Data communication system, data transmitting apparatus, and data receiving apparatus

Claim 2

A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data; second storage means for storing control information which shows links between said plurality of frames of image data stored in said first storage means, and which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information.

Claim 3

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said corresponding control information from said first and second storage means; multiplexing means for multiplexing image data and control information read by said reading means by transmitting said image data and control information in image sections and vertical blanking intervals, respectively, of a television signal; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 4

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said image data and control information stored in said first and second storage means are digitized, and wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said corresponding control information from said first and second storage means; multiplexing means for converting image data and control information read by said reading means into digital data streams, and multiplexing said digital data streams to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed stream as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 5

A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data with an identifier allocated to each frame of image data; second storage means for storing control information for each frame of image data showing a link to another frame of image data stored in said first image storage means, the same identifier being allocated to corresponding image data and control information, and said control information also indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design is being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information.

Claim 6

A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data with an identifier allocated to each frame of image data; second storage means for storing control information for each frame of image data showing a link to another frame of image data stored in said first image storage means, the same identifier being allocated to corresponding image data and control information, and said control information also indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design is being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information.

Claim 7

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said control information includes identifiers allocated to linked image data.

Claim 8

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data and control information from said first and second storage means, each combination including image data and control information with the same identifier; multiplexing means for multiplexing image data and control information read by said reading means by transmitting said image data and control information in image sections and vertical blanking intervals, respectively, of a television signal; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 9

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said multiplexing means allocates an image representing an identifier arranged at a fixed position in a non-displayed part of an image section.

Claim 10

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data and control information from said first and second storage means, each combination including one frame of image data and corresponding control information with the same identifier; multiplexing means for converting image data and control information read by said reading means into digital data streams, and multiplexing said digital data streams so as to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed stream as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 11

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said multiplexing means includes: a converter for converting image data into a first digital data stream and control information into a second digital data stream; an ID allocating unit for allocating first identifying information to said first digital data stream for identifying image data and second identifying information to said second data stream for identifying control information; a table producing unit for producing a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers and the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers; and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing said first digital data stream, said second digital data stream, and said mapping table.

Claim 12

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 5, further comprising third storage means for storing audio data corresponding to said image data, the same identifiers being allocated to corresponding image data and audio data, wherein said transmitting means transmits audio data as well as image data.

Claim 13

A transmitting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data, control information, and audio data from said first, second, and third storage means, each combination including image data, control information, and audio data with the same identifier; multiplexing means for multiplexing a combination of image data, audio data, and control information read by said reading means to produce a television signal, said audio data being transmitted on a television audio signal, a plurality of frames of image data and control information being transmitted in the image section and vertical blanking interval, respectively, of a television image signal, and the number of transmitted frames of image data and control information depending on the reproducing time of the audio data; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 14

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said multiplexing means allocates an image representing an identifier in a fixed position in a non-displayed part of said image section.

Claim 15

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein said transmitting means comprises: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data, control information, and audio data from said first, second, and third storage means, each combination including one frame of image data, control information, and audio data with the same identifier; multiplexing means for converting image data, audio data, and control information read by said reading means into digital data streams, and multiplying said digital data streams to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed stream as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 16

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein said multiplexing means comprises: a converter for converting image data into a first digital data stream, control information into a second data stream, and audio data into a third digital data stream; an ID allocating unit for allocating said first digital data stream first identifying information to identify image data, said second digital data stream second identifying information to identify control information, and said third digital data stream third identifying information to identify audio data; a table producing unit for producing a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers, the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers, and the correspondence between said third identifying information and audio data identifiers; and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing said first, second, and third digital data streams, and said mapping table.

Claim 17

A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising: obtaining means for obtaining pieces of page information representing a page containing characters and images, said page information including link information to show a link to another page, character information, and image information; first producing means for producing one frame of image data containing characters and images in accordance with said character information and image information included in a piece of page information: second producinq means for interpreting said link information included in said obtained page information and producing, for each frame of image data, control information including image link information about a link to another frame of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the frame of image data generated by the first producing means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; first storage means for storing a predetermined number of frames of image data produced by said first producing means; second storage means for storing said control information produced by said second producing means; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said control information.

Claim 18

A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising: obtaining means for obtaining pieces of page information representing a page containing characters and images, said page information including link information to show a link to another page, character information, and image information; first producing means for producing one frame of image data containing characters and images in accordance with said character information and image information included in a piece of page information: second producinq means for interpreting said link information included in said obtained page information and producing, for each frame of image data, control information including image link information about a link to another frame of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the frame of image data generated by the first producing means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; first storage means for storing a predetermined number of frames of image data produced by said first producing means; second storage means for storing said control information produced by said second producing means; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said control information.

