Television apparatus

p0001The invention relates to a television set, which is a receiving section, a transmitter memory, an image signal processing stage, an image display unit, a control unit and an operating unit having.

p0002There are already known televisions, which have a dropout detector. 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 is in the window of a device vendor is established, since the pressure applied to the viewer visual impression is improved by displaying a blue signal instead of rushing image.

p0003Out <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5233423A"><text>US-A-5,233,423</text></patcit> is a Femsehempfangsgerät disclosed having a memory in which data, which messages contain, are stored. These advertising messages are displayed as a function of an internal circuit or an internal clock on the TV.

p0004The <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US6317780B1"><text>US 6,317,780 B1</text></patcit> describes a system and a method for distributing and displaying information such as advertising articles, from a host server to a browser apparatus in a communication network. The browser device can be connected via an ISDN modem to the Internet. Here, the data are previously transferred to the browser via the communication network device and stored there. During a recognized "idle-time" these data are displayed by the browser device.

p0005Furthermore televisions are already known in which after switching takes place until a stable image representation a blanking of the screen or the insertion of an appropriately designed "curtain".

p0006The invention is based on the object to show a way how the uses of a device of entertainment electronics, in particular a television set can be extended.

p0007This object is achieved by a device of the consumer electronics with the features specified in claim. 1 Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

p0008The advantages of the invention are, in particular, that an apparatus with the features claimed device the consumer electronics, especially a television set, not only for receiving, storing and viewing of a broadcast transmission link transmitted television signals can be used, but also for playback of internally stored Single images, image sequences or video clips. In these frames, it is preferably for the consumer useful tv channels independent information that has been stored by the device manufacturer or dealer.

p0009In addition, the advantage of the invention is that an apparatus with the features claimed device entertainment electronics can also be used for obtaining of valuable benefits. For this purpose, a device of entertainment electronics according to the invention, time recording means which are provided for detecting the presentation time of the advertising posts on the image display unit. A television viewer who takes into account to consider advertising posts for a predetermined display time, where appropriate, within the meaning of brief interruptions of a live broadcast may be added as a non-cash benefits such as the purchase rebates, warranty extensions, Refunds or the enabling of a given television channel

p0010The representation of these individual images can then be done in particular when no play other television signals is currently possible, for example, case of signal failures, when calling an unoccupied transmitter with data program location or during the time-up of the respective television.

p0011According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tv channels independent information can be downloaded from the Internet. This can be done after connecting to the Internet automatically or as a result of actuation of the control keypad. Preferably, there is for the user the opportunity to select from a wide range of possible Internet Information pages one or more. This can be done using a receiver side generated menu page.

p0012Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the following explanation of two exemplary embodiment using the <figref idrefs="f0001">figures 1</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0002">2</figref>,

p0013<figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention of consumer electronics based on a television set TV. This is connected to an antenna 1 and is also connected to an ISDN telephone line 10 in conjunction. To operate the TV TV a remote control transmitter 9 is provided. The broadcast of this infrared control commands are received from a remote control receiver 8 and forwarded from there to the realized as a microcomputer control unit. 7

p0014From the derived from the antenna 1 TV signals including the image signals of a plurality of television programs, among other things, a television program is selected and provided at the output of the receiving unit is available in the form of a composite signal by the receiving unit. 2 This composite signal is transmitted to an image signal processing unit 3 and a Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12th

p0015In the Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12, the synchronizing signals SY are separated from the composite video signal and forwarded to the control unit. 7 The provided at the output of the receiving unit composite signals are processed in the image signal processing unit 3 and converted B signals into R, G. These are an image display unit 4 is supplied and displayed there.

p0016Furthermore, the device shown comprises a transmitter memory 6, in which a plurality of television channels associated transmitter and reception data are stored. This can be read by an input means of the remote controller in the sense of switching to a desired station command under control of the control unit 7 from the transmitter memory 6 and used for tuning the receiving unit 2 into the desired station. The manufacturers of the devices now commonly built presets have such a large memory capacity that generally has a plurality of storage locations of the transmitter memory is not occupied with receiving data from transmitters.

p0017Furthermore, an inventive television with a signal failure detector is provided. This can be formed by the control unit 7 itself, which recognizes on the basis of the presence or absence of sync pulses, if a signal dropout has occurred or not. Alternatively or additionally, a separate signal failure detector 5 can be provided, which communicates with the image signal processing unit 3 and detects the presence of a signal failure on the basis of the present in the image signal processing unit image signals.

