Video-on demanding device

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a video-on-demand device, and more particularly to a video-on-demand device capable of displaying an airing time, displaying a remaining time, and resuming viewing of a program interrupted during viewing.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

A cable television broadcasting facility (hereinafter referred to as CATV) distributes television signals from a center device to a subscriber terminal device with a cable, and is expected to provide various image information services along with multi-channelization. ..

【0003】

CATV services include non-broadcasting services such as pay program billing, home shopping, and home banking, in addition to broadcasting services such as retransmission and independent broadcasting.

【0004】

Furthermore, in recent years, using the two-way communication function between the center device and the terminal device group in CATV, the subscriber can receive video and audio information services via a cable by accessing the center device equipped with a video server. A video-on-demand system has been developed. As a result, if the subscriber terminal requests the center device to send the video software, the desired video software can be viewed in real time.

【0005】

By the way, in the subscriber terminal device of the video-on-demand system, when selecting a desired program from a wide variety of video programs, the menu displayed on the TV screen is used and the cursor is selected from the menu items. I will do it.

【0006】

In this case, when confirming whether or not to watch the selected program, the broadcast time of the program is not displayed, so that there is a problem that the subscriber purchases a program longer than the viewing time. ..

【0007】

In addition, there is also a problem that the remaining time of a program cannot be displayed while the program is once selected and viewed.

【0008】

Furthermore, once a program was selected and viewed, it was not possible to interrupt the program in the middle and resume viewing from the interrupted place.

【0009】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

As described above, the conventional video-on-demand device has a problem that it is impossible to display the broadcast time, display the remaining time, and resume viewing of the program interrupted during viewing.

【0010】

Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a video-on-demand device capable of displaying a broadcast time, displaying a remaining time, and resuming viewing of a program interrupted during viewing. is there.

【0011】

[Means for solving problems]

The invention according to claim 1 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. A means for demoting the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and a storage means for storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data. The invention according to claim 2, wherein when the program is selected, the means for detecting the airing time of the selected program from the storage means and displaying the selected program on the screen of the display means is provided. In a video demand device that requests a desired program from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a desired subscriber's terminal device, the terminal device is a means for selecting a program and an image of the selected program. A means for demodulating data, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, a first storage means for storing the broadcast time together with the program name and program number as program data, and viewing by selecting a program. When the program is started, there are a counting means for counting the viewing time, a second storage means for storing the viewing time counted by this counting means, a means for instructing the remaining time display, and an instruction for displaying the remaining time. At that time, a means for subtracting the viewing time stored in the second storage means from the broadcasting time stored in the first storage means and displaying it on the screen of the display means as the remaining time is provided. It is characterized by having done it.

【0012】

The invention according to claim 3 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. First means of storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data, the means for demoting the video data of the selected program, the display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and the program data. A storage means, a counting means for counting the viewing time when a program is selected and viewing is started, a clock means for generating clock data, and a second storage for storing the viewing time counted by the counting means. A means, a means for instructing the end of viewing, a program number stored in the first storage means in order to create a program list in the middle of viewing when an instruction to end viewing is given during viewing of the program, and the above. It is characterized by having a viewing date obtained from the clock means and a third storage means for storing the viewing time stored in the second storage means.

【0013】

The invention according to claim 4 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. First means of storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data, the means for demoting the video data of the selected program, the display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and the program data. A storage means, a counting means for counting the viewing time when a program is selected and viewing is started, a clock means for generating clock data, and a second storage for storing the viewing time counted by the counting means. A means, a means for instructing the end of viewing, a program number stored in the first storage means in order to create a program list in the middle of viewing when an instruction to end viewing is given during viewing of the program, and the above. Based on the third storage means for storing the viewing date obtained from the clock means and the viewing time stored in the second storage means, and the data stored in the third storage means. The program name, viewing date, and remaining time are provided as a means for displaying the program name, viewing date, and remaining time as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means.

【0014】

The invention according to claim 5 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. First means of storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data, the means for demoting the video data of the selected program, the display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and the program data. A storage means, a counting means for counting the viewing time when a program is selected and viewing is started, a clock means for generating clock data, and a second storage for storing the viewing time counted by the counting means. A means, a means for instructing the end of viewing, a program number stored in the first storage means in order to create a program list in the middle of viewing when an instruction to end viewing is given during viewing of the program, and the above. Based on the third storage means for storing the viewing date obtained from the clock means and the viewing time stored in the second storage means, and the data stored in the third storage means. A means for displaying the program name, viewing date, and remaining time as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means, a means for selecting a desired program during viewing from the displayed list of programs during viewing, and a means for selecting a desired program during viewing. It is characterized in that it is provided with a means for updating the stored contents of the third storage means when an instruction to end viewing is given again while the program is selected during viewing and the viewing is resumed. ..

【0015】

The invention according to claim 6 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. First means of storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data, the means for demoting the video data of the selected program, the display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and the program data. A storage means, a counting means for counting the viewing time when a program is selected and viewing is started, a clock means for generating clock data, and a second storage for storing the viewing time counted by the counting means. A means, a means for instructing the end of viewing, a program number stored in the first storage means in order to create a program list in the middle of viewing when an instruction to end viewing is given during viewing of the program, and the above. Based on the third storage means for storing the viewing date obtained from the clock means and the viewing time stored in the second storage means, and the data stored in the third storage means. A means for displaying the program name, viewing date, and remaining time as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means, a means for selecting a desired program during viewing from the displayed list of programs during viewing, and a means for selecting a desired program during viewing. It is provided with a means for deleting the program in the middle of viewing from the stored data of the third storage means when the program in which the program in the middle of viewing is selected and the viewing is resumed reaches the end of the airing time. It is characterized by having done it.

