Digital broadcasting system and terminal therefor

• US 6,711,379 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyagawa, Satoshi, Owa, Tsutomu, Tashiro, Shigeru, Terauchi, Toru, Nakashima, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Application Number:
  US09/463,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/3.05, 455/3.06, 455/3.02, 455/12.1, 725/68, 725/70, 345/723, 340/7.48, 340/7.55, 340/7.56, 340/825.49, 340/539.2, 340/995.1
• US Class Current: 455/3.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/13 the indicator being in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23412 for generating or manipulating the scene composition of objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234318 by decomposing into objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44012 involving rendering scenes according to scene graphs, e.g. MPEG-4 scene graphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440236 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures, audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4424 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the client device, e.g. CPU or memory load, processing speed, timer, counter or percentage of the hard disk space used error monitoring in general G06F11/30; arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/32; diagnosis, testing or measuring for television receivers H04N17/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4516 involving client characteristics, e.g. Set-Top-Box type, software version or amount of memory available
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4524 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; systems specially adapted for using geographical information in broadcast systems H04H60/70; protocols in which the network application is adapted for the location of the user terminal in communication control or processing H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/45452 applied to an object-based stream, e.g. MPEG-4 streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite

Abstract

The terminal device is equipped with a location judgment database which stores setting data indicating the relationships between the location of the self device and the corresponding object to be presented to the user. On the basis of the location detection data obtained by detecting the location of the self device by receiving range signals transmitted by a plurality of GPS satellites and the setting data stored in the location judgment database, corresponding objects are selected from a plurality of objects received and decoded and they are synthesized and presented as they are output to the display or the speaker. Thus, an optimal object presentation can be achieved in accordance with the status of the terminal device.

Claims

1. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system for multiplexing one or more objects along with scene description data to obtain a multiplex signal, and converting the multiplex signal into a broadcast signal in a broadcast station, so as to be broadcasted towards a predetermined service area, said one or more objects comprising scenes of a program provided, the scene description data containing data for selectively synthesizing said one or more objects and providing each of said one or more scenes, said terminal device comprising:

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing said one or more objects and the scene description data from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of a self device; and

a data base in which set data each indicating a relationship in terms of correspondence between the status of the self device and an object to be presented to the user are stored;

object selecting means for selecting objects to be presented from said one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of a detection result by the status detection means, the set data of the data base and the scene description data; and

a presentation device for presenting the objects selected by the selecting means.

3. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the status detection means includes location detection means for detecting a present location of the self device;

the database stores the setting data each indicating a relationship in terms of correspondence between the status of the self device and an object to be presented to the user; and

the object selecting means selects an object corresponding to the present location of the self device from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of the present location of the self device, detected by the location detection means and the setting data of the database.

4. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the status detection means includes moving state detection means for detecting a moving state of the self device;

the database stores, in advance, the setting data each indicating a relationship in terms of correspondence between the moving state of the self device and an object to be presented to the user; and

the object selecting means selects an object corresponding to the moving state of the self device from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of the moving state of the self device, detected by the moving state detection means and the setting data of the database.

5. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the status detection means includes presentation type detection means for detecting a type of the presentation device;

the database stores, in advance, the setting data each indicating a relationship in terms of correspondence between the type of the presentation device and an object to be presented to the user; and

the object selecting means selects an object corresponding to the type of the presentation device from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of the type of the presentation device, detected by the presentation type detection means and the setting data of the database.

6. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

when the broadcast station inputs renewal data for renewing setting data stored in the database, in the broadcast signal,

the receiver means reproduces the renewal data from the received signal; and

the terminal device further comprises renewal control means for renewing setting data stored in the database in accordance with the renewal data reproduced by the receiver means.

2. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system for multiplexing one or more objects along with scene description data to obtain a multiplex signal, and converting the multiplex signal into a broadcast signal in a broadcast station, so as to be broadcasted towards a predetermined service area on a ground by relaying the broadcast signal via a satellite, said one or more objects comprising scenes of a program provided, the scene description data containing data for selectively synthesizing said one or more objects and providing each of said one or more scenes, the terminal device comprising:

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing the one or more objects and the scene description data from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of a self device;

database in which setting data each indicating a relationship in terms of correspondence between the status of the self device and an object to be presented to the user are stored;

object selecting means for selecting objects to be presented from said one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of a detection result by the status detection means, the setting data of the database and the scene description data; and

a presentation device for presenting the objects selected by the selecting means.

