CA2298357A1 - A process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals - Google Patents
A process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2298357A1 CA2298357A1 CA002298357A CA2298357A CA2298357A1 CA 2298357 A1 CA2298357 A1 CA 2298357A1 CA 002298357 A CA002298357 A CA 002298357A CA 2298357 A CA2298357 A CA 2298357A CA 2298357 A1 CA2298357 A1 CA 2298357A1
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- Canada
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- viewer
- target group
- data packets
- decoder
- group code
- Prior art date
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- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006837 decompression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
- H04N21/266—Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system, merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
- H04N21/2668—Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/234—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
- H04N21/2347—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream encryption
- H04N21/23476—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream encryption by partially encrypting, e.g. encrypting the ending portion of a movie
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
- H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
- H04N21/236—Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
- H04N21/2365—Multiplexing of several video streams
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/44—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
- H04N21/44016—Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for substituting a video clip
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
- H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
- H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
- H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals to a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets. To be able deliberately to adapt the contents of the advertising data packets to specific target groups of viewers, the invention proposes that specific advertising data packets are selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer.
Description
~
' CA 02298357 2000-02-11 r A Process for the Diaital Transmission of Compressed Television Signals The present invention relates to a process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals to a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
The invention further relates to a decoder for decompressing compressed television signals so that they can be displayed on a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
Finally, the invention relates to a memory card, comprising a memory element, for a decoder for decompressing compressed television signals so that they can be displayed on a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
Processes of the type referred to in the introduction are known from the prior art. The television signals to be transmitted are firstly digitalized. The digitalized data are subdivided into data packets and then transmitted. As a result of the subdivision of the digitalized data, it is possible for the television signals of a plurality of television programmes to be transmitted across one channel using multiplex procedures. To be able to increase the transmission rate of the digitalized data to be transmitted, the data are compressed prior to transmission.
Various compression methods are known from the prior art.
The viewer possesses a corresponding device to be able to decompress the compressed data. It is also known to encode the television signals to be transmitted, in order to be able to restrict the transmission to a specific group of viewers. The encoded television signal can be received only by those viewers who are in possession of an ,2 appropriate device for decoding the encoded data. The device for decompressing the compressed data and the device for decoding the encoded data are normally contained in a decoder. In accordance with the prior art, the device for decoding the encoded data is activated for example by a memory card, the memory element of which contains a specific code for the time-limited release of the decoding device.
The digital television signals contain information data packets and advertising data packets which are alternately transmitted. The information data packets contain the data of the actual television programme, and the advertising data packets contain the data of an advertising broadcast or of advertisement spots shown during an interval in the actual television programme. The viewers can be subdivided into target groups on the basis of their age, family status, and/or profession. The content of the advertising data packets is normally the same for all.viewers and appeals to the individual viewer to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the target group to which he/she belongs. The content of the advertising data packets appeals particularly to viewers when the advertised goods or services conform to the viewers' consumer requirements.
It is conceivable to increase this conformity by transmitting the advertising data packets in television programmes having a specific content or at specific times.
However, in accordance with the prior art it is not possible to further influence this conformity in the case of the transmission of television signals which are directed to all viewers and thus not to a specific, selected group of viewers.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to design and develop a process of the type referred to in the introduction, such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
To achieve this object, commencing from the process of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that specific advertising data packets are selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of a target group code which is dependent oh the viewer.
In the process according to the invention, a particularly high degree of conformity can be achieved between the goods and services advertised in the advertising data packets and the viewer's consumer requirements. Each viewer sees only the contents of those advertising data packets which are considered to be of interest to him in accordance with his target group code. Although, as previously, the process according to the invention relates to a transmission of television signals directed to all viewers, and thus not to a specific group of viewers, the individual viewer can be individually supplied with precisely those advertising data packets whose contents are adapted to the particular target group code which he is assigned.
The process according to the invention is implemented in that the advertising data packets comprise a plurality of groups of advertising data packets in each case assigned to a target group code. In the advertising broadcast, the individual viewer is shown only the content of the group of advertising data packets allocated to his target group code. The other transmitted advertising data packet groups are disregarded for this viewer.