【0016】

The invention according to claim 7 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to the terminal device of the desired subscriber, wherein the terminal device selects a program. First means of storing the broadcast time together with the program name and the program number as the program data, the means for demoting the video data of the selected program, the display means for displaying the video signal of the demolished program, and the program data. A storage means, a counting means for counting the viewing time when a program is selected and viewing is started, a clock means for generating clock data, and a second storage for storing the viewing time counted by the counting means. A means, a means for instructing the end of viewing, a program number stored in the first storage means in order to create a program list in the middle of viewing when an instruction to end viewing is given during viewing of the program, and the above. Based on the third storage means for storing the viewing date obtained from the clock means and the viewing time stored in the second storage means, and the data stored in the third storage means. A means for displaying the program name, viewing date, and remaining time as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means, a means for selecting a desired program during viewing from the displayed list of programs during viewing, and a means for selecting a desired program during viewing. When a program is selected during viewing and the viewing is resumed, when the instruction to end the viewing is given again, a means for updating the stored contents of the third storage means and a program during viewing are selected. It is characterized in that the program for which viewing has been resumed is provided with a means for deleting the program being viewed from the stored data of the third storage means when the broadcast time is reached and the program ends.

【0017】

The invention according to claim 8 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. The terminal device includes a storage means for storing the video data of the above, a clock means for generating the clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. Is a means for selecting a program, a means for demodating the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means for storing, the detection means for detecting the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing start based on the clock data detected by the detection means. When there is a means for calculating the viewing time from the above, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the remaining time display, and an instruction for displaying the remaining time, the first It is characterized by having a means for subtracting the viewing time stored in the second storage means from the broadcasting time stored in the storage means and displaying it on the screen of the display means as the remaining time.

【0018】

The invention according to claim 9 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. The terminal device includes a storage means for storing the video data of the above, a clock means for generating the clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. Is a means for selecting a program, a means for demodating the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means to store, the detection means that detects the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing start based on the clock data detected by this detection means. A means for calculating the viewing time from the above, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the end of viewing, and the first method when an instruction for ending viewing is given during viewing of a program. A third storage means for storing the program number stored in the storage means 1, the viewing date based on the clock data from the detection means, and the viewing time stored in the second storage means. It is characterized by having.

【0019】

The invention according to claim 10 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. The terminal device includes a storage means for storing the video data of the above, a clock means for generating the clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. Is a means for selecting a program, a means for demodating the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means to store, the detection means that detects the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing start based on the clock data detected by this detection means. A means for calculating the viewing time from the above, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the end of viewing, and the first method when an instruction for ending viewing is given during viewing of a program. A third storage means for storing the program number stored in the storage means 1, the viewing date based on the clock data from the detection means, and the viewing time stored in the second storage means. Based on the data stored in the third storage means, the program name, viewing date and remaining time are provided as a means for displaying the program name, viewing date and remaining time on the screen of the display means as a viewing program list. And.

【0020】

The invention according to claim 11 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. For the storage means in which the video data of the above is stored and the video data of each program stored in the storage means for reference when there is a program request during viewing from the terminal side, the elapsed broadcasting time is pre-stored. The terminal includes a means for storing the data in association with the memory address of the means, a clock means for generating clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. The device includes a means for selecting a program, a means for demolishing the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means for storing the data, the detection means for detecting the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing based on the clock data detected by the detection means. When there is a means for calculating the viewing time from the start, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the end of viewing, and an instruction for ending viewing during program viewing, the above-mentioned A third storage means for storing the program number stored in the first storage means, the viewing date based on the clock data from the detection means, and the viewing time stored in the second storage means. Based on the data stored in the third storage means, the program name, viewing date, and remaining time are displayed as a viewing program list on the screen of the display means. When there is a means for selecting a desired in-view program from the in-view program list and an instruction to end viewing is given again while the in-view program is selected and viewing is resumed, the third memory is described above. It is characterized in that it is provided with a means for updating the stored contents of the means.

【0021】

The invention according to claim 12 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. For the storage means in which the video data of the above is stored and the video data of each program stored in the storage means for reference when there is a program request during viewing from the terminal side, the elapsed broadcasting time is pre-stored. The terminal includes a means for storing the data in association with the memory address of the means, a clock means for generating clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. The device includes a means for selecting a program, a means for demolishing the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means for storing the data, the detection means for detecting the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing based on the clock data detected by the detection means. When there is a means for calculating the viewing time from the start, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the end of viewing, and an instruction for ending viewing during program viewing, the above-mentioned A third storage means for storing the program number stored in the first storage means, the viewing date based on the clock data from the detection means, and the viewing time stored in the second storage means. Based on the data stored in the third storage means, the program name, viewing date, and remaining time are displayed as a viewing program list on the screen of the display means. When the means for selecting the desired in-view program from the in-view program list and the program in which the in-view program is selected and the viewing is resumed reaches the end of the airing time, the third item is described above. It is characterized in that it is provided with a means for deleting the program being viewed during viewing from the stored data of the storage means.

【0022】

The invention according to claim 13 is a video demand device that requests a program desired by a subscriber from a center device and transmits the program from the center device to a terminal device of the desired subscriber. For the storage means in which the video data of the above is stored and the video data of each program stored in the storage means for reference when there is a program request during viewing from the terminal side, the elapsed broadcasting time is pre-stored. The terminal includes a means for storing the data in association with the memory address of the means, a clock means for generating clock data, and a means for multiplexing the clock data from the clock means with the video data read from the storage means. The device includes a means for selecting a program, a means for demolishing the video data of the selected program, a display means for displaying the video signal of the demodulated program, and the airing time of the program data together with the program name and the program number. The first storage means for storing the data, the detection means for detecting the clock data multiplexed with the video data when the program is selected and the viewing is started, and the viewing based on the clock data detected by the detection means. When there is a means for calculating the viewing time from the start, a second storage means for storing the calculated viewing time, a means for instructing the end of viewing, and an instruction for ending viewing during program viewing, the above-mentioned A third storage means for storing the program number stored in the first storage means, the viewing date based on the clock data from the detection means, and the viewing time stored in the second storage means. And, based on the data stored in the third storage means, the program name,A means for displaying the viewing date and the remaining time as an in-view program list on the screen of the display means, a means for selecting a desired in-view program from the displayed in-view program list, and an in-view program. When the instruction to end the viewing is instructed again while the viewing is resumed after selecting the above-mentioned third storage means, the means for updating the stored contents of the third storage means and the means for selecting the program in the middle of viewing are selected for viewing. It is characterized in that the restarted program is provided with a means for deleting the program in the middle of viewing from the stored data of the third storage means when the broadcast time is reached and the end is reached.

