrated in fig. 12 and 13.

In fig. 14, a variable TOP 1401 denotes a pointer indicating the start points of a plurality of device nodes (i.e., device node 1402 to device node 1407) linked together.

The device node 1402 also links to a program node 1405 linked to the program node 1406, the program node 1406 itself being linked to the program node 1407. Device node 1403 links program node 1408 and device node 1404 links program node 1409.

Detailed processing of the digital broadcast system 200

A set of operations performed by the digital broadcasting system 200 will be described in detail below. In this set of operations, a program providing a prize is broadcast to viewers, the viewers apply for the prize, the user operation is processed, and a winner is decided.

< operation of the host station 206/207 >

The host station 206/207 broadcasts program related information including the EIT containing the control instruction information described above, while broadcasting a program providing a prize to viewers.

< operation of the reception apparatus 202 >

The receiving apparatus 202 performs the processing shown in fig. 15 when receiving and reproducing a program broadcast from a host station according to the operation of a viewer. Note that the host station also executes the processing shown in fig. 15 when reproducing a previously recorded program in accordance with the operation of the viewer.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of processing performed by the display receiving apparatus 202 when program related information is received during program reproduction. The CPU309 in the reception apparatus 202 executes the processing by executing the control program in the storage unit 310 while controlling other units such as the tuner 302, the demultiplexer 303, and the IR data transmission/reception unit 311.

The receiving apparatus 202 obtains an EIT corresponding to a currently received program, i.e., a program being viewed by the viewer, according to the instruction of the viewer, and puts the obtained EIT into the storage unit 310 (steps S1001 to S1002). The receiving apparatus 202 obtains an EIT whenever a program starts to be reproduced or a program is switched between programs.

After the EIT is put in the storage unit 310, the CPU309 searches the obtained EIT for information of a program for viewing, and assigns an offset of the found program information to the variable offs (step S1003). Here, the "offset" of the program information relates to the start address of the program information stored in the storage unit 310.

Thereafter, the CPU309 performs processing according to the information group stored as a descriptor in the found program information (steps S1005-S1010) until it determines that the value of the variable offs represents the end point of the program information (step S1004).

Specifically, before determining whether the variable tag is a value of 0xA8 or not (step S1006), the CPU 301 substitutes a one-byte value stored in a cell indicated by the variable offs into the variable tag, and substitutes a one-byte value stored in a cell indicated by offs +1 into the variable length (step S1005).

If so, i.e., the control instruction information has been detected, the reception apparatus 202 generates the first transmission data by attaching the notification flag 0x00 to the program ID information contained in the found EIT and corresponding to the currently viewed program. Then, the reception apparatus 202 transmits the generated first transmission data to the operation apparatus 203/204 via the IR data transmission/reception unit 311 (step S1009). Thus, the receiving apparatus 202 transmits the first transmission data shown in fig. 10. Next, the reception apparatus 202 substitutes the total of the values of the variable offs, the variable length, and 2 into the variable offs (step S1010), and then the control flow returns to step S1004.

On the other hand, when it is judged that the value of the variable tag is not 0xA8 (step S1006), the reception apparatus 202 obtains information corresponding to the value of the variable tag (step S1008), performs processing in step S1010, and the control flow returns to step S1004.

< operation of operation means 203 >

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the operation device 203 when the operation device 203 receives the first transmission data from the reception device 202. The CPU408 in the operation device 203 executes the processing by executing the control program in the storage unit 409 while controlling other units such as the tuner 402, the multiplexer/demultiplexer 403, the encoder/decoder 406, and the IR data transmission/reception unit 410.

When receiving data from the receiving apparatus 202 via the IR transmitting/receiving unit (step S1202), the CPU408 determines whether the received data contains program ID information, that is, whether the received data is first transmission data, by confirming whether the notification flag of the data is 0x00 (step S1202).

If so, the CPU408 appends the telephone number of the operating device 203 and the notification flag 0x01 stored in the data storage unit 411 shown in fig. 4 to the program ID information in the received first transmission data to generate second transmission data (step S1203). For example, when the first transmission data shown in fig. 10 is received, the CPU408 generates the device program information in fig. 11 as the second transmission data (step S1204).

The CPU408 then controls the tuner 402 to dial the telephone number of the host station 206/207, which is stored in the data storage unit 411, and transmit the second transmission data (step S1204).

As a result of the above-described processing, the viewer will automatically participate in a bonus game in the program he is watching through his operating device 203.

< operation of the host station 206/207 receiving the second transmission data >

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a process in which the host station 206 stores the second transmission data transmitted from the operating device 203/204. The CPU501 in the host station 206 executes the processing by executing the control program in the storage unit 502, while controlling other units such as the communication unit 508.

The CPU501 initializes the variable TOP shown in fig. 14 by substituting nil, which shows that the value of the variable TOP is an invalid value, into the variable TOP (step S1501).

When receiving data from the operating device 203/204 via the communication unit 508 (step S1502), the CPU501 determines whether the transmitted data is device program information, i.e., second transmission data containing program ID information and an operating device phone number, by confirming whether the notification flag of the transmitted data is 0x01 (step S1203).

If so, the CPU501 substitutes the value in the variable TOP into the global variable 1p0 (step S1504), and searches the storage unit 502 or the hard disk unit 507 to determine whether the received second transmission data has been stored in the storage unit 502 or the hard disk unit 507 (step S1505). This search will be described in detail below.

Only when the CPU501 finds that the received second transfer data has not been stored yet, the CPU 502 stores the second transfer data in the storage unit 502 or the hard disk unit 507 (step S1507). That is, the CPU 502 prevents the same second transmission data from being registered multiple times by citing the operating device telephone number of each viewer and the program ID information specifying the program viewed by the viewer.

