U.S. patent application number 09/832871 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Ahn, Hyun, Kim, Young Kuk, Pack, Bok Hyun, Ryu, Han Seop, Yun, Yeo Han.
Application Number | 20010052133 09/832871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36933262 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010052133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pack, Bok Hyun ; et
al. |
December 13, 2001 |
Apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product
information through a broadcast signal
Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast
signal. In this present invention, information identifying a
product item, which is in a scene to be presented from a broadcast
signal, is provided together with a broadcast signal, then a signal
receiving terminal stores the product information for a new product
item and displays the stored information to a viewer to select one
product item while or after watching an interesting broadcast
program, and transmits data identifying a selected product item to
a predetermined web site and receives web site address for the
selected item from that site. As a result, detailed information for
the selected item is acquired from a server addressed by the
received web site address.
Inventors: |
Pack, Bok Hyun; (Suwon,
KR) ; Kim, Young Kuk; (Kyunggi-do, KR) ; Ahn,
Hyun; (Kyunggi-do, KR) ; Ryu, Han Seop;
(Suwon, KR) ; Yun, Yeo Han; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36933262 |
Appl. No.: |
09/832871 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/109 ;
348/E5.006; 348/E7.071; 375/E7.024; 725/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/435 20130101;
H04N 21/4725 20130101; H04N 21/47815 20130101; H04N 21/8352
20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101; H04N 21/8586
20130101; H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/44012 20130101; H04N
21/858 20130101; H04N 21/235 20130101; H04N 21/4381 20130101; H04N
21/2542 20130101; H04N 21/8153 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/109 ;
725/40 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/173 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2000 |
KR |
19335/2000 |
May 8, 2000 |
KR |
24395/2000 |
Jan 5, 2001 |
KR |
690/2001 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for obtaining supplementary information on an item in a
broadcast signal, comprising: receiving a digital broadcast signal;
extracting information identifying an item from the received
digital broadcast signal; comparing the extracted identifying
information of the item with identifying information of other
items; and storing the extracted identifying information based on
the comparison result.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising extracting
address information of a web site providing supplementary
information for the item.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying
the stored item identifying information for a user's selection.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the displaying the
stored item identifying information occurs simultaneously with
displaying the received digital broadcast signal.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displaying the
stored item identifying information occurs after completion of
displaying the received digital broadcast signal.
6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising acquiring
address information of a web site providing supplementary
information for each item if said each item is selected based on
the displayed item identifying information.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the address information
from product information is received and stored in a storing
means.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the address information
is from a predetermined web site.
9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: obtaining
the supplementary information for a user selected item; and
displaying the obtained supplementary information.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the supplementary
information is displayed simultaneously with the received digital
broadcast signal.
11. A broadcasting enhancement system, comprising: a broadcast
signal receiver receiving a broadcast signal; a decoder linked to
the broadcast signal receiver that decodes and separates at least
video data for display on a display device and first information
for selectable items in the video data; a frame composer coupled to
the display device to provide the first information to the display
device; and a controller coupled to the decoder and the frame
composer, wherein the controller displays the first information
concurrently with the video data according to user commands.
12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a network
interface for accessing second information of the selectable items
for a user selected item from the displayed first information.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein second information is
larger than the first information.
14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a first
information storage device, wherein received first information is
compared to previously stored first information in the storage
device according to an identifier in the first information, wherein
the stored first information is updated according to a comparison
result, and wherein the first information includes address
information of a web site.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus
for providing information related to products presented in a scene
of a broadcast program from a broadcasting station or an internet
broadcasting server to enable a viewer to obtain supplementary
information such as shopping information for the products from a
network using the provided information.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] With the rapid development and dissemination of
communication technology, a lot of individuals have been connected
to global data networks or the `Internet` through high-speed
cables. This technology makes it possible for most people to easily
access information from the Internet at home. Thus, many
enterprises are using the Internet as a marketing tool to deliver
product advertising information.
[0005] In addition, television sets are now able to adopt data
communication functions through the use of a set top box (STB),
which can be used to receive a digital broadcast signal. This means
that a television set can now be able to communication
bidirectionally between the television viewer and the broadcaster.
Now, more enterprises have begun to use this new technology as
bidirectional marketing tools. That is, they insert product
information into broadcast programs, rather than through a standard
commercial, to be received by the television sets. Then, viewers
can obtain supplementary information for buying products through
selecting particular product information using their television
set.
