FR2503507A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING FIXED IMAGES BY RAFALE IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF STILL IMAGES INTERMITTENTLY THROUGH A TELEVISION CHANNEL. A USER WHO COMMUNICATES BY TELEPHONE WITH A CENTRAL CONTROLLER 1 LOCATED AT THE SENDING STATION CAN CHOOSE CERTAIN STILL IMAGES THAT ARE OF INTEREST. THESE IMAGES ARE ASSEMBLED ONE IN SUCCESS OF ANOTHER TO BE EMITTED BY THE USER, POSSIBLY WITH IMAGES INTENDED FOR OTHER USERS, INTO A BURST OF VIDEO IMAGES. THESE IMAGES ARE RECORDED BY THE USER ON A CASSETTE VCR, SO THAT THEY CAN BE OBSERVED AS OFTEN AS DESIRED. APPLICATION TO ADDITIONAL TELEVISION SERVICES.

Description

The present invention relates to a visual service

  who intermittently uses all the possi-

  of a television transmission channel.

  In the prior art there is an auxilia-

  re operating in a substantially continuous way which

  provides auxiliary information for only one

  fraction of the duration of each image of the television information. This typically takes place during

  the vertical scan return interval.

  This service may also occupy a limited area

  television image, such as a print line

in a subtitle.

  The prior art also offers the possibility of presenting a single television image or a series of images

  successively to give a visual reproduction of the information

of an original source.

  An example of this is given by the known presentation of a still image in the case of the televised broadcast of a rugby match to determine if a test has

been marked or not.

  A variant of what is stated above

  is in the reproduction of a hundred or more

  hundreds of images to show an interesting game action

  health. These activities take place at the transmitting station under the direction of the director. An individual spectator can not

not choose what he wants to see.

  The invention provides a service for individually transmitting and receiving one or more video signal images at television speed. Such an emission uses the total video bandwidth and all

  other possibilities of the video channel and the synchronization channel

  tion. These images can be emitted successively periodically in a "burst". This can be done during a brief break in a main television program which is otherwise continuous. According to a variant,

  a channel can be reserved for "burst" broadcasts.

  The visual information of the images emitted in

  the "usually does not link a picture to

  the other or with a television program. The images can

  may be reproduced in color if the television system is capable of transmitting color. Cable TV facilities can also be used. A user (viewer) at his

  receiver chooses the image or images he desires to be

  (ie specify) in order to observe them.

  This selection is communicated to a central transmission station

  in which the desired information is recorded or

is produced on demand.

  In general, a certain number of spectators make selections at the same time. These selections are preferably assembled into a unified burst sequence,

  which is issued according to an empirically defined program,

  within an interval of, for example, a fraction of a

minute to minutes.

  The "burst" may be transmitted on any transmission channel having the video bandwidth, and in any relation to any other video information, such as in a multi-purpose cable or

satellite system.

  The video burst sequence is recorded in

  the receiver of each user who uses the service.

  Any viewer can then reproduce all

  selections until it replicates the one it has specified

  aided by a "table of contents" initially reproduced. According to one variant, it is possible to use a coding

  with automatic code selection means for reproducing

  only the selection specified by a user

located at its receiver.

  The information received is recorded to be

observed at any time.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the

  description that follows of an embodiment and in

  referring to the attached drawings in which:

  Figure 1 is a block diagram of the team

  central location at the issuing location; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the central controller which is part of the central equipment;

  Figure 3 is a block diagram of the team

  user, at the receiver location; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the local controller that is part of the user equipment;

  FIG. 5A is a flow diagram relating to the micro-

  processor of the central controller, for the priority program

  quiet; Figure 5B is a similar flowchart for the non-priority program; and

  FIG. 6 is a flow chart relating to the micro-

processor of the local controller.

  In Figure 1, the reference 1 designates the contr8-

  their central and this device is shown in detail on

  Figure 2. As its name indicates, it controls the differences

  other devices of the originating station or transmitting station. A service request for one or more specified images is issued by a user and is transmitted electrically to the central controller. This can be done via an incoming channel 2, such as a telephone line. User can use

  the usual telephone type multifrequency keypad type.

  A request is typically accompanied by

  only by the identification number of the user. This number is used to identify the request when it is processed electronically, and also as a measure

  to prevent unauthorized use.