Here, the CPU501 registers the received second transmission data using the device information format and the program information format shown in fig. 12 and 13. The host station 206/207 later selects winners from the data registered in this manner. The registration process of step S1507 will be described in detail below.

The search in step S1505 is explained in detail below.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing this process.

The CPU501 determines whether the global variable 1P0 is nil (step S1601). If so, the CPU501 sets a return value indicating that the received second transmission data has not been registered (step S1609), and ends the search.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the global variable 1p0 is not nil, indicating that the global variable 1p0 indicates the device node, the CPU further determines whether the contents of the device phone number description field in the device node indicated by the global variable 1p0 are the same as the phone number written in the received second transmission data (step S1602). If not, indicating that the second transfer data is transmitted from a different one of the operating devices to the operating device currently indicated by the global variable 1p0, the CPU501 substitutes the value in the pointer of the succeeding device node in the current device node into the global variable 1p0 (step S1608), and returns the control flow to the step S1601 for determination.

When it is determined that the content of the device phone number description field is equal to the phone number written in the second transmission data received in step S1602, the CPU501 substitutes the value of the top program node pointer of the device node indicated by the variable 1p0 into ep, which is a local variable for search (step S1603). Next, the CPU501 determines whether the variable ep is nil (step S1604), and if not, indicates that the variable ep indicates a program node, at which time the CPU501 determines whether the program ID information in the program node indicated by the variable ep is equal to the program ID information written in the received second transmission data (step S1605). If equal, the CPU501 sets a return value indicating that the received second transmission data has been registered (step S1609), and ends the search. If not, the CPU501 substitutes the value in the pointer of the succeeding program node in the same program node into the variable ep (step S1607), and returns the control flow to step S1601 for determination.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1604 that the variable ep is nil, the CPU501 sets a return value indicating that the received second transmission data has not been registered (step S1609), and ends the search.

Note that, when the CPU501 sets a return value indicating that the second transmission data has not been registered in step S1609, the global variable 1p0 may indicate either nil or the device node of the operation device for transmitting the second transmission data. That is, when the device node of the operation device for transmitting the second transmission data is not generated, the global variable ep indicates the former; and when the program node corresponding to the second transmission data is not generated, the global variable ep indicates the latter, although the device node for operating the device is generated at this time.

The registration in step S1507 in fig. 17 is explained in detail below.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart of this processing executed by the CPU 501.

The CPU501 generates a program node and sets a pointer indicating the generated program node in the variable ep (step S1701), and sets program ID information written in the received second transmission data in the program node indicated by the variable ep, which is a local variable for the registration (step S1702).

Next, the CPU501 determines whether or not the global variable 1p0 is nil (step S1703). If so, indicating that the device node of the operation device for transmitting the second transmission data has not been generated, at this time, the CPU501 generates a device node for operating the device, and sets a pointer indicating the generated device node in the local variable optr (step S1704). Thereafter, the CPU501 sets the telephone number written in the second transmission data and substitutes nil into the top program node pointer in the same device node in the device telephone number description field of the device node indicated by the local variable optr (step S1705). Then, the CPU501 substitutes the value in the variable TOP into the subsequent device node pointer in the generated device node, and substitutes the value in the variable optr into the variables TOP and 1p0 (step 1706). When multiple other device nodes already exist, the process will place the resulting device node between the variable TOP and the start of the other linked-together device nodes.

If the CPU501 determines that the global variable 1p0 is not nil, the control flow moves from step S1706 or step S1703 to step S1707. The CPU501 substitutes the value of the top program node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable 1p0 for the subsequent program node pointer in the program node indicated by the variable ep (step S1707), and substitutes the value of the variable ep for the top program node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable 1p0 (S1708). This completes the registration of the second transmission data and links the generated device node with the generated program node located at the start of the plurality of program nodes linked together.

For example, when the second transmission file shown in fig. 11 is received from the operating device 203/204 and when the above-described registration shown in fig. 19 is performed, the host station 206 stores the data shown in fig. 14, where the program node is newly generated and inserted in the linked data structure. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of bonus programs and the more viewers watch such programs, the more likely it is to win a prize.

The host station 206 stores the received second transmission data using the data structure shown in fig. 14, and its CPU501 selects a winner from viewers of the program when a predetermined time arrives.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the CPU501 for selecting a winner.

The CPU501 calculates the total number of views of the viewer and then substitutes the return value resulting from the calculation into the variable num (step S4101). Then, the CPU501 selects a winner using the variable num as an argument (step S4102). The CPU501 performs calculations and selections using programs similar to the subprogram, and controls other units such as a communication unit 508 for selection.

The calculation in step S4101 and the selection in step S4102 are explained in detail below.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the calculation processing in step S4101.

The CPU501 substitutes the value in the variable TOP into the variable optr, and substitutes 0 as an initial value into the variable i for calculating the total number of views of the viewer.

CPU501 then determines whether variable optr is nil (step S4202), and if not, CPU501 substitutes the value in the top program node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable into variable optr (step S4203).

Thereafter, the CPU501 repeats the processing of step S4205 to increment the variable i by 1, and repeats the processing of step S4206, substituting the value of the subsequent program node pointer in the program node indicated by the variable eptr into the variable eptr until it determines that the variable eptt is nil (step S4204).

When it is determined in step S4204 that the variable eptr is nil, the CPU501 substitutes the value of the subsequent device node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable optr into the variable optr (step S4207) and determines whether the variable optr is nil (step S4202).