[0006] In marketing methods in the related art, broadcast programs
include product information displayed during the broadcast program.
When a viewer enters a specific button while watching the broadcast
program, the television set maintains a still picture of the
broadcast, and lists product names associated with the products
presented in the still picture.
[0007] When a viewer selects one among the listed product names,
the STB of the television set sends a product code linked with the
selected product name to a predetermined place, usually a web site
of a broadcasting station through a connected communication cable.
After receiving the selected product codes, the predetermined web
site sends the particular STB of the television set an accessing
address of a site which will provide detailed shopping information
including appearance and price of the selected products.
[0008] After the television set receives the accessing address, it
can then resend this address through the Internet through the
communication cable automatically or when a viewer requests to do
so. Through these operations, the viewer receives detailed shopping
information from the addressed site through an STB on their
television set and can then purchase it through an on-line
commercial transaction also through the STB on their television
set.
[0009] However, this method of the related art is not very fast as
it takes considerable time to acquire detailed shopping information
for the products and a viewer is not able to watch a broadcast
program during that time. Thus, viewers may not access the detailed
shopping information even though desirable products are displayed
on a screen, if they are unwilling to suspend watching a program to
access this service.
[0010] The above references are incorporated by reference herein
where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or
alternative details, features and/or technical background.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the invention is to solve at least the above
problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described hereinafter.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
product information delivering method and apparatus enabling a
viewer to obtain shopping information independently when products
are displayed in a scene.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
product information delivering method and apparatus enabling a
viewer to obtain shopping information rapidly when products are
displayed in a scene.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
product information delivering method and apparatus enabling a
viewer to obtain shopping information more quickly when products
are displayed in a scene and also allow simultaneous watching of a
broadcast program while the information is displayed.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
product information delivering method and apparatus enabling a
viewer to obtain shopping information for products displayed in a
scene when a program is over without interruption of the program
watching.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
product information delivery method and apparatus enabling a viewer
to obtain shopping information for a desirable product which was
displayed in program presentation without causing an interruption
in the viewing of a television program.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
broadcast programs are provided together with product information
including address information of a site to access detailed shopping
information for desirable products which are displayed in the
broadcast program presentation.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
broadcast programs are provided for a presentation terminal such as
a television set ("TV") or a personal computer ("PC") together with
product information, then a presentation terminal compares received
product information with previous product information, stores the
received product information if it is confirmed that the received
product information is new based on the comparison, and displays
the stored product information onto a screen or a monitor upon a
viewer's request.
[0019] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
method for obtaining supplementary information on an item in a
broadcast signal is provided, including receiving a digital
broadcast signal, extracting information identifying an item from
the received digital broadcast signal, comparing the extracted
identifying information of the item with identifying information of
other items, and storing the extracted identifying information
based on the comparison result.
[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
broadcasting enhancement system is provided, including a broadcast
signal receiver receiving a broadcast signal, a decoder linked to
the broadcast signal receiver that decodes and separates at least
video data for display on a display device and first information
for selectable items in the video data, a frame composer coupled to
the display device to provide the first information to the display
device, and a controller coupled to the decoder and the frame
composer, wherein the controller displays the first information
concurrently with the video data according to user commands.
[0021] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages
of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, illustrate the preferred
embodiments of the invention, and together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0023] The invention will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an
apparatus for constructing and delivering product information
through broadcast programs according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention
in which a broadcast program and product information are
stored;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a network of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention in which a digital television set is
connected to a global data network;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a digital broadcast receiver
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates preferred embodiments of functions of the
data separator and the section filter of the receiver of FIG. 4
schematically;
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of address
information and product information received and stored according
to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a screen of a
selection video frame, which is constructed from the data example
of FIG. 6;
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates another preferred embodiment of address
information and product information received and stored according
to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a screen
of a selection video frame, which is constructed from the data
example of FIG. 8;
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates another preferred embodiment of address
information and product information received and stored according
to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a screen
of a selection video frame, which is constructed from the data
example of FIG. 10;
[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment network in which
a web TV is connected to a global data network according to the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a preferred
embodiment use of a web TV according to the present invention;
and
[0037] FIG. 14 illustrates the functions of the preferred
embodiment stream decoder and frame composer of the preferred
embodiment web TV of FIG. 13 schematically.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The apparatus of FIG. 1 includes a video acquisition unit 51
which can read video contents from a data storage medium, an
encoder 53 for encoding the read video contents into decodeable
data at a receiving device, a product information composer 52 which
can acquire product information from data storage media, a storage
unit 54 which can store encoded video data and any acquired product
information, a multiplexer 55 which can multiplex the stored video
data and product information according to particular time codes for
synchronizing product information with video data in a
transmission, and a controller 56 for controlling the encoder 53 to
encode the video contents segment by segment according to the
commands of an operator and prepositioning a time code in both the
encoded segment of video contents and product information
associated with the encoded contents segment.
