FR2726146A1 - Automated management system for interactive digital television - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (3) is connected to an interactive TV receiver (1) or microcomputer (19) incorporates a radio frequency transceiver (5,6), a telephone or data line transceiver (7,8), a codec and compandor (16), a keyboard (9) with adaptive keys, an infrared or RF remote control transceiver (14) and a processor (10) with a stored program (13). Interfaces are also provided for a video camera (39), a disc reader (42), a bank card reader (15) and a loudspeaker or headset connected to a socket (43). The processor is programmed to manage the receptions and transmissions, interactive dialogues, decryption keys, invoices and electronic funds transfers in payment.

Description

 The present invention relates to an automated television management system Interact.ive allowing a user having a TV-more generally an interactive receiver- or a microcomputer, to have an interactive dialogue, in real time ("in li gnefl) or offline ("off-line"), with products, objects, or actors in interactive TV shows.

 To date, conventional television programs, by their very principle do not allow interactivity between the product that is the object of the show and the user, ie the viewer. It then has only a passive role of "receiver" @ and it can absolutely not intervene on the content or the course of the programs or programs, these programs or programs are in real time (or "online" ") or delayed (or" offline ") time.

As examples: in a teleshopping program, the viewer can not intervene to request a close-up or a view from a particular angle of the proposed product, additional information, or a catalog request; in a program on a guided tour of a museum or an art gallery, the viewer can not inter-act to request the visit of a room or an object.

museum, or a close-up of a particular work of art or painting.

The Automated Interactive Television Management System according to the present invention allows a user having an Interactive Receiver, such as for example a television or a microcomputer to actively participate. during the course. interactive television programs. The viewer then becomes interactive or "tele-actor", and the Automated System presented here makes it possible to extend the use of the classic television and the microcomputer to the widest and most general fields of application in the fields the most varied t.els that ::
Interactive tele-shopping (or purchase following an adequate interactive presentation of products, interactive teaching, interactive visits to museums or art galleries, interactive advertising (or "smart" advertising) with which the "interactive viewer" can obtain additional information on the products that will have caught his attention, samples, etc.), the interactive visit of real estate (apartments for example3, the interactive video which relates more particularly to the films, the virtual spaces which concern especially the game :, etc.

This list is given as an example and is by no means exhaustive.

 The automated system according to the present invention also allows the purchase or rental of multi-media products-movies, video games, software, music, etc. .-, of course by the conventional means of the courier or the parcel or postal package, but also by using the methods of loading by the means of modern broadcasting radio-frequency links, hertzian, satellite, telephone lines, tele-computer lines, or any other means available and function of the existing technology according to the state of the art.

For each of the types of applications considered above, the
Automated Interactive Television Management System according to the present invention performs the following functions by means of either a keyboard, or a microphone, or a camera, or a suitable disk drive and arranged on the System. , a remote control box; in the two middle cases arranged on the System or on the remote control, the television screen or the microcomputer monitor is also used to guide the dialogue, in an ergonotic manner, by means of one or more state windows. and information: - Basic system commands, ie on / off, sound volume, etc.

- Reception of interactive television broadcasts by means of either a radio-frequency receiver (radio-relay systems, satellite links, etc.) adapted to the reception of television channel channels-most often digital-or to a receiver connected to the network distribution of television programs by cable or telephone lines or more generally the tele-computer lines.

- Issuing information allowing the user to intervene at the highest level during an interactive dialogue: as an example for interactive tele-shopping or "smart" advertising programs, the user can ask for the mailing of a catalog, a sample, the visit of an agent. commercial, make an order, a tele-payment by credit card. This transmitter is either radio-frequency type (radio links, satellite links, etc.), or a suitable transmitter connected to the
Cable, a suitable transmitter connected to the line; telephones or, more generally, to tele-computer lines.

Decoding and decompression of interactive broadcasts received by means of digital, compressed and. crypt ;, this so a.

what, in particular, operators control access (paid access).

- Access and management of this access to a directory of Interactive Program Providers and available services.

- Selection of an Interactive TV Provider; from those listed in a specific catalog or directory.

These interactive television programs may be between television shopping, teaching, guided tours, advertising, movies, games, and more generally any broadcast product requesting or that may request a user intervention capability.

- Selection of a channel, or a television channel.

- Selection of a particular program in the channel or channel selected, which allows the user to retain all the information of a channel or channel that interest him. Thus for a chain devoted to the mail order of a distributor, a program will consist of the "winter" catalog, another program of the "summer" catalog, as an example.

- Identification of the user, which allows during teleshopping, catalog sending, sample, or billing for example to consider the client-user concerned.

- Process. the interactive show: tele-shopping, movies, games, advertising, visits, etc. This function must manage the active intervention of the user in interactive television broadcasts. This function is performed by means of keys on the keyboard either on the System or on the remote control.