7. A digital broadcasting system in which one or more objects which constitute scenes of a provided program, and scene description data containing data used for synthesizing and presenting these objects, are converted into broadcast signals in a broadcast station, and the broadcast signals are transmitted to a terminal device, wherein:

the broadcast station comprises condition designation data transmitting means for transmitting the broadcast signal with condition designation data for designating presentation condition of the objects, contained therein; and

the terminal device includes;

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing one or more objects, scene description data and condition designation data, respectively, from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of the self device;

object selection means for selecting an object to be presented, from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means; and

a presentation device for presenting the object selected by the selection means on the basis of the scene description data reproduced by the receiver means.

9. A digital broadcast system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the condition designation data transmitting means transmits the scene description data with condition designation data for designating presentation condition of the objects, contained therein.

10. A digital broadcast system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein:

the condition designation data transmission means transmits region designation data for designating a presentation region for each object constituting a scene as one of the condition designation data;

the status detection means includes location detection means for detecting a present location of the self device; and

the object selection means compares the present location of the self device detected by the location detection means and the region designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects an object corresponding to the present location of the self device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

11. A digital broadcast system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein:

the condition designation data transmission means transmits movement state type designation data for performing presentation in accordance with the moving state of the terminal device for each object constituting a scene as one of the condition designation data;

the receiver means reproduces movement state type designation data which is one of the condition designation data from the receiver signal;

the status detection means includes movement state detection means for detecting a movement state of the self device; and

the object selection means compares the movement state of the self device detected by the movement state detection means and the movement state type designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects an object corresponding to the movement state of the self device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

12. A digital broadcast system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein:

the condition designation data transmission means transmits type designation data for designating a type of a presentation device capable of presentation for each object constituting a scene as one of the condition designation data;

the receiver means reproduces presentation type designation data which is one of the condition designation data from the receiver signal;

the status detection means includes presentation type detection means for detecting the type of the presentation device; and

the object selection means compares the type of the presentation device detected by the presentation type detection means and the type designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects and transmits an object corresponding to the designated type of the presentation device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

8. A digital broadcasting system in which one or more objects which constitute scenes of a provided program, and scene description data containing data used for synthesizing and presenting these objects, are converted into broadcast signals in a broadcast station, and the broadcast signals are transmitted to a terminal device present in a predetermined service area on a ground by relaying the broadcast signals via a satellite, wherein:

the broadcast station comprises condition designation data transmitting means for transmitting the broadcast signal with condition designation data for designating presentation condition of the objects, contained therein; and

the terminal device includes;

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing one or more objects, scene description data and condition designation data, respectively, from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of the self device;

object selection means for selecting an object to be presented, from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means; and

a presentation device for presenting the object selected by the selection means on the basis of the scene description data reproduced by the receiver means.

13. A terminal device used in a digital broadcasting system in which one or more objects which constitute scenes of a provided program, scene description data containing data used for synthesizing and presenting these objects, and condition designation data for designating a presentation condition of the objects, are converted into broadcast signals in a broadcast station, to be transmitted towards a predetermined service area, the terminal device comprising:

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing one or more objects, scene description data and condition designation data, respectively, from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of the self device;

object selection means for selecting an object to be presented, from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of a result of the detection by the status detection means and the condition designation data reproduced by the receiver means; and

a presentation device for presenting the object selected by the selection means.

15. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein:

when the broadcast station transmits the broadcast signal with region designation data for designating a presentation region for each object constituting a scene, as one of the condition designation data,

the receiver means reproduces region designation data, which is one of the condition designation data from the received signal;

the status detection data includes location detection means for detecting a present location of a self device; and

the object selection means compares the present location of the self device detected by the location detection means and the region designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects an object corresponding to the present location of the self device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

16. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein:

when the broadcast station transmits the movement state type designation data for performing a presentation in accordance with the movement status of the terminal device, for each object constituting a scene, as one of the condition designation data,

the receiver means reproduces movement state type designation data which is one of the condition designation data from the receiver signal;

the status detection means includes movement state detection means for detecting a movement state of the self device; and

the object selection means compares the movement state of the self device detected by the movement state detection means and the movement state type designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects an object corresponding to the movement state of the self device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

17. A terminal device used in a digital broadcast system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein:

when the broadcast station transmits the presentation type designation data for designating the type of the presentation device for each object constituting a scene, as one of the condition designation data,

the receiver means reproduces presentation type designation data which is one of the condition designation data from the receiver signal;

the status detection means includes presentation type detection means for detecting the type of the presentation device; and

the object selection means compares the type of the presentation device detected by the presentation type detection means and the type designation data reproduced by the receiver means, with each other, and selects and transmits an object corresponding to the designated type of the presentation device on the basis of a result of the comparison.

