KR20010108113A - Telephone handset for use in interactive tv systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Television broadcasts are sent with additional signals indicating additional information available on the Internet site. Preferably, the additional information relates to the TV program being broadcast. At the receiving station, a control box 16 is provided, which is associated with standard telephone sets 26 and 28. The telephone set may be used to provide a standard telephone call to the user or otherwise retrieve access to the Internet site with additional information and retrieve that information for display on a standard TV set 12 with a standard program. The telephone set is provided with additional keys on which such control can be made.

Description

TELEPHONE HANDSET FOR USE IN INTERACTIVE TV SYSTEMS}

The advent of the Internet has made it possible to access a wide variety of information in the office or virtually anywhere from home, through standard telephone lines. This information may also be used for business, events, education or any other similar purpose, and in fact is readily available. A disadvantage of standard Internet access means is that there is still a need for a laptop or PC computer using a particular coupling box. Attempts have been made to provide Internet access on standard television, but these attempts have failed because they have been difficult to handle. Moreover, these boxes required other remote controls for the manipulation of the boxes. Therefore, in a system for accessing the Internet, there is a need for a relatively simple and easy-to-use system without the need for other remote controls.

Summary and purpose of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that provides easy access to the Internet or other realistic data using standard broadcast channels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an internet access system wherein the visible portion of the broadcast TV signals is used for transmitting information to a remote location and the telephone connection is used to send requests by the user for information.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an internet access system with a modified, preferably cordless, telephone for carrying out control for internet access.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. In brief, a standard TV program is broadcast throughout the channel broadcast to some users by any other known means, cable or satellite. The program is broadcast using a video signal embedded with an indication signal representing additional information available. This display signal is preferably included in the visible portion of the TV program. For example, this display signal includes the web and web site address embedding additional information available from the web site.

At a typical user's site, a receiver station is interpreted to include a standard TV set, control box and set. The control box includes a detector for intercepting an image signal and detecting the indication signal. If the indication signal is detected, the control box is not required for a display, preferably in a TV set, indicating the availability of additional information.

The telephone provides access to the Internet to provide standard telephony and to enable retrieval of additional information from the Internet site. For this purpose, the telephone is in communication with the control box (by RE link, hard wired connection or other means). When the Internet site address is received, the control box sends the address to the telephone. At this time, the phone activates the built-in modem, accesses the Internet site, retrieves the information, and sends the information to the control box. The control box receives additional information and sends the information to the television to be displayed according to a standard TV program or to displacing the TV program.

The telephone also has a plurality of additional selection keys provided to the user. If the initial display is created by a control box indicating the supply of additional information, the user activates the appropriate key on the phone requesting additional information. The process for retrieving and displaying this additional information is then initiated. The other key can be used for navigation on the Internet site.

Although associated with a telephone, the system can be other accesssories, such as a smart card reader, a printer for printing documents, etc., to allow a user to charge certain goods or services offered by an Internet site. have.

The telephone also includes a handset and a base that are capable of wireless communication with the base station. The base station then comprises means for communicating with the hand set, means for communicating with the control box, a modem, and a controller for controlling the operation of the hand set and the base station.

This application is accompanied by a priority application on October 28, 1997.

The present invention relates to a system comprising a standard telephone call and a telephone used for dual purposes for means other than a standard TV set or other information received from the Internet and control of the display and access of web pages.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating various interconnections between a system constructed in accordance with the present invention and elements of the system.

2 is a perspective view of a cordless telephone used to control the operation of the present invention.

3 is a rear perspective view of the wireless telephone of FIG.

4 is a block diagram of the telephone handset of FIGS. 2 and 3;

5 is a modification of the wireless telephone of FIGS. 2 and 3;

6 is a block diagram of the telephone base of FIG.

7 is a block diagram of a control box of the system of FIG.

8 is a flow chart for the operation of the control box of FIG.

9 is an operational flowchart of the base of FIG.

10 is a flowchart of operation of the telephone handset of FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in Figure 1, the system 10 for providing Internet access in accordance with the present invention includes a TV set 12 that receives a standard RF signal from a control box 14. Box 14 receives an RF signal from VCR 16. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the VCR, the system may include a cable decoder (not shown). The standard TV broadcast signal is generated by the remote antenna 18 and the tuner (not shown) of the VCR 16 is shown. Not received). If a cable decoder is used, such cable box receives a standard TV signal via a cable (not shown). During normal operation, the control box 14 does not manipulate these RF signals but passes them through to the set 12. If neither the VCR 16 nor the cable decoder is used, the broadcast signals are received directly by the control box 14. The user watches a regular TV program in a set 12.