The user is guided throughout the dialogue of the interactive sequence by one or more windows representing helpers, comments, or information that appear, depending on the context and as and when dialogue, on the TV screen -or Int.eractive receiver- or microcomputer These aids, comments and information are. downloaded at the beginning of the interactive broadcast sequence, at the initiative of the Service Provider. In particular and by way of example, the entry representing the help line defines for the interactive sequence concerned the role of each of the keys of the zone (23) of the keyboard, which zone (23) is assigned to the interactive dialogue; for example: key F1 = close-up on present product; F2 key = product order; F key: = catalog request.

- Billing and. tele-payment, on the one hand. and as a general rule for interactive television broadcasts, which will usually be paid access, and more particularly for teleshopping, film and television operations. video game.

The tele-payment uses for example a credit card reader.

- Management of validation keys for the use of multi-media products (movies, games, software, music tracks, as examples), depending on whether they are rented or purchased, and validation of decryptions and authorizations to copy or recording.

- Management of the erasure of the products stored in memory at the end of the rental contract, and application of the prohibition to make any recording or illegal copy of a rented multi-media product.

- Billing management of purchases and rentals of multi-media products with respect to suppliers.

Figure 1 represents the Automated Management System of
Interactive television (3) according to the present invention. This system
Automated is connected to an Interactive Receiver (1) - for example a television - by a suitable cable (2), for example video cable or "Péritél" socket (registered trademark). The system can also. be connected to a microcomputer or a workstation plus by a suitable cable (18), for example an RS232 link. The system is either in a box outside the TV or the crazy computer workstation), or on a cart or a specific electronic module located inside the interactive receiver - or television - or the microcomputer (or workstation).

 An interface (4) allows the connection with the television or the interactive receiver. An interface (17) allows the connection with the microcomputer or the workstation.

 A radio-frequency television receiver (@) adapted to reception of the broadcasts (tuner), in particular the emisson; interactive digital signals (radiofrequency, radio-relay, satellite, or television cable, e :: <em- ple). This receiver is connected to an antenna or a suitable socket (34) for connection to a broadcast distribution network (eg television catle).

 A radiofrequency transmitter (6) allows a link from the user to the operator, in the case of a high-level interactive program. The transmitter is connected to an antenna or a suitable socket (35) for connection to a broadcast network.

Note that in most cases the antennas or adapted sockets (34) and (35) are combined and make only one and the same antenna or adapted socket.

The transmitter is of the radiofrequency emission type, or by radio-relay, or satellite, or by television cable, as an example or any other available means and function of the existing technology according to the state of the art.

 The Automated System can. also be connected to: interactive operators via telephone lines (PSTN switched network, leased or specialized lines), and more generally. teleinformatic networks. I1 uses for this a suitable receiver (7) and a suitable transmitter (8); the receiver (7) and the transmitter (@) are then connected to a suitable socket (36), allowing the connection to one or more networks responsible for conveying the information, for example of the multi-media type.

 A dedicated circuit (16) allows on the one hand on reception the decoding or decryption as well as the decompression of the digital signals received or stored in the mass memory (11) of the Automated System, and on the other hand the transmission - to the Interactive Program Provider (where the user provides a response, for example, the compression of the digital signals and their possible coding, etc.) Note that this coding or encryption is in fact imperative in the case, for example, of remote payment by credit card.

Notions here that all the signals and information stored in the mass memory (11) are compressed in such a way as to limit the memory space required.

Moreover, the decryption of the signals and information received is not.

made possible by the system only if the user is in possession of a decryption key. This decryption key is communicated to it by the interactive transmission provider or operator through specific subscription or billing contracts. The System allows the; surgery; billing and also tele-payment
A microphone with the associated electronic circuits (32) allows a voice connection from the user to the provider or operator: oral answer to a question asked by the provider in the case of use in real time or "online." for example.

 A video camera (39) can be connected to the Automated System (3) via a suitable interface (37) and by means of a link or adapted cable (38). This video camera allows high level dialogues between the provider or operator and the user.

By extension and for specific uses through specialized suppliers or operators, such a camera allows video conferences to several interlocutors simultaneously, and this in all its generality, each interlocutor appearing. in a window or part of the screen of the television or interactive receiver (1), or microcomputer (19). Note that in this application, the confidentiality of dialogues and transmissions is partly ensured by the encryption of information exchanged.

 A CD-ROM or CD-interactive compact disc reader-or any other means of reading / writing information-can be connected to the Automated System (3) via a suitable interface (4) and means of a connection or adapted cable (41).

A keyboard allows the intervention of the user during the dialogue existing in the interactive programs. This keyboard has three types of keys and is divided into three parts;
A part (21?> Comprises the keys which concern the conventional use of a television or interactive receiver - and for example extension of a microcomputer -, namely: switching on and off, sound volume, etc. At these keys classics are added, peripheral device usage keys that can be connected to the
Automated system, namely: video camera, CD-ROM or CD-interactive disk drive, etc.

