Program information broadcasting system, broadcasting device, and receiving terminal unit

Abstract

In a program information broadcasting system, it is aimed to minimize time for retrieval of program by viewers in operating an electronic program guide or time for waiting when applying for subscription. As a program information broadcasting system, program elements constituting a broadcasting program are divided into a plurality of items and are turned to data at a center, and a master data 21 of a program information to recognize the program is prepared. From the data constituting the master data, minimal necessary items for preparation of a program table are extracted, and a program basic information 22 is prepared. Said master data and said program basic information are transmitted simultaneously with the broadcasting, and said program basic information is received, reproduced and displayed before receiving of the master data at a receiving terminal unit 31 is completed. As a result, the program basic information having far less amount of data than the master data can be incorporated, and it is possible to minimize the time required for storage of the data in memory of the receiving terminal unit.

Description

[0001]Notice: More than one patent application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,950. In addition to the instant continuation reissue application, there are two (2) additional division reissue applications:, Ser. No. 11 / 338,588 that is still pending and Ser. No. 11 / 033,490 that has now matured into U.S. Pat. No. Re. 41,257.[0002]The instant application is a continuation of reissue application Ser. No. 11 / 033,490, filed Jan. 11, 2005, now Reissue U.S. Pat. No. Re. 41,257, and a continuation of application Ser. No. 11 / 338,588, filed Jan. 24, 2006. The entire contents of application Ser. Nos. 11 / 338,588 and 11 / 033,490 (now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 41,257) are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to a program information broadcasting system for broadcasting information of component elements to constitute a program such as category information, performer information, etc. of each of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach minimizes waiting time for users to access and display program information, enhances user convenience, and allows for quicker program subscription and viewing, while also enabling efficient data processing and storage on receiving terminal units.

Problems solved by technology

In this respect, when the user does not have newspaper or magazine at hand, program subscription cannot be inputted because no program schedule can be referred.

In any case, the retrieval cannot be completed until all of the program information is completely incorporated, and the user must wait for relatively long time until program information is actually displayed after an instruction to display the program information is inputted.

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