[0039] In the above-mentioned apparatus of FIG. 1, several
alternatives may be employed. For example, the product information
composer 52 may acquire product information by reading data entered
from an operator through a key input means rather than from a
storage medium. Also, the product information can include product
identifying information such as product names and
related-scene-describing text, icons, or players' names, and any
additional information such as address information of a site to
access shopping information for a desirable product can be
displayed in a scene.
[0040] The manner in which the apparatus operates centers around
the multiplexer, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The operation of
multiplexing and transmission of video contents and product
information begin when the video acquisition unit 51 reads or
reproduces video contents from a storage medium and applies a
segment of the video contents specified by the controller 56 to the
encoder 53. The encoder 53 can then encode the applied contents
segment into compressed data of a predetermined format and can
store them in the storage unit 54. Then, the controller 56 can
select a part of the product information that is associated with
the just-encoded contents segment according to instructions such as
an operator's command for choice of products or the like, and can
store the selected product information in the storage unit 54. This
selected part of the product information can then be presented in a
broadcast scene to be viewed from the just-encoded contents.
[0041] After the encoded contents and product information are
stored, the controller 56 can generate a time code to synchronize
the stored product information with the associated contents segment
in transmission, and can configure the transmission of both the
contents segment and product information. After these operations
are done, the configured data can then be stored in the storage
unit 54.
[0042] In the meantime, as illustrated in FIG. 2, while the
encoding and configuring operation is being conducted or after the
entire video contents are encoded, the multiplexer 55 can transmit
the encoded video contents stored in the storage unit 54
sequentially. In this transmission, the multiplexer 55 inserts and
transmits product information (GI) whose time code (TC) is
identical to that of a just-transmitted video contents segment
(VDS). According to this transmitting method of the video
acquisition unit 51, the stored data is multiplexed and can be
transmitted in a sequence with the video contents and the encoded
information synchronized to the time codes, where the prepositioned
time codes are not transmitted.
[0043] Video contents and product information may be transmitted
immediately after they are multiplexed or may be stored for a later
broadcast. When broadcasting is done after multiplexing, the
multiplexed video contents and product information are usually
recorded in a portable storage medium for broadcasting from that
storage medium when a corresponding program is scheduled to go on
the air.
[0044] The multiplexed data from the multiplexer 55 is preferably
broadcast in two ways. One is a wireless broadcast, in which the
multiplexed data can transmitted over the air after it is
channel-encoded. The other is a wired broadcast, in which the
multiplexed data is transmitted to all connected data terminals,
such as PCs, STB TVs or Web TVs, after the format is converted
appropriately.
[0045] Instead of the aforementioned product information
transmitting method, product information may be inserted into a
service information field specified in digital broadcast standard
to be received by a digital television set. FIG. 3 shows a network
in which a digital broadcast receiver, for example, a digital
television is connected to a global data network, that is, the
`Internet`. The digital broadcast receiver 100 receives a wireless
broadcast signal including product information and presents high
quality video pictures onto its corresponding receiver after
decoding the received broadcast signal from the broadcasting
station 200. Furthermore, the digital broadcast receiver 100 can
connect to various servers including product information providing
servers 300 or on-line commercial transaction servers 300 through
Internet.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver
100, which may be a digital television, that includes a tuner 10
for tuning broadcast to a selected frequency band; a channel
decoder 11 for demultiplexing signals of the tuned band into
individual channel data and decoding data of a chosen channel; a
data separator 12 for separating the decoded data into compressed
video, compressed audio, and service information data including
product information; a video decoder 13 for restoring the
compressed video data into original data; a video memory 14 for
storing the decoded original video data and the temporary data
generated during the decoding operation; a signal converter 15 for
converting the decoded video data into a NTSC- or PAL-formatted
video composite signal; an audio decoder 16 for restoring the
compressed audio data into original PCM data; a D/A converter 17
for converting the restored PCM data into an analog sound; a
section filter 18 for separating the service information data
according to its attribute into preferably program specific
information (PSI), electronic program guide (EPG), URL (Universal
Resource Locator)-included information for various products which
will be broadcast; an information memory 19 for storing the
separated PSI, EPG, and URL-included information; a frame composer
20 for constructing a video frame for item selection from the
stored service information; a network interface 24 for executing
internal TCP/IP program and implementing a web browsing program to
send and receive data to and from the Internet; a controller 21 for
controlling the above elements in order to execute a viewer's
request; and a flash memory 22 and a RAM 23 for storing control
data which is required for control operation of the controller
21.