【0023】

[Action]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the broadcast time is displayed together with the program name on the viewing confirmation screen after the program is selected, it is possible to prevent the subscriber from accidentally purchasing the program exceeding the scheduled time.

【0024】

According to the invention of claim 2, since the means for counting the viewing time is provided in the terminal device, the remaining time can be calculated and displayed by taking the difference from the broadcasting time.

【0025】

According to the invention of claim 3, when the instruction to end the viewing is given during the viewing of the program, the number of the interrupted program, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption are stored. Since the means is provided, the program list during viewing is saved even after the viewing is completed.

【0026】

According to the invention of claim 4, when the instruction to end the viewing is given during the viewing of the program, the number of the interrupted program, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption are stored. By providing means, the program list during viewing can be saved even after the end of viewing, and the program name, viewing date, and remaining time can be displayed on the screen of the display means as a program list during viewing.

【0027】

According to the invention of claim 5, when the instruction to end the viewing is given during the viewing of the program, the number of the interrupted program, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption are stored. A means is provided so that the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing, and the program name, viewing date and remaining time are displayed as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means, and this is displayed. A desired program in progress can be selected from the program list in progress to resume viewing, and when a command to end viewing is given again after resuming viewing, the program list in progress stored in the storage means is stored. The contents of the program have been updated so that the latest in-view program list is created whenever there is an interruption.

【0028】

According to the invention of claim 6, when the instruction to end the viewing is given during the viewing of the program, the number of the interrupted program, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption are stored. A means is provided so that the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing, and the program name, viewing date and remaining time are displayed as a program list during viewing on the screen of the display means, and this is displayed. A desired program in the middle of viewing can be selected from the list of programs in the middle of viewing to resume viewing, and when the program for which viewing is resumed reaches the end of the broadcast time, it is stored in the storage means. The data of the program being watched is deleted from a certain program list being watched, and the completely finished program is not left in the program list being watched.

【0029】

According to the invention of claim 7, the function of both claim 5 and 6 is provided, and when the instruction to end viewing is given again after resuming viewing, the storage means stores the function. The contents of the in-view program list have been updated so that the latest in-view program list is always created when there is an interruption, and the program that has resumed viewing ends when the airing time is reached. When the program is reached, the data of the program in the middle of viewing is deleted from the program list in the middle of viewing stored in the storage means, and the completely finished program is not left in the program list in the middle of viewing. It is a thing.

【0030】

According to the invention of claim 8, the center device is provided with a clock means for generating clock data so that the data is transmitted to the terminal device together with the video data, and the terminal device selects a program and starts viewing. At that time, a detection means for detecting the clock data multiplexed with the video data is provided, and the viewing time from the start of viewing is calculated based on the clock data detected by the detection means, while the remaining time display is instructed. At that time, the remaining time is calculated based on the viewing time and the broadcasting time and displayed on the screen of the display means. As in the invention of claim 2, it is not necessary to provide a means for counting the viewing time or a clock means in the terminal device.

【0031】

According to the invention of claim 9, the center device is provided with a clock means for generating clock data so that the data is transmitted to the terminal device together with the video data, and the terminal device selects a program and starts viewing. When this happens, a detection means is provided to detect the clock data multiplexed with the video data, and the viewing time from the start of viewing is calculated based on the clock data detected by this detection means, while the viewing ends during the viewing of the program. When instructed, a storage means for storing the interrupted program number, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption is provided, and the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing. It will be.

【0032】

According to the invention of claim 10, the center device is provided with a clock means for generating clock data so that the data is transmitted to the terminal device together with the video data, and the terminal device selects a program and starts viewing. When this happens, a detection means is provided to detect the clock data multiplexed on the video data, and the viewing time from the start of viewing is calculated based on the clock data detected by this detection means, while the viewing ends during the viewing of the program. When instructed, a storage means for storing the interrupted program number, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption is provided, and the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing. Moreover, the program name, viewing date, and remaining time can be displayed on the screen of the display means as a program list during viewing.

【0033】

According to the invention of claim 11, the center device is provided with a clock means for generating clock data so as to transmit the video data to the terminal device, and the terminal device selects a program and starts viewing. When this happens, a detection means is provided to detect the clock data multiplexed on the video data, and the viewing time from the start of viewing is calculated based on the clock data detected by this detection means, while the viewing ends during the viewing of the program. When instructed, a storage means for storing the interrupted program number, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption is provided, and the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing. In addition, the program name, viewing date, and remaining time are displayed as a program list in the middle of viewing on the screen of the display means, and a desired program in the middle of viewing is selected from the displayed program list in the middle of viewing for viewing. When there is an instruction to end viewing again after resuming viewing, the contents of the program list during viewing stored in the storage means are updated, and when there is an interruption, the latest viewing is always in progress. The program list is created.

【0034】

According to the invention of claim 12, the center device is provided with a clock means for generating clock data so that the data is transmitted to the terminal device together with the video data, and the terminal device selects a program and starts viewing. When this happens, a detection means is provided to detect the clock data multiplexed on the video data, and the viewing time from the start of viewing is calculated based on the clock data detected by this detection means, while the viewing ends during the viewing of the program. When instructed, a storage means for storing the interrupted program number, the viewing date at the time of interruption, and the viewing time at the time of interruption is provided, and the program list during viewing is saved even after the end of viewing. In addition, the program name, viewing date, and remaining time are displayed on the screen of the display means as a program list during viewing, and a desired program during viewing is selected from the displayed program list during viewing and viewed. When the program whose viewing is resumed reaches the end of the broadcast time, the data of the program being viewed is deleted from the program list being viewed stored in the storage means. Therefore, programs that have completely ended are not left in the program list during viewing.

