System for and method of transmitting and receiving program, center device, and terminal device

• US 7,188,356 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technicolor Pioneer Japan Kk (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
• Inventors: Naito, Akihiko, Miura, Takeshi, Uee, Nobuo, Nishitsuka, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoye; Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US09/714,510
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 725/37, 725 39- 40, 725 44- 47, 725/61, 725/87, 725/91, 725 96- 97
• US Class Current: 725/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26283 for associating distribution time parameters to content, e.g. to generate electronic program guide data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44224 Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47208 for requesting near-video-on-demand content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence

Abstract

A program transmitting/receiving system has a center device and a terminal device connected through a communication device to the center device. The center device has a program information memory, a program information transmitter, a broadcasting device, and a request program transmitter. The terminal device has a program information receiver, a program receiver, an image information generator, a program request signal transmitter, and a request program receiver. The memory stores a program information. The program information transmitter transmits the program information to the terminal device. The broadcasting device broadcasts the program to the terminal device in accordance with a schedule, and stores the program. The request program transmitter receives a request signal of the program from the terminal device, and transmits the program corresponding to the request signal to the terminal device. Then, the program information receiver receives the program information. The a program receiver receives the program. The image information generator generates an image information for a program selection of a user on the basis of the program information. The program request signal transmitter transmits the request signal of the program selected by the user to the center device, if the program selected in accordance with the image information is a past broadcast program. The request program receiver receives the program corresponding to the request signal.

Claims

1. A program transmitting/receiving system having a center device and at least one terminal device connected through a communication device to the center device,

the center device comprising:

a program information memory device for storing information with regard to a program generated on the basis of a schedule to broadcast a program;

a program information transmitting device for transmitting the information with regard to the program to the terminal device through the communication device;

a broadcasting device for broadcasting the program to the terminal device through the communication device, in accordance with the schedule, and for storing the program therein at a transferable condition to the terminal device; and

a request program transmitting device for receiving a request signal of the program transmitted by the terminal device, and for transmitting the program, corresponding to the request signal of the program and stored at the transferable condition, through the communication device to the terminal device at least transmitting the request signal of the program, and

the terminal device comprises;

a program information receiving device for receiving the information with regard to the program transmitted by the center device;

a program receiving device for receiving the program broadcast by the center device;

an image information generating device for generating an image information for a program selection of a user, on the basis of the information with regard to the program;

a program request signal transmitting device for transmitting the request signal of the program selected by the user to the center device through the communication device, if the program selected by the user in accordance with the image information is a past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device;

a request program receiving device for receiving the program corresponding to the request signal of the program transmitted by the center device; and

a displaying device for displaying the image information on a display,

wherein the information with regard to the program includes statistical data with regard to viewing of the program, and the image information includes information on the basis of the statistical data,

wherein the displaying device displays the image information in a two-dimensional way, and

wherein the statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprises one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device, a number of requests for the past program, and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

2. The program transmitting/receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the information with regard to the program comprises information indicating allowance or rejection of transmitting the program,

the terminal device further comprises a viewing information transmitting device for transmitting viewing information with regard to the program received by the program receiving device or request program receiving device through the communication device to the center device, and

the center device further comprises:

a transmission allowance selecting device for receiving the viewing information and selecting allowance or rejection of transmitting the program on the basis of the viewing information;

a program erasing device for erasing the program stored by program information memory device on the basis of the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting; and

a selection updating device for updating information indicating the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting on the basis of the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting,

wherein the information indicating the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting is one indicating whether or not the center device stores the program at a transferable condition to the terminal device in accordance with a request.

3. The program transmitting/receiving system according to claim 2, wherein the information with regard to the program includes the viewing information, and the image information for the program selection of a user includes a display on the basis of the viewing information.

4. The program transmitting/receiving system according to claim 2, wherein the information with regard to the program includes information with regard to viewing frequency or request frequency as the statistical data, and

the center device further comprises:

a calculating device for totaling the viewing information or the request signal of the program and calculating the viewing frequency or the request frequency per program; and

a frequency updating device for updating the viewing frequency or the request frequency on the basis of the calculated viewing frequency or calculated request frequency,

the transmission allowance selecting device selects allowance or rejection of transmitting the program on the basis of the viewing frequency or the request frequency.