p0018The control unit 7 is further in connection with a non-volatile memory 11 of the television set TV. In this memory tv channels independent frames corresponding data are stored, ie data that were not received by the receiving part 2 and not from an external VCR or an external optical disc players are slipping.

p0019These tv channels independent data preferably stored in non-volatile during the preparation of the television at the factory in the memory 11th They contain in this case, for example, the manufacturer's logo, a service dealer directory, contact addresses of the device manufacturer, information on the manufacturer and / or information about the product range of the device manufacturer.

p0020Alternatively or additionally, tv channel independent data in the memory 11 of the television set can be stored in non-volatile also from dealer of the Product. It may be vendor-specific information such as contact details of the trader, the range of products offered by the merchant and / or to provide information about the services of the merchant.

p0021Further alternatively or additionally, also information and / or advertising pages of other, point of sale of the television-based companies and authorities are stored in memory 11, for example, information on local newspapers, local car dealers and automotive repair shops, local grocer, local consumer markets, municipal information, etc.

p0022The memory 11 can be embodied as ROM. In this case its content is fixed and can not be changed. Preferably, the memory 11, however, a RAM, a flash memory or - particularly for larger volumes of data - a hard disk memory. These save the stored data can be updated as needed, for example, at every repair the device by the service dealer. This allows companies 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 11.

p0023The display of this information is carried out according to a first embodiment of the invention in response to an input by means of the remote control 9 operating command. Preferably, the remote control has 9 buttons to continue, for example, +/- buttons, by means of which can be turned over between a plurality of stored information and advertising pages.

p0024According to another embodiment of the invention, a display of the stored information and advertising pages is done automatically when using the control unit 7 or the dropout detector 5 Signal failures are detected. By displaying of stored information and advertising pages when dropouts are present, in an advantageous manner that during signal downtime no rushing, restless image can be seen. This is particularly advantageous when the TV is in the ON state in an em showroom or a shop window is placed.

p0025According to another embodiment of the invention, a display of the stored information and advertising pages is done automatically when the user selects either knowingly or accidentally an unoccupied with program data memory of the transmitter memory. 6 Also in this case it is avoided that on the screen of the television set a glittering, restless image can be seen.

p0026Further, the stored information and advertising pages can also be displayed during start-up of the television after its switch. Modern televisions require several seconds, until a stable image reproduction is possible, since the screen requires a preheating time and the TV has to be synchronized only with a received signal. The time to reach this steady state can be used advantageously to display a stored information page, such as a vendor-specific information page. Thereby, the switching-on of the device is designed visually more tolerable and more informative.

p0027An advantageous development of the invention is to use the Internet connection 10 of each television set TV to download from the Internet information and / or advertising sites and non-volatile memory to store the 11th The over the ISDN line to the control unit 7 supplied HTML pages are transcoded from the control unit 7 and transferred to the memory 11th From there they can - as described above - can be retrieved and displayed on the screen. 4

p0028Downloading new information and advertising pages from the Internet can be done automatically always when an Internet connection is established. Alternatively, by means of the remote control transmitter 9 is a selection of relevant, the information and advertising pages containing Internet address and is also controlled by the remote control transmitter 9 Selection of data to be downloaded. This selection is preferably supported by a menu page displayed on the screen of the television set.

p0029The advantages of a derivation of data stored in memory 11 Informationsund advertising pages from the Internet is that these sites are up to date. This opens the above businessmen and authorities the opportunity to tell end users without any delay on current topics.

p0030<figref idrefs="f0002">FIGURE 2</figref> shows another block diagram of an apparatus according to the invention of consumer electronics based on a television set TV, which is connected to an antenna 1, and further communicates with an ISDN phone line 10th To operate the TV TV a remote control transmitter 9 is provided. The broadcast of this infrared control commands are received from a remote control receiver 8 and forwarded from there to the realized as a microcomputer control unit. 7

p0031From the derived from the antenna 1 TV signals including the image signals of a plurality of television programs, among other things, a television program by means of the receiving unit 2 is selected and asked the the corresponding signals in the form of a composite signal at the output of the receiving unit. This composite signal is transmitted to an image signal processing unit 3 and a Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12th

p0032In the Synchronsignalabtrennstufe 12, the synchronous signals are separated from the composite video signal and forwarded to the control unit. 7 The provided at the output of the receiving unit composite signals are processed in the image signal processing unit 3 and converted B signals into R, G. These are an image display unit 4 is supplied and displayed there.