[0047] In the digital broadcast receiver 100 configured as
illustrated in FIG. 4, the tuner 10 can tune a frequency band
carrying a signal of a chosen channel and can send the tuned signal
to a channel decoder 11. The channel decoder 11 can then demodulate
the tuned signal into a 4.about.8-channel-multiplexed digital data
stream, conduct channel-decoding for only a data stream belonging
to a chosen channel according to a channel selection control signal
applied from the controller 21, and can then output the
channel-decoded data stream to the data separator 12.
[0048] The channel-decoded data stream from the channel decoder 11
preferably has a data format as shown in FIG. 5 in which video,
audio, and service information data including product information
are interleaved with each other. A data separator 12 can be used to
check the header of the data stream unit to determine attributes of
the data stream unit, and then can separate the channel-decoded
data stream, which consists of stream units, into preferably three
categories according to the attribute each header of the stream
unit indicates.
[0049] Next, a video decoder 13 can be used to decode compressed
video data outputted from the data separator 12 into original video
data, and a signal converter 15 can be used to convert the original
video data into a NTSC- or PAL-formatted video composite signal
which is adequate to present onto a conventional displaying
apparatus. If the decoded frame is corresponding to an infra-coded
picture, the video decoder 13 can store every decoded video frame
into the video memory 14. If an additional video frame of a still
picture is contained in the video data stream, the video decoder 13
can store the still picture frame into the video memory 14 without
outputting it to the signal converter 15. Additionally, the audio
decoder 16 can be used to decode compressed audio data from the
data separator 12 into original PCM audio data which can be
converted into sound signals by a D/A converter 17.
[0050] The service information data can preferably provide
transport packets like video and audio data, where the transport
packet often has a header and a payload field, and the header of a
transport packet carrying service information can have a type
indicator. A section filter 18 can be used differentiate between
PSI, EPG, and URL-included product information to determine the
payload field data of a transport packet classified into service
information data belong to based on the type indicator of a header.
Through this type of identification, the section filter 18 can
store the PSI, EPG, and URL-included goods information separately
in the information memory 19. However, additional product
information or types of product information can be filtered and
stored in the information memory 19.
[0051] Transport packets carrying the URL-included product
information can contain information on products to be presented in
certain scenes in payload fields. This information may be product
codes and URL information of a web site for providing shopping
information such as price and appearance, and so on. This
information may also include additional information such as product
names, station identification, other related products, weather
information, etc.
[0052] Instead of product information, the broadcast may include an
icon image which can be used with URL-information provided products
and entry information of infra-coded or still picture in which
position information about coordinates at which a URL-information
provided products are present as marked or highlighted (e.g., 110)
in the infra-coded or still picture. Therefore, the information
memory 19 can be able to store URL information, product codes, and
various product-related information or the like, other than PSI and
EPG.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows an example of one of several methods to access
a web site providing detailed information on certain products
presented in a scene displayed on a screen of a digital television
through using URL information, product codes, and additional
information stored. However, the present invention is not intended
to be so limited. In FIG. 6, the URL information, product codes,
and additional information including product names can be stored in
the information memory 19. A product code can be used to aid in
preventing repetitious storage of URL information, etc. by
preventing information with the same code from being stored more
than once by determining if a transport packet outputted from the
data separator 12 corresponds to URL-included information. When
this occurs, the section filter 18 can be used to check the product
code for the data contained in the payload field of the transport
packet and examines whether the previous code has been stored
before. Only if the new product code is different from every other
code stored in the information memory 19 would the data be stored
and contained in the payload. Through this operation, single
storage of product codes, URL information, and product names can be
achieved even when the products are displayed repeatedly possibly
during several scenes of a broadcast.