  In a simple form, demand also includes

  a number of figures which unambiguously defines

  the particular visual information to be presented, such as an image of St. Helens erupting. This number is typically communicated to the user by means of a printed catalog of available topics or video broadcasts made by the system, when the user introduces

  a more general number concerning the desired information.

  Thus, from the general category, we determine the

2 5 3 5 0?

  particular category and then the particular selection.

  The user requests one or more ccm-

specified fines.

  The desired information in video form is

  usually nude in more than one signal breeder

  video, at the transmitting station. These can be

  killed by reproducing video recorders 3, 4, 5, ... n.

  all connected to the central controller by a set of conductive

  6, intended for the control of breeders by means of

  central controller, and by another set of drivers 7,

  to selectively route the video output information of the reproducers to the central controller, with a view to

  the final issue to the user.

  Each player is operated separately by an appropriate code number, is matched to a sequence containing the desired image, and then is operated.

  in order to scroll the band to the particular image

  the latter is then accepted by the central controller as a video signal, with a view to

subsequent use.

  In the characteristic operation, the con-

  central controller receives successive requests and one or more breeders are successively

  present the requested visual information.

  The video signals corresponding to each requested single image are immediately transmitted to an assembler

  8. These images are recorded on the sequential tape.

  tally and contiguously to form the information

  a subsequent "burst" of individual images to satisfy

  make one or more requests. The tape assembler is a video recorder. The control of the latter to position a video image so that it is directly adjacent to another, that is to say the "on-off" command, is transmitted by the central controller 1

  via a suitable control lead.

  Elements 1-8 form a video signal of one or more

  images representing the specified visual subject.

  A second "sound" channel of the tape device 8 is supplied to the central controller 1. This ensures the command by a code of

  time to set the address of the associated video information.

  The transmitting equipment 9 accepts the video signal

  in "burst" which is now composed so as to represent

  the selections made by the user, and he

puts through a broadcast channel.

  The transmitting equipment represents a channel of

  broadband transmission. This equipment may be

  killed by the known television transmitter used in

  fusion, cable television, satellite broadcasting

  or in a relay system for radio links, capable of

  to process at video speed the video signal of the specified image desired by the user. The term "broadband" may correspond to considerable variations, but the standard corresponds to the usual frequency band ranging from a few hertz to 4.5 MHz, a wider or narrower band of 50% being acceptable. The invention works

  correctly in all cases. The bandwidth deter-

undermines the definition of images.

  In FIG. 1, the control / status line 10 connects the central controller to the transmitting equipment, in particular for the purpose of conditioning the transmitting equipment so as to receive the "burst" at the instant

appropriate for the broadcast.

  Figure 2 shows the detail of the central controller

  1. This is inside the dashed frame.

  Some of the other elements of Figure 1 have also been

  represented so that the diagram is complete.

  A microprocessor 14 provides the general control, in accordance with a program which has been prepared for it and which is represented in the form of flowcharts on the

  Figures 5A and 5B. The microprocessor is typically

  a universal computer in the form of an integrated circuit.

  like the model 3085 from the firm Intel.

  A bus 15 provides the bidirectional connection between the microprocessor and the various other elements which

  inside the dashed box in the cir-

  Figure 2. The bus typically includes

  than 8 lines of data, 16 lines of address and some other additional lines for the order, that is to say

  writing, reading and synchronization.

  A read-only memory 16, which may be a memory 2716 from the Intel firm, performs the primer function for the microprocessor 14, in order to allow it to access a

  set of orders for the floppy disk controller 17.

  The latter then accesses the program on the

  recorded program support, that is to say the hard disk

  18, typically consisting of a support

magnetic recording.

  This program is then recorded in a RAM 19 under the action of the control exerted by the microprocessor 14. The RAM 19 may be a semiconductor memory for writing renewable manner with direct access. It may consist of a MK 4116 memory from the firm Mostek which, with an 8 x 2 network,

gives 32,768 bytes.

  It is now possible to start executing

  the program, which contains not only the functional program for microprocessor 14, but also a

  correspondence information between the selection numbers

  catalog number and the reel and image numbers

  associated with them, as well as corresponding information

  between the reel numbers and the machine numbers.

  reproduction. All this information is transferred

  of the flexible disk 18 to the RAM 19.

  There are means for the communication with the user, that is to say the telephone interface 20. The lower part of this is equipped to process the data and the command, thanks to elements such as a ring detector circuit, a "hook-switch" relay, a terminating transformer

  line and a detector circuit for multifrequency keyboard.

