CN1134158C - 用于替换电视信号的***和方法 - Google Patents

用于替换电视信号的***和方法 Download PDF

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CN1134158C
CN1134158C CNB988099454A CN98809945A CN1134158C CN 1134158 C CN1134158 C CN 1134158C CN B988099454 A CNB988099454 A CN B988099454A CN 98809945 A CN98809945 A CN 98809945A CN 1134158 C CN1134158 C CN 1134158C
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布赖恩·L·克洛斯特曼
道格拉斯·马克瑞
杰奎·雨戈
�ֵ�����
托马斯·沃德
肯尼思·汉考克
彼得·斯考夫
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Le Wei Guide Co
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Starsight Telecast Inc
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Abstract

本发明提供一些方法和***，它们使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器(150)上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本，替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机(150)调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号。本发明的一个方面提供一些替换和/或修改可由电视观众收看并收听的广告的方法和***。

Description

用于替换电视信号的***和方法
本发明一般涉及电视***，更具体地涉及由电视调谐的电视编程信号的截留，和使用替换视频和/或音频编程和/或使用图象和/或文本对所述调谐电视编程信号进行的替换或覆盖。
从历史上看，电视观众控制电视的调谐，因而控制出现在监视器上的电视信号的视频显示和在观众电视机上的扬声器的音频声音。早期电视机为手动调谐；后来，电视观众开始使用红外线遥控设备来改变电视所调谐到的频道。
在观众-控制-调谐的环境下，电视编程一般经一个有收费广告中断电视节目的商业频道展示给观众。电视广告户付款给一个特定网络或特定频道以便在特定电视节目传送期间内的规定时间***广告。例如，一个快餐汉堡包连锁店可能支付给FOX网络一大笔钱以便在超级保龄球全国转播期间内的规定时间30秒展示一个滴入调味番茄酱的汉堡包的商业广告。一般来说，在商业中断电视节目期间，一个接一个地展示多个商业广告。
在观众控制调谐的环境下，如果电视观众调谐观众的电视以便调到使FOX网络节目传送到观众的电视机的频道，则电视观众的电视显示监视器在该比赛转播的规定时间内显示超级保龄球比赛。在FOX网络发送超级保龄球比赛节目有效区域的时间内，FOX网络在节目传送中安排用于商业广告的中断。在预定的广告期间，如果观众不改变频道，则观众的电视机在其电视上显示预定的广告。
很多观众不想观看在预定商业中断期间显示的特定商业广告。这样的观众在商业中断期间可能改变频道，这是一个经常被称为“频道冲浪”的处理。频道冲浪观众必须预测商业中断将持续的时间，从而观众最终及时将频道变回到FOX网络以便继续观看超级保龄球比赛。
从历史上讲，电视机是“哑”终端，即，当其被调谐到一个特定频道时，就在显示监视器上显示由所述电视调谐者调谐的模拟电视信号的视频显示。与较古老的“哑”电视机相反，很多现代电视机具有复杂和高效的可编程微处理器并提供具有重要意义的随机存取存储器(“RAM”)和只读存储器(“ROM”)。显然，可使用电子节目引导(“EPG”)来编程配置现代微处理器/RAM/ROM的电视机。
作为商业中断期间的频道冲浪的一个替换，一些观众启动EPG以便在其他频道上收看将要播放的节目一览表。电子节目引导的最新改进提供观众-到-EPG的交互改进并在EPG显示的同时提供电视节目的“图象引导”(“PIG”)显示。国际申请PCT/US95/11173(国际公开号WO96/07270)描述了这样一种改进，其公开文本的所有方面并入本文以作参考。对EPG的进一步改进在EPG显示中提供多个窗口以允许观众同时作几件事情：继续观看当前调谐的频道，操作可用于观众电视的频道编程时间表，并观看广告的多个附加模式。美国专利申请No.09/120488(律师案卷号No.32714/LTR/E190)，描述了这样一种改进，其公开文本的所有方面并入本文以作参考。
