Television apparatus

0001The invention relates to a television set, which receiving part a, a Station memory, an image signal processing stage, an image display unit, having a control unit and an operating unit.

0002There are already televisions known dropout detector a exhibit. Displays the output signal that is a signal failure is present, then a blue signal is displayed on the image display unit. This is particularly advantageous when the TV in the window of a Device vendor is established, since instead by displaying a blue signal a rushing image of acting on the viewer optical Impression is improved.

0003Furthermore televisions are already known in which after a Switching until a stable image representation a blanking the screen or the insertion of an appropriately designed "curtain" takes place.

0004The invention is based on the object to show a way how the Uses a device of entertainment electronics, in particular a television set, can be extended.

0005This object is the in by a unit of consumer electronics stated claim 1. dissolved. Advantageous developments and Further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

0006The advantages of the invention are in particular that the claimed features provided equipment in specialized stores, in particular a television set, not only for receiving, storing and for viewing by transmitted via a radio transmission path television signals can be used, but also for playback of internally stored still images, image sequences or video clips. at these frames is preferably for the end user useful tv channels independent information that the device manufacturer or distributors have been stored.

0007In addition, the advantage of the invention is that one with the claimed features provided entertainment device electronics also can be used for obtaining of valuable benefits. To this end has a unit of consumer electronics according to the invention Time detecting means on which the presentation time for detecting the Advertising posts are provided on the image display unit. a TV viewers who readily accepts advertising posts over a predetermined to look at presentation time, and where appropriate for the purposes of short-term Interrupts a live broadcast, have the monetary Benefits such as the purchase rebates, warranty extensions, Refunds or the enabling of a given given television channel

0008The presentation of these frames can be carried out especially when No reproduction of other television signals is possible currently, For example, case of signal failures, when calling a non-with station data occupied channel position or during the time of the start-up of each television.

0009According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Loading tv channels independent information from the Internet will. This can automatically after connecting to the Internet or occur as a result of actuation of the control keypad. Preferably is for the user the possibility of a plurality of in Internet offered information pages select one or more. This may be implemented using a receiver side generated menu page happen.

0010Further advantageous features of the invention result from the following explanation of two exemplary embodiment using the figures 1 and second

0011Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention of Consumer electronics based on a television set TV. This is a Antenna 1 is connected and further communicates with an ISDN telephone line 10 in connection. To operate the TV is a TV Remote controller 9 provided. The broadcast of this infrared control commands received from a remote control receiver 8 and there forwarded to the realized as a microcomputer control unit. 7

0012From the derived from the antenna 1 television signals, inter alia, the image signals of a plurality of television programs include, by means of Receiving unit 2 and a television program selected in the form of a composite signal provided at the output of the receiving unit. This CVBS signal is applied to an image signal processing unit 3 and to a Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12 passed.

0013In the Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12 the sync signals SY from the be Composite video signal is separated and forwarded to the control unit. 7 The most are output to the receiving unit provided composite signals processed in the image signal processing unit 3 and in R, G, B signals converted. These are an image display unit 4 is supplied and there shown.

0014Furthermore, the device shown comprises a transmitter memory 6 in wherein a plurality of television channels associated transmitter or Received data are stored. This can by means of the Remote control unit in the sense of switching to a desired station command entered under control of the control unit 7 from the Station memory 6 is read out and the vote of the receiving unit 2 the desired channel can be used. The by the device manufacturers now commonly built presets have such a large Storage capacity, that in general a plurality of memory locations of the is stored station not occupied with receiving data from transmitters.

0015Furthermore, an inventive television with a signal failure detector provided. This may be formed by the controller 7 itself, based the presence or absence of sync pulses detects whether a Dropout is present or not. Alternatively, or additionally, a own dropout detector 5 can be provided that the Image signal processing unit 3 is in communication, and the presence of a Dropout based on the present in the image signal processing unit Image signals detected.

0016The control unit 7 is further in connection with a non-volatile Memory 11 of the television set TV. are in this memory tv channels independent frames stored corresponding data, that is, data that have not been received via the receiving section 2, and also not from an external VCR or an external optical disc player are slipping.

0017These tv channels independent data preferably when Production of the television at the factory in the memory 11 non-volatile stored. They contain in this case, for example, the logo of Manufacturer, a service dealer directory, contact addresses of Equipment manufacturer, information about the manufacturer and / or Information about the product range of the device manufacturer.

0018Alternatively or in addition, also from the dealer of the Product tv channel independent data in the memory 11 of the television set are stored non-volatile. It may be vendor specific Information acting as the contact address of the dealer, the dealer from Offered range of products and / or for information about the Services of the merchant.

