JP4172079B2 - Information system and information transmission method using digital broadcasting - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information system and an information transmission method using digital broadcasting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Digital broadcasting such as satellite digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting using CS (Communicaton Satellite) and BS (Broadcasting Satellite) is rapidly developing on a global scale. In addition, next-generation integrated digital broadcasting (ISDB) has been studied. Digital broadcasting is a communication medium that can transmit a large amount of digital data in a short time, but is a one-way transmission from a broadcasting station to each viewer. Usually, since a receiver for digital broadcasting has a built-in telephone modem, a viewer can access the broadcasting station using the function of the telephone modem.
[0003]
Sometimes viewers want to give their opinions on the programs they watch. In addition, there are cases where it is desired to convey this opinion not to the broadcasting station but to other unspecified or specific viewers. Conventionally, it is possible to send an opinion to a broadcasting station by telephone or facsimile and have the broadcasting station pick up the opinion. However, such a method has a problem that the intention of the broadcasting station is affected, and it is impossible to convey one's own opinion to others as it is. At present, alternative voting by telegong is being conducted. In telegong, voting is possible, but it is impossible to do more than send the solution that the broadcast producer assumed.
[0004]
There is electronic mail as a method of conveying opinions to others without going through digital broadcasting or broadcasting stations. In particular, recently, Internet mail has been widely used. The mailing list is a well-established technology for communicating your opinions to many people in Internet mail. In other words, the mailing list is a method in which one mail address is registered for all members of a specific groove, and the mail reaching the address is broadcast to all members. In this Internet mail, it is possible to statistically process the amount of circulation.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the mailing list, as the number of members increases, the total communication amount increases linearly, and delay in information distribution becomes a problem. In addition, if the scene image itself is used to specify a scene in the program, the communication capacity of the image is large, which causes a large distribution delay.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information system and an information transmission method using digital broadcasting capable of transmitting an opinion on a digital broadcasting program to an unspecified or specific other person without delay.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1Programs distributed by digital broadcastingWhen,programMultiplexed and distributed,The video of the programSegmentationThe specific scene in the selected sceneIdentification informationAnd destination addressReceiving means for receiving an index including:
  ProgramPlayback means for playing back video,
  Send the viewer's message with the index or title in the header address.Electronic message transmission meansSightA listener terminal,
  Receiving means for receiving an electronic message transmitted by the viewer terminalWhen,
  programWhen,programVideoTheSegmentationThe specific scene in the selected sceneIdentification informationAnd destination addressIndex containingAnd additional information including an electronic message received by the receiving means,MultiplexBy digital broadcastingDelivery means to deliver andA broadcasting station with
It is the information system characterized by comprising.
[0008]
  Claim8The invention ofprogramWhen,programVideoTheSegmentationThe specific scene in the selected sceneIdentification informationAnd destination addressAnd an index containingBy digital broadcastingA delivery step to deliver;
  Delivered by delivery stepprogramWhen,programMultiplexed and distributed,The video of the programSegmentationThe specific scene in the selected sceneIdentification informationAnd destination addressA first receiving step of receiving an index including:
  Received by the first receiving stepProgramA playback step for playing back the video;
  Send the viewer's message with the index or title in the header address.Sending step;
  A second receiving step for receiving the electronic message sent by the sending step;
  In the second receiving stepLeaveWhen you receive an electronic message,programAnd the indexAnd additional information including the received electronic messageMultiplexBy digital broadcastingTo deliver
This is an information transmission method characterized by the above.