美国专利申请No.09/120488(律师案卷号No.32714/LTR/E190)公开的多种改进中的一种是与特定观众有关的大量信息的集合，这里称为观众图表(profile)。在美国专利申请No.09/120488(律师案卷号No.32714/LTR/E190)中还描述：使用观众图表以便将显示定制为广告的观众。在本发明中，可为将广告显示给观众的每种模式定制广告显示，本发明包括但不限定为作为EPG显示一部分显示的广告定制和由电视调谐者传送的广告定制。
本发明提供一些使用所选择的显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本，来代替在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的方法和***。本发明的一个方面提供替换和/或修改可被电视观众看到和听到的广告的方法和***。
在一个实施例中，本发明使用一个EPG作为一个平台，通过该平台实现本文所述改进。然而，本发明不依靠于EPG平台。即，对于本发明的某些实施例，观众不必与EPG交互。另外，对于本发明的某些实施例，不需要可用于观众电视的EPG的复杂的交互显示***。即，根据本发明的一个方面，替换由电视观众看到和听到的广告的选择和显示与任何观众图表信息无关以及与观众和EPG的交互，甚至EPG的存在都无关。
根据本发明的一个方面，一个EPG生成***是可选编程的以在启动EPG时阻塞当前显示节目的音频和视频。
根据本发明的另一个方面，根据所选择的频道或在启动EPG时所看到的选择显示，启动音频和/或视频阻塞。
根据本发明的再一方面，远程地设定位于频道表或节目表项的阻塞比特以控制启动EPG时所收看的选择频道或选择显示的阻塞音频和/或视频阻塞。
根据本发明的再一方面，一个广告或消息显示在EPG上以替换所阻塞的音频和/或视频。
根据本发明的再一方面，在确定时间期间以观众可视方式将观众电视调谐到第二频道，接着将其调谐到第一频道。
参照下面的描述、附属权利要求书、以及附图，本发明的这些和其他特征、方面、和优点将变得更加易于理解：
图1是用于产生一个EPG的分层数据库的示意图。
图2A和2B是用于本发明一个EPG实施例的EPG数据库中的数据结构的示意图。
图3是用于启动音频和/或视频阻塞的步骤的一个实施例的流程图。
图4A是描述电视监视器上的一个EPG显示的示意图，其中EPG显示与电视信号的实时视频显示的一部分重叠。
图4B是描述电视监视器上的一个EPG显示的示意图，其中EPG显示与电视信号的全部实时视频显示重叠。
图5是描述本发明的头端(Head End)频道改变方面的示意图。
图6是在头端进行的头端频道改变处理的流程图。
图7A是一个具有单个信号接收机/调谐器的电视***的示意图。
图7B是在观众电视机进行的头端频道改变处理的流程图。
图8是具有两个信号接收机/调谐器的电视***的示意图。
图9是由EPG观众图表实现所需部件进行的电视频道改变处理的一个实施例的流程图。
图10是一个具有用于实时视频信号显示的编程引导窗口的交互电子节目引导的样本屏幕显示的图形显示。
本发明在观众不改变频道的情况下提供改变电视观众观看内容的功能。本发明的一个应用是改变观众所看到的显示在观众电视监视器上的广告。
表明该应用极为有用的一种情况是一个电视网络想以广告为目标的场合。例如，可以考虑到一个网络，例如正在传送一个重大事件，例如超级保龄球比赛的全国范围实时转播的FOX。从历史上讲，广告客户为一个广告支付一大笔钱以使其在超级保龄球比赛覆盖范围内的商业中断期间的确定时间被传送。从历史上讲，在单个商业中断期间该网络一个接一个地传送几个广告，持续时间一般从15秒到60秒。与以前网络使用的串行广告模式相反，本发明允许广告多点传送。即，本发明将提供允许一个网络建立多个广告频道，例如，FOX，FOX1，FOX2等的***和方法。每个频道能及时提供一个分开的同步广告节目以便与主频道，例如，FOX上传送的广告同步。使用本发明，正在FOX上观看超级保龄球比赛的各个观众的电视机，在商业中断期间以观众可视的方式自动调谐到多个FOX频道中的一个。在一个实施例中，电视机以串行方式自动调谐到多个FOX频道中的一个或多个。
选择将特定观众的电视调谐到的频道的标准可以考虑各个观众图表，或可以根据某些其他标准，以便由网络来定义。本申请将进一步描述用于进行这样选择的某些可能的标准。