[0054] Additionally, a digital television can be used with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a
viewer watching the digital television 100 can input a selection,
for example by entering a `web-surfing` button while or after
watching a broadcast program, and a separate controller 21 can be
used to stop (e.g., temporarily alternating accesses or the like)
the video decoder 13 from decoding the data stream of the broadcast
program and to read the information from the product codes, product
names, and URL information stored in the information memory 19 and
send this information to a frame composer 20. The frame composer 20
can then construct video frames for display of the items for a
viewer's selection of a desirable item.
[0055] FIG. 7 is an example of a screen useable in a digital
television with an item selection video frame displayed onto same.
In this example, product names and their related URL information
are listed within the display so that a desirable item can be
selected by a viewer through an `up` and a `down` button or the
like. Also, in order to maximize the number of viewable selectable
products, the URL information may not be listed so that more
selectable product names are displayed onto a screen.
[0056] Upon display of an item selection video frame, a viewer can
choose an item through entering a `selection` through a specified
button on a remote controller or other input device, such as a
front panel of a television, and then, the controller 21 can read
the URL information associated with the selected product, and can
activate a TCP/IP program of the network interface 24 to enable
data communication through the Internet. After activation, the
controller 21 can transmit the read URL information through the
network interface 24, so one or more web pages including detailed
shopping information on the selected products can be received from
a web site addressed by the selected URL information. The received
web pages can then be interpreted by a web browsing program through
the network interface 24 and web pages' interpreted contents can be
sent to the frame composer 20, which can display the interpreted
contents including price, appearance, etc on the selected products
onto full or partial screen.
[0057] Through the above-explained operation, a viewer can more
quickly acquire detailed shopping information related with
desirable products present in a scene displayed onto a screen from
a server on the Internet during or after watching a TV scene.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows another example of accessing URL information
and additional information through the use of super-imposed icon
images and infra-coded or still picture images. The icon image may
be more desirable because it can be used to make products more
distinguishable in a broadcast scene than in infra-coded or still
picture images, and the icon image can also be replaced with a
product name or the like, if desired.
[0059] Again, a digital television can be used with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a viewer
watching the digital television 100 can enter a specific button,
for example, a `web-surfing` button while or after watching a
broadcast program and the controller 21 can stop a current program
decoding in order to exclusively control the frame composer 20 to
display product information of FIG. 8, which can be stored prior to
a surfing request onto a screen. In addition, the controller 21 can
control the signal converter 19 to output only the latest received
infra-coded or still pictured stored in the video memory 14, and
can read icon images and URL information having the same entry
information or index number and send all the read data to the frame
composer 20. The frame composer 20 can then construct a selection
window including all or a part of the product information in a
screen with the displayed picture in the background. FIG. 9 is an
example of a such-constructed video frame displayed on a screen.
The URL information of FIG. 9 may optionally be presented on a menu
screen so that a viewer can select one item among the displayed
products through an `up` and a `down` button.
[0060] If a viewer selects an icon image related with a desirable
product on the displayed still picture, the controller 21 can read
any URL information linked with the selected icon image or images,
and can receive and deliver detailed information of selected
products which are contained in a web page to a viewer through
conducting the above-explained communication operation using the
read URL information.
[0061] If an item is not displayed in the still picture, a viewer
can request another picture like a previous picture or any one with
products displayed therein. Then, the controller 21 can examine the
information stored as shown in FIG. 8 to find out if any entry
information indicative of infra-coded or still picture preceding
the present displayed picture is available, and can output the
picture identified by the found entry information and URL
information of products linked with the outputted picture can be
displayed.
[0062] If there is a scroll request through the `up` and `down`
buttons of an input device and the current selection bar is on the
boundary of a list window, then the controller 21 can read the
previous or next picture and the information linked to that picture
and can then display the information.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment, in which URL
information and other information can be accessed through reading
of specific coordinates of a screen when product item coordinates
are known coordinates on a screen of an infra-coded or still
picture. For the viewer's convenience, it is preferable that the
broadcasting station provides an additional still picture in which
an area around a product item where the product information is
linked through a highlighted or a marked area. FIG. 11 is an
example of a still picture constructed according to this method. In
FIG. 11, an area around a product item is arrow-marked 110 and if
that area is accessed through the specific coordinates of the area,
then information can be accessed.