Part (22) concerns on the one hand the management of the dialogue namely: choice. supplier, choice of channel, choice of program, service billing, client consultant consultations, etc. ., and on the other hand alphanumeric keys (letter, alphabetic and numbers from c to 9). These alphanumeric keys in particular allow the user to enter the system @ certain information, such as his identity, his address, etc. These alphanumeric keys can also and / or optionally consist of similar keys on the keyboard of a microcomputer (19), or a "Minitel" (registered trademark) connected using a suitable socket ( 44), or other equivalent means and connected with a suitable plug (44).

Part (23) relates to the actual use of the interactive system, and therefore depends on the application in question, namely: intervention on the presentation of a product during a tele-shopping show, close-up on a part of the product (zoom), change of camera, opening of a window on certain information concerning the presented product (additional information, tariffs, conditions of sale, ..), operations related to a taking of order (interactive capture of an order, modification, confirmation or cancellation of an order), consultation of previous orders, consultation of the general conditions of sale of the supplier considered, as examples.

This part (23) consists of ordinary function keys marked for example F1, F2, F3, etc. This example of marking will be repeated throughout this document and is not in any way a limitation. The role and meaning of each of the keys in this part (23) only take their meaning for a given interactive broadcast. This role and meaning may evolve during the dialogue, and are defined by means of a specific data file that is uploaded at the initiative of the broadcast provider at the beginning of the interactive broadcast sequence concerned. .

 This file, downloaded, is then contained in the mass memory (hard disk or electrically erasable read-write memory) (11) of the Automated System, and allows. Firstly. to assign to each function key (marked Fl, F2,) a precise role according to the sequence and state of the interactive dialogue, and secondly to display, on the television screen or interactive receiver ( 1) or the microcomputer (19), the meaning thus attributed to each key according to the state of the interactive dialogue: F1 = "close-up on the product presented"; F2 = "change camera"; F3 = "catalog request", as examples.

 It should be noted that the role and meaning of the keys can change during the dialogue, depending on the context: the Fl key means "close to the product" in a certain context, then "product control" in another context .

Note that some of the function keys of the part (22) of the keyboard concerning the management of the dialogue can also have a well-defined role only by instructions or parameters; downloaded for a given interactive show, exactly for the function keys of the part (23)
The Automated System is equipped with a credit card reader (15), in order to allow the remote payment of orders placed (purchase and / or rental of objects or products during tele-shopping or consultation of catalogs di tr ibuteurs for example).

 A remote control device (14) comprises, on the one hand, a receiver of the radio frequency or infrared type which enables the Automated System to receive the commands and interventions of the user from a remote control box (20) described in FIG. FIG. 2, and by means of the type keys (25), or (26), or (27), and of the microphone (32), and on the other hand a radiofrequency or infrared type transmitter, and in charge of transmitting to the remote control unit (20) the sound of the interactive television broadcasts; the user then connects to the remote control unit (20) a loudspeaker or a headset by means of the appropriate connection or socket (43).

 A processor (10) provides control and. management of the system, by means of software contained in the program memory (13) a.

read only (ROM). This software controls the entire Systcme.

 RAM read-write memory (12) provides temporary storage of certain data.

 a mass memory (11), of the hard disk type or electrically erasable read-write memory for example, makes it possible to store quasi-permanent information (identification of the user, PLC table, parameters and data files transmitted by the interactive program provider, as an example).

The available memory space of this mass memory is adapted to the use of the Automated System in all the functions considered.

The storage of the information is done in a compressed manner so as to limit the memory congestion and possibly also encrypted. depending on the use case.

Mass storage (11) will allow the system to manage the purchase or rental of multimedia products, such as movies, games, music software, as examples, this way next:
Multi-media products, rented or purchased by the user, according to choice guides offered by the different suppliers - this is here in this case of purchase or rental by means of television broadcasting, which laugh complete the medium conventional by courier or postal packet-, are received in an encrypted and compressed manner, and these products are stored in the mass memory (11) of the System.

 If the rental option is chosen, the product stored in mass memory (11) in a compressed and encrypted manner, will be erased automatically at the end of the lease, that is to say for example at the end. N uses or at the end of the duration T of use.

 Any illicit copy of a rented and stored product, in a compressed and encrypted way, is made impossible by the System. Decompression and decryption occur when output to the TV -or interactive receiver- (1), or to the microcomputer (19), or to other devices (eg: disk drive ( 42), or video recorder, hi-fidelity, tape recorder, amplifier, loudspeaker, connected via the appropriate jack (45).

The microcomputer (19.) will make a copy in its internal memory of the software product which has been previously decrypted by means of the decryption key; however, the use of this rented software will also require to connect electrically to a socket of the microcomputer (for example the RS232 socket), a cable key or hardware (dongle), which has been sent by courier by the supplier, or that will have been replaced by a software key downloaded by the supplier. The purpose of this key is to make it impossible to use the rented software illegally, for example when the rental agreement is over.