0019Further, alternatively or in addition, include information and / or Advertising pages of other, based on the sale of the television Companies and authorities are stored in memory 11, for example, Information on local newspapers, local car dealers and automotive repair shops, local grocer, local supermarkets, municipal Information, etc.

0020The memory 11 can be embodied as ROM. In this case, its contents fixed and unchangeable. Preferably, the However, memory 11 is a RAM, a flash memory or - in particular for larger amounts of data - a hard disk memory. These memories can the stored data are updated as needed, for example, at every repair the device by the service dealer. So the dealer may have the necessary for a software update of the device Flash charging station's individual information and advertising content, such. As a personal customer greeting, store in the memory 11 of the unit 11th

0021The display of this information is carried out according to a first embodiment, the invention in response to a means of the remote control 9 entered operator command. Preferably, the remote control 9 further buttons on, for example, +/- buttons, by means of which between a flipped plurality of stored information and advertising pages can be.

0022According to another embodiment of the invention, a display is carried out of stored information and advertising pages automatically when by the control unit 7 or the dropout detector 5 dropouts are detected. By displaying of stored information and is advertising pages when dropouts are present, advantageously achieved that during signal downtime no rushing, restless Image can be seen. This is particularly advantageous if the TV in the on state in a showroom or erected a showcase.

0023According to a further embodiment of the invention, a display is carried out of stored information and advertising pages automatically when the user knowingly or accidentally a not program data used space of the transmitter memory 6 dials. Also in this case it is avoided that on the screen of the television set a glittering, restless image can be seen.

0024Further, the stored information and advertising pages can also during start-up of the television after its switch are displayed. Modern TVs need several seconds to a stable image reproduction is possible because the screen a preheating needed and only the TV with a received signal must be synchronized. The time to reach this steady State can be used in an advantageous manner, a display stored information page, for example, a manufacturer-specific information page. Thereby, the switching-on of the Device designed visually more tolerable and more informative.

0025An advantageous development of the invention, the Internet connection 10 of the respective TV TV to use it from the downloading Internet information and / or advertising sites and in storage 11 non-volatile store. The over the ISDN line to the control unit 7 supplied HTML pages are recoded by the control unit 7, and in the Memory 11 transferred. From there they can - as described above - be retrieved and displayed on the screen. 4

0026Downloading new information and advertising pages from the Internet can be done automatically always when an Internet connection is established is. Alternatively, by means of the remote control transmitter 9, a selection of relevant, the information and advertising pages containing Internet address and also controlled by the remote control transmitter 9 Selection of data to be downloaded. This selection is preferably through a the TV screen displayed menu page supported.

0027The advantages of a derivation of data stored in memory 11 Informationsund Advertising pages from the Internet is that these pages up to date are. This opens the above businessmen and authorities Possibility the Consumer without delay about current topics to teach.

0028FIGURE 2 shows another block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention consumer electronics based on a television set TV, which to a Antenna 1 is connected and still in with an ISDN telephone line 10 Connection is. To operate the TV is a TV Remote controller 9 provided. The broadcast of this infrared control commands received from a remote control receiver 8 and there forwarded to the realized as a microcomputer control unit. 7

0029From the derived from the antenna 1 television signals, inter alia, the image signals of a plurality of television programs include, by means of Receiving unit 2 a television program selected and this corresponding signals in the form of a composite signal at the output of Receiving unit provided. This composite signal is applied to a Image signal processing unit 3 and a 12 Synchronsignalabtrennstufe forwarded.

0030In the Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12 the sync signals from the be Composite video signal is separated and forwarded to the control unit. 7 The most are output to the receiving unit provided composite signals processed in the image signal processing unit 3 and in R, G, B signals converted. These are an image display unit 4 is supplied and there shown.

0031Furthermore, the device shown comprises a transmitter memory 6 in wherein a plurality of television channels associated transmitter or Received data are stored. This can by means of the Remote control unit in the sense of switching to a desired station command entered under control of the control unit 7 from the Station memory 6 is read out and the vote of the receiving unit 2 the desired channel can be used. The by the device manufacturers now commonly built presets have such a large Storage capacity, that in general a plurality of memory locations of the is stored station not occupied with receiving data from transmitters.

0032Furthermore, the TV shown is provided with a signal failure detector. This may be formed by the control unit 7 itself, the basis of Presence or absence of sync pulses detects whether a loss of signal present or not. Alternatively, or additionally, a separate Dropout detector 5 can be provided that the Image signal processing unit 3 is in communication, and the presence of a Dropout based on the present in the image signal processing unit Image signals detected.