Basically the process according to the invention can be used in the case of any digital transmission medium (DVB, Internet, digital cable networks) in which individual data packets can be individually marked via their packet identifiers (PID, a type of address header), whereupon they can be selectively supplied from a decoder, which is anyhow used to decompress the general transmission, to those viewers who have the relevant target group codes, and can be displayed on their display terminal (television receiver, monitor etc.). In accordance with an advantageous further development of the present invention, the television signals are compressed in accordance with a compression method which utilizes packet identifiers (PIDs). Preferably, the television signals are compressed in accordance with the Moving-Picture-Expert-Group-2 (MPEG2) method. This compression method permits a high compression rate, in particular of moving images, without a great loss of quality.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the target group code is input in a decoder for decompressing the compressed television signals. Preferably, the target group code is input into the decoder by the viewer via a keyboard. It is conceivable for the keyboard to be marked with symbols representing the individual target groups. By depressing one of the keys, the viewer is allocated the corresponding target group code.
Alternatively, it is proposed that the target group code is stored in the memory element of a memory card, and the target group code is input into the decoder by reading-in the content of the memory element. The content can be read-in for example in that the memory card is inserted into an input slot of the decoder and the content of the memory element is read into a memory of the decoder by means of a corresponding reading device of the decoder. It would be conceivable for decoders sold with such a memory card to be subsidized by the advertising industry from a part of their additional revenue resulting from the particularly effective advertising, or by the broadcasting companies from a part of their additional revenue resulting from their increased income from advertising. The reduced purchase price of decoders could lead to the more widespread use of digital reception technology.
Another object of the present invention is to design and further develop a decoder of the type referred to in the introduction such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
To achieve this object, commencing from the decoder of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer is stored in the decoder, and that specific advertising data packets can be selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of the target group code.
The decoder according to the invention has been provided with the additional capability of sorting received advertising data packets on the basis of the target group codes and selectively displaying selected advertising data packets on the viewer's television receiver. The normal function of the decoder, in particular the decompression of the transmitted television signals, remains unaffected by this additional capability. The decoder contains, for example, an internal data allocation table which allocates specific advertising data packets to the set/stored target group code, when said advertising data packets have the appropriate PIDs. Only advertising data packets of this type are then displayed on the viewer's television receiver.
Due to the use of the decoder according to the invention, it is possible for the first time to transmit television signals intended for all viewers, thus not merely for a specific group of viewers, and nevertheless deliberately to appeal to the individual viewer. By means of the decoder according to the invention, the individual viewer can deliberately be shown the content of only those groups of advertising data packets which are allocated to the target group code which the relevant viewer is assigned, without having to interfere with the character of the superordinate broadcast (transmission). The effectiveness of the advertising broadcasts can thus be decisively improved as the advertised goods and services are ideally aligned to the requirements of the individual viewers.
The more detailed the subdivision of the target group codes, the better the goods and services can be adapted to the viewers' consumer requirements. Therefore, in accordance with an advantageous further development of the invention, it is proposed that the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles. The target group codes are advantageously subdivided into a public section and a protected section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section. This information comprises for example the name, address, gender, age and/or family status of the viewer. Preferably, information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section. This information comprises for example the viewer's available annual income, special medical requirements, specific preferences or habits, or other information about the particular viewer not accessible to everyone.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to design and further develop a memory card of the type referred to in the introduction, such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
. CA 02298357 2000-02-11 To achieve this object, commencing from the decoder of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that a target group code, which is dependent upon the viewer, is stored in the memory element, and that specific advertising data packets can be selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of the target group code.
In accordance with an advantageous further development of the invention, the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles. Advantageously, the target group profiles are subdivided into a public section and a protected section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following with reference to the drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of the process according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a process according to the invention for the digital transmission of compressed television signals 1 to a television receiver 2 of a viewer (not shown). In the transmission of the television signals 1, information data packets 3 containing the data of the actual television programme alternate with advertising data packets 4 containing the data of an advertising broadcast or of advertisement spots shown during an interval in the actual television programme. The information data packets 3 are generally substantially longer than the advertising data packets 4.