 If the purchase option of a product. multi-media is chosen by the user, the key that is at.it.rit.uée then allows a total and definitive decryption, and it is the compressed and decrypted version which is then stored in the mass memory (11 ).

Decompression will be performed on output (copies in particular) to the TV -or interactive receiver- (1:>, or to the microcomputer (19), or to other devices; (as examples: disc player (42 :), VCR, hi-fi system, tape recorder, amplifier, speaker, and connected via the appropriate jack (45)).

 The user will have to manage the space available in mass memory, in particular making regular copies; purchased products, for example by means of a video recorder, a tape recorder, and connected to the system by a suitable plug (45), or a CD-interactive disc player (42).

 In all cases, the copies are made under the full responsibility of the user who must ensure the lawfulness of the operations that he carries out under the law.

 The Automated System is responsible for identifying the user, managing validation keys for the use of multimedia products depending on whether they are rented naked, validating decryptions and authorizations for copying or registration. It deletes the products stored in mass storage (11) at the end of the lease, it prohibits any registration of any illicit copy of a rented multi-media product. It manages the invoicing of purchases and rentals of multi-media products with respect to suppliers.

 A program memory (13) contains the software that drives the entire Automated System.

Figure 2 shows the remote control unit (20) of the System
Automated, which allows the user to implement the most user-friendly and comfortable possible system by means of a remote control.

 This remote control box (20) is equipped with a remote control device (24), comprising; - On the one hand, a radiofrequency or infrared type transmitter, which transmits digital messages to the corresponding receiver circuit of the device (14) of the Automated System (33.

These digital messages correspond on the one hand to the commands and commands decided by the user by means of the various function keys, and on the other hand to voice information (speech) transmitted by the user to the provider or operator of the interactive show via the Butomatise System.

For this, the remote control unit (20) and equipped with a microphone and associated electronic circuits (32) - on the other hand a receiver of radio-frequency or infrared type and responsible for receiving the corresponding transmitter circuit of the device (14) of the system Automated, the sound of the TV shows is interactive. For this the user connects to the housing (20) a speaker or headphones by means of the connection or adapted socket (43).

As an option, a headset or a speaker can be connected to the remote control unit (20) by means of the plug or connection (43).

The remote control box takes up the keyboard (9) placed on the Automated System (3):
A first part (21) comprises keys (5j which relate to the conventional use of a television or more generally of an interactive receiver-and by extension of a microcomputer (on / off, sound volume, and To these classic keys are added buttons for using peripheral means that can be connected to the Automated system, namely: video camera, CD-ROM or CD-interactive disk drive, etc.

A second part (22) @ comprises keys (26) which concern the management of the dialogue (choice of provider, channel or channel, program, etc.).

A third part (23) includes keys (27) which relate to the actual use of the interactive system (close-up of a product, camera change, catalog request, order of a product, etc.), and depends therefore the application considered.

 As for the keyboard (9) of the Automated System (3), the keys (27) of the part (23) of the remote control unit, and possibly some function keys of the part (22), have a role and a meaning defined once the interactive transmission sequence has been received: the provider of the program then transmits a file containing all the parameters and information enabling each key to be assigned a specific role depending on the sequence and the state of the interactive dialogue.

This file is downloaded to the mass memory (11) of the
Automated system (3). As has been seen previously, this file also makes it possible to display on the television screen - more generally the interactive receiver - (1) or the microcomputer (19) the meaning so attributed to each of the keys (27 ) depending on the state of the interactive dialog.

Here again the role and meaning of the function keys can evolve during the dialogue depending on the context.

Figure 3 represents an Automated Management System of
Interactive Television (30) as a variant of the Automated System (3) of FIG.

 In this variant, the Automated System is an electronic card (30) which is installed inside the microcomputer (19) by electrically connecting it to the internal bus system of the main card (or "mother" card). microphone) computer or workstation (19). This connection of the electronic card (30) is effected by means of a specific connector (31) that will be adapted to the standard of the main board of the microcomputer or work station.

It is also possible to install the electronic card (30) inside a television (1), with adaptations, or more generally an interactive receiver
In this variant, the Automated System is simpler because it uses the keyboard. the processor and a part of the memory locations (mass memory and read-write memory PAM) of the microcomputer or workstation (19). The Automated System is. is provided with software contained in one or more specific media (37) -discards, CD-RDM or CD-interactive disks, magnetic tapes, etc.When installing the electronic card (30) that constitutes this variant of the System Automated, we install this software (contained in the specific media (37) i, in the mass memory (hard disk in general) of the microcomputer (19).

 As a consequence of these simplifications, the Automated System (30) according to this variant is equipped with; - A radio frequency receiver (5), for receiving interactive digital broadcasts, and connected to an antenna or adapted socket (34).