  Data includes "ringtone present" or

  "no ring", phone "off the hook" or not, etc. the indi-

  cation that numbers are received or not by trans-

  multifrequency mission and, if so, the identity of 't35O7

  these numbers. There are other functions such as "picking

  ge ", response to a ringing tone, and" hang up "to the

  end of the conversation with a user.

  The above information arrives through the data / control interface 21 and traverses the latter. The interface 21 is constituted by conventional digital circuits at medium integration level, organized in the conventional manner

  of a microprocessor, for the decoding of address, the selection

  Device operation, switching by tri-state gates for input of the selected data on the bus 15, and recording in flip-flops of the selected data from the bus. These elements may be 74LS240, 74LS30, 74LS138 and 74LS259 circuits from Texas Instruments, Inc. The three-state gates have three states: a normal "high" and a "low" binary state, and a

  fully open circuit state. This allows you to connect

  a large number of these doors to bus 15.

  When a gate is in the open-circuit state, it does not load the bus and therefore does not disturb any other actions on the bus. When a door is in the active state, it actually applies on the bus a

  high state or low state. The structure of the circuit is similar

  to that of the old subscriber line.

  Each tri-state door has a function pin

  of confirmation. An address decoder decodes the particular address

  for this tri-state door. Whenever this address appears, only this tri-state gate is set to the active state and then it communicates to the bus the

  condition that is associated with its input.

  The voice synthesis device 22 is an example of a part of the means intended for communication with the user. It accepts data from the

  microprocessor 14 which relate to voice messages intended

  to be returned to the user of the service and he

  this data into voice sounds that are transmitted to

  lisateur. Characteristic voice sounds answer a user's call, guide you in the completion of the 250t3507 selections, correct the user when making mistakes, inform the user when his or her selections will be transmitted to him and the number (s) page of its selection, complete the telephone call and ensure the hang-up of the phone at the end of the message. This device may be a TMS5200 speech synthesis processor from Texas Instruments, Inc. Still in FIG. 2, a machine clock 23 provides real time information that is used to define when a "burst" emission may have occurred. place. This clock can consist of a single functional digital chip, plus some multiplexing chips

  constituted by circuits with medium integration level.

  These items are sold by National Semiconductor Corporation. This clock is connected to bus 15. A piezoelectric crystal, operating for example at 32 kHz, is typically connected to the clock so as to define a time reference for the operation of the clock.

the latter.

  A control and status indication panel 24 allows an operator to establish the initial configuration and perform subsequent monitoring and subsequent changes, if necessary. The element 24 is connected to the bus via an input / output panel 25. This

  ensures a connection with the bus which corresponds to a func-

  interface with addressable access. This interface is similar to the data interface / telephone control 21 described above. The circuits are similar but the code

address is different.

  The different image sources specified in the lower left of Figure 2

  are the different video reproduction devices

  3, 4, 5, ... n in Fig. 1. Machine input / output devices are shown in each case for connecting the video reproducing devices to the bus 15. In Fig. 2, the reproducing video recorder 3 is shown, along with the input / output device

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  machine 26, as an example of the different sources and associated input / output devices which are shown

  more fully in Figure 1.

  A known time code output signal is routed from the VCR 3 to the input / output device

  26 through the connection 27, to provide address information.

  to the microprocessor 14. The input / output device of

  machine 26 is similar to the interface 21 previously described

  except that it includes, in addition to

  cooked time code readers, as well as the possibility of

  ability to transfer data from these circuits to the bus

  , when this operation is selected.

  An additional output signal from the VCR

  3 is directed by the driver 29 to the communication device

  video mutation and insertion of vertical interval code, before the final transmission of this signal. The device 30 includes known interval code insertion circuits

  vertical and known circuits of switching and

  the video signal. The device 31 is similar to the

  terface 21. These two additional circuits accept

  data provided by the microprocessor 14 through the

  bus 15 when the addresses corresponding to

this interface are present.

  The reproduction video recorder 4 and its

  These devices and the others have the same circuitry as for the video recorder 3 and they apply output signals to the switching device 30. In the device 30, the device and / or output device are shown in dashed lines in FIG. appropriate video signal selected from the various reproduction VCRs is issued under the

  control of the microprocessor 14, via the arrangement

  switching control and data interface

vertical interval code 31.

  In this way, the particular code that was provided by the microprocessor is inserted in the vertical interval (synchronization interval), on the horizontal scan lines that are selected for this information.

  in the system, and individually for each of the selected images.