[0064] In this embodiment, a still picture can be displayed
together with one or several marks (if a viewer requests a product
selection menu of FIG. 8) and an arrow-shaped pointer can be
generated and displayed on the still picture so that a viewer can
select a desirable product. If a viewer places the pointer over a
highlighted or a marked item, the controller 21 can detect the
pointer's position value and can compare the detected position
value with the stored coordinate values of FIG. 10. If there is a
stored coordinate value whose distance from the detected position
is shorter than a threshold value, the controller 21 can then read
the URL information linked with that stored coordinate value, and
the viewer can thus receive detailed information of a selected item
written in a web page conducting the above-explained communication
operation using read URL information.
[0065] An information acquisition procedure can also be conducted
in a terminal receiving a wired broadcast signal including product
information provided through the Internet according to the present
invention. FIG. 12 shows a network in which a network terminal 400,
for example, a web TV, is connected to Internet. The network
terminal 400 can receive a wired broadcast data stream including
product information from a broadcasting server 500 and can produce
video pictures after decoding the received broadcast data stream.
Furthermore, the network terminal 400 can connect to various
servers (300.sub.1.about.300.sub.N) including product information
providing servers and on-line commercial transaction servers
through the Internet.
[0066] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a web TV network terminal 400
including a network interface 110 for receiving data streams
broadcast in multi-casting or uni-casting format, and extracting
program streams, information related to products or other items of
interest to be presented in scenes, and accessing address
information from the received data streams; a stream decoder 111
for decoding the program streams into compressed video and audio
streams; a video decoder 112 for restoring the compressed video
stream into original video data; a video memory 113 for storing the
decoded original video data and temporary data generated during the
decoding operation; and audio decoder 114 for restoring the
compressed audio stream into original audio data; and information
memory 116 for storing the product information and its related
accessing address information; a frame composer 115 for
constructing an item selection video frame, which is for a viewer's
selecting a product item, from the stored information; a controller
117 for controlling the above elements to execute a viewer's
request; and a flash memory 119 and a RAM 118 for storing web
browsing program and control data which is required for control
operation of the controller 117.
[0067] If a data stream broadcast through the Internet is in a
format processible by the media player of a computer based format,
such as Windows.TM., the stream decoder 111, the video decoder 112,
and the audio decoder 114 may be replaced with a program executed
by a central processing unit (CPU).
[0068] In the web TV 400 of FIG. 13, the network interface 110 can
receive data streams through Internet and can extract program
streams and product information streams according to the
pre-specified protocol. The extracted program streams can have
moving picture data streams which can be sent to the stream decoder
111 while the extracted product information streams can be sent to
the frame composer 115.
[0069] The stream decoder 111 can be used to decode program streams
into compressed video and audio data according to attributes of the
data stream, for example, as shown in FIG. 14. The compressed video
and audio data can be restored into original video and sound data
respectively by the video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 114.
The video decoder 112 can store infra-coded video frame in the
video memory 113 among the decoded video data under the control of
the controller 117 and can send the entry information for indexing
the stored infra-coded video frame to the frame composer 115, which
links the received entry information with the product information
received at the time when the entry information is received.
[0070] If the data streams broadcast from the broadcasting server
500 have additional still picture data for selecting a product
item, the video decoder 112 can store the still picture data in the
video memory 113 without outputting the picture data for
presentation, and can provide the frame composer 115 with entry
information for indexing the stored still picture data.
[0071] The frame composer 115 can be used to extract information
from the product information streams and can store them in the
information memory 116. When information needs to be displayed, the
frame composer 115 can read a part of the stored information and
convert it for display onto a screen of the web TV 400 so that a
viewer can select an item.
[0072] In some cases, when product information is delivered through
a wired broadcast digital data stream, there may not be linking
information between video pictures and the delivered product
information. When this occurs the web TV 400 can preferably
associate an infra-coded or still picture, which is received at the
closest time when the product information, such as product code, is
received with the product information, and can generate linking
information between that infra-coded or still picture and the
information received. However, the present invention is not
intended to be so limited. Linking information can then be
generated and stored in the information memory 116 together with
corresponding product information. This linking information
generating/storing operations can be conducted by the frame
composer 115 under control of the controller 117.
[0073] Linking information must be generated and stored in order to
display a scene including a product item for which product
information is provided, when a viewer requests selection menu for
product items. However, linking information is only essential if
simultaneous broadcast of the program and the product item is
desired. Otherwise, product items can be listed with a background
page having no relation with the listed goods as shown in FIG. 7
for example.
[0074] In the case of wired broadcasts through the Internet, a
product code can also be included, similar to the aired broadcasts
so that the same product information is never stored in the
information memory 116 more than once.