本发明不限于特定的选择标准设定。相反，本发明公开使用本领域公知的这些方法，正如使用表格驱动软件程序和/或数据库驱动标准选择的情况一样，使这样的选择是可定义的。如已经描述的，表格和/或数据库中包含的驱动选择标准的数据可以基于观众的各个图表。然而，选择驱动表格和/或数据库还可以包含其他类型的数据，例如地理位置和每天观众接收电视信号的相应时间。另外，选择驱动标准不限于自动方法。
本申请重复提到“调谐”一个电视到一个特定的“频道”。在该申请中，术语“频道”包括，但不限于，诸如电视频道，有线频道，和卫星频道之类的常规视频和音频通信的方法。进一步，术语“频道”还包括其他的视频和音频方法，以及其他通信类型，包括但不限于因特网址地址以及外部数据源。
可以在个人计算机，PCTV，连接到机顶盒的电视，包括微处理器的电视，或其他这样的设备上实现本发明。标题为“包括音频和/或视频阻塞功能的电子编程引导”的美国临时专利申请60/057,089的公开文本所有方面被并入本文以作参考，就好象在本文全部陈述其所有方面一样。然而，本发明不限于任何特定的硬件配置或任何特定的电视***，并且由于开发计算机和电视***的新组合，本发明将增加应用。例如，本发明不限于常规的模拟电视，而可同样应用于数字电视和计算机配置。
A. 头端频道改变
根据本发明的一个方面，头端传送提供者监控输出的电视编程信号。本发明的该方面被称为“头端频道改变”。图5是描述本发明的头端频道改变方面的示意图。图6是在头端进行的头端频道改变处理的流程图。图7A是一个具有单个的信号接收机/调谐器的电视***的示意图。图7B是在观众电视机进行的头端频道改变处理的流程图。
头端110上的监控可通过电子或手动进行。根据预先建立的标准，头端传送提供者将一个频道改变命令***到一个或多个频道的垂直消隐期间(“VBI”)。可选地，频道改变命令附有例如以秒表示的持续时间。用于VBI频道改变命令***的预先建立的标准可以基于，例如，在一个频道上识别的广告的时间表，节目和广告时间安排表。可替换地，头端传送提供者询问输出信号并检测一个特定事件，例如，从电视编程到商业广告的改变。频道改变命令指示接收电视机调谐到一个特定频道。
在头端频道改变的一个实施例中，头端传送提供者监控器110监控一个特定频道，即频道A的输出电视编程信号。被监控的频道由表格或数据库130中的数据定义为头端。头端监控器确定是否要截取一个特定频道310。当被监控频道开始传送广告时，头端提供者检查一个表格或数据库140，该表格或数据库140包含确定一个特定广告是否应被频道改变命令截取320所必须的信息。表格或数据库140在其中将包含频道，时间和频道改变信息。该集合信息有时在下面被称为“频道和广告截取数据库信息”。如果头端提供者确定该广告应被截取，则头端提供者将一个频道改变命令***到VBI325以指示接收电视机改变到第二特定频道，即频道B。这就是说，频道改变命令***到VBI的定时与该广告开始同步。频道B传送与频道A的广告传送时间同步的替换广告和/或电视编程。电视具有一个可编程微处理器以识别频道改变命令并将电视调谐到VBI命令指示的频道。
在一个替换实施例中，头端将一个频道改变命令***到VBI 325，但是不规定电视应调谐到的特定频道。在该实施例中，电视微处理器将根据电视***提供的信息确定，包括但不限于，电视应调谐到的频道的观众图表信息，广告数据库，和其他类型信息。
图7A是一个具有单个的信号接收机/调谐器的电视***的示意图。图7B是在观众电视机进行的头端频道改变处理的流程图。电视接收机210接收输入电视信号。电视接收机210包括一个调谐器。电视接收机将一个电视信号发送到VBI解码器235以解码信号的VBI所载有的信息。VBI解码器235将解码的VBI信息发送到微处理器240，用于分析。
接着，考虑一个被调谐到频道A的特定观众的电视机。在头端频道改变环境下，当观众的电视机接收到频道A的VBI内的频道改变命令时600/610，电视***被编程以执行频道改变命令并指示电视调谐器调谐到频道B620。如果VBI频道改变命令附有一个持续时间部件，则电视被编程以使调谐到频道B的电视经过VBI命令所表示的持续时间(“频道B持续时间”)640。在频道B持续时间到期时，电视被编程以便将电视调谐到频道A650。在本发明该方面的一个实施例(“手动干预”实施例)中，如果观众干预头端频道改变序列并指示电视改变到一个特定频道，例如，频道C，则电视被编程以忽略频道B的持续时间到期。在这样的手动干预实施例中，甚至在频道B持续时间到期之后，电视也将保留调谐到频道C。在另一个实施例中，电视被编程以忽略观众的手动干预，并在频道B持续时间到期时将电视重新调谐到频道A。在一个替换实施例中，头端继续监控频道A上的广告。当头端确定频道A上的广告结束时，头端将一个频道改变命令***频道A的VBI以指示将观众的电视重新调谐到频道A。在该实施例中，甚至在观众观看频道B期间，电视也监控频道A。