- A radiofrequency transmitter (6), allowing a link from the user to the Interactive broadcast provider or operator in high-level interactive dialogs.

- A suitable receiver (7) and a suitable transmitter (8) allowing a connection between the Automated System and the suppliers or operator; using the lines of the computer networks, or the lines; telephone lines (PSTN switched network, leased or specialized lines).

- An electronic circuit t 16 for decryption / encryption, decompression / compression of data and information.

Note that encryption becomes imperative in some cases, such as for example the payment by credit card.

- A credit card reader (15).

- A microphone and associated circuits (32) that are connected to the
System (30) installed inside the microcomputer by means of the link (33) -catle or adapted wire.

- Optional, a headset or a speaker can. to be connected to
System by means of the connection or plug (43).

- A video camera (39) can be connected to the Automated System (30) via a suitable interface (37) and by means of a link or adapted cable (38) This video camera allows high level dialogues between the provider and the user. Here again, as we have seen for the Automated System (: 3), such a camera allows videoconferences to several interlocutors simultaneously.

- A compact disc CD-ROM or CD-interactive type -or everything.

other means of reading / writing information- can other related to the
Automated system (30) via a suitable interface (40) and by means of a suitable link or cable (41).

- A remote control receiver (14) radiofrequency type or infrared and which allows the user a great comfort by the use of the remote control box (20) shown in Figure 2.

 FIG. 4 represents the principle of the automaton table or sequencing memory used by the Automated Interactive Television Management System according to the basic description (3) or according to the variant (30).

 This table allows the software contained in the mass memory of the system to implement a computer module responsible for the development of the interactive sequence that is the most general and not dedicated to a particular interactive emission. This PLC table allows a separation between dialogue management and processing, which is a simple, modular, and extremely reliable process (zero error rate in practice). And this computer module then uses a table which is downloaded from the supplier to the user from the moment when a given interactive program is received, or more precisely at the initialization of the dialogue.This table (50! different interactive dialogue management parameters for each of the possible states of the context.

This tatile can also be updated throughout the dialogue as needed.

Thus the table (SO) of FIG. 4 consists of a table comprising a line by possible combination between the different elements, namely supplier, service, state, context, events, parameters, etc.

The first line contains as an example: - the Supplier (S1); for example Television operator, Organization
Real Estate, Mail Order Supplier, etc.

- the Service (52); for example, tele-shopping, visit of real estate, interactive advertising, guided tour, etc.

- the state (53); it is the interactive dialogue state, or more precisely in which stage of the dialogue one is (initialization,.).

the context (54): the context represents all the information at the moment considered making it possible to qualify the state (for example: screen n, i.

- Events (55): that's it. the action of the user on a key of the keyboard (9) located on the Automated System (3) or (30), or on the keypad of the remote control. This is the arrival of this event. which triggers the activation of the PLC that will trigger the execution of the appropriate module.

- the parameters (56); it is a set of information associated with the context and transmitted to the application of the suppliers (answer to a choice, n credit card, payment order ,.).

 The computer module, at a given instant ti is in possession of all the elements of the moment: provider (he), service: (12), state (13), context (14), parameter (16), and is in waiting for an event (i5).

 When an event (i5) arrives, for example "user action on a key on the keyboard (9) or the remote control (20)", or "reading of his bank card", the computer module analyze the event and develop a key that will lead through the consultation of the PLC table at this time. (In general, the table can be modified during the interactive dialogue, for example at the initiative of the issuing provider), in a first step to determine the line of the PLC table that must be taken. in account, namely the set of elements il, i2, i3, i4, i5 and i6; and in a second time to a specific action (i7), for example: change camera, close-up on the product presented.

 When the action (i7s is complete, the system then switches to a new state and a new context, which corresponds to the request of the user.

 And so on throughout the course of the dialogue during the interactive broadcast sequence.

One can, in a complementary way to FIG. 1, explain the principle of the automaton table or sequencing memory, by the following writing: (Provider, Service, State of origin, Origin context, Event trigger , Parameters) ====> (Action), (Resulting state,
Resulting context)
The elements presented here for the automaton table are given by way of example, and may be supplemented or modified depending on the applications considered.

 Moreover, the description which has now been made for the automaton table, as to its realization, must be considered as an exemplary embodiment, and is in no way limiting.

 During an interactive transmission in real time, or "online", the elements of the PLC table may be modified in sequence by the supplier for example.

During an interactive broadcast in deferred time, or "offline", the elements; of the automaton table, which has been downloaded by the supplier are a priori frozen
In addition, just as the automaton table is downloaded by the supplier, at the beginning of the sequence of the interactive television broadcast, the computer module, which uses this automaton table and which is loaded, as it was said previously, the flow of the interactive sequence, can in general be downloaded itself.This download of the computer module, by the issuer, at the beginning or during the interactive sequence, allows to give a new dimension to the principle described here, and to open possibilities; uses very large, even a priori unlimited.