p0033Furthermore, the device shown comprises a transmitter memory 6, in which a plurality of television channels associated transmitter and reception data are stored. This can be read by an input means of the remote controller in the sense of switching to a desired station command under control of the control unit 7 from the transmitter memory 6 and used for tuning the receiving unit 2 into the desired station. The manufacturers of the devices now commonly built presets have such a large memory capacity that generally has a plurality of storage locations of the transmitter memory is not occupied with receiving data from transmitters.

p0034Furthermore, the TV shown is provided with a signal failure detector. This can be formed by the control unit 7 itself, which recognizes on the basis of the presence or absence of sync pulses, if a signal dropout has occurred or not. Alternatively or additionally, a separate signal failure detector 5 can be provided, which communicates with the image signal processing unit 3 and detects the presence of a signal failure on the basis of the present in the image signal processing unit image signals.

p0035The control unit 7 is still in connection with non-volatile memories 11a - 11e of the television set TV. In memory 11a data are stored corresponding advertising fees and be in the form of frames.

p0036These data were preferably stored in non-volatile during the preparation of the television at the factory in the memory 11a. They contain the manufacturer's logo, a service dealer directory, contact addresses of the device manufacturer, information on the manufacturer and / or information about the product range of the device manufacturer.

p0037Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding data in the memory 11a of the television set can be stored in non-volatile also from dealer of the Product advertising contributions. It may be vendor-specific information such as contact details of the trader, the range of products offered by the merchant and / or to provide information about the services of the merchant.

p0038Further alternatively or additionally, also information and / or advertising pages of other, point of sale of the television-based 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 consumer markets , municipal information, etc.

p0039The memory 11a may be formed as a ROM. In this case its content is fixed and can not be changed. Preferably, the memory 11a but a RAM, a flash memory or - particularly for larger volumes of data - a hard disk memory. These save the stored data can be updated as needed, for example, at every repair the device by the service dealer. This allows companies 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.

p0040The display of this information on the image display unit 4 is achieved by entering 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 can be turned over between a plurality of stored information and advertising pages. An operating mode can also consist of a continuous playback of stored information and advertising pages. This mode is especially advantageous when the TV is placed in a shop window.

p0041Furthermore, a display of the stored advertising pages is done automatically when using the control unit 7 or the dropout detector 5 Signal failures are detected. By displaying of stored advertising pages, when dropouts are present, in an advantageous manner that during signal downtime no rushing, restless image can be seen. This is particularly advantageous when the TV is in the ON state in a showroom or a shop window is placed.

p0042Furthermore, a display of the stored advertising pages is also carried out automatically when the user selects either knowingly or accidentally an unoccupied with program data memory of the transmitter memory. 6 Also in this case it is avoided that on the screen of the television set a glittering, restless image can be seen.

p0043Further, the stored advertising pages can be displayed automatically during startup of the TV after its switch. Modern televisions require several seconds, until a stable image reproduction is possible, since the screen requires a preheating time and the TV has to be synchronized only with a received signal. The time to reach this steady state can be used advantageously to display a stored advertising page, such as a vendor-specific advertising page. Thereby, the switching-on of the device is designed visually more tolerable and more informative.

p0044The ISDN telephone line 10 of the television set shown TV is used to download advertising pages from the Internet and non-volatile storing in the memory 11a. The over the ISDN line to the control unit 7 supplied HTML pages are transcoded from the control unit 7 and transferred to the memory 11a. From there they can - as described above - can be retrieved and displayed on the image display unit. 4

p0045For a download of new advertising pages from the Internet by means of the remote control transmitter 9 is a selection of each, the advertising pages containing Internet address and is also controlled by the remote control transmitter 9 Selection of data to be downloaded. This selection is preferably supported by a menu page displayed on the display unit of the television set.

p0046The advantages of a derivative of the data stored in the memory 11a advertising pages from the Internet are that these sites are up to date. This opens the above businessmen and authorities the opportunity to tell end users without any delay on current topics.

p0047According to the present invention, the television viewers for his willingness to consider additional advertising during ongoing television programs, rewarded by countervailing benefits. These cash benefits consist, for example, the television viewer grant purchase discounts, to give a guarantee period extension, fees, for example, to refund license fee, or unlock a specific TV channel.

p0048In a first embodiment of the invention are either stored by the device manufacturer or from equipment dealer in a nonvolatile memory 11b of the television advertising insertion influencing control data. These control data includes information about the timing and the duration of commercials, which are in turn stored in the nonvolatile memory 11a. The duration of an advertising insertion can for example be 30 seconds. The timings of the advertising insertion or the time intervals between successive advertisements may be 30 minutes. The insertion of advertising is either in place of the television picture, so that the viewers not to live TV for a period is interrupted for 30 seconds, or in the form of a screen display in the television picture.