如果观众正观看电视模式的电视，则将进行频道改变命令。在该应用中，电视模式涉及这样的电视操作，即，在实时电视信号(与此相反为记录的视频信号)显示在电视上的期间，观众正观看全部占有电视显示监视器的电视显示的电视。进一步，如果观众处于EPG模式，则还要进行频道改变命令。在该应用中，EPG模式涉及这样的电视操作，即，观众已启动EPG并且由EPG形成的，屏幕显示上的某些显示在电视显示监视器上是显然的。如上所述，很多现代EPGs使用所谓的图象引导(“PIG”)窗口。即，当电视操作在EPG模式时，在“窗口”图象引导窗口中，例如电视监视器上的屏幕显示的固定位置区域中显示来自电视调谐到的频道的电视信号。图10是一个用于实时视频信号显示的具有节目引导窗口12的交互电子节目引导的样本屏幕显示的图形显示。在EPG提供继续显示在PIG窗口12的电视信号的情况下，当观众处于EPG模式时进行频道改变命令，这可使PIG的显示在PIG窗口12反映改变的频道。
考虑在频道A电视广播超级保龄球比赛的实例。频道A截取超级保龄球比赛的电视广播传送以便一个接一个地传送几个预定的广告。头端检测电视信号的变化以表示正传送一个广告。头端检查为其提供的信息，例如上述的频道和广告截取数据库信息，以确定是否应截取广告。如果是这样，则头端立即将一个命令***频道A的VBI以便调谐到频道B。
在该实例中，观众正在被调谐到频道A的观众的电视机上观看超级保龄球比赛。频道A中断超级保龄球比赛以展示一个啤酒商业广告节目。观众的电视被编程以识别并执行VBI改变频道命令。当观众的电视遭遇VBI改变频道命令时，观众的电视调谐到频道B。频道B展示一个全国知名品牌的运动鞋的商业广告节目。当频道B上的商业广告节目结束时，观众的电视被编程以返回频道A。频道改变对观众来说是可视的。
作为一种替换，当电视机调谐到频道B时，频道B提供与超级保龄球比赛相关的商业广告节目和非商业广告节目的混合，例如体育采访和运动员签名的运动设备。观众的电视被编程以便在频道B的商业广告节目和非商业广告节目混合结束时调谐到频道A。
B. 电视频道改变
根据本发明的另一个方面，电视***被编程以监控电视调谐的电视编程信号。图9是由EPG观众图表实现所需部件进行的电视频道改变处理的一个实施例的流程图。根据预先建立的标准，电视机指示电视改变频道(“电视频道改变”)。可选地，频道改变命令及时规定明确的持续时间。改变频道的预先建立的标准可以基于，例如，在频道上识别的广告时间表，RAM内保留的节目和广告时间安排表(“广告时间表数据库”)510和530。在广告时间表数据库保留在RAM的一个实施例中，广告时间表数据库的数据内容通过已有技术中公知的一些方式更新，例如通过数据库传送用VBI更新。作为一种替换，广告时间表数据库510和530可以保留在电视可寻址的位置，例如处于因特网上。广告时间表数据库包含被截取的每个广告数据项。每个数据项都在其中规定被安排载有被截取广告的频道(频道A)，被截取广告的开始时间，电视应调谐到的频道(频道B)，以及可选地，电视应保持调谐到频道B的持续时间。
作为一种替换，改变频道的预先建立的标准可以基于用调谐电视信号检测的确定变化。例如，电视询问调谐信号并检测一个特定的事件，例如从电视节目到商业广告的改变。该处理与图7B中的处理流程图类似。当电视检测到这样的一个预先定义的事件时，电视指示调谐器将频道改变到一个特定的频道。在电视频道改变的一个实施例中，电视从位于上述广告调度数据库中的信息建立改变频道的指令。在电视频道改变的另一个实施例中，电视从位于相关的频道数据表数据项和/或节目列表数据项的信息以及广告数据库中的相应数据项建立改变频道的指令，频道数据表数据项和/或节目列表数据项以及广告数据库将在后面的应用中详细描述。
如前所述，如果观众正在用电视模式观看电视，则进行频道改变命令。进一步，如果观众处于EPG模式，则也进行频道改变命令，使得PIG显示反映PIG窗口12内的改变频道。
在一个替换实施例中，电视具有两个调谐器。图8是一个具有两个信号接收器/调谐器的电视***的示意图。在该实施例中，不是保留被截取的每个商业广告节目的持续时间，而是电视使用一个调谐器调谐到频道B；电视使用第二个调谐器280监控频道A以确定广告完成时间，如前面在本申请中结合头端频道改变所描述的。当第二调谐器280检测到广告结束时，第二调谐器280指示电视在屏幕上显示频道A。这可以通过两种方式实现。一种方式是指示电视使用第一调谐器调谐到频道A。第二种方式是将屏幕显示控制从调谐到频道B的第一调谐器切换到已调谐到频道A的第二调谐器。
C.EPG实现
根据本发明的另一个方面，如果观众启动EPG，则仅实现观众观看的电视信号的改变。本发明的该方面被称为“EPG实现”。
在EPG实现中，一个数据库引擎(“DBE”)在RAM中建立一个数据库。图1示出这样的数据库的一个分层结构。在一个实施例中，该数据库内部构成为由句柄和句柄表链接的目录数据结构和题目数据结构。每个句柄是一个包含到存储器数据块指针的句柄表的索引，其中存储器数据块存储数据库结构。