The signal for antenna 18 is generated at broadcast signal source 20. At certain predetermined times, or in conjunction with certain content of a particular program generated by the source 20, additional information representing a particular internet site is made useful, which additional information is associated with the program. For example, if the program includes a musical performance, it may be desirable to have the user sell video tapes and / or CDs for the same performance. The addresses of Internet sites that provide these services and other related control information are stored in memory 22. Encoder 24 is used to modulate the signals from broadcast source 20 to superimposing the information from memory 22 on the signals. A preferred modulation technique in which the visible portion of a TV program is used to transmit information is under the terms METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DATA ON A VIEWABLE PORTION OF A VIDEO SIGNAL, dated March 23, 1998, of a commonly owned co-pending application. , SN 09 / 046,413. In summary, as described in the application, data is transmitted in the form of a group of data bits named as symbols. Each symbol is associated with it, which is one of a longer sequence of a predetermined number of "chips" named PN sequences. The transmitted PN sequence for any symbol is divided into multiple lines of chips. Each line of chips is transmitted in reverse in a paired fashion, including them in individual pairs of line scans of the video signal. For example, each symbol representing 4 data bits can be associated with it, which is one of 16PN sequences of 80 chips each. Any such PN sequence to be superimposed on the video signal is divided into four lines of 20 chips each. Each line of chips is transmitted in its normal form and its inverted form, such that eight lines of 20 chips each are added to or subtracted from each individual line scan of the video signal.

The pairs of received line scans are operated to extract the 20 chips they represent. This is done by subtracting one line scan from the other and differentiating the difference signal for the duration of each chip to minimize the effect of the video. Since each chip of the original PN sequence is added to one line scan and subtracted from the other, the magnitude of the chip amplitude is doubled when one line scan is subtracted from the other as well as when it is a minimized video effect. After all 80 chip pairs have been processed in this way to derive 80 "differential chip values", the received code is correlated with each of the 16 possible PN sequences for the best match. The transmitted symbol is considered that the PN sequence has the best correlation with the received code.

Referring to Figure 1, the modified broadcast signals are transmitted to tower 18, which transmits them to various customers. At the user's site, the modified signal is received by the control box 14 and the information superimposed by the encoder 24 is decoded. In response, the control box 14 modifies the signals transmitted to the set 12 to indicate to the user that additional information relating to the current musical performance can be obtained from the Internet site.

The user site also has a telephone handset 26. Preferably, set 26 is a wireless telephone set that is connected to base 28 by an RF link. Alternatively, telephone handset 26 may be connected to base 28 by a standard wire. Base 28 and handset 26 cooperate with each other to provide standard telephony over telephone line 30. In addition, these units cooperate further to provide a means of accessing an Internet site represented by the control box 14 below.

As mentioned above, when the additional information is initially valid, the control box generates an appropriate indication on the set 12. For example, this indication may be a blinking color square in the upper left corner of the set. The user may choose to operate a control button on the handset 26 (as described in more detail below) that makes the handset 26 an Internet controller. If the user wants to access additional information, he activates this button and the handset sends a signal to the control box 14 via the base 28. In response, control box 14 uses line 30 to dial up ISP 32. ISP 32 provides access to the relevant Internet site 34.

Site 34 includes web server 36, data 38, and data management system 40. In response to a request from the base 28, the site 34 transmits data describing the web page. This data is transmitted to the control box 14 by the base 28. In response, the control box replaces the normal video picture received from the broadcast tower 18 or replaces the same on a portion of the picture. Superimpose to display web pages on set 12. In this way, the user can access the site 34 and, if he wishes, he can order the items displayed on the web page using standard Internet protocols.

2 and 3, telephone handset 26 has a housing 40 having a front face 42 and a rear face 44. An RF antenna 44 for communicating with the base 28 extends out of the housing. A standard keypad 46 and a display window 50 on which various messages and information can be displayed are disposed on the front face 42. The handset 26 may also be equipped with additional control buttons 52 for generating commands related to the operation of the handset 26 with the telephone.

On the back 44, a plurality of buttons 54, each designated 54A-54F in Figure 3, are used to operate the handset to access an Internet site in the event of an interactive event. It contains them. These terms are used in this application to indicate TV programs associated with a particular web page. As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the above elements, the handset 26 further includes a digital encoder / decoder 56, an RF modulator 58, an earphone 60, and a microphone 62. For normal telephone operation, the user dials the number using keypad 48. As the number is dialed, digital encoder 56 generates a corresponding DTMF code that is sent to RF modulator 58 for transmission to base 28. When control button 52 is activated, corresponding control signals are generated by encoder 56 and transmitted by RF modulator 58. Dialed numbers and other information are displayed on display 50.