  This selected video signal then passes into the recorder and reproducing VCR 8 (see Figure 2). The device 8 is also connected to the device 32

  input / output video recorder, which is itself

  even connected to the bus 15. This input / output tzf is similar to the input / output device 26, except

  because it has a different address and a command

  of digital recording function.

  The recorder and reproducing video recorder (tape assembler) 8 has pre-recorded time code information and the command exercised by the

  microprocessor 14 via the device

  tré / sortie 32 causes the video tape recorder 8 to position its video tape so that the different images which are typically unrelated to each other

  be placed one after the other.

  When a "burst" typically includes

  several images must be transmitted, after being assembled in the device 8, the video signals are reproduced from the video tape of this device and

  they pass into the video transmission system 9. This is

  ideally according to an empirically defined schedule.

  Thus, it can be every half-hour, or more or less frequently, depending on user requests, or

  for other reasons of convenience.

  The system input / output device 33 is connected to the bus 15 and to the device 9, the connection to the latter being effected by the control and state conductor 10. The final signal authorizing the transmission of the "burst" comes from the microprocessor 14 by the input device /

system output, 33.

  The transmitting equipment 9 has been described in connection with FIG. 1. The system input / output device 33 is connected to this equipment by the driver 10 and the bus 15 for control. This device is similar to the device 21, except that it has a different address. FIG. 3 represents the block diagram of the user equipment, which is for example in

  an apartment, an office or a shop.

  The receiver 40 receives the transmitted signal that arrives.

  Depending on the nature of the transmission channel, this receiver may be a television receiver if the signal is

  broadcast by a television transmitter, amplifying equipment

  terminal if it is broadcast by video cable, a satellite receiver in the case of a satellite broadcast, or a radio relay receiver in the case where the signal is relayed in a radio-relay transmission. The video cassette recorder 41 represents a means for recording an image or

  some video signal images after the broadcast of this last

  deny. It consists preferably of a device of high quality for which one can quote at present

  for example, devices from Panasonic, RCA and Sony.

  In the characteristic situation, the receiver 40 is connected to the video cassette recorder 41, to record the complete "burst" of images

who are coming.

  To start using the system, consult a catalog of available information. In a system

  having reached its maturity, the field of information dis-

  available is very extensive. The catalog is provided as a printed publication, or a user can get his presentation from the system using a simple index number such as 001. Similar index numbers can be set for a number of

  general topics so that the user is not overwhelmed

ge by the possibilities.

  The telephone set 42 in Figure 3 is the

  usual multi-frequency keypad provided by the

and is normally connected to the telephone line.

  than. This gives the user a way that allows him to

  make known its application to the certral equipment of the

  me. The user makes the usual phone call

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  directed to the central equipment. After being prompted by the speech synthesis device 22 which is in the central location, the user dials at the keyboard

  multifrequency the number of selection of the images that he

  meet again. The central controller 1 determines when

  burst broadcast containing the selections of the user

  will be disseminated, and what will be the page numbers of

  this program, which will correspond to the selections of the

  sateur. The central controller processes all requests and has information about the number of requests that may be pending before any particular user. This controller is programmed to estimate the expected time interval before the request of the particular user is assembled on

  the belt assembler 8 of FIG.

  Assuming that there is one burst every half hour, if the next burst must occur in 10 minutes and the selections

  the particular user can be assembled in 7 minutes.

  the voice synthesis device 22 will be controlled so as to inform the user that its burst emission will take place in 10 minutes. Conversely, if the queue of other requests and the time required to satisfy the user's request require a duration of 12 minutes or more, the voice response will indicate that the desired burst

will be issued in 40 minutes.

  After having been informed, the user enters in his local controller 43 the time of the burst and the

pages of his selection.

  Alternatively, burst time and selection pages may be electronically fed into the local controller directly from the telephone line when the user presses a button. The voice response can be deleted, or a simple code can be added

  which can be directly accepted by the lccal controller.

  Once the "burst" has been received, it is

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  videotaped in the cassette device 41.

  The user can watch his or her selections at any later time by simply operating the local controller 43. This operates the cassette device 41 in the reproduction mode, to reproduce the image repeatedly at the video speed. . This image appears on the television presentation device 44 which is a

  television picture tube with associated scanning circuits

  ciated. The reproduced video signal exits the cassette device 41 and passes into the local controller to extract

  the vertical interval code information that is required

  re to locate the page or pages specified by the user.

  tor. Optionally, the television screen may be erased for all other pages that may be in the burst. Additionally, optionally, the page number may be inserted into a corner of the video image by operating known means that may be integrated with the local controller. Such insertion is desirable if the user

  prefers to examine every page of the burst.