If so, it indicates that the variable i at that point indicates the total number of viewership of all viewers, and the CPU501 regards the variable i as a return value (step S4208) and ends the calculation process.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a specific process of step S4102 in fig. 20 executed by the CPU501 for selecting a winner.

The CPU501 generates a random number, which is an integer ranging from 0 to an argument minus 1 (step S4301). The argument has been generated by the calculation in step S4101 as the total number of viewers. Thereafter, the CPU501 substitutes the generated random number into the variable pos (step S4301) and substitutes the value of the variable TOP and 0 into the variable optr and the variable i, respectively (step S4302).

Thereafter, the CPU501 determines whether the variable optr is nil (step S4303). If so, the CPU501 regards that there is no candidate for winning, and thus ends the process; if not, the CPU501 substitutes the value of the top program node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable optr into the variable optr (step S4314).

The CPU501 then determines whether the variable eptr is nil (step S4305). If so, the CPU501 substitutes the value of the subsequent device node pointer in the device node indicated by the variable optr into the variable optr (step S4310), and performs the determination in step S4303.

When it is determined in step S4305 that the variable eptr is not nil, the CPU501 further determines whether the variable i indicates the same value as the variable pos (step S4306). If not, the CPU501 increments the variable i by 1 in step S4308, and z substitutes the value of the subsequent program node pointer in the program node indicated by the variable eptr into the variable eptr in step S4309, and returns the control flow to step S4305.

When it is determined that the variable i indicates the same value as the variable pos, the CPU501 controls the communication unit 508 to telephonically transmit the telephone number in the device telephone number description field of the device node indicated by the variable optr, and transmits a prerecorded message telling the viewer that he has won the prize (step S4307). Thus, the host station 206 sends a notification message to the viewer's operating device 203/204.

Second embodiment

A digital broadcasting system of a second embodiment of the present invention is explained below.

Overview of digital broadcast System

The digital broadcasting system of the second embodiment is basically the same in structure as that of the first embodiment (see fig. 1), and includes a host station, one receiving device, and an operating device. The digital broadcasting system can provide a service related to a broadcasted quiz game. The spectator participating in the quiz game inputs the answer to the quiz question to his operating device and instructs the operating device to transmit the input answer to the host station. When the answer is correct, the host station notifies the viewer.

Broadcast by host station

The host station of the second embodiment inserts the control instruction information described in the first embodiment into the EIT and broadcasts the EIT together with a question.

Receiving apparatus

The receiving apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (see fig. 2). Specifically, the present receiving apparatus detects the control instruction information at the same time when the quiz game is received according to the operation of the viewer. Upon detection of the control instruction information, the receiving apparatus transmits program ID information for the quiz game to the operating apparatus in the format of the first transmission data shown in fig. 10.

Operating device

The operation device of the present embodiment has basically the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, although the storage unit of the present operation device stores a control program different from the program used in the first embodiment and the CPU executes the control program. This causes the present operating device to execute the processing shown in fig. 23 instead of the processing shown in fig. 16 after receiving the first transmission data from the receiving device.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing such a process that the CPU in the operation device executes while controlling other devices such as a tuner, a multiplexer/demultiplexer, an encoder/decoder, and an IR data transmission/reception unit.

Upon receiving data from the receiving apparatus through the IR data transmitting/receiving unit (step S2101), the CPU determines whether the received data contains program ID information by confirming whether the notification flag of the data is 0x00 (step S2102).

If so, the CPU waits for the input of the answer of the viewer to the question (step S2103), receives the answer of the viewer, and appends the answer of the viewer and the operating device telephone number stored in the data storage unit shown in FIG. 4 to the program ID information in the received data together with the notification flag 0x02 to generate second transmission data (step S2104).

Fig. 24 shows an exemplary structure and contents of the second transmission data generated in step S2104. The second transmission data of this embodiment is composed of the following fields: a notification flag field 1901; an nid specification field 1902; a tid description field 1903; a sid specification field 1904; an eid specification field 1905; a question answer field 1906; a phone number length description field 1907; and a phone number description field 1908.

When a question answer input as 80 is accepted from the viewer and first transmission data as shown in fig. 10 is received from the receiving apparatus, the CPU in the operating apparatus generates second transmission data as shown in the figure.

The CPU then controls the tuner and other unit telephones to transmit the telephone number of the winner and transmits the generated second transmission data to the host station (step S2105).

Thus, when receiving an input from a viewer participating in a quiz game, the operating device transmits a quiz response to the host station.

Reception of quiz answers by host station

The host station of this embodiment has basically the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, although it stores a control program different from that of the first embodiment in a storage unit. The CPU in the host station performs different operations.

The following describes processing of the host station that receives the second transmission data from the operation device.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a process that the CPU in the receiving apparatus executes by executing the control program in the storage unit and controlling other units such as the communication unit.

Upon receiving data from the operation device through the communication unit (step S2201), the CPU determines whether the data is the second transmission data containing the question answer of the viewer by confirming whether the notification flag of the data is 0x02 (step S2202).

If so, the CPU determines whether the program specified by the program ID information is a predetermined quiz program based on the program ID information in the received second transmission data (step S2203), and if so, the CPU further determines whether the quiz answer is equal to a predetermined answer (step S2204). If so, the CPU controls the communication unit to telephonically transmit the telephone number in the telephone number specification field of the second transmission data and to transmit a message notifying the viewer that his answer is correct (step S2205), and returns the control flow to step S2201.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification flag is not 0x02(B step S2202), or that the program specified by the program ID message is not a scheduled quiz program (step S2203), or that the viewer answer is not equal to a scheduled answer (step S2204), the CPU returns the control flow to step S2201 and waits for input data.