The horse is sent from the microphone 62 to the modulator and the received signals are sent from the modulator to the earphone 60. The operation and structure described so far are common for wireless telephone handsets.

However, the digital encoder / decoder 56 is modified such that the activation of the Internet key 54 is also detected and furthermore the corresponding signals are transmitted to the base 28, as described in more detail below.

In Fig. 5, a modified embodiment is shown, in which the front surface 42A is equipped with an internet control key 54 as well as a keyboard 48 and a control key 52.

Referring to Figure 6, telephone base 28 includes microprocessor 60, modem 62, multiplexer 64, telephone connection terminal 66, telephone control circuit 68 and RF modulator 70; have. The base 28 further includes a keyboard interface 72, a parallel interface 74, a smart card interface 76, an RF transceiver 78, and a serial port 80.

If starting first with general telephony, the signals from telephone handset 26 are received from RF modulator 70. These signals are sent to the telephone control circuit 68. These signals are converted into standard signals that are compatible with telephone lines. The signals are then transmitted to telephone connector 66 and to standard telephone line 30 via multiplexer 64.

As described above, the interactive event is first displayed on the TV set 12 by the box 14. When the user wants to access a particular web page associated with the program he is watching on set 12, he activates one of the Internet control buttons 54, such as 54F. When signals indicative of such activation are received by the base 28, they are transmitted to the microprocessor 70 by the modulator 70. The microprocessor 70 then enters an interactive transaction mode, during which the user can access web pages and perform functions generally associated with the Internet. During this time, standard telephone functionality can be suppressed. In the interactive mode, signals are transmitted to and received from the control box 14 via the RF transceiver 78. Signals to and from ISP 32 are exchanged using modem 62. For this purpose, multiplexer 64 is installed to connect modem 62 to telephone connector 66. The smart card interface 76 may be used to pay with a user card at the time of purchase if the internet site is set up to allow this type of operation. Various information may be printed to the printer 82 via the parallel interface 74. Additional commands and information may be input by the user to the keyboard 84 via the keyboard interface 72. Other information can be entered into the system using the serial interface 80 and appropriate devices connected thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control box 14 includes a microprocessor 90, a transceiver 92, a video input 94, a video output 96, a two-position video switch 98, an adder or a combination. You 102, memory 104 and graphics generator 106. 8 shows a general flow chart for the system and the operation of the control box 14 is best described with respect to this flow chart.

In general, the switch section 98 is positioned such that video signals from the video input section are passed directly to the video output section 96 as shown in FIG. During this time condition, unchanged TV signals are received and displayed by set 12. The signals are also monitored by the decoder 100 looking for signals that represent an interactive event (ie, an indication from the encoder 24 of additional information defining a web page). When such a signal is detected (step 200), the decoder sends a corresponding signal to the microprocessor 90. The microprocessor 90 changes the position of the switch 98 and retrieves a predetermined symbol or message from the memory 104. This symbol is supplied to a graphic generator which generates a graphic symbol or element corresponding to the information in the memory section 104. This symbol is supplied to an adder or combiner 102 which combines this symbol with the current standard TV program. The output of the adder 102 is supplied to the RF output 96 via the switch section 98 and displayed by the set 12 (step 202) to indicate to the user that the web page associated with the current program is viewable. Next, the microprocessor 90 monitors the connection to the base 28 for instructions received from the user (step 204). If such a signal is not received within a predetermined time (eg, 10 seconds), it is assumed that the user does not want to examine the web page (step 206). Thus, in step 208 the switch section 98 is reset and the standard TV program is continued.

If the user indicates that he or she wishes to examine the web page, for example by pressing the 'service button' 54F, the action is transferred from the hand set 26 to the base 28 and the control box 14 The microprocessor then decodes the URL of the web page and sends it to the base 28 (step 214). In step 216 the microprocessor 90 retrieves the preliminary message and in step 216 a wait message is displayed to indicate to the user that the operation of accessing the Internet to retrieve the requested web page has begun.

The microprocessor 60 in the base 28 generates the necessary signals for accessing the ISP 32 and transmits the signals through the modem 62. During this process, standard telephone functionality is disabled. The request is accepted by the ISP 32 and retrieves the web page signal from the server 36 in response to the ISP and sends the signals to the base 28. The base 28 then sends the signals to the microprocessor 90 in the control box 14.

