JP2885624B2 - Two-way communication system using satellite TV broadcasting system and public telephone line - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Industrial applications]

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-way communication system configured so that information on all tangible and intangible products provided for free or without charge can be individually obtained in real time using, for example, a satellite broadcasting system and a public telephone line. Applied to

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a means for providing product information using a TV broadcasting system, television shopping is known. In this television shopping, product information to be broadcast is determined in advance on the TV broadcasting station side, and this is broadcasted when the broadcast time comes, and when a viewer watching this broadcast desires to purchase, telephone or postcard And so on.

In addition, video information of a product obtained by a camera is transmitted from an information provider to a user terminal, and a user specifies a desired product on a video based on the video information transmitted to the user terminal. Transmitting the location information of the specified product from the user terminal to the information provider, identifying the product specified by the user from the transmitted location information, and generating information based on the identification. A camera image, wherein a display for distinguishing the designated product from other products is displayed on the user terminal by transmitting the same, and user confirmation information is transmitted to the information provider based on the display. A method for recognizing a product using information (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-143185) is known.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned known examples have the following disadvantages.

A. In the case of TV shopping, the amount of information (types) of products that can be provided is limited, and since the broadcast time is fixed, there is a drawback that product information cannot be viewed unless the TV is turned on at that time and the channel is adjusted. In addition, since the broadcast ends in a short time, there is no time to carefully examine the product information, or the application destination is overlooked, and it is not possible to search for information in an arbitrary time and an arbitrary range based on the user's intention.

B. Information based on individual needs of individual users cannot be obtained without being known to others.

C. In the case of the product recognition method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-143185, a designated product is captured by a camera and transmitted to a user terminal as video information. It is limited and cannot provide a large amount of information simultaneously to a large number of users in a wide range and in real time. or,
If we try to implement this invention on a certain scale,
Huge costs are required for equipment and operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a large amount of product information to a large number of users in real time in a wide range by simply adding an inexpensive device to the user side. To provide a two-way communication system using a TV broadcasting system and a public telephone line, which can be individually provided according to the requirements.

The configuration of the two-way communication system using the satellite TV broadcasting system and the public telephone line proposed in the present invention is as follows. On the user side, a TV for receiving satellite broadcasts
And a table of contents screen showing the range of services and basic operating procedures
User terminal and a user terminal in which a wide range of information is stored in advance.
Product information displayed on the TV screen for the information center
Request signal input means for requesting desired product information while viewing the information, and the request signal input by the request signal input means is provided to the user.
Transmission means for transmitting the ID number to the information center via a public telephone line.
Product information sent via the star broadcast wave
In addition, the product information whose ID number matches the general video
Terminal control means for displaying on a TV screen and this ID
Holds product information with the matching number, and when the next information comes
Duke erase the previous ones provided product information signal holding means for recording a new one, the information center side, commodity information file, ID number check unit, from the user side
Based on the request signal transmitted via the public telephone line , the requested product information is fetched from the product information file , the ID number of the user is added to each of the obtained product information, and the satellite information is transmitted to the satellite TV broadcasting station side. product information transmitting means for transmitting provided in the satellite TV broadcasting station side, the information the ID number with the product information that came transmitted from the center to the user side by broadcasting using the satellite TV broadcasting system A two-way communication system using a satellite TV broadcasting system and a public telephone line, wherein a product information broadcasting means for transmitting is provided.

[0010]

[Function] A product information file is prepared at the information center, and when there is a request for a product from the user, a posture corresponding to the request and an ID number are transmitted from the user. In this case, it is determined that this can be immediately determined and the product information in the product information file can be provided only when the registered number is used.

On the other hand, the user calls an information center via a telephone line, requests information on the product with an ID number, and sends the product information with the ID number sent based on the request. Is displayed on the TV screen. Basic range information such as a table of contents screen indicating the service range and operation procedures can be stored in the user terminal in advance, and the screen can be displayed only on the terminal side without calling the information center. .
The merchandise information displayed on the TV screen after being received is temporarily stored and held in the merchandise information holding means, and is continuously displayed until it is switched by the next signal. Available.

The information center receiving the request signal with the ID number checks whether the user is the owner of the ID number, and adds the ID number to the requested product information only when the user is the owner. And send it to the TV broadcasting station.

The TV broadcasting station uses the ID number and the product information (and necessary control signals) sent from the information center side by using broadcast radio waves, and is used for data broadcasting in the case of general video broadcasting, for example. The data is transmitted to the user using the band (special data area). As a result, the previously requested product information is displayed on the TV screen of the user whose ID number matches, and at the same time, the product information signal holding unit holds the image of the product information until the next signal comes. This signal reception is completed instantaneously, and the broadcasting station can shift to broadcasting based on the request of another party. As a result, a quick individual service for a large number of specific individuals becomes possible. In addition, in order to provide individual services to a large number of specific individuals, telephone lines of information centers are provided with a number necessary to eliminate waiting time while talking or to reduce waiting time as much as possible. .