As a result of the above-described processing by the host station, the viewer who inputs answers to questions while watching a predetermined quiz show can be notified when his answer is correct.

Third embodiment

A digital broadcasting system of a third embodiment of the present invention is explained below.

Overview of digital broadcast System

The digital broadcasting system of the present embodiment includes the host station, one receiving device, and the operating device of the first embodiment (see fig. 1).

With the digital broadcasting system of the present embodiment, the host station can transmit key information for descrambling a scrambled program to the receiving apparatus in accordance with the broadcast viewed by the viewer and the operation of the viewer. When reproducing a program, the receiving apparatus descrambles the scrambled program using the key information.

Broadcasting of pay PPV programs and commercials of commercials by host stations

The host station of the present embodiment inserts a descriptor containing program ID information specifying a pay program such as PPV program and a user-determined value of 0xAA of a flag and a flag into an EIT, and broadcasts the EIT together with a commercial advertising the pay program. The above-described descriptor is hereinafter referred to as program scheduling control information. The host station broadcasts the commercial several times before broadcasting the premium programming.

On the other hand, when broadcasting the pay program, the host station broadcasts an EIT containing a descriptor with a flag value of 0xA9, which is a user-determined value. This descriptor is hereinafter referred to as pay program control information.

Fig. 26 shows exemplary contents of EIT 4700 broadcast with a commercial and EIT4710 broadcast with a premium program advertised by the commercial.

EIT 4700 contains program information with eid ═ 0x 9999. The program information is used to advertise commercials of the premium programs specified by nid ═ 0x1234, tid ═ 0x0005, sid ═ 0x0006, and eid ═ 0x7890 contained in the program reservation control information 4702. On the other hand, the EIT4710 includes program information for a pay program and pay program control information 4712.

Note that fig. 26 shows a case where program scheduling control information and charged program control information are contained in different EITs to be broadcast together with commercials and charged programs, respectively. However, the program scheduling control information and the pay program control information may be contained in the same EIT.

Receiving apparatus

The receiving apparatus of the second embodiment has basically the same structure as that of the first embodiment, although the storage unit in the present receiving apparatus stores a control program different from that of the first embodiment, and the CPU in the present receiving apparatus executes the control program. This causes the present receiving apparatus to execute the processing shown in fig. 27 while receiving a broadcast from the host station in accordance with the operation of the viewer. It should be noted that the storage unit of the present embodiment stores a telephone number of the receiving apparatus, which is a telephone number used for telephone communication with the communication unit in the receiving apparatus.

Fig. 27 shows the above-described processing performed by the CPU in the present reception apparatus. In performing this processing, the CPU controls other units such as a tuner, a demultiplexer, and an IR data transmission/reception unit.

The processing shown in this figure is the same as that in fig. 15, but the processing after reception of the program scheduling control information and the charging control information is unique to the present embodiment. This unique process is explained below.

After finding the program information for the current commercial broadcast, the CPU detects a descriptor having a value of 0xAA (step S3306), generates transmission data containing program ID information written in the detected descriptor, the program ID information specifying a charged program advertised in the current commercial program, and controls the IR transmitting/receiving means to transmit the generated transmission data to the operating means (step S3307).

Fig. 28 shows an exemplary structure and content of the transmission data generated in step S3307 by the receiving apparatus according to the descriptor of the program scheduling control information 4702 in fig. 26 while receiving the commercial program.

As shown, the transmission data is composed of the following fields: a notification flag 4501 whose content is 0x 0A; an nid specification field 4502; a tid description field 4503; a sid specification field 4504; and an eid specification field 4505.

On the other hand, after finding program information for a pay program currently being broadcast, the CPU detects a descriptor whose flag value is 0xA9 (step S3308), generates transmission data by attaching a receiving apparatus phone number and a notification flag 0x05 to program ID information, which is contained in the found EIT and corresponds to the pay program, and controls IR data transmission/reception to transmit the generated transmission data to the operating apparatus (step S3309).

Fig. 29 outputs an exemplary structure and contents of the transmission data generated in step S3309 according to the charged program control information 4712 in fig. 26 while the reception apparatus receives the charged program.

As shown, the transmission data is composed of the following fields: a notification flag field 3101 whose content is 0x 05; an nid specification field 3102; a tid description field 3103; a sid description field 3104; an eid specification field 3105; a telephone number length specification field 3106; a receiving device phone number description field 3107.

Therefore, the receiving apparatus transmits the transmission data shown in fig. 28 to the operating apparatus while receiving the commercial broadcast of the pay program from the host station, and then transmits the transmission data shown in fig. 29 to the operating apparatus while receiving the pay program.

Operating device

The operating device of the present embodiment basically has the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment (see fig. 3), although the storage unit of the operating device stores a control program different from that of the first embodiment and the CPU executes the control program. Therefore, the present operating device executes the processing shown in fig. 30 instead of the processing shown in fig. 16 after receiving the transmission data from the receiving device. The storage unit in the present operation device stores a member number for identifying a viewer, i.e., a user who operates the operation device.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing such a process that the CPU in the operation device executes while controlling other devices such as a tuner, a multiplexer/demultiplexer, an encoder/decoder, and an IR data transmission/reception unit.

Upon receiving data from the receiving apparatus through the IR data transmission/reception unit (step S2601), the CPU determines whether the notification flag of the data is 0x00, 0x05, or another value (steps S6202 and S2607).

When the notification flag is 0x0A, indicating that the received data has been generated from the program reservation control information during commercial broadcasting and transmitted from the receiving apparatus, the CPU executes the processing of steps S2603 to S2606 regarding the reserved programs.