[0075] The web TV 400 of FIG. 13 can show received goods
information to a viewer in various ways similar to the digital
television 100. For example, the information can be stored by the
web TV 400 in the information memory 116 as shown in FIG. 6, and
can include a selection menu like FIG. 7 displayed by the frame
composer 115 when a viewer requests. When icon images and URL
information are provided, these can be stored as shown in FIG. 8
and can be presented as shown in FIG. 9. And if a coordinate value
for an item or URL information are provided, this information is
stored as shown in FIG. 10 and a selection frame as constructed in
FIG. 11.
[0076] If a viewer selects one item in the selection frame, the
controller 117 can search for URL information related to the
selected item, and can send it to the network interface 110. The
network interface 110 can then transmit the received URL
information to the Internet according to the specified protocol. At
this time, the web browsing program can be stored in the flash
memory 119 upon execution by the controller 117. After that, a
server addressed by the sent URL information can transmit web page
data, and the network interface 110 can receive the web page data
and send them to an activated web browsing program. The web
browsing program can then interpret the web page data, and send
text and video data to the video decoder 112 and audio data to the
audio decoder 114, where the video and audio decoder 112 and 114
can then decode the respective received data into video and sound
signals to be presented to a viewer. Through this presentation, a
viewer can view detailed information on a selected product
contained in the displayed web page.
[0077] In the above-explained preferred embodiments, URL
information for a site to acquire detailed information on a product
can be provided along with other information about other items
including products. However, URL information can be provided
through a different process, such as one for a digital television,
if a viewer requests it.
[0078] In FIG. 4, the digital television 100 can store product
information, not including URL information in the information
memory 19, so that a viewer may shop for products through the
Internet after a television or other broadcast program has been
completed. At this time, product codes can be checked to prevent
same product information from being stored more than once by using
a section filter 18 which can be used to compare a current received
product code with previous ones stored in the information memory
19, and can then store the received product code along with
associated product information in the information memory 19 based
upon where the received product code had previously been
stored.
[0079] Various product identifying information may be used instead
of the product code. A product name can also be used as product
identifying information to prevent repetitive storage of identical
products. However, products in the same category and therefore with
the same name, which were presented in different scenes may not be
distinguished, such as Joe's pants and Tom's pants. Therefore, it
is preferable to append to product name description information
such as name of a place where a product item is and name of a
player who wears a product item, for example, `computer (in Joe's
room)`, `computer (in Tom's room)`, `pants (Joe)`, `pants (Tom)`,
etc.
[0080] When product information, not including URL information, has
been stored in the information memory 19, a viewer watching a TV
can engage an input device, such as a `web-surfing` button, while
or after watching a broadcast program. When the input device is
engaged, the controller 21 can then stop decoding the current
program and can control the frame composer 20 to display product
information stored based upon a request by the viewer.
[0081] If a viewer selects one item among several items which were
present in a scene displayed on a screen, the controller 21 can
send product identifying information, for example, a product's
code, name, or additional description information, associated with
the selected product to a predetermined site, for example, a server
of a broadcasting station through the network interface 24. The
server receiving the product identifying information can then
discriminate items based on the received information and can search
for a site address at which detailed information for the
discriminated products is accessible, then transmit the found site
address to the network interface 24 of the digital television
100.
[0082] The controller 21, upon receiving the site address through
the network interface 24, can then resend the address to the
Internet through the network interface 24 and information for the
selected product is accessed and received by the addressed server.
The information can then be outputted in a video frame showing
contained information through a web browsing function executed by
the network interface 24 and signal converting function of the
frame composer 20.
[0083] The broadcasting station site can also provide brief
information such as appearance and price of an item when
transmitting site information for the discriminated products.
Further, when information is provided, it can be displayed onto a
screen under the control of the controller 21, so that if detailed
information on the item is requested from a viewer, the received
site address can be sent through the Internet to acquire detailed
information for the product from a related server.
[0084] As described above, preferred embodiments of an apparatus
and method for providing and obtaining product information through
a broadcast signal according to the present invention have various
advantages. The preferred embodiments of an apparatus and method
for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast
signal according to the present invention enable a viewer to
acquire more quickly detailed shopping information for products
contained in a scene when the scene is displayed onto a screen
during watching a broadcast program, and also enable a viewer to
obtain detailed shopping information for a desirable product which
was displayed in program presentation without interruption of
program watching after a program is ended.
[0085] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other
types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is
intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the
claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
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