0033The control unit 7 is further in connection with non-volatile memories 11a - 11e of the television set TV. In memory 11a data are stored, meet the advertising fees and be in the form of frames.

0034These data were preferably already in the preparation of Television factory in the memory 11a is not stored permanently. they contain the manufacturer's logo, a service dealer directory Contact addresses of the device manufacturer, information about the manufacturer and / or information about the product range of the device manufacturer.

0035Alternatively or in addition, also from the dealer of the Product Advertising contributions corresponding data in the memory 11a of the television are stored non-volatile. It may be vendor specific Information acting as the contact address of the dealer, the dealer from Offered range of products and / or for information about the Services of the merchant.

0036Further, alternatively or in addition, include information and / or Advertising pages of other, based on the sale of the television Companies and authorities in the memory 11a are stored, for example, Information on local newspapers, local car dealers and automotive repair shops, local grocer, local supermarkets, municipal Information, etc.

0037The memory 11a may be formed as a ROM. In this case, its contents fixed and unchangeable. Preferably, the Memory 11a, however, a RAM, a flash memory or - in particular for larger amounts of data - a hard disk memory. These memories can the stored data are updated as needed, for example, at every repair the device by the service dealer. So the dealer may have the necessary for a software update of the device Flash charging station's individual information and advertising content, such. As a personal customer greeting, store in the memory 11a of the device TV.

0038The display of this information on the image display unit 4 is carried out by Input an input means of the remote control 9 Operating instruction. Preferably, the remote control has 9 buttons to continue, for example, +/- Buttons, by means of which between a plurality of stored Information and advertising pages can be turned over. A mode may also be in a continuous playback of stored information and Advertising pages exist. This mode is especially advantageous when the TV is placed in a shop window.

0039Furthermore, a display of the stored advertising pages is then automatically when using the control unit 7 or the dropout detector 5 Signal failures are detected. By displaying of stored is advertising pages when dropouts are present, advantageously reached such a way that during signal downtime not lavish, restless image can be seen. This is particularly advantageous if the TV in the on state in a showroom or erected a showcase.

0040Furthermore, a display of the stored advertising pages is also carried out automatically when the user knowingly or accidentally a not Program data used space of the transmitter memory 6 dials. Also in this case it is avoided that on the screen of the television set a noisy, restless image can be seen.

0041Further, the stored advertising pages during the automatically booting the television after its switch are displayed. Modern TVs need several seconds to a stable image reproduction is possible because the screen a preheating needed and only the TV with a received signal must be synchronized. The time to reach this steady State can be used in an advantageous manner, a display stored advertising page, for example, a manufacturer-specific advertising page. Thereby, the switching-on of the Device designed visually more tolerable and more informative.

0042The ISDN telephone line 10 of the television set shown TV is to used to download from the Internet advertising site and in store 11 non-volatile store. The over the ISDN line to the control unit 7 supplied HTML pages are recoded by the control unit 7, and in the transmit memory 11a. From there they can - as described above - be retrieved and displayed on the image display unit. 4

0043carried to a downloading of new advertising pages from the Internet using the remote control transmitter 9 is a selection of each, the Internet address containing advertising pages and also by means of Remote control transmitter 9 controlled selection of the data to be downloaded. This selection is preferably by one of the on the display unit TV menu shown side supports.

0044The advantages of a derivative of the data stored in the memory 11a advertising pages consist of the Internet is that these sites are up to date. This opens the above businessmen and authorities the opportunity the Consumer without delay about current topics teaching.

0045According to the present invention, the television viewer for its Willingness extra advertising even during ongoing television programs consider, rewarded by countervailing benefits. These cash benefits consist, for example, the television viewer purchase discounts grant to provide a warranty extension, fees, such as license fee to be reimbursed, or a particular unlock TV channel.

0046According to a first embodiment of the invention are either the Equipment manufacturer or equipment dealer in a nonvolatile memory 11b the television advertising insertion influencing control data stored. Such control data include information on the timings and the time advertising messages, in turn, in the non-volatile Memory 11a are stored. The duration of an advertising insertion can for example, be 30 seconds. The timings of Werbeeinblendung or the time intervals between successive advertisements can be 30 minutes. The insertion of advertising is done either instead of the television picture, so that said television viewer the current Television program is interrupted for a duration of 30 seconds, or in Form a fade in the television picture.