Specifically, the CPU causes the display unit to display a prompt message to prompt the user to press a predetermined operation key to schedule a pay program advertised by a commercial broadcast, and waits for an input from the user (step S2603). Upon receiving the input of the user (step S2604), the CPU generates transmission data (hereinafter referred to as third transmission data), which is the transmission data shown in fig. 28, by appending the member number of the user and the notification flag 0x04 to the program ID information contained in the reception data (step S2605). Then, the CPU controls the tuner to make a phone call with the host station and transmits the generated third transmission data (step S2606).

Fig. 31 shows an exemplary structure and contents of third transmission data that the operating device transmits to the host station in step S2602 during the commercial broadcast.

As shown, the third transmission data is composed of the following fields: a notification flag field 2401 whose content is 0x 04; an nid specification field 2402; a tid description field 2403; a sid specification field 2404; an eid specification field 2405; and a member number field 2406.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2607 that the notification flag is 0x05, indicating that the reception data has been generated and transmitted according to the pay program control instruction information during the pay program, the CPU executes the processing of steps S2608 to S2609 at this time to enable the viewer to descramble the pay program he subscribes to.

Specifically, the CPU generates transmission data (hereinafter referred to as fourth transmission data), which is the transmission data shown in fig. 29, by attaching the member number in the storage unit and the notification flag 0x06 to the program ID information and the receiving apparatus phone number contained in the received data (step S2608). The CPU then controls the tuner to perform telephone communication with the host station and transmits the generated fourth transmission data to the host station (step S2609).

Fig. 32 shows an exemplary structure and contents of fourth transmission data transmitted from the operating device to the host station during the pay program.

As shown, the fourth transmission data is composed of the following fields: a notification flag 3201 whose content is 0x 06; an nid description field 3202; a tid description field 3203; a sid description field 3204; an eid description field 3205; a member number field 3206; a telephone number length description field 3207; and a receiving device phone number description field 3208.

Therefore, when a viewer who is viewing a commercial broadcast for a pay program and has the above-described operation device subscribes to the pay program through the operation device, the operation device transmits program ID information of the pay program and a member number of the viewer to the host station. On the other hand, when the viewer views the pay program that has been scrambled, the operation device transmits program ID information of the pay program, the member number of the viewer, and the telephone number of the reception device being used by the viewer viewing the pay program to the host station.

Reception of data from an operating device by a host station

The host station of this embodiment has basically the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the storage unit of the host station stores a control program different from that of the first embodiment, so the processing of the CPU is different.

When receiving the third transmission data relating to the predetermined charged program, the notification flag of which is 0x04, from the operating device, the host station stores the received third transmission data by arranging it in the viewer information format and the program information format shown in the first embodiment.

Fig. 33 shows a viewer information format 2700, which is composed of the following elements: a top program node pointer 2701; a subsequent member node pointer 2702; and a member number field 2703. The above-mentioned "member node" relates to a piece of information set in the audience information format.

Fig. 34 shows an exemplary state of data having contents of a plurality of sets of third transmission data stored by the host station using the data structures in fig. 33 and 13.

In fig. 34, the variable TOP2801 represents a pointer to the beginning of a plurality of linked-together member nodes (i.e., member node 2802 through member node 2804).

The member node 2802 is connected to a plurality of linked program nodes 2805 and 2807, which are generated based on third transmission data transmitted from an operating device storing a member number written in the member node 2802. Similarly, member nodes 2803 link program nodes 2808 and member nodes 2804 link program nodes 2809.

The processing performed by the host station that has received the third transmission data from the operating device is explained below.

Fig. 35 is a flowchart showing such processing of the host station. The CPU in the host station performs this processing by executing the control program stored in the storage unit while controlling other units such as a communication unit.

The CPU initializes the variable TOP by substituting the variable TOP into nil, which shows that the value in the variable TOP is an invalid value (step S3501).

When receiving data from the operation device through the communication unit (step S3502), the CPU determines whether the data is the third transmission data as shown in fig. 31 by confirming whether the notification flag of the data is 0x04 (step S3503).

If so, the CPU searches the storage unit or the hard disk unit to determine whether the received third transfer data has already been stored in the storage unit or the hard disk unit (step S3504). This search will be described in detail below.

The CPU stores the third transfer data in the storage unit or the hard disk unit only when it is determined from the result of the search that the received third transfer data has not been stored (step S3505) (step S3506)). Therefore, the CPU avoids registering the same third transmission data multiple times by citing the program ID information specifying the scheduled pay program. Here, "registering" the third transmission data means that the program ID information and the member number in the transmission data are put in the storage unit or the hard disk unit by being adjusted to the program information format in fig. 13 and the viewer information format in fig. 33. The registration in step S3506 will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3503 that the notification flag of the transferred data is not 0x04, the CPU further determines whether the received data is fourth transfer data by confirming whether the notification flag of the received data is 0x06 (step S3507). If so, the CPU searches the storage unit or the hard disk unit to determine whether the host station has registered the third transmission data corresponding to the program ID information and the member number in the fourth transmission data (step S3508). When the determination is yes (step S3509), the CPU controls the communication unit to telephone-transmit the reception telephone number written in the received fourth transmission data, and transmits key information for descrambling the pay program (step S3510).

The searches in steps S3504 and S3508 are explained in detail below.

Fig. 36 is a flowchart showing the search process.