We give below two examples of the use of the System
Automated Interactive Television Management, according to the present invention. It is assumed to fix the ideas that the Automated System is connected to a TV and that the user has the remote control box.

 In a first example, we consider an interactive transmission sequence in real time, or "online": Real-Time Interactive Teaching.

 In this example, the user selects the interactive television program provider (Training Organ), then the service-here interactive real-time teaching, by different actions on the keys of the remote control box.

 When connective to this service, radio frequency for example, the viewer sees appear on its screen, in a window a "menu" or guide of choice, allowing him to select the desired assisted teaching program for example mathematics course the level of the 3rd class) among several possible items. On the screen also appears the meaning of the keys on the keyboard, which allows to guide the user in the best possible way.

 The viewer then sees on his screen a teacher performing "live - the selected course - course of mathematics, class of 3rd - on a board.

 At the same time, the service provider performs the download: - On the one hand, a file allowing to assign to the keys of the part (23) of the keyboard precise roles, and to display on the TV screen windows specifying the status and context of the dialogue, as well as the meaning of the different keys on the keyboard. fi example: F1 = overview of the table by a camera 1, F2 = view of the right part of the table by a camera 2., F3 = view of the left part of the table by a camera: 3, F4 = request for permission to intervene, ask a question or provide an answer or comment to the professor, F5 = oral intervention, F6 = request for authorization for a visual intervention by means of the camera (39), F7 = visual intervention, F8 = assistance adapted to the part of the concerned course, such as a form of mathematics as a reminder, F8 = request to send a fax for the answers of exercises, etc.

The teacher has a dashboard-computer screen for example - on which, every time a viewer requests an intervention, appear a lamp that lights up and the subscriber number of this viewer.

 Thus with the function keys F1, F2, F3, etc. ., the viewer can follow "live" the professed course on the board and intervene on his own initiative or that of the teacher - On the other hand of the automaton table allowing the System to manage the interactive dialogue during this sequence of 'program.

 The viewer can then intervene and ask a question by pressing the F4 key. The professor, who can receive several questions, gives the floor to each of the subscribers concerned, according to the order numbers and for the subscriber numbers appearing on his dashboard.

 When the teacher gives the floor to our viewer, "subscriber N XXXX, you can ask your question", the viewer then uses the microphone on his remote control box to communicate with the teacher. The latter, receiving the question, will answer it by resuming the explanations of his course, or advising to refer to another; parts of his course previously pre-recorded and can then be broadcast on a related Service of the same broadcast provider, and this in a delayed ("offline") manner.

 The teacher can of course perform exercises.

The viewer will have the possibility to give his answers orally as before, or in writing, by writing on a board or a notebook in front of the camera (39) of the Automated System, and after having pressed the key F6 of the keyboard. Beforehand, the viewer will have activated the FS key to request the authorization of a visual intervention. One can imagine that the visual intervention of a television viewer is broadcast live, on the initiative of, for example, the teacher, to all the other viewers who follow the broadcast, for example in a window of their screen.

 The teacher, always after having selected one or more subscribers on his dashboard, will be able to examine the answers, give advice, make corrections, return to a part of the course, etc.

 In a second example, we consider an interactive broadcast sequence in deferred time, or offline The visit of an apartment for a purchase.

In this example, the user chooses his interactive TV show provider -for example, N1 real estate chain.
then the Service - for example apartment sale; in France-, this by means of the different keys corresponding to these choices on the part (23) of its remote control box.

 At first, when connecting to this service, the provider then displays on the TV screen a "menu" and the use of different keys; of the part (23) of the keyboard.

 With the help of this "menu", the viewer will be able to make a choice among the various topics presented: - choice of the region or the department - choice of the city - choice of the type of apartment: house, apartment, duplex, Villa.

- choice of the number of pieces.

- choice of the price range.

This as an example.

 This first selection makes it possible to refine the search and to obtain, for example on the screen, descriptive sheets, as well as overall photographs, of the selected apartment (s), as well as the addresses and telephone and fax numbers. real estate agencies or corresponding salesmen.

 The consultation of these cards leads to a second selection.

 The supplier then proposes a "visit" of the selected apartments following this second selection.

 On the screen is then displayed the significance of the keys of the part (23) of the keyboard, as an example F1 = freeze frame (pause); F2 = detailed visit of the show; F3 = detailed visit of the equipped kitchen; F4 = view from the loggia; F5 = view of the entrance of the building; etc.

 The meaning of the keys on the keyboard is. context dependent. For example, when visiting the living room, F2 can take the new meaning: close-up on the condition of carpets and tapestries.

 A help window allows the user at any time to obtain information to continue, interrupt, resume or restart the dialogue, modify a request, etc.

 These virtual visits made in front of his television screen allow the user to make a choice of the apartment he / she is looking for, and he / she is informed about the purchase price.

