Interactive television system.

DESCRIPTION

Interactive television system

The present invention relates to an interactive television system that uses radio communication as a means of communication, in which the user can request information that is displayed on the screen of a television and can give service orders, such as payment orders.

Interactive television systems have been known for some years having in common all known systems a cable communication between the user side and servers, which provide the information. Several television networks, including Fullservice Network, Net TV or Tele 5, already offer services of this type, for example to make purchases or to request information of any kind.

Also in document E-93 911 257 an interactive home information system is disclosed which is coupled to a cable television system to provide a plurality of information services.

From document E-91 115 989 an interactive teletext system is known through nodes that all store essentially ideal information, received from a regional processing center, using a cable distribution system.

All known systems have the disadvantage that their expansion is limited to the areas where cable television exists. In areas where this possibility does not exist, viewers cannot enjoy this service, either because cable television is completely non-existent in their country or because they live in a very remote area.

In addition, the installation of known systems is relatively expensive for both telecommunication companies and also for the user himself since he has to pay part of the cable placement. The present invention proposes to solve the problems existing in interactive television systems, namely the non-availability of the system for a large number of possible users and reduce the costs pertaining to the placement of the television cable for both the individual user and also for companies of telephone. This task is solved because the communication between the user side and an information supply center capable of receiving and validating service orders is carried out through radio communication by means of a circuit capable of receiving and transmitting through a mobile telephone network.

In the uonic drawing the interactive television system is schematically illustrated, according to the invention, in an example of realization.

This drawing shows, in a block diagram, the different components of an example of realization of the interactive television system, according to the invention.

The user who wishes to receive information on the types offered has a means for entering commands (1), for example an infrared remote control commonly used for televisions. In this case the system has an infrared detector (11) located in a microprocessor (3). With this means of entering commands (1) the user starts a program corresponding to the on-screen display of the desired information and the introduction of orders related to services related to said information, processing said program in addition to the validation of the identification from the Information centers The basic parts of this program, that is, the invariable parts, are stored in a non-volatile EEPROM memory (2) of a microprocessor (3) while the variable parts of the program, as well as the information to be received from the information center, are stored in a RAM volatile memory (4) of said microprocessor (3). The RAM (4) is fed through a power supply, preferably a battery, so that the stored information is not deleted when the system is disconnected. Then the program shows the user the data stored in the form of an initial menu on the screen of a television (7), converting said data into a video signal through a video converter (5) capable of transforming them into any format , preferably in the usual formats, such as PAL, SECAM or NTSC. A video modulator (6) is arranged between the video converter and the television, due to which the control (1) can be used at the same time as the television control (7). The connection between the video modulator (6) and the television (7) can be made via a cable connection or via a radio communication. In a preferred embodiment, the video modulator (6) was arranged external to the remaining circuits (2) to (5) and (9) to (11).

From the menu shown on the screen, the user can choose the information they wish to receive. After the user's selection, the program establishes communication with the information supply center (8) capable of receiving and validating service orders through a digital radio communication circuit (9) that has associated sending and receiving devices (10) , using a digital mobile phone network. The circuit (9) adapts to any digital mobile telephone standard, but preferably to the GSM standard. The information supply center (8) receives the request for information from the user and sends it through the same mobile telephone network. Said information is received by the circuit (9) and the associated transmitter / receiver devices (10) and is stored in RAM (4). The program processes this data which is then converted to a video signal using the converter (5) and fed to the TV (7). The information displayed constitutes, for example, an offer to purchase a product or any other type of service. From this offer the user chooses the desired service, for example the purchase of the product shown on the screen, by entering the corresponding commands in the program through the means of entering commands (1). In order to validate your order the user has to enter his personal identification code that is transmitted to the center (8) to be checked. In this way several users can use the system

ES 2 117 586 A2 independently. In the affirmative case, the center sends the confirmation to the program stored in the memory (2), where the service order is validated and said order is sent to the center (8) through the circuit (9) and the sender / receiver ( 10), where these orders are made below.

In another embodiment, all components, except the remote control (1), could be configured on the user side as an internal part of the television (7).

In an additional embodiment, the circuit (9) and the transmitter / receiver devices (10) are used at the same time for communication with the center (8), as well as to make calls to other mobile phones. For this purpose the system is equipped, following the invention, with a wireless telephone that is associated with the circuit (9) and the transmitter / receiver devices (10). In this way, the system, according to the invention, could be used as a server for different functions related to mobile telephony.

ES 2 117 586 A2