[0013]
In the present invention, a broadcast distributed by a broadcasting station includes an index for identifying a distribution object in addition to a program video. The viewer who has watched the program transmits opinions and impressions about the segmented video such as a specific scene to the broadcasting station using message transmission means such as an electronic mail. The address of this destination is included during broadcasting. The broadcast station broadcasts the received message as part of the content, and specific or unspecified viewers can read this message. In addition, opinions on the read messages can be sent as well.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a transmission / reception system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a program providing system for producing contents and programs. Reference numeral 12 denotes a broadcasting station that broadcasts content created by the program providing system 11. Details of the function of the broadcasting station 12 will be described later. Reference numeral 13 denotes an antenna for terrestrial digital broadcasting, and reference numeral 14 denotes a satellite (CS or BS) for satellite digital broadcasting. Reference numeral 15 denotes a terminal provided in a general home. Details of the terminal 15 will be described later. Reference numeral 16 denotes a wired communication system provided between the broadcasting station 12 and the terminal 15, for example, the Internet including a telephone line.
[0015]
The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of content. The communication path for terrestrial digital broadcasting and satellite digital broadcasting is a one-way communication path from the broadcasting station 12 to the terminal 15. The communication path between the broadcasting station 12 and the terminal 15 via the Internet 16 is a bidirectional communication path. The viewer sends to the broadcasting station 12 opinions and impressions on the program that is actually viewed or the program that has already been viewed by electronic mail via the Internet 16 from the terminal 15 of each home. In this case, information for specifying the target scene is also added to the mail.
[0016]
The broadcast station 12 that has received this e-mail has an index that includes content (referred to as additional information) mainly composed of e-mail and information (referred to as scene Id) for specifying a scene, with respect to program information (referred to as images). Are distributed by digital broadcasting. The terminal 15 that has received the broadcast can know the opinions and impressions about the program issued by another person from the additional information multiplexed in the broadcast without delay, and identifies the scene from the scene Id in the index. And know where to send emails from the addresses in the index.
[0017]
Each component of one embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. First, the function of the broadcast station 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The broadcasting station 12 can be roughly divided into four parts, that is, a content synthesis and multiplexing system 121, an information processing system 122, a transmission conversion unit 123, and a storage unit 124 because of its function. The storage unit 124 has a much larger capacity than the storage unit provided in the terminal 15, and stores all the information broadcast by the broadcast station 12, that is, program images, indexes, and additional information. Yes. Of course, as the hardware for storage, a combination of various media such as a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magnetic tape can be used.
[0018]
The content synthesis / multiplexing system 121 synthesizes or multiplexes information from the information processing system 122 or the storage unit 124 with the video stream received from the program providing system 11 and sends it to the transmission conversion unit 123. The transmission conversion unit 123 converts the data received from the content synthesis multiplexing system 121 into a transmission format and sends it to the antenna 13. Currently, MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2) transport stream can be used as a transmission format, and encoding to other various formats can be used in the future.
[0019]
The information processing system 122 processes the electronic mail received from the Internet 16 according to a processing procedure as described later, and sends the result to the content composition multiplexing system 121 or the storage unit 124. The information processing system 122 can also send information extracted from the content synthesis multiplexing system 121 or the storage unit 124 back to the Internet 16.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows the function of the terminal 15 in more detail. A receiving unit 151 is a part that receives a transmission object transmitted via digital satellite broadcasting such as BS or CS or terrestrial digital broadcasting. Specifically, the reception unit 151 includes a reception antenna, a high frequency circuit, a demodulation circuit, an error correction circuit, a descrambler, and the like. The output of the receiving unit 151 is received data of the service selected by the user of the terminal 15. The content of the transmission object does not depend on distribution means such as digital satellite broadcasting such as BS and CS, digital terrestrial broadcasting, and media. Details of the transmission object will be described later.
[0021]
The transmission object is passed from the reception unit 151 to the data separation unit 152. The content of the transmission object is roughly divided into three types: video, index, and additional information. Each separated content is supplied to the data processing unit 153, and processing corresponding to each content is performed. For example, the data processing unit 153 includes a video decoder, an audio decoder, and the like. Each content from the data processing unit 153 is supplied to one or more of a PC (Personal Computer) equivalent unit 154, a storage unit 155, and a display unit 156 depending on the application.