The CPU substitutes the value in the variable TOP2801 shown in fig. 34 into the variable optr, which is a local variable used for the search (step S3601), and determines that the variable is charged for nil (step S3602). If so, the CPU501 sets a return value as an indication that the received data has not been registered (step S3610), and terminates the search.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the global variable optr is not nil, indicating that the variable optr indicates a member node, the CPU further determines whether the content of the member number field in the member node indicated by the variable optr is a member number written in the received transmission data (step S3603). If not, indicating that the transfer data has been sent by another operation device that is not an operation device having the member number included in the member node indicated by the variable optr, the CPU substitutes the contents of the pointer of the subsequent member node in the current member node into the global variable optr (step S3609) and returns the control flow to step S3602 for determination.

When a yes determination is given in S3603, the CPU substitutes the value in the variable optr into the variable 1p0, and substitutes the value of the top program node pointer in the member node indicated by the variable optr into the variable eptr (step S3604). Note that, in step S3506 in fig. 35, the global variable 1p0 is a variable whose value is one to be passed to the process of registering the third transmission data (which will be described later), and the variable eptr is a local variable used for the search process. The CPU then determines whether the variable eptr is nil (step S3605).

When a "no" determination is given in step S3605, indicating that the variable eptt indicates a program node, the CPU determines whether the program ID information in the program node indicated by the eptr is equal to the program ID information written in the received third transmission data (step S3606). If so, the CPU sets a return value as an indication that the received third transmission data has been registered (step S3607), and terminates the retrieval. If not, the CPU substitutes the next program node pointer value in the same program node into the variable eptr (step S3608), and returns the control flow to step S3605.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3605 that the variable eptr is nil, the CPU sets a return value as an indication that the received data has not been registered (step S3610), and terminates the search.

It should be noted that, when the CPU sets a return value as an indication that the received transmission data of the above search result has not been registered, the global variable 1p0 may indicate either nil or a member node corresponding to a member number stored by the operation device which transmitted the transmission data. That is, when a member node corresponding to a member number stored by an operation device that transmits transmission data is not registered, the global variable 1p0 indicates the former; when a program node corresponding to the received transmission data is registered, the global variable 1p0 indicates the latter, although a member node corresponding to the operation device has been registered at this time.

The registration processing in step S3506 in fig. 35 described above is explained below.

Fig. 37 is a flowchart showing this registration process executed by the CPU in the host station.

The CPU generates a program node, sets a pointer to the generated program node to the variable ep (step S3001), and sets the program ID information contained in the received third transmission data to the generated program node indicated by the variable ep (step S3002). The variable ep is a local variable used for this registration process. Next, the CPU determines whether the global variable 1p0 given by the search in step S3504 is nil (step S3003), and if so, indicates that a member node corresponding to the operation device that transmitted the third transfer data has not been generated, at which time the CPU generates a member node of the operation device and sets a pointer to the generated device node in the local variable optr (step S3004). Thereafter, the CPU sets the member number included in the received transmission data in the member number field of the generated member node indicated by the local variable optr, and sets the value of the top program node pointer included in the generated member node on nil (step S3005). The CPU then substitutes the value in the variable TOP into the subsequent member node pointers in the device node indicated by the variable optr, and substitutes the value in the variable optr into the variables TOP and 1p0 (step S3006). Thus, when multiple other member nodes already exist, the resulting member node is placed between the variable TOP and the start of those member nodes that are linked together.

The control flow moves from the CPU to determine that the global variable 1p0 is not nil, or step S3006 or step S3003 to step S3007. The CPU substitutes the value in the top program node pointer in the member node indicated by the variable 1p0 for the subsequent program node pointer in the program node indicated by the variable ep (step S3007), and substitutes the value in the variable ep for the top program node contained in the member node indicated by the variable 1p0 (S3008). This terminates the registration process and links the generated member node with the generated program node at the beginning of the plurality of program nodes linked together.

For example, when the third transmission data shown in fig. 31 is received from the operating device and the above-described registration in fig. 37 is performed, the host station stores data of the state shown in fig. 34, where the program node 2805 has been generated and put into a linked structure.

The above-described processing shown in fig. 35 to 37 performed by the host station allows the viewer who is watching the commercial broadcast of the advertised pay program to reserve the pay program by performing a simple operation such as pressing an operation key ("pay" key) on his operation device. Thereafter, once the receiving device has received and displayed the scrambled premium programming, the viewer can descramble and view the premium programming. If the viewer carries the operating device with him, he can reserve a pay program while watching a commercial broadcast for the pay program using one receiving device that receives and presents a digital broadcast, and watch the pay program using another receiving device similar to the former receiving device, because the host station transmits key information for descrambling to the latter receiving device.

Supplementary explanation

The first to third embodiments described above have clearly illustrated the digital broadcasting system of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The following illustrates possible modifications:

1. the number of receiving devices, operating devices, and host stations in the digital broadcasting system is not limited to the number shown in fig. 1, that is, the digital broadcasting system may include any number of receiving devices, operating devices, and host stations.

2. The first to third embodiments are described as a device for a host station which broadcasts digital broadcasting in addition to services such as selection of a winner and transmission of a key message informing a viewer that his question answer is correct and descrambling is performed based on data transmitted from an operation device. Yet another possibility is that the host station broadcasts only digital broadcasts, while another device receives data from the operating device and provides services based on the received data. That is, the transmission of the digital broadcast and the process of providing the service may be performed by different devices, respectively.

3. The receiving device of the first to third embodiments uses IR signals to transmit data to one or more operating devices, but the receiving device may use other transmission methods, such as transmitting data by radio waves.

In order to provide a service to a viewer as soon as the viewer views a broadcasted digital program reproduced by a receiving apparatus, a transmission method is suitable in which the receiving apparatus transmits data from the receiving apparatus to an operating apparatus of the viewer at a close distance using, for example, an IR signal or a radio wave having 1.0mW or less.