14. A terminal device used in a digital broadcasting system in which one or more objects which constitute scenes of a provided program, scene description data containing data used for synthesizing and presenting these objects, and condition designation data for designating a presentation condition of the objects, are converted into broadcast signals in a broadcast station, and the broadcast signals are broadcasted towards a predetermined service area on a ground by relaying them via a satellite, the terminal device comprising:

receiver means for receiving the broadcast signal and reproducing one or more objects, scene description data and condition designation data from the received signal;

status detection means for detecting a predetermined status of the self device;

object selection means for selecting an object to be presented, from the one or more objects reproduced by the receiver means, on the basis of a result of the detection by the status detection means and the condition designation data reproduced by the receiver means; and

a presentation device for presenting the object selected by the selection means.

18. A terminal device used for the digital broadcasting system, which provides a broadcast service containing at least one of picture, sound and data, the terminal comprising:

a broadcast receiver unit for receiving a plurality of broadcast services related to each other between arbitrary channels, of broadcast signals of the plurality of channels;

data synthesizing means for synthesizing data of a plurality of broadcast services related to each other, received by the broadcast receiver, to present it as one broadcast service; and

a display device and sound reproduction device for displaying image and sound of a broadcast service presented by the data synthesizing means,

wherein the broadcast services related between the arbitrary channels are broadcast service for providing map data, and broadcast service for providing data of facilities and region, which include location data on the map, the broadcast service which provides the map data fractionize a map of an entire broadcast area, with addition of location data to each part, and the terminal device includes present location data acquiring means for acquiring a present location of a self, the data synthesizing means comprising;

area identification means for identifying a divided area on the map, obtained from present location data acquired by the present location data acquiring means;

data selection means for selecting a facility or region data, which is included in the area identified by the area identification means, from data provided by the facility or region data broadcast service; and

image synthesizing means for developing the map identified by the area identification means and synthesizing the facility or region data selected by the data selection means on the map in a predetermined format, and

wherein when traffic control data receiver means is equipped, the data synthesizing means synthesizes contents of traffic control data obtained by the traffic control data receiver means, on the map in a predetermined format.

19. A terminal device used for the digital broadcasting system, which provides a broadcast service containing at least one of picture, sound and data, the terminal comprising:

a broadcast receiver unit for receiving a plurality of broadcast services related to each other between arbitrary channels, of broadcast signals of the plurality of channels;

data synthesizing means for synthesizing data of a plurality of broadcast services related to each other, received by the broadcast receiver, to present it as one broadcast service; and

a display device and sound reproduction device for displaying image and sound of a broadcast service presented by the data synthesizing means,

wherein the broadcast services related between the arbitrary channels are broadcast service for providing map data, and broadcast service for providing data of facilities and region, which include location data on the map, the broadcast service which provides the map data fractionize a map of an entire broadcast area, with addition of location data to each part, and the terminal device includes present location data acquiring means for acquiring a present location of a self, the data synthesizing means comprising;

area identification means for identifying a divided area on the map, obtained from present location data acquired by the present location data acquiring means;

data selection means for selecting a facility or region data, which is included in the area identified by the area identification means, from data provided by the facility or region data broadcast service; and

image synthesizing means for developing the map identified by the area identification means and synthesizing the facility or region data selected by the data selection means on the map in a predetermined format, and

wherein when ground wave broadcast receiver means is equipped, the image synthesizing means takes in data of a ground wave broadcast program designated by the user, obtained by the ground wave broadcast receiver means, and synthesize images in a predetermined format.

20. A terminal device used for the digital broadcasting system, which provides a broadcast service containing at least one of picture, sound and data, the terminal comprising:

a broadcast receiver unit for receiving a plurality of broadcast services related to each other between arbitrary channels, of broadcast signals of the plurality of channels;

data synthesizing means for synthesizing data of a plurality of broadcast services related to each other, received by the broadcast receiver, to present it as one broadcast service; and

a display device and sound reproduction device for displaying image and sound of a broadcast service presented by the data synthesizing means,

wherein when there is a server who provides data relating to this digital broadcast via a public communication network, and acquires data from the user, an access guide is provided to the server in the broadcast service, and communication means with the public communication network is provided,

the data synthesizing means includes server access guide presentation means for presenting the server access guide to the user via the display device or audio reproduction device, and

the terminal device further comprises server connection instruction detection means for detecting a server connection instruction of the user by presenting the server access guide, and communication control means for automatically connecting the communication means to the server when the server connection instruction is detected by the detection means, and executing communication on the basis of contents of the server access guide.

21. A terminal device of a digital broadcast system according to claim 20, further comprising:

an input device for inputting a user selection instruction to the server connection instruction detection means.

22. A terminal device of a digital broadcast system according to claim 21, wherein the input device is either one of a remote controller for the receiver device, a touch panel device provided on the display screen of the display device and a voice recognition device for recognizing an input voice of the user.