[0022]
The PC equivalent unit 154 has a function equivalent to that of a PC, and controls the overall operation of the terminal 15 such as access to the storage unit 155. The PC equivalent unit 154 also serves as an interface with the Internet 16, and an email can be transmitted by a mailer (email software) installed in the PC equivalent unit 154. The reception unit 151, the data separation unit 152, the data processing unit 153, and the display unit 156 described above correspond to the current set-top box for digital satellite broadcasting. That is, the terminal 15 has a set-top box function, a PC function, and a storage function.
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows the concept of a transmission object when additional information is not combined or multiplexed. As described above, not synthesizing or multiplexing means that information from the information processing system 123 of the broadcasting station 12 is not synthesized or multiplexed, and a video stream or the like from the program providing system 11 is sent to the transmission conversion unit 13. The case of sending is assumed. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the time direction, and the vertical axis represents the image of the broadcast band (bit rate). A bandwidth of about several M bps is assumed. The video stream 21 is segmented by an appropriate length such as a scene unit or a millisecond unit, and an index 22 is attached to each segment.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows an image of a transmission object when the additional information 23 is multiplexed. As the additional information 23, information that is not strongly related to the video stream is sent. Here, it is assumed that the information of the e-mail received from the viewer is the additional information 23. By distributing electronic mail using digital satellite broadcasting and digital terrestrial broadcasting, it is possible to send electronic mail to a large number of viewers in a short time.
[0025]
4 and 5, the band of the video stream 21 is shown as being constant, but the type of program (sports program, weather forecast, etc.) or the characteristics of the image itself (detail of the picture, amount of movement) ), The data bandwidth actually fluctuates in the time direction. Therefore, it is possible to multiplex the additional information 23 with the video stream 21 by using a time when the data amount of the video stream 21 is small. The index 22 can be multiplexed in the same manner. Furthermore, a dedicated band may be assigned to the index 22 and the additional information 23.
[0026]
FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the transmitted video stream 21 and the index. Usually, a video stream is composed of several parts (called scenes and cuts). Conversely, a set of scenes and cuts becomes a video stream. An index as sticky note information for specifying the scene is added to the scene or cut (FIG. 6 is an example of a representative scene among a plurality of cuts). The index attributes in this embodiment are shown below.
[0027]
[Title]: Name of the video stream
[Scene Id]: Id for specifying a scene.
[0028]
[Time]: Absolute value time with the same meaning as [Scene Id].
[keyword]: Substitute for the title assigned to the scene
[Rating]: A column where you can enter the recommended level of the program and parental lock (viewing age information)
[Program URL or Address]: Destination (URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or address) where general viewers send their opinions
[CA information]: Reception restriction information
The above-described index attributes are merely examples, and need not have all of them. In realizing the present invention, information (any one of [Scene Id], [Time], [Keyword]) and [Program URL or Address] required for specifying a scene are highly important.
[0029]
In the case of digital satellite broadcasting, video / audio / data packets for a plurality of channels are multiplexed on one transport stream, and other data is multiplexed. For example, one of the section format tables called SI (Service Information) is an EIT (Event Information Table) in which a program name, program start time, synopsis, and genre number are described. A scene Id can be described in an area that can be defined by a provider in the EIT. An area for specifying the program other than the scene Id and describing the destination to which the mail is sent back is not secured. As one method, a method of putting such information in a program sequence defined by digital broadcasting can be considered. “Program arrangement information used for digital broadcasting” ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) There is a descriptor called “Extended Event Descriptor” in STD-B10. A method of specifying the program described above and describing the destination to which the mail is sent back is possible.
[0030]
The operation of the terminal 15 controlled by the PC equivalent unit 154 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1 in FIG. 7, the receiving unit 151 receives a transmission object through digital satellite broadcast or digital terrestrial broadcast. In step S2, the data separation unit 152 separates the video, the index, and the additional information. The additional information in one embodiment mainly refers to an email from the user.