【0035】

According to the invention of claim 13, the function of both claim 11 and claim 12 is provided, and when the instruction to end viewing is given again after resuming viewing, the storage means stores the function. The contents of the in-view program list have been updated so that the latest in-view program list is always created when there is an interruption, and the program that has resumed viewing ends when the airing time is reached. When the program is reached, the data of the program in the middle of viewing is deleted from the program list in the middle of viewing stored in the storage means, and the completely finished program is not left in the program list in the middle of viewing. It is a thing.

【0036】

[Example]

Examples will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video-on-demand device according to the present invention.

【0037】

As shown in FIG. 1, the center device 10 provided with the server and the subscriber device 20 provided with the terminal device group are connected by a cable 30. In the center device 10, the server 11 is composed of a storage means (for example, a semiconductor memory), stores the program video as digitized image compressed data, and provides the image data based on the program request from the terminal side. The program request from the terminal side is demodulated by the modem (modulator) 13 and supplied to the center computer device 14. The center computer device 14 searches the memory address of the requested program from the program menu management data memory 15 based on the program request information from the modem 13, reads the corresponding video information from the memory in the server 11, and sets it to channel 1. Supply to the corresponding modulator 12. The program menu management data memory 15 contains a plurality of sets of program data to be downloaded to the terminal device 21, that is, a plurality of sets of data such as a program number, a preview program number, a number name, and a program material time (airing time). It is stored in association with the memory address in the server. The terminal device 21 stores a plurality of captured program data in the program information memory so that when a program is selected by multi-screen channel selection or the like, a program can be requested by referring to the program number corresponding to the program. It has become.

【0038】

Alternatively, the intermediate program request (request for restarting the once interrupted program) from the terminal side is demodulated by the modem (modulator) 13 and supplied to the center computer device 14. The center computer device 14 searches the memory address of the requested intermediate program from the program time management data memory 16 based on the program request information from the modem 13, reads the corresponding video information from the server 11, and reads the corresponding video information of 1. It is supplied to the modulator 12 corresponding to the channel.

【0039】

As the modulator 12, a plurality of modulators corresponding to the number of channels of the center device 10 are arranged. The modulator 12 is composed of a digital modulator (for example, an OFDM modulator which is a kind of multi-carrier digital modulation method using a large number of carriers). When a program is requested from a plurality of terminal devices 21, a plurality of program images are output from the server 11, and are output from a plurality of modulators 12 with modulation outputs corresponding to channels. The modulation output corresponding to the channel from each modulator 12 is combined and sent to the cable 30, and is supplied to a plurality of terminal devices 21 connected to the cable 30. The output of the terminal device 21 is supplied to the television receiver 22 to display the video image information. Note that the OFDM modulation / demodulation process can be performed collectively for all carrier waves by using the discrete Fourier transform without using a plurality of modifiers / demodulators.

【0040】

FIG. 2 shows an example of program time management data stored in the program time management data memory 16. In the program time management data memory 16, each elapsed time from the broadcast start time 0 to the broadcast end time (that is, the broadcast time) M is associated with the memory address number in the server 11 together with the program number, the program name, and the broadcast time. I remember. Therefore, when the terminal side requests the program from the middle, the center computer device 14 refers to the program time management data stored in the program time management data memory 16 and the program included in the program request information in the middle. The memory address of the server 11 is searched based on the number and the time information that has been viewed, and the intermediate program video corresponding to the memory address is read from the server 11 and output to the modulator 12 of 1. As a result, the terminal device 21 that made the request can receive the video of the intermediate program.

【0041】

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment of FIG. This embodiment is an embodiment in the case where the time count of the broadcast time is configured to be performed by the terminal device itself.

【0042】

In the terminal device 21 shown in FIG. 3, a digital modulation signal is input from the center device to the RF signal input terminal 211 via a cable. Of the digital modulation signals from the input terminal 211, the image data provided by the server is selected by the tuner circuit 212 that selects the channel corresponding to each carrier, and then demodulated by the digital demodulator (for example, OFDM demodulator) 213. Then, the image compression data by MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) is decoded into an NTSC signal by the decoder circuit 214, passes through the switch circuit 230 for image switching, and further to one input end of the image synthesis circuit 215 for image superposition. It is supplied and output to the TV output terminal 222 via the image synthesis circuit 215. A television receiver or a television monitor (also referred to as a CRT display) as a means for displaying a video signal is connected to the television output terminal 222.

【0043】

The tuner circuit 212 constitutes a means for selecting a desired program using channel selection data corresponding to the program from the microcomputer 216. Further, the demodulation circuit 213 and the decoder circuit 214 constitute means for demodulating the video data of the selected program.

【0044】

On the other hand, digital modulation data downloaded from the center device 10 (for example, program data, control data for displaying the airing time, control data for displaying the remaining time, control data for displaying the program list during viewing, help screen). Control data for display, control data for multi-screen display, airing time display, remaining time display, graphic data for displaying program list and help screen during viewing, airing time display, remaining time display, mid-viewing The text data for displaying a message when the program list is displayed and the help screen is displayed) is demolished by the modem 217 and taken into the microcomputer 216. If the data to be captured is, for example, program data, the microcomputer 216 stores it in the program information memory 224 as the first storage means. If the data to be fetched is, for example, the control data of the help screen, the microcomputer 216 stores it in the help information memory 226. If the data to be captured is, for example, multi-screen control data, the microcomputer 216 stores it in the multi-screen information memory 231. If the data to be captured is, for example, graphic data for displaying the broadcast time, displaying the program list during viewing, and displaying the help screen, the microcomputer 216 stores it in the graphic memory 223. Further, if the data to be captured is, for example, text data for displaying the broadcast time, the remaining time, the program list during viewing, and the help screen, the microcomputer 216 stores the data in the text memory 224.