The microprocessor 90 waits for a predetermined time for the web page information from the base 28. If the information is not retrieved within the set time (step 218), then in step 220 an error message is displayed on the set (step 220), the switch section 98 is reset and normal operation continues again. If web page information is received in time, the microprocessor provides the information to the graphics generator 106. The web page is then finally displayed on set 12 (page 224). In this manner, when a URL is received, the base 28, box 14, and hand set cooperate with each other to obtain access to the web page using a dial-up Internet connection to obtain and display the designated web page.

When the web page is displayed, the user may choose to execute other functions commonly associated with the Internet, such as including text downloads (printed to printer 82), inspection of other pages linked to the original web page, and the like (step 224). ).

One desirable function is to allow a user to select and purchase a product from a web site. For this purpose, the user uses the internet control key 54. Payment is made by entering a credit card number via keypad 48 or external keyboard 84. Alternatively, if the smart card system is in the same position, the user may insert the smart card into the smart card interface 76. The microprocessor 60 then checks the amount available on the smart card, and if it is sufficient, deducts the appropriate amount from the smart card and sends a message to the server 36 indicating that the appropriate payment has been made.

Microprocessor 90 monitors operation on the Internet connection (step 226). When this connection is terminated, the switch section 98 returns to the initial position and the inspection of standard programming continues.

The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows the general steps performed by the system to allow a user to gain access to a web page or several web pages associated with an interactive event. The remaining flow chart provides a more detailed description of the operation of the various elements of the system. Starting from FIG. 9, a general sequence of transmitting data from control box 14 to base 28 (and telephone hand set 26) is described. Beginning at step 250, microprocessor 90 polls telephone hand set 26 at regular intervals using an internal timer. In step 250, if the timer is timed out and therefore it is time to check the set 26, the check is executed. If the timer times out, the foul signal is sent to the base 28 in step 252. In step 254, the microprocessor 90 waits for a response from the base 28. If no response is received, the 'no answer' flag is set in step 255 and the loop returns to step 250. If a response is received at step 254, a check is performed at step 256 to ensure the response is complete. In step 258 a check is made to determine if the response is a correct response to the foul. If not, then a check is made at step 260 to determine if base 28 has fouled at least N times, where N is a programming variable. If no, then in step 262 a REPOLL signal is sent to base 28 and the loop continues to step 254 described above.

If base 28 fouled N times in step 260, then the route continues to step 255.

If the response is appropriate at step 258, then at step 264 microprocessor 90 unpacks the data received from the broadcast antenna and stores it in a buffer. In a next step 264 the loop returns to step 250.

If it is not the time to foul the base 28, then a check is performed at step 266 to determine what data in the buffer has been sent to the base 28. If so, then in step 268 the data is packed or otherwise formatted for the base 28 and data is transmitted in step 270.

In step 272, a check is performed to determine which message the base 28 returned within a predetermined time period after step 270. In step 274 a check is made to determine if the base 28 has received complete data. If not, then a check is made at step 276 to determine how many attempts were made to transfer the data. If, for example, it has not been retransmitted more than three times, then the message is retransmitted at step 280. Otherwise, the loop returns to step 255.

If at step 274 the base 28 indicates that it has received the complete message, then at step 276 the microprocessor 90 clears the message buffer and is ready to receive and send extra messages.

Operation of the base 28 is shown in FIG. 10. Beginning at step 300, the base 28 checks for messages from the control box 14. When a message is received, a check is made at step 302 to determine if the message is complete. If the message is incomplete, a test is performed at step 304 to determine if there is enough data in the received message to detect it. If the data is sufficient, then a response is sent to the control box 14 indicating that the message is incomplete (NACK) at step 306. Otherwise no response is sent.

If a complete message is received, then a test is performed at step 308 to determine if the received message is a POLL. If not, then a test is performed at step 310 to determine if the message is data. If so, then the message is stored at step 312 and a receipt message is sent to control box 14 at step 314.

If in step 310 the message is not recognized as data, then in step 316 a message is sent indicating that the received message is an unknown request.

If the message is recognized as a POLL message in step 308, then a test is performed to determine if data has been sent in step 318. If the data is then transmitted in step 320, the data is received from a local buffer. In step 322 a response is generated indicating that the POLL has been received and (if appropriate) that the data is included in the message.

In step 324 a message is sent to the control box 14.

If a complete message is received at step 302, another test is performed at step 326 to determine if the received message is a REPOLL, i.e., a repeat of an unsuccessful POLL. In the case of REPOLL, the response of the last POLL message is repeated in step 328. If the received message is not recognized as a REPOLL, the message sent in response to the last message is discarded and the loop continues to step 308.