0047Furthermore, in this first embodiment of the invention from the Equipment manufacturer or dealer in the memory 11b also information about an stored target time interval of the target total presentation time Werbeeinblendung on the image display unit 4 corresponds. This Set time interval, during the service, with a Istzeitintervall compared that an accumulated value of the previous actual presentation times the commercials corresponds. For detecting the actual presentation times timing detection means are provided, which in the shown Embodiment are formed from the controller. 7 Of the accumulated value for the actual presentation times of the advertisements will stored in the nonvolatile memory 11c and is during or after the Consider a Werbeeinblendung constantly updated.

0048Achieved the accumulated value of the actual presentation times of the Commercials that target total presentation time, then has the TV viewers his consideration for the granted him pecuniary rendered advantage and advertising served contributions occurs only during startup of the device, at stations and failures during dialing not occupied program places and not in the sense of an interruption ongoing television programs.

0049According to a second embodiment of the invention is a monitoring the accumulated value of the actual presentation times of the advertisements provided by the advertising provider. This advertising providers is it to any company whose advertising pages in nonvolatile Memory 11a are stored.

0050To carry out the said monitoring, which takes place over the Internet, is in the nonvolatile memory 11 b, the Internet address of the advertisement provider stored. After switching on the TV by pressing TV the Einschaltknopfes or the remote control transmitter 9 button initiates Control unit 7 automatically using the stored Internet address set up an Internet connection via the ISDN telephone line 10 for advertising providers. If the Internet connection is established, then a transfer, in an advantageous embodiment of the Invention, an encrypted transmission, of the memory 11c stored summed value of the actual presentation times together with a device identification number in the nonvolatile memory 11d is stored, the advertising provider. This checked against the transferred accumulated value of the actual presentation times, whether the TV viewers with its obligations, advertising posts in a particular consume extent, fulfill or not. If the viewers these obligations, then are not granted him pecuniary deleted advantages, including a refund of license fee or an activation of a premium TV channel. He comes TV viewers with its obligations under, then it will be the Benefits continue to be provided.

0051Further, in this embodiment in which the TV TV with the advertising provider online communicates automatically transmit updated advertising pages in the TV and there in non-volatile memory are stored 11a. These updated Advertising pages contain the latest information of the advertising provider, For example, evidence of valid promotions, current events, Address changes or references to the opening of a new branch.

0052Further, in this embodiment, in which the television set TV online communication with the advertising agency in connection with automatic Software programs are loaded into the TV by means of which there the Control and monitoring of advertising inserts is made.

0053According to a third embodiment of the invention, the Advertising content along with a television signal to the transmitted television viewers, however, can only with registered customers be shown the screen. This transfer in the broadcast signal similarly in the presence of an analog television signal a teletext signal in reserved lines of the vertical blanking intervals occur. In this reserved Lines of vertical blanking intervals have access only to registered customers. The Customer registration can be carried out via telephone or Internet. The Control and monitoring of advertising consumption via the software of each television set in conjunction with an additional software developed by the respective advertisers to the end user, either on the Internet or by means of a loadable in the TV media available is provided, for example, a CD-ROM or a DVD.

0054In the presence of a digital television signal, the advertising content is in Form of digital data packets in time division multiplex with the data packets the television signal is transmitted, transferred to the end user.

0055According to a fourth embodiment of the invention a selection is made and Deselection of advertising agencies by the customer via the Internet, via which television viewers have access to a Web site that a overview of the candidate advertising providers whose Advertising time claim and offered by these non-cash benefits contains. The registration of a customer takes place in this case, indicating the each device identification number, a verification automatic downloading of the content of advertising used. that the downloaded data receiving television acknowledges receipt the data with its identification number, so that the advertising provider safely can be to achieve the respective consumers with its advertising. With the registration and the first download of advertising data receives respective television and the Internet address of the advertising provider, under which in future updated advertising data must be collected. said Internet address, the duration of advertising claim of each advertising provider and the advertising content as in the above embodiments not permanently stored in the television TV.

0056As an alternative to the automatic production above a Internet connection each time the TV set can also a daily, weekly or monthly production of a be provided with the advertising provider Internet connection.

0057To ensure that viewers actually once agreed advertising durations and timings advertising complies, is for him no possibility means of the operating unit of the apparatus automatically takes place transfer of data between the TV and the interrupting advertising providers and also no way that once agreed or predetermined advertising contract terms independently amend. A possible change of the storage medium, on which the Contract data (duration of consumption, consumption times, ...) are stored, from advertisers to build the automatic Internet connection recognized. The advertiser can then optionally compared to the Consumers take appropriate measures when necessary.