p0049There is also some information about a desired time interval stored in this first embodiment of the invention by the device manufacturer or dealer in the memory 11b, which corresponds to the desired total presentation time of the advertising insertion on the image display unit. 4 This set time interval is compared during the service, with a Istzeitintervall corresponding to an accumulated value of the previous actual presentation times of advertising. For detecting the actual presentation times are provided timing detection means, which are formed in the shown embodiment of the control unit. 7 The added value for the actual presentation times of the advertisements will be stored in non-volatile memory 11c and is constantly updated during or after viewing an advertising insertion.

p0050Achieved the accumulated value of the actual presentation times of the advertisements, the desired total presentation time, then the viewer has not given his consideration for the granted him cash benefit and a display of advertising contributions occurs only during startup of the device, at transmitter failures and a selection of unused program positions and not in the sense of an interruption of ongoing television programs.

p0051In a second embodiment of the invention, monitoring of the accumulated value of the actual presentation times of the advertisements provided by the advertising provider. This advertising provider is any company whose advertising pages are stored in the nonvolatile memory 11a.

p0052To carry out the said monitoring, which takes place over the Internet, the Internet address of the advertising provider is in the nonvolatile memory 11 b stored. After switching on the TV by operating the TV Einschaltknopfes or the remote control transmitter 9 button, the controller 7 automatically initiated using the stored Internet address to establish an Internet connection via the ISDN telephone line 10 to the advertising provider. If the Internet connection is established, then a transfer, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an encrypted transmission, the data stored in the memory 11c summed value of the actual presentation times together with a device identification number, which is stored in the nonvolatile memory 11d, the advertising provider. This checked against the transmitted summed value of the actual presentation times, whether the viewer with its obligations to consume advertising posts to a certain extent, to comply or not. If the viewer does not fulfill this obligation, then he granted cash benefits be deleted, for example, a refund of license fee or the enabling of a premium TV channel. If the viewers with its obligations under, then him the benefits continue to be provided.

p0053Further, in this embodiment in which the television set TV is connected to the advertising providers online, automatically transmit updated advertising pages in the TV and are stored there in the nonvolatile memory 11a. These updated advertising pages contain the latest information of the advertising provider, for example, evidence of valid promotions, upcoming events, address changes or references to the opening of a new branch.

p0054Further, in this embodiment in which the television set TV is connected to the advertising providers online, automatically software programs are loaded into the TV by means of which there the control and monitoring of advertising inserts is made.

p0055According to a third embodiment of the invention, the advertising content is transmitted together with a television signal to television viewers, but can only registered customers will be shown on the screen. This transfer in the television signal can be carried out a teletext signal in vertical blanking intervals of the reserved line in the presence of an analog television signal similar. In these reserved lines of the vertical blanking intervals only registered users have access. The registration of the customer can be carried out via telephone or Internet. The control and monitoring of advertising consumption via the software of the respective television in conjunction with additional software that is provided by the respective advertisers to the end user either through the Internet or by means of a loadable in the TV media available, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD.

p0056In the presence of a digital television signal, the advertising content in the form of digital data packets, which are transmitted in time-multiplexed with the data packets of the television signal is transmitted to the end user.

p0057According to a fourth embodiment of the invention a selection and deselection of advertising agencies is done by the customer via the Internet, on which television viewers have access to a Web site that contains an overview of the candidate advertising providers whose advertising duration claim and offered by these non-cash benefits , The registration of a client in this case is an indication of their device identification number that is used for verification of an automatic download of the advertising content. The downloaded data receiving television acknowledges reception of the data with its identification number, so that the advertising provider can be sure to reach the respective consumers with its advertising. When registering the first download of advertising data each TV also receives the internet address of the advertising provider, under which updated advertising data must be collected in the future. The Internet address, the duration of advertising claim of each advertising provider and the advertising content is stored as in the above embodiments, the non-volatile TV TV.

p0058As an alternative to the above-described automatic connecting to the Internet every time the TV set can also be provided a daily, weekly or monthly connect to the Internet with the advertising provider.

p0059To ensure that viewers actually adheres to the one agreed advertising durations and advertising times, is for him no way to pause automatically takes place transfer of data between the TV and the advertising provider by means of the control unit of the device, and no way that once agreed or predetermined advertising contract terms independently modify. A possible change of the storage medium on which the contract data (duration of consumption, consumption times, ...) are stored, is recognized by advertisers to build the automatic Internet connection. The advertiser can then optionally towards the consumer take appropriate measures when necessary.