  The local controller automatically or manually places the cassette device in the still image mode to allow continuous review of a selected image.

  born, or any image, by a manual action

priority.

  Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the portion of the user apparatus that constitutes the local controller. The main function of the local controller is to

  locate a particular page of selected video information

  in the "burst" broadcast which is recorded locally. The structure corresponds to that of the central controller 1 of FIG. 2, but is simpler because the

  tasks to be performed are fewer and less variable.

  The microprocessor 47, the bus 48, the read-only memory 49 and the random access memory 50 are similar to the devices

  Correspondents of the Central Cortroller 1.

  Because the operation is simpler,

  the entire control program is fixed and it is

  stored in ROM 49. RAM 50 can therefore

  to be smaller than before.

  The microprocessor 47 may be an Intel 8085 circuit, the read-only memory 49 may be an Intel 2716 circuit and the RAM 50 may be formed by two Intel 2142 circuits. The machine input / output device 51 fulfills

  the same function as the device 26 considered previously.

  The device 51 controls the video recorder-reproducer 41, for video reproduction at the location

of the user.

  A control panel / status display 52, relative to

  simple operation, allows the user to perform functions

  fundamentals such as starting and stopping equipment, completing selections and

  triggering control functions.

  The panel input / output device 53 connects

  the control panel / status display on bus 48. This

  panel input / output device performs the same function

  that the panel input / output device previously

  tooth. The vertical interval code reader 54 receives the reproduced video signal from the recorder-reproducing video recorder 41 via the driver 55. The reader 54 interprets the vertical interval code from one or

  several scan lines that appear during the

  vertical erase value of the video signal.

  For this purpose, the known code of the "Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers" (code

SMPTE). He uses a single line.

  The reader 54 is also connected to the bus 48.

  This structure allows the microprocessor 47 to extract the

  vertical interval code data needed for its

  gram to calculate the desired page. The clock machine 46

attack the bus 48.

  The video character generator 56 also accepts

  the video signal reproduced from the driver 55. The page number from the interval information

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  vertical is converted to auxiliary video information

  which is applied to the tele-

  vision 44 of Figure 3. This conversion is accomplished at

  using conventional means that use integrated circuits.

  which are identical or similar to the National Semiconductor MM5840 circuits. This gives a man-readable page number that can be inserted into a corner of

the television picture.

  Figure 5A is a flowchart

  the priority gram of the microprocessor 14 of the central controller

  tral 1. Figure 5B represents the same thing for the pro-

non-priority gram.

  The microprocessor 14 is designed to operate

  in "multitasking", that is, a program

  can perform two functions simultaneously. In a typical way

  This is done by means of a program at inter-

  ruptions that partially runs a program, then passes to the other program and runs a part of it, and then comes back

  previous program to execute an additional part

shut up, and so on.

  The priority program usually completes

the main functions.

  In Figure 5A, the priority program begins

  by "departure" 60, which corresponds to the initial conditions

  tion. The function then goes to decision point 61, "transmission time?". This relates to the emission of a "burst" of images, according to the invention. The answer is "yes" at times, but it is most often "no". If the answer is "no", the program moves to a

  second decision point 62, "are there any requests?"

  If there are no requests, the function goes back to the beginning,

  as shown by the arrows on the line "lnon". This boulevard

  key is executed in the usual way, several times a second. When the answer to the question "are there any requests?" is "yes", the requested video information is located among the reproducing video recorders 1, 2, ... r., and this information is reproduced. This is the function

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  carried out in 63 "location and reproduction of information

requested video ".

  This video information is then routed to

  the recorder VCR 8, and an interval code ver-

  appropriate tical is inserted. This corresponds to function 64.

  Then the image or images requested are registered

  videotape in VCR 8, immediately

  following the previous images. This corresponds to

function 65.

  The request list is then decremented, that is, the request that has just been processed is removed from the list. This corresponds to function 66. The function then returns to the beginning to ask the question

  "transmission time?", 61, and the process is repeated.

  Less frequently than the request subroutine, it may be "the time of issue". This "yes" puts in

  function 67, which consists in "rewinding the recording

  tape drive (VCR 8) until the beginning of the sequence

  in a current burst. "The function then goes to 68".

  of recorded video information, for

  transmission; routing of the signal to the transmitter ".