在一个实施例中，目录数据结构的分层为递减顺序：
频道数据表：包含用户单元的频道列表；
节目列表：包含一个频道预定广播的每个节目的时间段；
节目标题：包含标题文本和节目标题属性；
节目描述：包含节目的级别，属性，和描述文本。
图2A所述的频道数据表是所述分层中的最高级别数据结构。该表包括观众电视接收的每个频道数据项。频道数据表内的数据项改变不频繁并且由用户单元位置和所接收的服务类型确定。每个频道数据表数据项包括与频道以及到该频道的节目列表句柄表的句柄有关的信息。另外，在EPG实现中，频道数据表包括由DBE接收的命令设定的一个音频阻塞比特(“ABB”)，和一个视频阻塞比特(“VBB”)。
图2B所述的分层中的下一个数据结构是节目列表，该节目列表包括一般为午夜GMT的开始时间和24小时的时间安排。频道的时间表由一定顺序的节目段给出，每个节目的节目段在特定一天的特定频道广播。每个节目段包括持续时间，节目标题句柄，以及节目描述句柄。找到对应于一个给定开始时间的数据项需要按顺序，从节目列表开始扫描数据项并增加持续时间值。在EPG实现中，节目列表包括一个ABB和一个VBB。
在EPG实现的一个实施例中，处于频道表数据项和节目列表数据项的ABB和VBB伴有附加信息，包括到下面描述的广告数据库中的数据项的指针。
除上述节目时间安排数据外，EPG实现的一个实施例提供局部电视***上的广告数据库的创建和维护。广告数据库包括包含视频，音频，图形和/或文本组件的广告。广告数据库还包括调谐到一个特定频道的指令。频道-调谐指令由***使用以便将电视调谐到提供广告的频道。
在EPG实现的一个实施例中，本发明使用上述以及图2A和2B所示的频道数据表内的频道ID数据项内的音频阻塞比特(“ABB”)和视频阻塞比特(“VBB”)以及节目列表数据结构内的节目列表数据项，以确定是否阻塞观众电视机当前调谐的视频和/或音频信号。图3是用于启动音频和/或视频阻塞的步骤的一个实施例的流程图。已预先为每个频道和每个节目设定保存在ABB和VBB数据字段的值。图4A是描述电视监视器上的一个EPG显示的示意图，其中EPG显示仅与电视信号的实时视频显示的一部分重叠。图4B是描述电视监视器400上的一个EPG显示405的示意图，其中EPG显示与电视信号的全部实时视频显示重叠(阻塞)。
当用户启动EPG时，在用户进入EPG之前，EPG检查当前调谐频道的频道表数据项的VBB。在EPG实现的一个实施例中，如果当前调谐频道的频道表数据项的VBB设定为“on”，则调整EPG显示以完全覆盖屏幕。即，正收看的节目被完全封闭。
类似地，检查当前调谐频道的ABB。如果当前调谐频道的频道表数据项的ABB设定为“on”，则当观众进入EPG时EPG阻塞当前调谐频道的音频部分。即，如果提供给电视***的信号调制到频道3/4输出，则音频信号未被调制到输出信号。
如果启动音频或视频阻塞，则访问上述的广告数据库。在EPG实现的一个实施例中，***根据基于标准的预先编程的指令组访问广告数据库，该标准包括每天的时间；每周的某天；在紧接启动EPG之前观众正观看的节目类型；和/或在紧接启动EPG之前观众调谐到的频道，但不限于此。预先编程的指令组确定适当的广告以便在适当的窗口和/或EPG显示窗口显示。预先编程的指令组还可以进一步使用观众图表特性以确定显示在观众的电视监视器上的适当广告。
在EPG实现的另一个实施例中，处于频道表数据项和节目列表数据项中的ABB和VBB伴有到上述广告数据库535中的数据项的附加指针。在该实施例中，如果ABB或VBB设定为“on”，则***访问由与ABB和/或VBB相关的指针指示的广告数据库。接着***使用无论其为视频，音频，图形，文本还是一个命令的广告数据调谐到另一个频道，以便在PIG显示窗口，或者某些其他窗口或者EPG的显示设备向观众示出替换广告。作为一种替换，替换广告数据可由因特网上的一个链路存取。作为一种替换，包括视频，音频，图形，和/或文本的替换广告数据可由EPG提供者从头端，例如，通过VBI传送。
D. EPG观众图表实现
根据本发明的再一个方面，如果电视提供一个EPG并且如果EPG被编程以便根据称为观众图表的数据集合定制广告，则仅实施观众观看的电视信号的改变。本发明的该方面被称为“EPG观众图表实现”。美国专利申请No.09/120488(律师案卷号No.32714/LTR/E190)，公开了观众图表数据集合，其公开文本所有方面已并入本文以作参考。EPG观众图表实现不必基于观众实际启动EPG。