In this way, the information center provides the product information while the user performs the two-way communication between the information center and the user, and the user obtains the desired product information. Then, when finally purchasing the product, the order signal specifying the product is transmitted to the information center side, and the order is confirmed by both parties, thereby completing the communication.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which a satellite broadcasting system is used.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a user terminal.
The TV 21, the TV antenna 22, the request signal holding unit 23, the signal transmitting unit 24 such as an ID number / request signal, the terminal control unit 25, and the product information received by the TV 21 are instantly recorded on the side, and the next product information Comes, deletes the previous product information, records the new one,
The product information signal holding means 26 for displaying on the screen 21 is provided.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an information center. The information center 30 receives a request from the product information file 32 when the communication control means 31, the product information file 32, the ID number checking means, and the ID number match. There is provided a central control means 33 for taking in information relating to the product, adding the ID number to the information, and transmitting the information from the transmission control means 34 to the TV broadcasting station side.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a TV broadcasting station. The TV broadcasting station 40 takes in an ID number and product information sent from the communication control means 41 and the information center 30 side, and controls signals necessary for this. Broadcast control means 42 for broadcasting by adding
A broadcasting antenna 43 is provided. 50 is a broadcasting satellite.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a public telephone line, which connects the user terminal 20 and the information center 30 to the NCU 6.
1. It is connected via the telephone office 62. 70 is NCU6
It is a telephone tied to 1. The NCU 61 is a terminal device that achieves a communication function other than a telephone using a telephone network without disturbing the original function of the telephone.
t (network controller). The basic function of the NCU 61 is to disconnect the telephone 70 while the communication between the user terminal 20 and the information center 30 is continued, and to connect the telephone 70 to the telephone line 61 after the communication is completed so that the telephone 70 can respond to a telephone call. Function. When the telephone 70 is hooked off, communication may be interrupted based on the principle of telephone priority, and a function of switching to the telephone 70 may be provided. After the telephone line 60 is connected, a so-called communication protocol (procedure) such as error control, communication start, temporary standby, and completion is performed in cooperation with the communication control means 31 of the information center 30.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a remote controller for a user to input a request signal. In the case of the embodiment, the ID number is built in the user terminal 20 in order to correspond to both reception and transmission operations.

An example of a communication method using the above device will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The user inputs a request signal while operating the remote controller 80 at home. When this signal is input, the signal transmitting means 24 performs the following operation. 1) Calling the center by the built-in information center telephone number 2) The following work based on the line connection completion response signal from the NCU 61 2) -1 Signal configuration The built-in ID number and request signal or error correction code, etc. are determined in advance. Create in order. 2) -2 Message composition A message is composed based on a predetermined bit configuration. 2) -3 Modulation Modulation is performed according to a predetermined modulation method such as FM (frequency), FS (frequency shift), AM (amplitude), and PM (phase). 2) -4 In conjunction with NCU61, signal is transmitted to information center 3
0 to the communication control means 31 (101). However, 1), 2) -2, 2) -3, 2)-
4 can be transferred as an NCU function.

In the information center 30 called via the telephone line 60, the communication control means 31
In preparation for the U61, the signal reception posture is adjusted, a transmission command is sent to the user terminal 20, the presence or absence of a failure due to noise or the like of the received signal from the user terminal 20 is determined, and in the case of a failure, a retransmission command or the like is appropriately processed. , The normal signal is sent to the central control means 33. The central control unit 33 checks the ID number (102), and in the case of the registered ID number, fetches the product information requested from the product information file 32 (103), and attaches the ID number to the product information. It is sent from the transmission control means 34 to the satellite broadcasting station 40 (10
4). At this time, the transmission control means 34 adds a control signal so that the user terminal 20 can discriminately cope with a plurality of services such as an unlocking function, a distinguished voice service or the present interactive service. However, since this control signal is assumed to be compatible with the function of the user terminal 20, the control signal may be added by the satellite broadcasting station 40 if this assumption is satisfied. On the other hand, in the case of an ID number that has not been registered, a signal such as rejection of acceptance or new subscription guidance is sent to the satellite broadcasting station 40 instead of the product information at the time of the registered ID number. In addition to the above, there is a method of transmitting an unregistered notification by directly transmitting a signal of rejection to a display unit provided in the user terminal 20 via the telephone line 60 to display the notification (2).
00).