The television signals 1 are transmitted from a transmitting station 5 via a transmitting antenna 6. The transmitted television signals 1 are received by a receiving antenna 7. From the receiving antenna 7, the received television signals l are forwarded to a decoder 8.
The decoder 8 decompresses the television signals 1. If the television signals 1 have been additionally transmitted in encoded form, the decoder 8 can also decode the received television signals 1. From the decoder 8, the television signals 1 pass to the television receiver 2 of a viewer and are displayed thereon. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the television signals 1 to reach the viewer via a television cable network (not shown).
The viewers are subdivided into a plurality of target group codes. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the viewers are subdivided into four target group codes, namely "single", "married without children", "married with young children" and "married with older children". The target group codes can be subdivided as finely as required into further target group profiles. The target group codes can also be subdivided into publicly accessible contents and confidential contents. The advertising data packets 4 are in each case allocated to a specific target group code.
Only the contents of those advertising data packets 4 allocated to the target group code assigned to a viewer are displayed on the viewer's television receiver 2 during the advertisement intervals. In this way, the contents of the advertising data packets 4 shown on the viewer's television receiver 2 can be deliberately adapted to the consumer requirements of the individual viewer.
The target group code can be input into the decoder 8 for example via a keyboard. '-In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the target group code is stored in a memory element 9 of a memory card 10. It would be conceivable for a viewer, on purchasing a decoder 8, also to acquire a memory card 10 containing a specific target group code corresponding to the viewer. If the decoder 8 functions only when the memory card 10 is inserted, the decoder 8 can select advertising data packets for the viewer which are especially adapted to him and to his target group code and can display these on the viewer's television receiver 1.
In this way, the efficiency of the advertising can be decisively increased. The financial benefit gained by the advertising companies as a result of the more efficient advertising can be at least partially passed on by them to the viewers in the form, of a subsidization of the purchase price of decoders 8.
' CA 02298357 2000-02-11 r A Process for the Diaital Transmission of Compressed Television Signals The present invention relates to a process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals to a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
The invention further relates to a decoder for decompressing compressed television signals so that they can be displayed on a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
Finally, the invention relates to a memory card, comprising a memory element, for a decoder for decompressing compressed television signals so that they can be displayed on a television receiver of a viewer, wherein information data packets alternate with advertising data packets.
Processes of the type referred to in the introduction are known from the prior art. The television signals to be transmitted are firstly digitalized. The digitalized data are subdivided into data packets and then transmitted. As a result of the subdivision of the digitalized data, it is possible for the television signals of a plurality of television programmes to be transmitted across one channel using multiplex procedures. To be able to increase the transmission rate of the digitalized data to be transmitted, the data are compressed prior to transmission.
Various compression methods are known from the prior art.
The viewer possesses a corresponding device to be able to decompress the compressed data. It is also known to encode the television signals to be transmitted, in order to be able to restrict the transmission to a specific group of viewers. The encoded television signal can be received only by those viewers who are in possession of an ,2 appropriate device for decoding the encoded data. The device for decompressing the compressed data and the device for decoding the encoded data are normally contained in a decoder. In accordance with the prior art, the device for decoding the encoded data is activated for example by a memory card, the memory element of which contains a specific code for the time-limited release of the decoding device.
The digital television signals contain information data packets and advertising data packets which are alternately transmitted. The information data packets contain the data of the actual television programme, and the advertising data packets contain the data of an advertising broadcast or of advertisement spots shown during an interval in the actual television programme. The viewers can be subdivided into target groups on the basis of their age, family status, and/or profession. The content of the advertising data packets is normally the same for all.viewers and appeals to the individual viewer to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the target group to which he/she belongs. The content of the advertising data packets appeals particularly to viewers when the advertised goods or services conform to the viewers' consumer requirements.