【0045】

The microcomputer 216 has a clock circuit 227 as a clock means for generating a clock having a fixed period (for example, 1 second) as clock data, and a counting means for counting the clock of the clock circuit 227 to count the viewing time. The viewing time counter 228 is connected.

【0046】

The program data stored in the program information memory 221 as the first storage means includes data (see FIG. 9) of the program number, the program name, the program attribute, and the program material time (broadcast time). The data stored in the remaining time information memory 225a as the second storage means includes the program number and the viewing time (elapsed time) data stored every predetermined time (for example, 1 second) during program viewing (FIG. 10). See) is included. The data (see FIG. 11) stored in the program list memory 225b during viewing as a third storage means includes the program number of the program interrupted during viewing, the viewing date of the program, and viewing when the program is interrupted. The time (elapsed time) is included. In the program list memory 225b during viewing, data of programs during viewing can be stored for a plurality of programs.

【0047】

The help control data stored in the help information memory 226 includes data such as a figure number for displaying help and a text number for displaying help. The multi-screen data stored in the multi-screen information memory 231 is data necessary for guiding a plurality of programs currently being broadcast in a multi-screen configuration when performing multi-screen channel selection, and all programs are 1 If it cannot be displayed on the multi-screen on the screen, multiple multi-screens are provided, but data such as the multi-screen number, the number of multi-screen pages, and the number of screens that make up the multi-screen are included. There is. The graphic data stored in the graphic memory 223 includes the graphic number corresponding to each display state of the broadcast time display, the remaining time display, the program list display during viewing, and the display data in each display state. .. The text data stored in the text memory 224 includes a text number corresponding to each display state of the broadcast time display, the remaining time display, and the program list display during viewing, and message data for giving each explanation message in each display state. It is included. The data that gives the explanation message does not necessarily have to be text data, and may be image data that gives character information. Therefore, instead of the text memory 223b, an image memory that stores character information as image data is used. It can also be configured as it was.

【0048】

Since the program data is updated every time the program content is changed, the program information memory 221 on the terminal side is also rewritten by downloading from the center side. The program data stored in the program information memory 221 is read by the microcomputer 216 and supplied to the image creation circuit 218 composed of a character generator or the like, where it becomes bit format data and is stored in the image memory 219. Temporarily stored. The data in the image memory 219 is read out as an analog signal, supplied to the second input terminal of the image synthesis circuit 215, and output to the television output terminal 222 as character information. The image synthesis circuit 215 synthesizes a program information signal with the screen signal from the switch circuit 227 and outputs it.

【0049】

The cursor position memory 232 stores data corresponding to the coordinate positions (x coordinate, y coordinate) on the screen in advance.

【0050】

Therefore, when the cursor moves to a predetermined position on a plurality of guide screens by the multi-screen, the microcomputer 216 reads the x, y coordinate data of the cursor from the cursor position memory 232, and the x, y coordinate data is the multi-screen. It is possible to determine which of the screens it corresponds to, supply the channel selection data corresponding to that screen to the tuner circuit 212, and select and display the target program.

【0051】

The graphic memory 223, the microcomputer 216, the image creation circuit 218, the image memory 219, and the image composition circuit 215 are means for displaying explanatory diagrams necessary for each display state of the broadcast time display, the remaining time display, and the program list display during viewing. Consists of. Further, the text memory 224, the microcomputer 216, the image creation circuit 218, the image memory 219, and the image composition circuit 215 provide explanatory messages necessary for each display state of the broadcast time display, the remaining time display, and the program list display during viewing. It constitutes a means to be added to the explanatory diagram and displayed.

【0052】

On the other hand, the terminal device 21 has a function of displaying a plurality of programs currently being broadcast in conjunction with the center device 10 on one screen (called multi-screen display) and selecting a program on the display screen. ing. The video information for the multi-screen sent in series from the center side based on the multi-screen instruction by the terminal device 21 is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 213 via the tuner circuit 212, and further image-compressed data by MPEG by the decoder circuit 214. Is decoded into an NTSC signal and then synthesized into a multi-screen by a multi-screen synthesis circuit 229 composed of a frame memory or the like. When the multi-screen display for program selection is being performed, the switch circuit 230 selects the output from the multi-screen synthesis circuit 229, and the output is output to the television output terminal 222 via the image synthesis circuit 215. The microcomputer 216 controls the multi-screen synthesis circuit 229 to perform multi-screen synthesis based on the screen data for multi-screen synthesis from the multi-screen information memory 231.

【0053】

A remote control signal transmitted from a remote control transmitter (not shown) as an operating means is input to the remote control receiving circuit 220, and the remote control receiving circuit 220 receives this, decodes the remote control signal, and inputs the remote control signal to the microcomputer 216. We are supplying.

【0054】

Based on the data supplied from the remote control receiving circuit 220, the microcomputer 216 includes cursor movement, cursor position detection, multi-screen instruction, help screen instruction, program selection, and channel selection based on the program selection, and the selected program. Controls such as viewing confirmation screen display (including broadcasting time display), remaining time display, program list display during viewing, program selection during viewing, and channel selection based on the program selection are performed.

【0055】

In the above configuration, when channel selection is performed using a guide screen such as a multi-screen by a signal from the remote control receiving circuit 220, the microcomputer 216 controls the tuner circuit 212 to select a channel of a desired program. At the same time, the viewing time counter 228 counts the clock from the clock circuit 227, and the count value tn is stored in the remaining time information memory 225a as the viewing time of the program. As a result, by inputting a specific key (that is, a key for displaying the remaining time) of the remote control transmitter as an operating means within the airing time, the microcomputer 216 has the viewing time stored in the remaining time information memory 225a. The remaining time of the program is calculated based on the TM and the airing time M stored in the program information memory 221, and the calculation result is image-created together with the remaining time display data obtained from the graphic memory 223 and the text memory 224. It is sent to the image synthesis circuit 215 via the circuit 218 and the image memory 219 and displayed on the TV screen.