[0031]
The video (program) and index from the data separator 152 are processed in step S3 and subsequent steps. Further, the video, index, and additional information from the data separation unit 152 are accumulated in the accumulation unit 155. In the video, one corresponding to the scene Id in the index, that is, one or several frames of representative images (may be thumbnails) as described above is accumulated. In the case of thumbnails, the capacity of the storage unit 155 can be saved. The storage unit 155 stores representative images or thumbnails and indexes of programs actually listened to by the user.
[0032]
Further, the storage unit 155 may store information on programs other than the program actually listened to according to the capacity. For example, a representative image or thumbnail of a preset program or a program of a specific genre (drama, news, etc.) and an index may be stored without actually listening to the sample. Further, the index and additional information (e-mail) from the data separation unit 152 are processed in step S6 and subsequent steps.
[0033]
In step S3, the display unit 156 performs normal playback of the separated video (program) and index. For example, all or part of the index information is displayed in a bar shape at the top or bottom of the playback video screen. Along with this, an icon for starting up a mailer installed in the PC equivalent unit 154 is displayed on the screen.
[0034]
In step S4, when viewing the received video, it is determined whether or not the user of the terminal makes a comment (an opinion, an impression, etc. on the video being viewed) for the video. If no opinion or impression is given, the process returns to step S1, and the state of watching the video continues through steps S2 and S3. If you want to give an opinion or impression in step S4, start the mailer by clicking on the icon (step S5), create your own comment, and comment via the Internet 16 Transmit to the broadcasting station 12. These opinions and impressions relate to, for example, the video currently being viewed, and are transmitted together with the opinions and impressions to which the scene Id corresponding to the scene when the mailer is activated is transmitted. Such mailer movement will be described later.
[0035]
The process of starting the mailer and sending the e-mail is not limited to during program playback, but may be after program playback. In that case, it is necessary to reliably store the scene index of the reproduced program and the scene (one frame representative image or thumbnail) corresponding to the index in the storage unit 155 of the terminal 15.
[0036]
There are two ways to reproduce the additional information. One of the methods is a method of accumulating in the accumulating unit 155 and reproducing them collectively later, and the other method is a real-time reproducing method while watching a program. Further, additional information, that is, personal opinions and impressions (electronic mail) about the program are distributed to all viewers or specific members through digital broadcasting.
[0037]
Anyone can read the opinions and impressions distributed to all viewers. For a specific member, only members registered in advance in the mailing list can read. Since digital broadcasting is used as a medium, there is an advantage that distribution delay hardly occurs even if the number of registered members is so large that it cannot be compared with the current Internet mail. Specifically, when distributing to a specific member, it is necessary to add reception restriction information to the additional information, and after separating the additional information, it is necessary to add a process according to the reception restriction information. For example, an encryption key is handed over only to the member over the Internet 16 or the like, and the member can receive and reproduce additional information using this encryption key.
[0038]
Step S6 in FIG. 7 is required in the case of a system that delivers opinions and impressions to specific members. In step S6, whether or not the terminal user is a member registered in the mailing list is displayed as an address or the like. To be determined. If it is determined in step S6 that it is not a member, the additional information is discarded, and the process returns to step S1. If it is determined that the member is a member, the additional information is reproduced using the encryption key distributed in advance in step S7. In this way, a mechanism that allows only members to reproduce additional information can be realized by combining a mailing list and a conditional access CA (Conditional Access) for digital satellite broadcasting.
[0039]
Opinions and impressions about a program are usually stated in relation to a specific scene in the program. For example, an opinion or impression that the user was impressed by seeing a specific scene is described. However, the additional information transmitted from the terminal 15 to the broadcasting station 12 via the Internet 16 and the additional information distributed through digital broadcasting do not send the video of the referenced scene itself, but the opinions, impressions, and the like. Along with this, [Scene Id] is sent. This is to reduce the amount of additional information distributed. Accordingly, only the impressions and opinions are reproduced in step S7, and the image that is the object is not reproduced.