在EPG观众图表实现的一个实施例中，电视***使用观众图表信息520定制在观众观看的电视节目的实时电视转播期间可收看的电视转播广告的显示和/或时间安排。一个实例是定制一个在局部图形基础上的广告的覆盖信息。例如，各个观众的地理位置为电视***所知。广播装置或头端可以打包匹配邮政编码以定制信息，因此每个邮政编码得到不同的信息，即，观众本地的三家Burger King快餐店。在一个实施例中，定制的信息可通过邮政编码预加载到特定观众的电视***的存储器中，就好象一个EPG。预加载信息在关机期间可通过头端发送并存储在观众终端以便在广告运行时，例如在一个电视节目期间或Ad窗口14和/或16内的视频剪辑时使用。运行信息的电子触发可与电视信号一起实时发送并可识别存储在必须使用的用户终端的信息。
在EPG观众图表实现的另一个实施例中，根据保留在头端的观众图表信息，定制信息是带有电视播送广告的小范围广播。小范围广播定制信息的一种方式是将定制信息嵌入广告视频流中。另一种方式是发送广告视频流中的数字“水印”。
在EPG观众图表实现的一个实施例中，通过提供多个广告频道，通过在预定要出现广告期间的电视节目的电视转播期间将电视自动调谐到特定广告频道，以及通过接着在广告结束时将电视调谐回观众选择的电视节目，实现广告实时收看的定制。在EPG观众图表实现中，EPG根据观众图表520确定应指示电视调谐到多个替换广告频道中的哪一个。
在另一个实施例中，一个服务程序在一个特定频道电视广播广告时监控广告的电视广播，并且根据保留在头端160的观众图表信息，在电视广播一个广告时将一个频道改变命令***垂直消隐期间(“VBI”)，所述频道改变命令使电视调谐到一个特定频道。作为一种替换，头端***频道改变命令，并且观众电视的EPG根据观众图表520确定电视应调谐到多个替换广告频道中的哪一个。
在该应用中，术语观众图表包括可由EPG收集的观众的所有方面，并且包括被描述为观众图表数据的信息，观众图表特性，观众图表信息，和/或美国专利申请No.09/120488(律师案卷号No.32714/LTR/E190)内的观众图表，但不限于此，以及还包括，这里所述的“存取-内容”信息模型，“相邻-内容”信息模型，和“使用历史”信息模型。
EPG可从各种可能位置选择广告，这些位置包括已经通过VBI下载的存储在观众终端的RAM，存储在头端，或通过EPG链路可访问因特网/环球网的广告库535，但不限于此。广告535可以为图形，文本，视频剪辑，声频剪辑，和其组合的形式。每个广告可以指定题目代码，图表代码，和其他选择信息。在一个实施例中，为了定制广告显示，EPG检索可用的广告库以定位匹配由广告客户设定的“存取内容”，“相邻内容”，“使用历史”，和/或观众图表信息的标准的广告。在另一个实施例中，EPG根据预先建立的标准选择显示广告。
本文所述本发明的实施例仅能认为是优选的和/或本发明概念的说明；这些实施例不限定本发明的范围。在不脱离本发明的精神和范围的情况下本领域技术人员可作出各种和多个其他布局。例如，与其用于常规模拟电视一样，本发明可同样应用到数字电视。

Claims (12)

1.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的方法，包括步骤：
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道，所述改变频道的指令使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本。
2.如权利要求1所述方法，其中所述改变频道的指令识别一个第二特定频道。
3.如权利要求2所述方法，其中所述改变频道的指令包括一个持续时间。
4.如权利要求3所述方法，进一步包括步骤：
在观众电视机接收所述第一特定频道上的所述电视信号；
在所述观众电视机识别所述改变频道的指令；
在所述持续时间将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第二特定频道；
将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第一特定频道。
5.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的***，包括：
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号的装置，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点的装置；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道的装置，所述改变频道的指令使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本。
6.如权利要求5所述***，其中所述改变频道的指令识别一个第二特定频道。
7.如权利要求6所述***，其中所述改变频道的指令包括一个持续时间。
8.如权利要求7所述***，进一步包括：
接收所述第一特定频道上的所述电视信号的装置；