 At the end of these "visits", the supplier proposes a study of financing plan adapted to the concerned customer, or the meeting with a real estate agent, and introduces a new grid of meaning of the keys of the keyboard.

For example:
F1 = request for a visit or appointment with the real estate agent or the seller.

F2 = request to establish a financing plan.

F3 = consultation of proposals from different credit agencies.

F4 = state aid.

F5 = credit application.

etc.

 The user, by pressing the function key F3 acquires knowledge of the various credit organizations, and. possibly those with whom the real estate agent or the seller has an agreement. He takes cognizance of the different; opportunities offered by these different organizations.

 The F4 key informs him about the different aids offered; by the State for the accession to the property, this according to the text; in force.

This information appears on the screen, possibly on several pages-screen that is scrolled using a keyboard key.

With the help of the F2 key, the user then displays on the screen the set of information to guide him in the establishment of a financing plan. I1 then enters the
System all the elements -salaires, expenses allowances, etc. .- which allow the establishment of a personalized financing plan.

The answer appears on the screen according to one or more screen pages that the user scrolls using the keys on the keyboard.

As an option the user can request to receive by fax or by mail the personalized financing plan proposal thus established.

 Provided with all this information, the user can then progress in his purchase project by requesting an appointment with the agent. real estate -touch Fl-, or carry directly. a request for the establishment of a F5- credit report with the credit institution of his choice.

 The description which has just been given of the present invention gives a preferred embodiment, particularly for the skilled person, but it is obvious that any variant will also be of the present invention.

Claims (13)