It is conceivable to increase this conformity by transmitting the advertising data packets in television programmes having a specific content or at specific times.
However, in accordance with the prior art it is not possible to further influence this conformity in the case of the transmission of television signals which are directed to all viewers and thus not to a specific, selected group of viewers.
Therefore the object of the present invention is to design and develop a process of the type referred to in the introduction, such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
To achieve this object, commencing from the process of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that specific advertising data packets are selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of a target group code which is dependent oh the viewer.
In the process according to the invention, a particularly high degree of conformity can be achieved between the goods and services advertised in the advertising data packets and the viewer's consumer requirements. Each viewer sees only the contents of those advertising data packets which are considered to be of interest to him in accordance with his target group code. Although, as previously, the process according to the invention relates to a transmission of television signals directed to all viewers, and thus not to a specific group of viewers, the individual viewer can be individually supplied with precisely those advertising data packets whose contents are adapted to the particular target group code which he is assigned.
The process according to the invention is implemented in that the advertising data packets comprise a plurality of groups of advertising data packets in each case assigned to a target group code. In the advertising broadcast, the individual viewer is shown only the content of the group of advertising data packets allocated to his target group code. The other transmitted advertising data packet groups are disregarded for this viewer.
Basically the process according to the invention can be used in the case of any digital transmission medium (DVB, Internet, digital cable networks) in which individual data packets can be individually marked via their packet identifiers (PID, a type of address header), whereupon they can be selectively supplied from a decoder, which is anyhow used to decompress the general transmission, to those viewers who have the relevant target group codes, and can be displayed on their display terminal (television receiver, monitor etc.). In accordance with an advantageous further development of the present invention, the television signals are compressed in accordance with a compression method which utilizes packet identifiers (PIDs). Preferably, the television signals are compressed in accordance with the Moving-Picture-Expert-Group-2 (MPEG2) method. This compression method permits a high compression rate, in particular of moving images, without a great loss of quality.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the target group code is input in a decoder for decompressing the compressed television signals. Preferably, the target group code is input into the decoder by the viewer via a keyboard. It is conceivable for the keyboard to be marked with symbols representing the individual target groups. By depressing one of the keys, the viewer is allocated the corresponding target group code.
Alternatively, it is proposed that the target group code is stored in the memory element of a memory card, and the target group code is input into the decoder by reading-in the content of the memory element. The content can be read-in for example in that the memory card is inserted into an input slot of the decoder and the content of the memory element is read into a memory of the decoder by means of a corresponding reading device of the decoder. It would be conceivable for decoders sold with such a memory card to be subsidized by the advertising industry from a part of their additional revenue resulting from the particularly effective advertising, or by the broadcasting companies from a part of their additional revenue resulting from their increased income from advertising. The reduced purchase price of decoders could lead to the more widespread use of digital reception technology.
Another object of the present invention is to design and further develop a decoder of the type referred to in the introduction such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
To achieve this object, commencing from the decoder of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer is stored in the decoder, and that specific advertising data packets can be selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of the target group code.
The decoder according to the invention has been provided with the additional capability of sorting received advertising data packets on the basis of the target group codes and selectively displaying selected advertising data packets on the viewer's television receiver. The normal function of the decoder, in particular the decompression of the transmitted television signals, remains unaffected by this additional capability. The decoder contains, for example, an internal data allocation table which allocates specific advertising data packets to the set/stored target group code, when said advertising data packets have the appropriate PIDs. Only advertising data packets of this type are then displayed on the viewer's television receiver.
Due to the use of the decoder according to the invention, it is possible for the first time to transmit television signals intended for all viewers, thus not merely for a specific group of viewers, and nevertheless deliberately to appeal to the individual viewer. By means of the decoder according to the invention, the individual viewer can deliberately be shown the content of only those groups of advertising data packets which are allocated to the target group code which the relevant viewer is assigned, without having to interfere with the character of the superordinate broadcast (transmission). The effectiveness of the advertising broadcasts can thus be decisively improved as the advertised goods and services are ideally aligned to the requirements of the individual viewers.