In the satellite broadcasting station 40, the ID number and the product information with control signal sent from the information center 30 are superimposed on the general video signal by the broadcast control means 42, and transmitted from the antenna 43 to the broadcasting satellite 50. (105). At present, some pay satellite broadcasting stations are broadcasting unlock signals with ID numbers. In this case, the TV image radio wave is scrambled (encrypted) and cannot be viewed. Only the person who has paid the fee is individually selected using the ID number, and the user terminal 20 is operated by the unlock (decryption) command to enable viewing. By applying this method, it is also possible to perform product information and display control based on a request instead of an unlocked broadcast signal.

On the user terminal 20 side, terminal control means 25
Of the merchandise information transmitted from the broadcasting satellite 50 by the function of the above, the terminal of only a specific individual whose ID number matches the merchandise information based on the request instead of the general video based on the control signal is displayed on the TV screen. Display (106, 10
7). As a display format, there are a method of overlaying on a general broadcast image to be viewed, a window method using a part of the screen, a method using the entire screen for request display, and the like. That is,
Multimedia can be used for viewing TV for ordinary households. ID
For user terminals whose numbers do not match, the product information is T
It is not displayed on the V screen (201). The user can use this T
While viewing the product information on the V screen, the user requests more necessary information using the remote controller 80 (108, 109).
The product information signal holding means 25 instantly records the product information sent by the request, deletes the previous one when the next information comes, records the new one, and displays it on the TV screen. I do.

According to the above procedure, the request procedure and the provision of the product information are alternately performed. When the order of the product is finally determined, the order signal is sent to the information center 30 side.
A signal for confirming the order is displayed on the TV screen, and when the displayed product matches the ordered product, the user transmits a registered password or the like as a confirmation signal, and the information center 30 side transmits this. The user confirms the confirmation signal and confirms the confirmation signal on the user side, and presses a work end button to end the order work (111, 112, 113). However, if there is no order, an unnecessary signal is sent as an end signal (202).

The information center 30 receives these end signals.
Cuts off the telephone line, and on the user side, the line returns to the telephone 70 side due to the disconnection of the telephone line by the function of the NCU 61, and returns to the state before the start including the return of the TV display contents by the function of the terminal control means 25. .

The above-mentioned ordering operation is performed by sequentially selecting higher-level information from lower-level information based on a program. In the case of the embodiment, a detailed selection signal is further notified to the user in advance in a catalog or the like. In this case, by inputting the detailed selection signal, the user can jump to the target product information at a stretch.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the provision of information on merchandise utilizes the TV broadcast system, and the request utilizes the telephone line, thereby providing the following effects.

A. By providing the user terminal with the information holding means for holding the product information only when the ID numbers match, a large amount of product information can be individually provided to many users at the same time.

B. Since each product information is transmitted with an ID number attached, only the specified individual can acquire the product information. Therefore, the user is in a usage form as if the broadcast radio wave is exclusively used, and the usage status is not known to a third party, so that confidentiality can be ensured.
In particular, when broadcast radio waves are scrambled (encrypted) as in some current satellite broadcasts, confidentiality is further enhanced.

C. Desired information can be obtained in real time.

D. By using a TV broadcasting system and a public telephone line, it is possible to realize the system on a worldwide scale using, for example, a satellite broadcasting system.

E. Since the TV broadcasting system and the telephone line already exist, the system of the present invention can be constructed only by adding a request signal input unit, an ID number / request signal transmission unit, and a product information signal holding unit to the user terminal side. . Therefore, the feasibility is very high.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the present invention is implemented using a satellite broadcasting system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for implementing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20 user terminal 30 information center 40 satellite broadcasting station 60 telephone line

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A user needs a TV and a TV for receiving satellite broadcasts.
Basic screens such as a table of contents screen that shows
User terminal in which the information of the range is stored in advance and
Product information displayed on the TV screen for the information center
Given the request signal input means and assigned ID number to the user in the request signal inputted by said request signal input means for requesting product information desired while watching, which via a public telephone line the provided with a transmitting means for transmitting the information <br/> Resource Center side, among the product information came satellite <br/> broadcast waves are transmitted as a medium Te,
The product information that matches the ID number is replaced with a general video and the TV
Terminal control means for displaying on the screen and this ID number
Holds the matching product information, and when the next information comes,
The product information signal holding means for recording a new one by erasing the ones provided for, in the information center side, via a public telephone line commodity information file, ID number check unit, from the user side
Based on the request signal came sent Te, uptake from the commodity information file the product information that has been requested,
Each of them is provided with a product information transmitting means for attaching the ID number of the user to the satellite TV broadcasting station and transmitting the product information to the satellite TV broadcasting station. The satellite TV broadcasting station has a product with an ID number transmitted from the information center. Transmitting information to the user side by broadcasting information using a satellite TV broadcasting system
A two-way communication system using a satellite TV broadcasting system and a public telephone line, characterized by having product information broadcasting means.