 CLAIMS:  1) Automated Interactive Television Management System, characterized in that it mainly comprises a radio frequency receiver of digital television (5) -Hertzian, satellite, etc. ., or any other available means and function of the existing technology according to the state of the art-, a radiofrequency transmitter (6) - radio link, satellite, etc. , or any other available means and function of the existing technology according to the state of the art- allowing the dialogue of the user towards the television program provider, a card (6) decryption / encryption and decompression / compression information, a processor (10) and the software controlling the entire system, a mass memory (11), a keyboard (9), a credit card reader (15), a microphone (32), interfaces (4) and (17) for connecting the Automated System to an interactive receiver-for example a television- (1) or a microcomputer (19), and possibly interfaces (37) and (40) for connecting the Automated System to a video camera (39) and a CD-ROM or CD-interactive disc player (42), and. alternatively a connection or socket (43) for connecting to the Auto matted system a speaker or headphones.  2) Automated system according to claim 1 characterized in that the reception of digital television transmissions and the transmission of information from the user to the provider can be performed using a suitable receiver (7) and a suitable transmitter (8) using the telephone lines; and more generally the lines of the computer networks, by means of a suitable socket (36).  3) Automated system according to claims 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a remote control device (14s consisting on the one hand of a receiver, radio frequency or infrared type, which allows the user interactive viewer to transmit his orders and interventions by means of a remote control box (20), and on the other hand of a transmission transmitter of the sound of the television broadcasts, in order to allow listening from a loudspeaker or a headphone connected to the remote control box by means of the connection or adapted socket (43) located on the remote control unit (20), in order to obtain the greatest comfort of use.  4) Automated system according to claims 1 or 3 characterized in that the viewer user can intervene interactively during the interactive programs considered by means of a keyboard (9) including in particular function keys and alphanumeric keys ( letters of the alphabet and. digits from 0 to 9) -the whole or part (alphanumeric keys) of the keyboard (9) which may be constituted by an external keyboard connected to the System by means of the connection or socket (44) -, a microphone (32) disposed on the Automated System, and optionally by means of a camera (39) and a CD-ROM or CD-interactive disk drive (42), and / or by means of such functions (25), (26) and (27), and a microphone disposed on the remote control unit (20).  5) Automated system according to claims 1 or 4 characterized in that a portion (23) of the keyboard disposed on the Automated System (3) or the remote control (20:> is composed of function keys whose role and meaning are defined only at the start of the interactive dialogue (this dialogue can be in real time or in deferred time), by the downloading, at the initiative of the supplier or operator of emission Interactive, context or file F which contains all the parameters and information for assigning each key a very specific and yet evolving role according to the sequence and state of the interactive dialogue.  6) Automated system according to claims 1 and 5 or 4 and 5, characterized in that the file F, transmitted by the provider or operator at the beginning of the interactive transmission sequence, and which defines the role of the keys according to the dialogue , allows. to display on the television screen or interactive receiver (1) or the microcomputer (19) on the one hand the meaning thus attributed to each of the keys of the part (23) of the keyboard, -significat.ion that can be scalable according to the sequence of the dialogue-, and on the other hand the state of the context of the dialogue as a function of the progress of the interactive transmission sequence.  7) Automated system according to claims 1, 5 and 6, or 4, 5 and 6, characterized in that the management of the interactive dialogue is performed by means of a general software module working on a PLC table, or memory of sequencing - which allows a separation between the management of the dialogues and the treatments -, which is downloaded by the supplier or operator of emission interactive, when the reception of an interactive emission, and which consists of a file comprising the various possible combinations between the different elements such as provider, service, state, context, triggering events, parameters) that may be encountered during the interactive dialogs, and the triggering events being constituted in particular by the orders or interventions of the by the keyboard (9) or the remote control (20), or the microphone (32), or the camera (? 9), or the CD-ROM or CD-Interactive disk player .  8) Automated system according to claim 7 characterized in that the automaton table, on the one hand contains N lines describing the N possible combinations of the different elements that can be encountered during a dialogue for a given interactive emission each of the N lines comprising the following elements given; for example: the provider of the TV operator program, real estate organization, mail order provider as examples), the service (teleshopping, visit of a property, interactive advertising as example), the origin state of the dialogue, the origin context - that is to say the set of information at the instant considered making it possible to qualify the state- for the interactive sequence considered, the possible triggering events, such as a action or intervention of the user on the function keys of the keyboard (9) or the remote control (20), or by means of the microphone (32), or the camera (39: ', or CD-player ROM. or CD-Interactive, parameters l.or set of information associated with the context and transmitted to the application of the supplier), and on the other hand allows, by means of the specific software module, to drive, from a event. given trigger, a. a resulting state and has a resulting context.  9) Automated system according to claims 7 or 8 ', characterized in that the software module using the PLC table can also be downloaded by the interactive transmission provider or operator, at the beginning of the interactive sequence - for example to the initialization-, or during the Interactive sequence-for example, modifying the software module, involving a new download.  10) Automated system according to claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the decryption of interactive television shows is authorized only if the user is in possession of the decryption key that the interactive program provider has previously communicated to him, this being bound to a contract. subscription or the conditions of use of the corresponding programs or services.  11) Automated system according to claim 10, characterized in that it is responsible for memorizing the identity of the viewer user, to manage the invoices according to the different subscription contracts contracted from the various suppliers or operators, and function of the various commands and commands made by means of the function keys during certain interactive programs-such as teleshopping-, to manage the decryption keys for the various television broadcasts, and to manage the tele-payment transactions carried out with a credit card by means of the credit card reader (15).  12) Automated system according to claims 3, or 3, or 9, or 10, or 11, characterized in that it can use a remote control box (20) consisting of keys (25) operating the system base, keys (26) for managing the dialogue and possibly alphanumeric (alphabetic letters and digits from c> to 9), keys (27) for use of the interactive system -functionnal functions and whose role is defined at the beginning of an interactive program, and adaptively throughout the interactive dialogue, a microphone (32), a connection or socket (433 for connecting a loudspeaker or headset, and a remote control device (24) comprising a radiofrequency or infrared-type transmitter responsible for transmitting to the automated system the user's commands or interventions by means of the keys of the keyboard or of the microphone, and a receiver of radio-frequency or infra-red type to receive Syst Automated me on his television broadcasts, in order to allow the greatest comfort.  13) Automated system according to claims 1, or 2, or F, or 9, or 1 (), or 12, characterized in that it may, as a variant of the basic system, consist of an electronic card (30). ) that a part of the memories, the keyboard, is installed inside a microcomputer, of which it uses the processor or processors, and which mainly comprises a receiver (5) and a television transmitter (6) digital radio frequency (radio link, or satellite, or any other available means and function of the existing technology according to the state of the art), and / or a receiver (7) and. a transmitter (8) adapted and using telephone links, or more generally, computer-based, a card (16) for decrypting / encrypting and decompressing / compressing information, a card reader t, anary (15) , a microphone and its associated circuits (32), interfaces (37J, (40), and (43) for respectively connecting a camera (39), a CD-ROM or CD-Interactive disk drive (42), a loudspeaker or headset, a remote control device (143 consisting of a radiofrequency or infrared transmitter and receiver, and which allows the use of a remote control box (20) to ensure the transmission of a part of the orders and interventions of the user towards the Automated System, and on the other hand the sound of the program broadcast from the Automated System to the remote control box to which a speaker or headset has been connected. interface (31) which allows the connection of the power adapter ctronique (30) inside the microcomputer; software managing and controlling the entire system (30) is. contained in one or more specific media (diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc.)  145 Automated system according to claim 11, characterized in that it receives all the information, in particular and as examples, films, games, software, digitally, crypt, and compressed, and in that it is responsible for managing the validation keys for the use of multi-media products depending on whether they are rented or purchased, to validate decryptions and authorizations for copying or recording, to erase the products stored in mass memory (11) At the end of the rental agreement, to prohibit any unlawful recording or unlawful copy of a rented multimedia product, to identify the user and to manage invoices for purchases and rentals of multi-media products with respect to providers.