The more detailed the subdivision of the target group codes, the better the goods and services can be adapted to the viewers' consumer requirements. Therefore, in accordance with an advantageous further development of the invention, it is proposed that the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles. The target group codes are advantageously subdivided into a public section and a protected section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section. This information comprises for example the name, address, gender, age and/or family status of the viewer. Preferably, information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section. This information comprises for example the viewer's available annual income, special medical requirements, specific preferences or habits, or other information about the particular viewer not accessible to everyone.
Finally, an object of the present invention is to design and further develop a memory card of the type referred to in the introduction, such that the content of the advertising data packets shown on a viewer's television receiver can be deliberately adapted to the viewer's consumer requirements.
. CA 02298357 2000-02-11 To achieve this object, commencing from the decoder of the type referred to in the introduction, the invention proposes that a target group code, which is dependent upon the viewer, is stored in the memory element, and that specific advertising data packets can be selected and displayed on the television receiver as a function of the target group code.
In accordance with an advantageous further development of the invention, the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles. Advantageously, the target group profiles are subdivided into a public section and a protected section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section. Preferably, information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following with reference to the drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of the process according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a process according to the invention for the digital transmission of compressed television signals 1 to a television receiver 2 of a viewer (not shown). In the transmission of the television signals 1, information data packets 3 containing the data of the actual television programme alternate with advertising data packets 4 containing the data of an advertising broadcast or of advertisement spots shown during an interval in the actual television programme. The information data packets 3 are generally substantially longer than the advertising data packets 4.
The television signals 1 are transmitted from a transmitting station 5 via a transmitting antenna 6. The transmitted television signals 1 are received by a receiving antenna 7. From the receiving antenna 7, the received television signals l are forwarded to a decoder 8.
The decoder 8 decompresses the television signals 1. If the television signals 1 have been additionally transmitted in encoded form, the decoder 8 can also decode the received television signals 1. From the decoder 8, the television signals 1 pass to the television receiver 2 of a viewer and are displayed thereon. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the television signals 1 to reach the viewer via a television cable network (not shown).
The viewers are subdivided into a plurality of target group codes. In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 1, the viewers are subdivided into four target group codes, namely "single", "married without children", "married with young children" and "married with older children". The target group codes can be subdivided as finely as required into further target group profiles. The target group codes can also be subdivided into publicly accessible contents and confidential contents. The advertising data packets 4 are in each case allocated to a specific target group code.
Only the contents of those advertising data packets 4 allocated to the target group code assigned to a viewer are displayed on the viewer's television receiver 2 during the advertisement intervals. In this way, the contents of the advertising data packets 4 shown on the viewer's television receiver 2 can be deliberately adapted to the consumer requirements of the individual viewer.
The target group code can be input into the decoder 8 for example via a keyboard. '-In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the target group code is stored in a memory element 9 of a memory card 10. It would be conceivable for a viewer, on purchasing a decoder 8, also to acquire a memory card 10 containing a specific target group code corresponding to the viewer. If the decoder 8 functions only when the memory card 10 is inserted, the decoder 8 can select advertising data packets for the viewer which are especially adapted to him and to his target group code and can display these on the viewer's television receiver 1.
In this way, the efficiency of the advertising can be decisively increased. The financial benefit gained by the advertising companies as a result of the more efficient advertising can be at least partially passed on by them to the viewers in the form, of a subsidization of the purchase price of decoders 8.
Claims (16)
1. A process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals (1) to a television receiver (2) of a viewer, wherein information data packets (3) alternate with advertising data packets (4), characterised in that specific advertising data packets (4) are selected and displayed on the television receiver (2) as a function of a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer.
2. A process according to Claim 1, characterised in that the television signals (1) are compressed in accordance with a compression method which utilizes packet identifiers (PIDs).
3. A process according to Claim 2, characterised in that the television signals (1) are compressed in accordance with the Moving-Picture-Expert-Group-2 (MPEG2) method.