  The transmitter is prepared to accept and transmit the burst.

  The function then progresses to 69 "posi-

  band for the next burst and record

  video header information.

  Each burst can be separated from another by a

  image in white, but gusts can also be

  tiguës. A bursty band may be retained for some time as an archive, or the tape may be reused using the known erasure process. Simultaneously with the priority program described above, the non-priority program of Figure 5B is

also executed.

  This program has a "start" start point, at the time of power-up. The function then goes down to 71 "control panel and status display", 25.j350 7 which corresponds to the device 24 in Figure 2. This panel is being explored to determine

  the state of the commands exerted by the user.

  The function then descends to decision point 72 "is there a ring?" The existence of the "ring" is determined by means of a circuit of

  telephone ringing detection.

  Most of the time there is no ringing, so the function goes through the "no" loop for

  return to another exploration of the control panel 71.

  When the answer to the query "is this

  that there is a ringtone? "is" yes ", a" response circuit

  automatic "switch to" off-hook "position.

  The phone is placed on the telephone line, which stops the ringing of the telephone circuit. This

corresponds to function 73.

  A voice then indicates that the user is in communication with the "burst" transmission service, and this voice requests the user to enter his requests (function 74). The user does this by operating his

  multi-frequency keypad telephone so as to

  mer the numeric code corresponding to his or her selections, despite the fact that he has already entered into communication with the telephone number originally requested. A computer program verifies that the request (s) of the user are valid. This is done at decision point 75,

"valid request?"

  If not, as in the case where the request has too many digits, or in the case where a start digit is incorrect because it is a digit for which there is no number in the catalog, a An appropriate voice message, formulated by the central controller and executed by the voice synthesis device 22 of Figure 2, requests a demand correction. This is done by the "no" function, from point 75 to point 76 "correction request". The function returns to the input of the "request introduction" step, 74, so as to receive the

corrected request.

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  If the request (s) are valid, they are accepted and a voice message then asks the user if there are other requests for images. This corresponds to the "yes" function from decision point 75 to decision point 77, "additional requests?". If the

  answer is "yes" in point 77, the function returns to the

  of the "filing of the application" stage 74.

  If there are no additional requests from

  From this user, the function goes "no" to go from point 77 to point 78 "entering the queue, calculating and assigning time and pages". This is accomplished by the central controller who also introduces the requested image or images into the

  Recorder VCR 8, in Figure 2.

  A voice message is then sent to the user by the telephone line, to indicate the time and the page or pages, this being followed by a voice indication of end of communication, after which the telephone line is "hooked" at the level of the transmission installation by "burst". The phone line is ready for the next call. This is accomplished by function 79, after which the

  function returns to 71 "panning". The potential

  The activity section for the microprocessor returns to the "start" state.

  Figure 6 is a flow diagram for the micro-

  processor 47 of the local controller 43. This flowchart carries

on a single program.

  The program starts with "departure" 81, which corresponds to the initialization conditions. The program then moves to 82 to the "Exploring mode selection commands" function. This function examines the positions of the switches that are part of the control / status display panel 52, and determines what the user

wants to do.

  With these initial directives, the function proceeds to the first decision point 83 which asks "is the command in the record mode?". If the answer is "no", as is usually the case, the program

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  goes to the next decision point 84, which asks "is this

  that the command (82) is in the reproduction mode? "If the answer is" no ", the device is in the idle mode and the function returns to" start "again, after which the search function of the control panel 82 is executed

again, and so on.

  When the user has placed the command 82 in the recording mode, for example, the answer at 83 is "yes". The function then goes to decision point 85, "is it time to record?". The answer is usually "no", so the function executes a repeated loop around point 85, until it is

the time to record.

  When this answer is "yes", activity 86,

  "change from video recorder to record mode"

  recording ", is executed and the recording of a" burst "

incoming is accomplished.

  Decision Point 87, "Is It Time

  to stop recording? "is also turned on.

  This interrogation continues with the "no" loop of decision point 87, while the recording continues. When the recording is finished, the answer here is "yes". This

  implements the function "stopping the recorder and illuminating

  recording lamp completed ", 88. The completed recording lamp is shown in the device

52 of Figure 4.

  This recording operation having been completed, the function returns to the "departure" point 81, to wait

the next order.