In the first to third embodiments, the operation device transmits data to the host station using the public telephone network, but the operation device may use a different network, for example, a private network instead of the public telephone network.

The operation device of the present invention does not need to have the function of a cellular phone as long as it can transmit data to the host station. That is, the operation device may be other devices such as a Personal Handyphone System (PHS), a wireless device, or a conventional home telephone, but in order to provide a service to each viewer corresponding to a program being viewed, the operation device should be portable so that each viewer can carry with him.

4. In the first to third embodiments, the host station transmits a streaming broadcast program and program-related information according to DVB-SI using MPEG2 according to ISO/IEC 13818, but the host station may broadcast the program and the program-related information using other methods.

Instead of the combination of nid, tid, sid, and eid employed in the above-described embodiment, a combination of Bouquet _ ID, Service _ ID, and Event _ ID in conformity with DVB-SI may be used as the program ID information.

The host station does not have to transmit information such as program ID information specifying the program that the viewer is watching while broadcasting the program, as long as the receiving device can obtain such information while the viewer is watching the program. For example, the receiving apparatus may obtain information specifying the program or other such information through the internet or the like at the time of receiving the program based on the channel for the program.

5. In the first to third embodiments, nid, tid, sid, and eid of a program viewed by a specified viewer are transmitted from the receiving apparatus to the operating apparatus. The operating device then appends other information to the received program ID information and transmits it to the host station, thereby providing a predetermined service for the program such as selection of a winner. However, nid, tid, sid, and eid are generally only able to specify programs broadcast during a predetermined period. It is therefore possible for the receiving apparatus to insert the broadcast start time information of the corresponding program and contained in one EIT into the program ID information and transmit the program ID information to the operating apparatus. In so doing, even when the viewer watches a program recorded in advance after the lapse of the above-mentioned predetermined period, the host station can specify the program watched by the viewer and appropriately provide an appropriate service.

The broadcast start time information may be information in mjd (modified juliandate) format to be stored in the EIT. Fig. 38 shows an exemplary content and structure of transmission data containing program ID information including broadcast start time information. The receiving device may transmit the transmission data instead of the transmission data shown in fig. 10. The broadcast start time information may be replaced with other information showing the broadcast start time of the program.

The receiving means may transmit time information for displaying the reproduced program in addition to the program ID information to the operating means, and the operating means may generate and transmit transmission data containing the information to the host station. Accordingly, the host station can provide a service when the host station considers that the program has been reproduced. This may be used, for example, to provide a service to the viewer only when the viewer watches a program during a scheduled period. Another possibility is that the operating means directly transmits the above-mentioned information on the reproduction time to the host station together with the program ID information and other information that have been transmitted from the receiving means.

6. In the first to third embodiments, the receiving apparatus transmits data containing program ID information to the operating apparatus, and the operating apparatus appends its telephone number or the member number of the viewer to the received data and transmits them to the host station. However, another possibility is to remove the operating device from the present digital broadcasting system, so that the receiving device transmits information specifying itself, such as a telephone number, together with the program ID information. Such an improved digital broadcasting system still allows the host station to provide services such as transmission of key information for descrambling according to programs viewed by viewers. However, in order to provide a service to each viewer, not to each receiving device, the digital broadcasting system should include an operating device for each viewer.

7. In the first to third embodiments, the operating device stores in advance (although this is not essential) the telephone number of the host station, which is available to the operating device when required. This may be accomplished, for example, by inserting the telephone number of the device performing the service providing operation into the program related information and having the host station broadcast the related information. The receiving device then obtains a device telephone number from the program-related information and transmits the telephone number to the operating device together with the program ID information, and then the telephone transmits the device telephone number to transmit data such as the program ID information.

8. The first to third embodiments have explained the case where the host station broadcasts the control instruction information and the data in which the program is multiplexed, and the case where the receiving apparatus starts transmitting the program ID information when receiving the control instruction information. However, the receiving apparatus may also start transmitting the program ID information upon detecting that it has received a viewer operation to reproduce the program or switch to reproduction of another program.

9. In the first embodiment, the CPU of the host station controls the communication unit to transmit a message notifying the viewer that he wins a prize in step S4307. Alternatively, however, the host station may display the telephone number of the operating device of the winner on the monitor, and the operator of the host station may telephonically transmit the telephone number displayed on the monitor of the monitor to notify the winner.

The method of selecting the winner of the bonus program is not limited to the method described in the first embodiment, but may be replaced with other methods.

10. In the second embodiment, the CPU in the host station controls the communication unit to issue a message notifying the viewer that his answer to the question is correct in step S2205. In addition to this service, the host station may provide a variety of services, such as notifying the viewer how many other viewers have correctly answered the quiz question or sending a message notifying the viewer that his answer is correct. It should be noted that the second embodiment describes the digital broadcasting system broadcasting the quiz program and providing the related services, however, this is only an example, and the digital broadcasting system of the present invention enables the host station to provide any services in accordance with the program viewed by the viewer and the data transmitted by the viewer via the operating device.

11. The member number described in the third embodiment may be notified to the host station by each viewer in advance, or may be replaced with a telephone number of an operating device owned by the viewer or any other information identifying the viewer.

The host station may charge each viewer for the third transmission data transmitted by the viewer with whom the host station has registered.

In a third embodiment, the term "premium" programming is used to imply that the programming has been scrambled prior to broadcast, and thus the "premium" programming may also include free programming that has been scrambled prior to broadcast.