4. A process according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the target group code is input in a decoder (8) for decompressing the compressed television signals (1).
5. A process according to Claim 4, characterised in that the target group code is input into the decoder (8) by the viewer via a keyboard.
6. A process according to Claim 4, characterised in that the target group code is stored in the memory element (9) of a memory card (10), and the target group code is input into the decoder (8) by reading-in the content of the memory element (9).
7. A decoder (8) for decompressing compressed television signals (1) so that they can be displayed on a television receiver (2) of a viewer, wherein information data packets (3) alternate with advertising data packets (4), characterised in that a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer is stored in the decoder (8), and that specific advertising data packets (4) can be selected and displayed on the television receiver (2) as a function of the target group code.
8. A decoder (8) according to Claim 7, characterised in that the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles.
9. A decoder (8) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the target group codes are subdivided into a public section and a protected section.
10. A decoder (8) according to Claim 9, characterised in that information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section.
11. A decoder (8) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section.
12. A memory card (10), comprising a memory element (9), for a decoder (8) for decompressing compressed television signals (1) so that they can be displayed on a television receiver (2) of a viewer, wherein information data packets (3) alternate with advertising data packets (4), characterised in that a target group code which is dependent upon the viewer is stored in the memory element (9), and that specific advertising data packets (4) can be selected and displayed on the television receiver (1) as a function of the target group code.
13. A memory card (10) according to Claim 12, characterised in that the target group code is subdivided into target group profiles.
14. A memory card (10) according to Claim 13, characterised in that the target group profiles are subdivided into a public section and a protected section.
15. A memory card (10) according to Claim 14, characterised in that information about the viewer which is unobjectionable in terms of data protection law is stored in the public section.
16. A memory card (10) according to Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that information about the viewer which is protected in terms of data protection law is stored in the protected section.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19905843.1 | 1999-02-12 | ||
| DE19905843A DE19905843A1 (en) | 1999-02-12 | 1999-02-12 | Process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2298357A1 true CA2298357A1 (en) | 2000-08-12 |
Family
ID=7897272
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002298357A Abandoned CA2298357A1 (en) | 1999-02-12 | 2000-02-11 | A process for the digital transmission of compressed television signals |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1028591A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2298357A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19905843A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5155591A (en) * | 1989-10-23 | 1992-10-13 | General Instrument Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing demographically targeted television commercials |
| WO1995015658A1 (en) * | 1993-12-02 | 1995-06-08 | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Network manager for cable television system headends |
| DE19507091A1 (en) * | 1994-03-02 | 1995-09-14 | Metz Werke Gmbh & Co Kg | Information exchange method for TV advertiser and viewer |
| US5532735A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1996-07-02 | At&T Corp. | Method of advertisement selection for interactive service |
| US5515098A (en) * | 1994-09-08 | 1996-05-07 | Carles; John B. | System and method for selectively distributing commercial messages over a communications network |
| FR2728131B1 (en) * | 1994-12-13 | 1997-01-24 | Syseca Sa | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION RECEPTION CONSOLE |
| AU7246996A (en) * | 1995-09-29 | 1997-04-17 | Boston Technology, Inc. | Multimedia architecture for interactive advertising |
| US5907321A (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1999-05-25 | Spot Com, Inc. | Method for transmitting and displaying an interchannel interval image in a cable system |
| SE506544C2 (en) * | 1996-06-20 | 1998-01-12 | Telia Ab | Device and method for generating digital billboards |
| US5708478A (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1998-01-13 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Computer system for enabling radio listeners/television watchers to obtain advertising information |
| GB2326053A (en) * | 1997-05-01 | 1998-12-09 | Red Fig Limited | Interactive display system |
-
1999
- 1999-02-12 DE DE19905843A patent/DE19905843A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-01-31 EP EP00440027A patent/EP1028591A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-02-11 CA CA002298357A patent/CA2298357A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1028591A3 (en) | 2002-05-29 |
| EP1028591A2 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
| DE19905843A1 (en) | 2000-08-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20050211 |