  If instead the user had placed the

  82 in the "reproduction" mode, the answer to paragraph 84 would have been "yes". The activity of the function waits for the user to "enter the desired image selection" at 89. This consists of a page number or an image number chosen by the user and expressed in common terms for the set. of the system. The function then reads the selection

  in 90 "code reading from cassette tape recorder".

  This is the vertical interval time code, either

25.3507

for example the SMPTE code.

  Next, the question "is the code of magnetics

  Cassette toscope coincides with that of the selection? "

  at decision point 91. The answer is generally

  "no", so that the function goes into 92, "move"

  tape from the VCR to the selec-

  From there, the function returns to 90 for

  see if the necessary code coincidence has been obtained.

  If not, the activity returns to 92 until a code coincidence is obtained. The answer provided at decision point 91 is then "yes", so that the function "reproduction of the selected video information" 93 is implemented. This operates the cassette VCR 41 of FIG. 3 to perform the reproduction and presentation on the presentation device of FIG.

television 44.

  While function 93 is being executed, the

  "Is the reproduction finished?" is repeatedly placed at the connected decision point 94. During

  that the user observes the reproduction of the selective image

  the answer is "no", so that the function continues to traverse the "no" loop. When the user no longer wants the image to be presented to him, he activates a command in 82 to indicate his desire. The answer is then "yes" at point 94. This brings the function back to "start" 81, and the user's device is ready to accept a

  other order when it is introduced in 82.

  The data which make it possible to take this decision

  at decision point 85, "is it time to record", come from RAM 50 which is

  associated with the microprocessor 47. The time at which

  This record must be entered previously in this memory, expressed in hours, minutes and seconds in the 24-hour format. The clock machine 46 provides exactly this, having been set to the correct time

by the user.

  When these two hours coincide, it is evidently

52 35 7

  "time to register". We can recognize the corre-

  by repetitively performing an arithmetic subtraction between the two hours. When the result of this operation is entirely zero, the hours actually coincide.

  Time is introduced into memory by the use of

  the user who received this information by the voice announcement made by the communications center by "burst". This takes place as a result of the computer processing of the application

  of the user, as previously indicated.

  The other possible way to introduce this time is to make sure that the device, that is to say the

  central controller 1, transmit the code by the telephone line

  than to the user, from the telephone interface 20, directly to the RAM 50 of the microprocessor

  47 of Figure 4, through a second

  telephone side, in Figure 4.

  The recording period may be established by

  the conditions of use of the system. One minute of

  Registration provides 1,800 images. The duration can be set from this, with an additional nominal margin to account for small synchronization faults of both

clocks that intervene.

  The selection of suitable broadband transmission channels has previously been indicated. The main example given was the hypothesis of the joint use of the transmission channel, as for example with a television program in which the channel would be used in a little way.

  frequent for a shorter period of time

  tick to one minute for "burst" emissions.

  Another configuration involves the use of a "specialized channel" on a cable television system or an equivalent system. This is a broadband channel

  separated which is used exclusively, or almost exclusively,

for "burst" service.

  Due to the different information contained in

  each of the still images successively transmitted by

  ", the program is in the form of a series of

52.3 50 7

  snapshots similar to those of a kaleidoscope, which

  are unintelligible to any viewer.

  This is entirely opposed to television broadcasts

  habitual visions in which each image is invariably

  almost identical to that which precedes it and to that

  who follows her. This leads to the presentation of an animal image

  mee. With a specialized channel, if you look at the program, you do not see a television presentation, but a series of unintelligible snapshots, although the specialized channel can be heavily used and

  can operate in reasonably continuous use.

  An important difference between the two presenta-

  tions consists of the very low concentration of information

  visualization in the television presentation, in

  which thousands of images may contain information

  identical, or almost identical, which is to be compared with the presentation by "burst" in which, so

  characteristic, each image is different.

  Thus, the efficiency in the transmission of visual information provided with a sense is several thousand times higher with the system by "burst". The

  "burst" system makes it possible to transmit a com-

  in a fraction of a minute. Moreover, we can transmit

  in one hour twenty years of a monthly magazine. Shop

  and other periodicals can be "delivered" to subscribers by the "burst" system, with significant savings

  on paper and transportation costs.

  With regard to the apparatus, it should be noted that a high capacity digital memory can be used in place of the recording VCR 41 and others such as video recorders designated by references 8, 3, 4, etc.

  employing semiconductor video memory devices

others.