12. In the third embodiment, the receiving apparatus transmits information for the pay program, such as program ID information, to the main station via the operating apparatus from the time when the receiving apparatus displays the scrambled pay program. Upon receiving the transmitted information, the host station transmits key information for descrambling to the receiving apparatus, so that the pay program can be descrambled and reproduced. However, another possibility is that the operating device appends its telephone number to the program ID information before sending the information to the host station, and the host station sends the key information to the operating device by dialing the telephone number. In this case, the operating device can transmit critical information to the receiving device via an IR signal or the like. Upon receiving the program ID information for the program viewed by the viewer, the host station may transmit key information for descrambling a program to be broadcast after the current program to the receiving apparatus or the operating apparatus through the same channel as that for the current program.

13. In the third embodiment, the operation device transmits the third transmission data shown in fig. 31 to the host station to reserve the pay program. However, another possibility is that the operating means transmits its telephone number to the host station together with the third transmission data, and the host station provides a service of notifying the viewer that the broadcast start time of the predetermined pay program has come by transmitting the transmitted telephone number by telephone.

14. The processing of the host station, the receiving apparatus, and the operating apparatus shown in the flowcharts of the above-described embodiments may be implemented by machine language programs and by means of a recording medium storing these distributed programs, which may be an IC card, an optical disk, a floppy disk, a ROM, or other media, on which the machine language programs are recorded, loaded onto a medium having a device that performs the functions of the machine language programs. The apparatus executes the installed machine language program, thereby realizing the host station, the receiving apparatus, and the operating apparatus of the above-described embodiments.

Further, the above-mentioned computer programs that execute the processing of the host station, the receiving device, and the operating device may be distributed and sold online through a communication line or using a recording medium such as a hard disk.

Although the present invention has been fully and fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.

Claims (10)

1. A digital broadcasting system includes receiving means, one or more communication means, and a broadcasting station means,

wherein the receiving device comprises:

a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcast of a program;

a presentation unit for presenting the program received by the reception unit to a viewer; and

a program ID information transmitting unit for transmitting program ID information specifying the presented program or a program related to the presented program,

each communication device receives the transmitted program ID information and transmits device ID information specifying the communication device and the received program ID information to the broadcasting station device,

the broadcasting station apparatus includes:

a service processing unit for receiving the program ID information and the device ID information from the respective communication devices and transmitting service information, which is provided to viewers of the presented program and is information on the program specified by the program ID information, to the respective communication devices specified by the device ID information, and

each communication apparatus further includes:

and the service information receiving unit is used for receiving the service information.

2. The digital broadcasting system of claim 1,

the program ID information transmitting unit transmits the program ID information by transmitting a radio wave or an infrared signal having an output of 1.0mW or less,

each communication device is a portable telephone and includes:

a program ID information receiving unit for receiving the transmitted program ID information;

a destination telephone number storage unit for storing a telephone number of the broadcasting station apparatus; and

a self telephone number storage unit for storing a telephone number of the communication apparatus as apparatus ID information; and

a transmission unit for making a call to the telephone number stored in the destination telephone number storage unit and transmitting the program ID information and the telephone number stored in the own telephone number storage unit to the broadcasting station apparatus via the telephone line,

the service information receiving unit also notifies the viewer of the received service information,

the service processing unit calls the telephone number transmitted from each communication device and transmits a message for notifying the viewer via the telephone line as service information.

3. The digital broadcasting system of claim 2,

the control instruction information is multiplexed with the program,

the receiving unit also receives control instruction information, an

When the presentation unit detects the control instruction information, the program ID information transmission unit transmits the program ID information.

4. The digital broadcasting system of claim 3,

the program ID information is also multiplexed with the program,

the receiving unit also receives program ID information, an

The program ID information transmitting unit transmits the program ID information that has been received by the receiving unit.

5. The digital broadcasting system of claim 2,

each communication device further transmits broadcast time information indicating a time at which the program is presented by the presentation unit to the broadcasting station device, and

the service information transmitted to the communication apparatus is about a service based on the transmitted play time information.

6. The digital broadcasting system of claim 1,

the program presented by the presentation unit is a commercial promoting another program, an

The transmitted program ID information is used to specify the advertised program,

each communication device, upon receiving a predetermined operation from the viewer, transmits the telephone number of the communication device as device ID information to the broadcasting station device together with the received program ID information, an

The service processing unit calls the telephone number transmitted from the communication device and transmits service information notifying the viewer of the broadcast start time of the program specified by the program ID information via the telephone line.

7. A communication apparatus that receives program ID information specifying a program that has been digitally broadcast, and transmits the received program ID information to a broadcasting station apparatus that transmits service information to viewers of the program, said communication apparatus comprising:

a self telephone number storage unit for storing the telephone number of the communication device;

a program ID information receiving unit for receiving program ID information transmitted by a receiving apparatus, which has received a digital broadcast of the program, by transmitting a radio wave or an infrared signal whose output is equal to or less than 1.0 mW;

a transmitting unit for transmitting the received program ID information and telephone number to the broadcasting station apparatus via a telephone line; and

a service information receiving unit for receiving the service information transmitted from the broadcasting station apparatus.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a user operation receiving unit for receiving an operation by a user, wherein

If the user operation receiving unit receives a predetermined user operation, the transmitting unit transmits program ID information and a telephone number to the broadcasting station apparatus,

the service information receiving unit notifies the user of the service information.

9. The communication device of claim 8,

if the user operation receiving unit receives a user operation including data input, the transmitting unit transmits the input data in addition to the program ID information and the telephone number.

10. The communication device of claim 9,

the communication device has a function of remotely controlling the receiving device.