在观众电视机识别所述改变频道的指令的装置；
在所述持续时间将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第二特定频道的装置；
将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第一特定频道的装置。
9.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的方法，该电视机包括电子节目引导，该方法包括步骤：
根据用户与电子节目引导的交互，在头端提供者保持观众图表数据；
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道，所述改变频道的指令使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示为所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本。
10.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的***，包括：
根据用户与电子节目引导的交互，在头端提供者保持观众图表数据的装置；
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号的装置，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点的装置；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道的装置，所述改变频道的指令使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示为所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本。
11.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的方法，该电视机包括电子节目引导，该方法包括步骤：
根据用户与电子节目引导的交互，在头端提供者保持观众图表数据；
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道；
在观众电视机接收所述第一特定频道上的所述电视信号；
在所述观众电视机识别所述改变频道的指令；
确定电视机是否正工作在电子节目引导模式；
如果电视机正工作在电子节目引导模式，将所述观众的电视机调谐到所述第二特定频道，以使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第一特定频道。
12.一种使用显示在观众的电视显示监视器上的可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本替换在其他情况下会根据观众已将电视机调谐到的频道而显示的视频和/或音频信号的***，包括：
根据用户与电子节目引导的交互，在头端提供者保持观众图表数据的装置；
在头端提供者监控第一特定频道的输出电视信号的装置，所述输出电视信号载有用于在观众的电视显示监视器上显示的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
识别在所述输出电视信号中所述信号开始载有广告信息的时间点的装置；
在所述第一特定频道上的所述输出电视信号中***一个指令以使接收所述电视信号的任何电视将频道改变到载有可替换的视频和/或音频和/或图形和/或文本的第二频道的装置；
接收所述第一特定频道上的所述电视信号的装置；
确定电视机是否正工作在电子节目引导模式的装置；
如果电视机正工作在电子节目引导模式，在观众电视机将所述观众的电视机调谐到所述第二特定频道的装置，以使观众的电视显示监示器将其显示改到显示所述可替换的视频和/或音频信号和/或图形和/或文本；
将所述观众电视机调谐到所述第一特定频道的装置。
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CN1274505A (zh) 2000-11-22
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EP1013087A1 (en) 2000-06-28
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US20010013124A1 (en) 2001-08-09
US20020092017A1 (en) 2002-07-11
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