5. The program transmitting/receiving system according to claim 2, wherein the program request signal transmitting device transmits the request signal of the program through the communication device to the center device on the basis of the information indicating allowance or rejection of transmitting the program, included in the information with regard to the program and transmitted by the center device.

6. The program transmitting/receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the center device updates the information with regard to the program on the basis of a fact that the program is broadcast by the center device.

7. A center device to which at least one terminal device is connected through a communication device, the center device comprises:

a program information memory device for storing information with regard to a program generated in accordance with a schedule to broadcast a program;

a program information transmitting device for transmitting the information with regard to the program through the communication device to the terminal device;

a broadcasting device for broadcasting the program through the communication device to the terminal device, in accordance with the schedule, and for storing the program therein at a transferable condition to the terminal device; and

a request program transmitting device for receiving a request signal of the program transmitted by the terminal device, and for transmitting the program corresponding to the request signal of the program and stored at the transferable condition, through the communication device to the terminal device at least transmitting the request signal of the program,

wherein the information with regard to the program includes statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprising one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device, a number of requests for the past program, and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

8. A terminal device connected to a center device having a program and information with regard to the program through a communication device, the terminal device comprises:

a program information receiving device for receiving the information with regard to the program transmitted by the center device;

a program receiving device for receiving the program broadcast by the center device;

an image information generating device for generating an image information for a program selection of a user, in accordance with the information with regard to the program;

a program request signal transmitting device for transmitting the request signal of the program selected by user through the communication device to the center device, if the program selected by the user in accordance with the image information is a past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device;

a request program receiving device for receiving the program corresponding to the request signal of the program transmitted by the center device; and

a displaying device for displaying the image information on a display,

wherein the information with regard to the program includes statistical data with regard to viewing of the program, and the image information includes an information on the basis of the statistical data,

wherein the displaying device displays the image information in a two-dimensional way; and

wherein the statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprises one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device, a number of requests for the past program and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

9. A program broadcasting method in a program transmitting/receiving system having a center device and at least one terminal device connected through a communication device to the center device, comprising:

storing information with regard to a program generated on the basis of a schedule to broadcast a program in the center device;

transmitting the information with regard to the program through the communication device from the center device to the terminal device;

broadcasting the program through the communication device from the center device to the terminal device, in accordance with the schedule;

storing the program in the center device at a transferable condition to the terminal device;

receiving the information with regard to the program transmitted by the center device, in the terminal device;

generating an image information for a program selection of a user, on the basis of the information with regard to the program in the terminal device;

transmitting a request signal of the program selected by the user through the communication device from the terminal to the center device, if the program selected by the user on the basis of the image information is a past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device;

receiving the request signal of the program transmitted by the terminal device, in the center device;

transmitting the transferable program corresponding to the request signal of the program through the communication device from the center device to the terminal device at least transmitting the request signal of the program;

receiving the program corresponding to the request signal of the program transmitted by the center device, in the terminal device; and

displaying the image information on a display,

wherein the information with regard to the program includes statistical data with regard to viewing of the program, and the image information includes information on the basis of the statistical data,

wherein the process of displaying displays the image information in a two-dimensional way, and

wherein the statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprises one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule form the center device, a number of requests for the past program, and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

10. The program broadcasting method according to claim 9, wherein the information with regard to the program comprises information indicating allowance or rejection of transmitting the program, and

the program broadcasting method further comprising:

transmitting viewing information with regard to the program received through the communication device from the terminal device to the center device,

receiving the viewing information in the center device;

selecting allowance or rejection of transmitting the program on the basis of the viewing information in the center device;

erasing the program stored in the center device on the basis of the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting; and

updating information indicating the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting on the basis of the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting in the center device,

wherein the information indicating the selection of allowance or the rejection of transmitting is one indicating whether or not the center device stores the program at a transferable condition to the terminal device in accordance with a request.