【0056】

Further, when the end key of the remote control transmitter is input to instruct the program being watched to be interrupted in the middle, the microcomputer 216 makes the interruption request via the modems 217 and 13 to the center computer device 14. While the server 11 stops sending the corresponding program video, the microcomputer 216 of the terminal device 21 tells the remaining time information memory 225a the program number and viewing time at the time of the interruption, and the clock circuit 227 at that time. The viewing date and the date of viewing are written in the program list memory 225b during viewing and saved.

【0057】

Then, when it is desired to watch the program in the middle of viewing again, the microcomputer 216 can select the desired program in the middle of viewing from the program list in the middle of viewing displayed on the screen with the cursor and execute the program. The corresponding program number and the viewing time (elapsed time) at the time of interruption are read from, modulated by the modem 217 and sent to the center device 10, in the center device 10, demoted by the modem 13 and decoded by the center computer device 14. The program time management data memory 16 is searched, the corresponding program number and the memory address number corresponding to the intermediate viewing time (elapsed time) are read, and from the corresponding intermediate time of the corresponding program stored in the memory in the server 11. Start sending the program video. As a result, it is possible to resume viewing of the interrupted program.

【0058】

FIG. 4 shows the operation surface of the remote control transmitter. The remote control transmitter has a power key for turning on / off the power of the terminal device 21, an end key for ending the viewing of the program, a time display key for displaying the remaining time, and a multi-screen for multi-screen channel selection. Display keys, cursor keys in four directions, up / down, left / right to select an item or program on the screen, input (execute) key, help key for operating explanation screen display, delete unnecessary programs from the program list during viewing A cancel key is provided to cancel an error in item selection or the like.

【0059】

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the terminal device 21 from program selection to viewing.

【0060】

When a program is selected on a multi-screen or the like (step S1), the microcomputer 216 detects program data from the program information memory 221 (step S2), and among the detected data, at least the program name and broadcast time for viewing confirmation. Is displayed (step S3). After this display is made for a certain period of time, the terminal device 21 automatically sends a preview request for the program to the center device 10, so that the preview image of the program is transmitted from the center device 10 to the terminal device 21 for a predetermined time. It will be output and a preview (highlight scene of the program) will be displayed (step S4). After the preview is displayed, it is displayed to confirm whether or not to watch this program officially (step S5), if yes, start watching the program (step S6), and if no, watch the program. Abandon (step S7).

【0061】

Figure 6 (a) shows an example of displaying the broadcast time. In this display example, when a program is selected, the broadcast time is displayed together with the program name. In the display state of FIG. 6 (a), the viewer cannot know the contents of the movie because the necessary items such as the program name and its airing time are only displayed as text. Therefore, after the display of FIG. 6 (a) is performed for a certain period of time, the preview of the currently selected program is displayed for a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 6 (b), and then in FIG. 6 (c). As shown, a screen prompting "Do you want to watch this movie?" To confirm the viewing is displayed.

【0062】

In addition, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the preview image is displayed after the program name and the broadcast time are displayed, but this preview display stage may be deleted. Instead, the program content may be simply displayed as text together with the display of the program name and the broadcast time.

【0063】

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the terminal device 21 until the remaining time of the program is displayed by inputting the time display key during viewing.

【0064】

At the same time as starting viewing (step S11), the counter value tn of the viewing time counter 228 is reset to 0 (step S12), and time counting is started. Next, it is determined whether or not the time display key has been input (step S13), and if the time display key has not been input, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time, for example, 1 second has passed (step S14). If 1 second does not elapse, the process returns to step S13 and repeats until 1 second elapses. After 1 second elapses, 1 is added to the counter value tn (step S15), and the process returns to step S13. By the loop of steps S13 to S15, the viewing time counter 228 counts the time by 1 second. When the time display key is input in step S13 during the elapse of this time count (on the way to the broadcast time M), the microcomputer 216 performs an operation of subtracting the current counter value tn from the broadcast time M to perform the remaining time TR. Is obtained, and this remaining time data is output to the TV output terminal 222 via the image creation circuit 218, the image memory 219, and the image composition circuit 215 together with the graphic data and the text data for displaying the remaining time, and displayed on the TV screen for a certain period of time. (Alternatively, only the time until the time display key is input again is displayed) (step S16).

【0065】

Figure 8 shows an example of displaying the remaining time. In this example, the remaining time is displayed as a bar graph in the lower right corner of the screen, and the remaining time is displayed as text in letters and numbers.

【0066】

FIG. 9 shows an example of program data downloaded from the center device 10 to the program information memory 221 of the terminal device 21. The program information memory 221 stores the program number, preview program number, program name, program attribute, program material time (broadcast time) M, and the like for a plurality of programs stored in the server of the center device 10. ..

【0067】

FIG. 10 shows an example of data of the remaining time information memory 225a. The remaining time information memory 225a stores the program number of the program currently being selected and executed and the viewing time of the program. The viewing time TM is rewritten at predetermined intervals (for example, 1 second) while the program is being viewed. The stored contents of this memory are reset when the broadcast time M is reached or when the end key of the remote controller transmitter is input.

【0068】

FIG. 11 shows an example of data in the program list memory 225b during viewing. The program number, viewing date, and viewing time (elapsed time) at the time of interruption are stored in the program list memory 225b during viewing for the program whose viewing is interrupted (that is, viewing is terminated in the middle). The memory 225b can store the above data for a plurality of programs whose viewing is interrupted. This memory can be stored only when viewing is interrupted, the program number is written with reference to the program number of the program information memory 221 or the remaining time information memory 225a, and the viewing date is the clock circuit 227. It is written using the data, and the viewing time is written with reference to the viewing time of the remaining time information memory 225a.