[0040]
In the next step S8, it is determined whether or not to refer to the target video for which the user describes his / her opinion. An instruction to refer to the video is issued when the user operates a specific key or icon. In response to the instruction, the scene (Id) of the object (video) describing the opinion and impression is given to the storage unit 155, the video corresponding to the scene Id is read from the storage unit 155, and the video is reproduced (step). S9).
[0041]
As described above, when referring to an image, it is assumed that the scene Id to be referred to and the scene are stored in the storage unit 155. Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, if the scene Id to be referenced and the scene are not stored in the storage unit 155 of the terminal 15, the storage unit 124 of the broadcasting station 12 is accessed via the Internet 16. Then, the delivery of an image corresponding to the specific scene Id is requested. This request is described in the mail header. Furthermore, the mailer is activated in the same manner as described above when there is an opinion or an opinion on the reproduced additional information of the other person.
[0042]
The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows the basic operation of the mailer installed in the PC equivalent unit 154 of the terminal 15. When the mailer is activated in step S5 in FIG. 7, it needs to write the necessary conditions in the mail header. That is, when it is desired to express an opinion or impression with respect to a scene of a program being viewed, index information of the program being auditioned accompanying the video stream is written in the mail header (step S11). For the received additional information, the header information is read as a necessary condition (step S12).
[0043]
Optionally, as shown in step S13, personal attributes such as personal information and preference information are added to the mail header. The personal attribute represents the characteristics of the person who transmits the opinion and the impression, and mainly indicates gender, age, whereabouts, hobbies and the like. From the viewpoint of privacy protection, the addition of personal attributes is optional. The terminal 15 generally stores the contract contents for each person encrypted and stored in an IC card for limited reception of digital broadcasting. Accordingly, the personal attribute is obtained when the PC equivalent unit 154 extracts information from the IC card. Then, a text for the program being viewed or the opinions and impressions of others is entered (step S14).
[0044]
Further, as described above, when the video to be referenced is not stored in the storage unit 155, it is determined in step S15 whether the broadcast station 12 wishes to distribute the video. If video distribution is desired, the request is added to the mail header (step S16). It is necessary to enter the scene Id in the request.
[0045]
As a specific method, a method of describing the scene Id at the subject: of the Internet mail can be adopted. Alternatively, a method of creating an Attribute Field called X-Scene-Id is also possible. Furthermore, the return address is always required, and it must be described in To: Field. For example, the mailer has a function of selecting such information written in the Extended Event Descriptor and writing it in the header of the mail.
[0046]
FIG. 9 shows a processing flow of the information processing system 122 of the broadcasting station 12 for information sucked up via the Internet 16. An electronic mail of opinions and impressions about a program issued by an individual enters the broadcasting station 12 via the Internet 16. At that time, in the case of an opinion from a registered member, reception is restricted from the sender's address or the like so that only the registered member can receive it. The broadcast station 12 first separates the mail header and the text (step S21).
[0047]
In step S22, the information of the separated mail header is processed. As described above, the mail header includes an index associated with a target program and scene in which opinions and impressions are described. In some cases, a request for distribution of a specific scene is included. As an option, the personal attribute of the sender of the mail is included.
[0048]
In step S22, the personal attribute in the mail header is statistically processed using the statistical processing header set. More specifically, a detailed audience rating survey can be performed in units of programs and scenes. The obtained statistical data is stored in the storage unit 155. However, great care must be taken not to violate privacy. Therefore, only necessary personal attributes are separated and enter the processing routine (step S22).
[0049]
In step S23, it is determined whether or not the mail header includes a request for distributing the scene video in the mail. If it is determined in step S23 that there is a request, the requested scene is extracted from the storage unit 155, and the extracted scene is transmitted via the Internet 16.
[0050]
As described above, based on the data obtained in the statistical processing (step S22), in step S24, a highlight scene in the video broadcasted once or a plurality of times for a specific program is extracted and digested. Create In step S26, the created digest is multiplexed with the program and distributed.