11. The program broadcasting method according to claim 10, wherein the information with regard to the program includes the viewing information, and the image information for the program selection of a user includes a display on the basis of the viewing information.

12. The program broadcasting method according to claim 10, wherein the information with regard to the program includes information with regard to viewing frequency or request frequency as the statistical data, and

the program broadcasting method further comprising of the processes of:

totaling the viewing information or the request signal of the program;

calculating the viewing frequency or the request frequency per program;

updating the viewing frequency or the request frequency on the basis of the calculated viewing frequency or calculated request frequency; and

selecting allowance or rejection of transmitting the program on the basis of the viewing frequency or the request frequency.

13. The program broadcasting method according to claim 10, further comprising of the process of transmitting the request signal of the program through the communication device to the center device on the basis of the information indicating allowance or rejection of transmitting the program, included in the information with regard to the program and transmitted by the center device.

14. The program broadcasting method according to claim 9, further comprising of the process of updating the information with regard to the program on the basis of a fact that the program is broadcast by the center device.

15. A program transmitting/receiving system, comprising:

a center station comprising a center control circuit and a memory; and

a plurality of terminal stations connected to the center station via a communication network,

wherein a first terminal station of the plurality of terminal stations comprises a first terminal control circuit,

wherein the center control circuit broadcasts a program, in accordance with a broadcast schedule, to the plurality of terminal stations via the communication network and stores the program in the memory,

wherein, if a user of the first terminal station selects the program after the center control circuit broadcasts the program, the first terminal control circuit sends a program request signal to the center station,

wherein the center control circuit reads the program from the memory in response to the program request signal and re-transmits the program to at least the first terminal,

wherein the center control circuit transmits an electronic program guide, which contains at least part of the broadcast schedule and which identifies the program based on at least a broadcast time of the program, to the first terminal station,

wherein the first terminal control circuit displays the electronic program guide in a two-dimensional way,

wherein the electronic program guide indicates whether or not the program has already been broadcast,

wherein the electronic program guide includes statistical data with regard to viewing of the program; and

wherein the statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprises one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device, a number of requests for the past program, and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first terminal control circuit only transmits the program request signal for the program after the program has been broadcast.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, when the electronic program guide indicates that the program has already been broadcast and the user selects the program, the first terminal control circuit sends the program request signal to the center station, and

wherein, when the electronic program guide indicates that the program has not been broadcast and the user selects the program, the first terminal control circuit does not send the program request signal to the center station.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, when the electronic program guide indicates that the program is currently being broadcast and the user selects the program, the first terminal control circuit does not send the program request signal to the center station and tunes to a channel on which the program is being broadcast.

19. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein a channel on which the program is broadcast from the center station in accordance with the broadcast schedule is different than a channel on which the program is re-transmitted in response to the program request signal.

20. A terminal station, comprising:

a display; and

a control circuit,

wherein the control circuit receives an electronic program guide that indicates past programs that have been broadcast from a center station in the past, identifies current programs that are currently being broadcast from the center station, and identifies future programs that will be broadcast from the center station in the future,

wherein the control circuit display the electronic program guide on the display in a two-dimensional way,

wherein, when a user selects a selected past program from one of the part programs identified in the electronic program guide, the control circuit outputs a request signal to the center station requesting the center station to re-transmit the selected past program to the terminal station,

wherein the electronic program guide also indicates statistical data with regard to viewing of the program; and

wherein the statistical data with regard to viewing of the program comprises one of a viewing rate for the past program broadcast in accordance with the schedule from the center device, a number of requests for the past program and information based on the viewing rate and the number of requests.

21. The terminal stations as claimed in claim 20, wherein, when the user selects a selected current program from one of the current programs from the electronic program guide, the control circuit does not output a request signal to the center station relating to the selected current program.

22. The terminal station as claimed in claim 21, wherein, when the user selects the selected current program the control circuit tunes to a channel on which the current program is being broadcast from the center station.

23. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein a channel on which the selected past program is broadcast from the center station in accordance with the broadcast different than a channel on which the selected past program is re-transmitted in response to the request signal.