【0069】

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for selecting and viewing a program being viewed in the terminal device 21 when the program being viewed is already stored in the program list memory 225b during viewing.

【0070】

First, the microprocessor 216 determines whether or not there is a program being viewed (step S21). As a result, if there is a program being watched, the program list being watched is displayed (step S22). While this in-view program list is displayed, it is determined whether or not to watch the in-view program in this list (step S23). When viewing a program being watched, if a desired program is selected and requested using a cursor or the like, the request is sent to the center device 10 (step S24), and the center device 10 displays a video of the program being watched based on this request. The output is output to the terminal device 21 from the time of the previous interruption, and the terminal device 21 is set to the viewing state (step S25). If there is no program in the middle of viewing in step S21, or if the program is not viewed in step S23, a new program is selected by multi-screen selection (step S26), thereby requesting a new program to the center device 10. Issue (step S24).

【0071】

Next, it is determined whether or not the program viewing is interrupted during the viewing shown in step S25 (step S27), and if it is interrupted, the program list being viewed is updated or added (step S31), and the program is again in step S21. Return. Here, if the program is interrupted during viewing of the program being viewed, the data of the viewing date and viewing time of the same program in the program list during viewing is updated, or the program is interrupted during viewing by a new program selection. If this is the case, new program data during viewing will be added to the program list during viewing. In step S27, if there is no interruption, it is determined whether or not the program has ended next (step S28). If not finished, return to step S25 again. If the program has ended, it is determined whether or not the program that has just ended was a program in the middle of viewing (step S29). If the program is not in the middle of viewing, it returns to the initial step S21 again as if it was a new program selection. If the program ended in step S28 is a program in the middle of viewing, the end program is deleted from the program list in the middle of viewing, and the program returns to the initial step S21.

【0072】

FIG. 13 shows a display example of a program list during viewing.

【0073】

The title (program name), viewing date, and remaining time of the program interrupted during viewing are displayed as "The following program is being viewed." By selecting a desired program from the program list during viewing with the cursor and inputting an input key, it is possible to re-display the previously left portion by interrupting the program. In addition, if there is a program to be deleted in the program list during viewing, the program being viewed can be deleted by selecting it with the cursor and inputting the cancel key.

【0074】

FIG. 14 shows a transmission / reception procedure between the center device 10 and the self-counting terminal device 21 shown in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 3.

【0075】

When a program request is made from the terminal device 21 with the viewing time TM set to 0, the center device 10 searches for the requested program, sets the viewing time TM to 0, and starts transmitting a desired program image. Then, the terminal device 21 counts up the counter value tn of the viewing time counter 228 by 1 with the passage of time. When the viewing time TM becomes tn and the viewing interruption occurs in the terminal device 21, the terminal device 21 issues a termination request to the center device 10, and the viewing time TM at the time of interruption is sent to the program list memory 225b during viewing. Remember and finish. After that, when the terminal device 21 issues a program request from the program list during viewing with the viewing time TM as tn for the interrupted program, the center device 10 searches for the requested intermediate program and sets the viewing time TM. The transmission of the desired program video is started as tn. Then, in the terminal device 21, the counter value tn of the viewing time counter 228 with the passage of time. Is counted up one by one. When the viewing time TM reaches the broadcast time M, the center device 10 sends the end of the program to the terminal device 21. As a result, the terminal device 21 ends viewing, and at the same time, automatically deletes the recorded content related to the program from the program list memory 225b during viewing.

【0076】

FIG. 15 shows an example of data at the time of request from the terminal device 21 to the center device 10.

【0077】

The data at the time of request is composed of a header, a terminal address, a command number, a program number, a viewing time (TM), and a block check code (BBC). Here, the terminal address is an address number unique to each terminal device, the command number is a command number indicating the request contents such as a number request, an end request, and a multi-screen request, and the block check code is an error correction code.

【0078】

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the video-on-demand device according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 will be described with the same reference numerals.

【0079】

In the center device 10A shown in the embodiment of FIG. 16, the center computer device 14 in the video on-demand device 10 of FIG. 1 is provided with a clock circuit 17 as a clock means for generating clock data, and the inside of the terminal device 21A is provided. Is configured so that no clock circuit or viewing time counter is particularly provided. That is, in this embodiment, the clock data of the clock circuit 17 in the center device 10A is multiplexed with the video data of the server 11 as a time code, and the carrier wave is further modulated by the modulator 12 and transmitted to the terminal device 21A. Then, the terminal device 21A demodulates and decodes the signal transmitted at the same time as the start of viewing, detects the time code, and calculates the viewing time and remaining time of the program. Other configurations are the same as in FIG.

【0080】

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a terminal device according to the embodiment of FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 3 will be described with the same reference numerals.

【0081】

In the terminal device 21A shown in the embodiment of FIG. 17, the clock circuit 227 and the viewing time counter 228 in the terminal device 21 of FIG. 3 are deleted, and a time data detection circuit 233 is provided instead. That is, the video signal from the decoder circuit 214 is input to the time data detection circuit 233, the time code detected by the time data detection circuit 233 is detected, and the time code is supplied to the microcomputer 216A. In the microcomputer 216A, the viewing time tn is calculated by taking the difference between the time code at the start of viewing and the time code when a certain time has passed since then, and the remaining time is calculated based on the program broadcasting time M. It is designed to do. The calculated remaining time is displayed on the television screen via the image creation circuit 218, the image memory 219, and the image composition circuit 215, as in the case of the embodiment of FIG. Other configurations are the same as in FIG.

【0082】

FIG. 18 shows the configuration of digital data transmitted from the center device 10A of FIG. 16 to the terminal device 21A of FIG. The data transmitted from the center device to the terminal device is composed of a header and video / audio data. The header is composed of a synchronization signal, a program number portion, and a time code output from the clock circuit 17 on the center side.

【0083】

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of the terminal device 21A from the start of viewing to the display of the remaining time by inputting the time display key.