* The term "empirically established timetable" means

  despite the fact that certain functional constraints

  can lead to a "burst" every half

  hours, this is not an obligation. The interval

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  of time may be shorter or longer, when it is

possible or desired.

  With the dedicated channel, the time interval between a request made by the user and his "burst" can be only a few minutes. This would be likely to vary with the amount of traffic

the system at the moment.

  "Means for forming a video signal of an image" may include a slide projector with a television camera, a still image projector with a television camera, a television camera filming a scene in real time, or filming a page of a magazine,

  a drawing, a photograph, or others.

  The term "burst" is used here in a sense that refers to a number of television format images, typically including two interlaced fields, such as the European standard of 625 lines, 25

  images, 50 frames per second. As mentioned above,

  the visual information of each image does not present

  wrongly no relation with that of the previous and following images, as it is indeed the case in normal television. The term "video speed" refers to the formation of a video image signal (television signal) with a scanning speed ensuring the continuity of the subject's movement, when the image is observed by the human eye. Well

  that lower or higher speeds can be used

  res, a classic speed corresponds to the European standard of 25 images, 50 fields per second, with interlacing

in pairs.

  The term "user" has been used here to identify

  a spectator observing the system's television presentation device. We could also use the

  term "subscriber" if the user paid for the service.

  Technically, the three words are interchangeable.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the device and method described

  and represented without departing from the scope of the invention.

2i, 35C 7

Claims (11)

  1. Method for remote reproduction of a representative   complete visualization specified, characterized in that   that: (a) a single video signal image corresponding to   spawning to the specified information; (b) transmitting this video signal image over a video speed broadband transmission channel; (c) recording at video speed this video signal image after transmission; and (d) on demand, reproduced repeatedly from the recording device and at the original video speed,   the unique image of the specified information.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized   in that: (a) several visual representations are selected   the specified different; (b) performing each of the operations indicated for the unique image of the first visual representation, and then for the unique image of the   second visual representation, and so on, successively   tively; and (c) the signals are contiguously assembled   video representing the different images, before their   mission on the broadband transmission channel.   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized   in that it includes the additional operations which   (a) to introduce a unique code in the video signal representing each of the different images selected, and (b) to then search for a correspondence with this code for   only reproduce a specified image among the annuity images.   4. Method according to claim 2, characterized   in that accumulated requests for different images suc-   Video signal cessations are introduced as a contiguous burst into the wide transmission channel   band, to be transmitted by this channel.   5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the burst of video signal images is introduced into the broadband transmission channel according to a schedule empirically established.   The method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the additional step of   introduce in a mutually exclusive way the single image   that video signal the information specified in a   transmission of still video images continues.   7. Television device for reproducing in   distance at least one specific complete visual representation   characterized in that it comprises: (a) means (1-8) for forming a video signal of a single image corresponding to the specified visual representation; (b) television transmission means (9) having a width of   sufficient band to output the video signal of the   visual display specified, at video speed; (c) television receiving means (40) for accepting video signals from the transmitting means; (d) means (41) for recording, at video speed, at least the video signal representing said representation   specified, these means of registration being   connected to the television reception means; (e) means (44) for reproducing television images   and (f) a local controller (43) connected to the control means   registration and the means of reproduction for the purpose of   select for reproduction the visual representation- the specified.   8. Television device according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for forming a video signal of a single image comprise a central controller (1) for sequentially transmitting several   requests for several specified visual representations.   9. Television device according to claim 8, characterized in that the central controller comprises   (a) several sources of specific visual representations   (3, 4, ... n); and (b) assembler means (8) which is connected to the central controller to form a   video signal of contiguous structure corresponding to the visual characteristics specified.   Television device according to claim 9, characterized in that the central controller (1) comprises   in addition: (a) a microprocessor (14) having a provision   Memory player (16, 19); (b) a device (18) containing a registered computer program; (c) means (20, 21, 22) for communication with the user; (d) means (30, 31) for inserting a vertical gap code for each image in the assembled video signal; and (e) a bus (15) which interconnects the aforementioned elements of the central controller, to enable control by the microprocessor. Television device according to claim 7, characterized in that the local controller (43) comprises   in addition: (a) a microprocessor (47) with a   memory system (49, 50); (b) reading means of   vertical interval code (54) connected to the recording means   (41) to read the vertical interval code.   transmitted call, for the command; and (c) a bus (48) which interconnects the aforementioned elements of the local controller,   to allow control by the microprocessor.