[0051]
Further, the mail text separated in step S21 is processed in step S25. In step S25, additional information content to be broadcast is created using the header set for creating additional information. An email may be read by an unspecified number of people or read by a specific registered member. When mail is distributed only to a specific member, as described above, an encryption key is passed to the member in advance, and a mechanism similar to that for limited reception is used. When the number of specific members is small, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 9, it may be possible to send an e-mail through a route similar to the conventional Internet mail.
[0052]
The additional information content is multiplexed with the broadcast program in step S26. For example, in step S25, in the case of a registered mail, the personal opinion is multiplexed and transmitted to the object sent at that time with the name attached. In the case of anonymous mail, it is created as additional information content after the sender is deleted.
[0053]
The present invention can also be applied to the case where electronic mail other than Internet mail is used. In addition to electronic mail, data obtained by voice recognition and data obtained by character recognition may be transmitted and distributed.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new program of viewer participation type to general users. In addition, since electronic mail is distributed through digital broadcasting, it is possible to solve the problems of communication capacity limitation and distribution delay. Furthermore, a broadcasting station can statistically handle user preference information and detailed audience rating surveys based on personal attributes in emails with a simple system. It becomes possible to perform a new content service according to the obtained statistical result.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of a broadcasting station in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a transmission object broadcast in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a transmission object broadcast in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram used for explaining an index according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating functions of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a function of a mailer provided in a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining functions of a broadcasting station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Broadcasting station, 15 ... Terminal, 16 ... Internet, 121 ... Content composition multiplexing system, 122 ... Information processing system, 151 ... Receiver, 154 ... PC equivalent Part, 155 ... display

Claims (8)

And programs distributed by digital broadcasting, which is delivered is the program multiplexed with the reception of receiving an index containing the identification information and the destination address identifying a specific scene in the scene that segment the image of the program Means,
Playback means for playing back the video of the program ;
Electronically sending messages Ru vision listener terminals and means for transmitting the message viewer incorporating the index in the title or header portion to said destination address,
Receiving means for receiving an electronic message transmitted by the viewer terminal ;
And the program, and an index that includes the identification information and the destination address identifying a specific scene in the scene that segment the image of the program, by multiplexing the additional information including the electronic message received by the receiving means An information system comprising: a broadcasting station including distribution means for distributing by digital broadcasting . Oite to claim 1,
The information system characterized in that the electronic message transmitting means transmits additional information via a wired transmission path. Oite to claim 1,
The viewer terminal has an information system, characterized by having a storage section for storing a specific scene specified by the identification information. In claim 1 ,
Information system the viewer terminal, by transmitting the identification information to the broadcasting station, characterized by the Turkey to request delivery of the specific scene. In claim 1 ,
The information system , wherein the viewer terminal transmits an electronic mail by the electronic message transmission means. In claim 1,
The information system , wherein the viewer terminal adds a personal attribute to the electronic message to be transmitted . In claim 6 ,
The information system characterized in that the broadcasting station statistically processes the electronic message to which the personal attribute is added, and conducts an audience rating survey in a specific scene unit specified by the identification information . A program, and a distribution step of distributing the digital broadcasting are multiplexed and an index that includes the identification information and the destination address identifying a specific scene in the scene that segment the image of the program,
Receiving a program delivered by the delivery step, which is delivered is the program multiplexed, and an index that includes the identification information and the destination address identifying a specific scene in the scene that segment the image of the program A first receiving step;
A reproduction step of reproducing the video of the program received in the first reception step;
A transmission step of transmitting a viewer's message in which the index is incorporated in the title or header portion with respect to the destination address ;
A second receiving step for receiving the electronic message sent by the sending step,
It said when receiving Oite the electronic message to the second receiving step, wherein the above programs, and the index, to deliver the digital broadcasting are multiplexed and additional information including the electronic message received Information transmission method.

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