【0084】

At the same time when the viewing is started (step S31), the microcomputer 216A stores the time code sent from the center device 10A in the area Ts (area Ts is the memory area in the microcomputer) for storing the time code at the start. ) And start time counting (S32). Next, it is determined whether or not the time display key has been input (step S33), and if there is no time display key input, it is determined whether or not the next time code has been input from the center device 10A (step S34). If there is no time code input, the process returns to step S33 and repeats until the time code is input. When there is a time code input, the time code is stored in the storage area Tc (the area Tc is a memory area in the microprocessor) (step S35), and the process returns to step S33. By the loop of steps S33 to S35, the time code storage area Tc is updated every time a new time code is entered. When the time display key is input in step S33 during the update of this time code (on the way to the airing time M), the microcomputer 216A performs an operation of subtracting the time code Ts at the start from the time code Tc at that time. The remaining time TR is calculated by obtaining the viewing time tn and further subtracting the viewing time tn from the airing time M, and this remaining time data is combined with the graphic data and text data for displaying the remaining time, and the image creation circuit 218, It is output to the TV output terminal 222 via the image memory 219 and the image synthesis circuit 215, and is displayed on the TV screen for a certain period of time (or only the time until the time display key is input again) (step S36). An example of displaying the remaining time is the same as in FIG. In this example, the remaining time is displayed as a bar graph in the lower right corner of the screen, and the remaining time is displayed as text in letters and numbers.

【0085】

FIG. 20 shows a transmission / reception procedure between the center device 10A and the terminal device 21A of the time code transmission method as shown in the examples of FIGS. 16 and 17.

【0086】

When there is a program request from the terminal device 21A with the viewing time TM set to 0, the center device 10A searches for the requested program and starts transmitting the desired program image together with the time code ts corresponding to the viewing time TM = 0. .. Then, in the center device 10A, the time code tc is counted up with the passage of time. The current viewing time TM corresponds to the time code tc at the start minus the current time code ts. When the viewing interruption occurs in the terminal device 21A, the terminal device 21A issues an end request to the center device 10A, stores the viewing time TM at the time of interruption in the program list memory 225b during viewing, and ends the viewing. After that, when the terminal device 21A issues a program request from the program list during viewing with the viewing time TM as tc -ts for the interrupted program, the center device 10A searches for the requested program during viewing and the viewing time. Set TM as tc -ts and start the transmission of the desired program video. Then, in the terminal device 21A, the code value tc of the time code memory in the microprocessor 216A with the passage of time. Will be counted up. When the viewing time TM reaches the broadcast time M, the center device 10A sends the end of the program to the terminal device 21A. As a result, the terminal device 21A ends viewing, and at the same time, deletes the recorded content related to the program from the program list memory 225b during viewing.

【0087】

In the above embodiment, the viewing confirmation screen display (including airing time display) data, the remaining time display data, the program list display data during viewing, and the help display data are displayed from the center side to the terminal side when the power is turned on. The case where it is downloaded to the memory is explained, but these data may be downloaded from the center side each time depending on the screen to be displayed, or these data are loaded into the memory of the terminal side in advance at the factory stage. It may have been done.

【0088】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, by displaying the broadcast time on the viewing confirmation screen of the selected program, it is possible to prevent the subscriber from accidentally purchasing the program longer than the scheduled time. In addition, the operability can be improved by displaying the remaining time of the program by inputting a specific key within the broadcast time. Further, the program can be interrupted in the middle of the broadcast time, the viewing request can be made again, and the program being viewed can be viewed again from the middle.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

The block diagram which shows one Example of the video-on-demand apparatus which concerns on this invention.

[Figure 2]

The block diagram which shows the program time management data which is referred to when the program is requested from the middle in the apparatus of FIG.

[Fig. 3]

The block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal apparatus in the Example of FIG.

[Fig. 4]

The plan view which shows the operation surface of the remote control transmitter.

[Fig. 5]

The flowchart explaining the display operation of the broadcast time in the terminal device of FIG.

[Fig. 6]

The figure which shows the viewing confirmation screen including the display of the broadcast time in the terminal device of FIG.

[Fig. 7]

The flowchart explaining the display operation of the remaining time in the terminal apparatus of FIG.

[Fig. 8]

The figure which shows the display example of the remaining time in the terminal device of FIG.

[Fig. 9]

The figure which shows the example of the data which is loaded into the program information memory of the terminal device of FIG.

[Fig. 10]

The figure which shows the example of data written in the remaining time information memory of the terminal apparatus of FIG.

[Fig. 11]

The figure which shows the example of the data which is written to the program list memory during viewing of the terminal device of FIG.

[Fig. 12]

A flowchart illustrating an operation from a program request by a program list during viewing to the end of viewing.

[Fig. 13]

The figure which shows the display example of the program list during viewing.

[Fig. 14]

The figure explaining the transmission / reception procedure of interruption of viewing and resumption of viewing in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[Fig. 15]

The figure which shows the data example at the time of request from the terminal apparatus to the center apparatus in the Example of FIG. 1 and FIG.

[Fig. 16]

The block diagram which shows the other Example of the video-on-demand apparatus which concerns on this invention.

[Fig. 17]

The block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal apparatus in the Example of FIG.

[Fig. 18]

The figure which shows the example of the data transmitted from the center apparatus to the terminal apparatus in the Example of FIG. 16 and FIG.

[Fig. 19]

The flowchart explaining the display operation of the remaining time in the terminal apparatus of FIG.

[Fig. 20]

The figure explaining the transmission / reception procedure of interruption of viewing and resumption of viewing in the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,10A ... Center equipment 11 ... server 14 ... Center computer equipment 15 ... Program menu management data memory 16 ... Program time management data memory 20 ... Subscriber equipment 21,21A ... Terminal device 22 ... Television receiver 215 ... Image synthesis circuit 216,216A ... Microcomputer 221 ... Program information memory 225a ... Remaining time information memory 225b ... Program list memory during viewing