11 is shown in operation of the hand set 26. Beginning at step 340, after each data message exchange or voice communication, the set is set to an inoperative state. In step 342 a check is made to see if a message indicating an interactive event has been sent. If not, then at step 344 a check is made to determine if the interactive key (ie, one of the keys 54 indicating the Internet command) has been pressed by the user. If not, a check is made at step 346 to determine if the standard telephone voice mode " turn on " key has been pressed. This key is usually labeled with a "call" or "phone" key on a standard wireless telephone handset. If not, the loop continues to step 342.

When an interactive event message is received, the set 26 is then set to an interactive state at step 348. In step 350 a check is made to determine if one of the keys of the keyboard 48 has been pressed. In step 352 the interactive key state is checked. In step 354 a key code indicating whether the key has been activated is sent to the control box. In step 356 a check is made to determine if the "call" key has been pressed.

If not, then a check is made at step 358 to determine if a command has been received from control box 14. If an instruction has been received, a check is performed at step 360 to determine if the instruction is an "END instruction" indicating the end of the interactive event. If so, then the loop continues to step 340. If not, then the instruction is executed at step 362.

If in step 3646 the "call" key is pressed, the phone is set to voice mode and a standard phone call is allowed until the handset is turned off (steps 366 and 368).

Data exchange is also expected to occur by use elsewhere. For example, in another embodiment, instead of an RF connection, a fixed wire, infrared or ultrasonic connection can be provided between the telephone base and the control unit, in effect without changing the protocol described above.

In another embodiment, the telephone base and control box can be combined into a single unit and placed, for example, in a TV set. The telephone handset only works as described above, but does not require a specific protocol between the telephone base and the control box.

In yet another embodiment, the control box can communicate directly to the modem within the telephone base. In this embodiment, two rf connections are expected, one between the control box and the mode, and the other between the control box and some of the other components of the base such as smart cards, printers and the like.

Obviously numerous modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (19)

In a system for transmitting a TV program and additional information associated with the program to a plurality of users, A. A broadcast station for receiving and transmitting a broadcast signal comprising a standard TV program and a display signal representing additional information related to the TV program; And B. with a receiving station, The receiving station, (I) a control box for receiving said signal, said control box comprising a detector for detecting a display signal and a display generator for generating a display representing said display signal; (II) a television for displaying the TV program and additional information; And And (III) a dual purpose telephone station for providing standard TV communication and for controlling the display of said additional information on said television. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving station further comprises an internet access member for providing internet access, The additional information is retrieved by the receiving station using the internet access. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the telephone station includes a modem and a controller to selectively activate the modem to retrieve the additional information. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the telephone station includes selection elements activated by the user requesting the additional information when the display is generated. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display is visualized on the television. A TV receiver and display station for displaying an additional signal embedded TV program representing additional information related to the program, The station, A control box for receiving a video signal, comprising: a controller including a display generator for generating a display indicative of the additional signal and additional information associated with a particular TV program; And A telephone station associated with the control box and including a hand set for regular telephone communication, And the telephone station and the control box are provided in front of the additional signal for accessing the additional information using a standard telephone line, and combined to display the additional information. 7. A receiver as claimed in claim 6, wherein said telephone station and said control box are combined to retrieve said additional information using internet access. 8. A receiver as claimed in claim 7, wherein said telephone station includes a selection element operated by a user to enable retrieval and display of said additional information. 9. A receiver as claimed in claim 8, wherein said telephone station comprises a telephone base and a remote hand set. 10. The receiver of claim 9 wherein the telephone base and the set remote hand set are capable of wireless communication. 8. A receiver as claimed in claim 7, wherein the telephone station comprises a modem and a selection element for selectively activating the modem. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the telephone station comprises an address receiver for receiving an address of an internet site associated with the program, The telephone station uses the modem in response to an information request to access the addressed internet site to retrieve the additional information. 8. A receiving station as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control box comprises a combiner for combining said additional information with said TV program so that said additional information can be displayed on a TV set. 14. A receiving station as claimed in claim 13, wherein said combiner superimposes said additional information on said TV program. A method for displaying information relating to a standard TV program, the method comprising: A video signal including additional information indicating provision of the additional information and a TV signal associated with a standard TV program is transmitted to a receiving station, wherein the additional signal is embedded in the video program, Detecting the indication signal at the receiving station, Selectively retrieve the additional information, and Displaying the standard TV program and the additional information. The display method according to claim 15, wherein the additional signal comprises an internet address, and wherein the searching step includes accessing the internet site to retrieve the information from the internet site. The method of claim 16, wherein the Internet site is accessed via a telephone connection. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating a display for a user indicating the provision of the additional information and retrieving the additional information in response to a request by the user. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting the additional signal as part of the visible portion of the TV program.