Claim 19

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said obtaining means obtains said page information from the World Wide Web on the Internet.

Claim 20

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the second producing means includes: determining means for determining a specific image part by interpreting layout information in said obtained page information; and generating means for generating supplementary design combining information indicating a supplementary design which is related to the determined specific image part, wherein the page information also includes layout information showing a layout of characters and images.

Claim 21

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the determining means determines a headline as the specified image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information which indicates a combining of the specific image part with a supplementary design for hold display.

Claim 22

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes a classification of the specific image part.

Claim 23

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates indicating the specific image part.

Claim 24

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein the second producing means includes: supplementary design storage means for storing a supplementary design beforehand; and supplementary design adding means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means and for adding the read supplementary design Lo Lhe stored control information.

Claim 25

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 21, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 26

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the determining means determines one of a character and an image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of supplementary design, which shows that a link to another frame of image data is attached, with the specified image part.

Claim 27

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the determining means determines one of a character and an image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of supplementary design, which shows that a link to another frame of image data is attached, with the specified image part.

Claim 28

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates indicating the specific image part.

Claim 29

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 30

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the second producing means includes: supplementary design storage means for storing a supplementary design beforehand; and supplementary design adding means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means and for adding the read supplementary design to the stored control information.

Claim 31

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 32

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein the determining means determines a headline as the specified image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information which indicates a combining of the specific image part with a supplementary design for bold display.

Claim 33

A transmitting apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes a classification of the specific image part.

Claim 34

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 30, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates indicating the specific image part.

Claim 35

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes a classification of the specific image part.

Claim 36

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 33, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates indicating the specific image part.

Claim 37

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the second producing means includes: determining means for interpreting layout information in said obtained page information and determining a specific image part; and generating means for generating supplementary design combining information indicating a supplementary design which is related to the determined specific image part, wherein the page information also includes layout information showing a layout of characters and images.

Claim 38

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein the determining means determines the specified image part as a headline, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information which indicates a combining of the specific image part with a supplementary design for bold display.

Claim 39

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 37, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes a classification of the specific image part.

Claim 40

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 37, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates for determining the specific image part.

Claim 41

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 37, wherein the second producing means includes: supplementary design storage means for storing a supplementary design beforehand; and supplementary design adding means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means and for adding the read supplementary design to the stored control information.

Claim 42

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 43

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein the determining means determines one of a character and an image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of supplementary design, which shows that a link to another frame of image data is attached, to the specified image part.

Claim 44

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinates indicating the specific image part.

Claim 45

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein the second producing means includes: supplementary design storage means for storing a supplementary design beforehand; and supplementary design adding means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means and for adding the read supplementary design to the stored control information.

Claim 46

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 45, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 47

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein the second producing means includes: supplementary design storage means for storing a supplementary design beforehand; and supplementary design adding means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means and for adding the read supplementary design to the stored control information.

Claim 48

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 47, wherein the second producing means further includes supplementary design obtaining means for obtaining a supplementary design from outside and storing the obtained supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 49

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 49, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes a classification of the specific image part.

Claim 50

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein the determining means determines one of a character and an image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of supplementary design, which shows that a link to another frame of image data is attached, with the specified image part.

Claim 51

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein the determining means determines one of a character and an image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part, and the generating means generates supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of supplementary design, which shows that a link to another frame of image data is attached, with the specified image part.

Claim 52

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said first producing means allocates identifiers to image data, said second producing means allocates said identifiers to control information corresponding to said image data, said first and second storage means store said image data and control information together with said identifiers, and said control information is represented by said identifiers of linked image data.

Claim 53

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 55, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data and control information from said first and second storage means, each combination including one frame of image data and control information with the same identifier; multiplexing means for multiplexing image data and control information read by said reading means by transmitting said image data and control information in the image section and vertical blanking interval, respectively, of a television signal; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 54

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 56, wherein said multiplexing means transmits an image representing an identifier in a fixed position in a non-displayed part of said image data.

Claim 55

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 55, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data and control information from said first and second storage means, each combination including one frame of image data and corresponding control information; multiplexing means for converting image data into a first digital data stream and control information read by said reading means into a second digital data stream, and multiplexing said digital data streams so as to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed stream as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 56

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 58, wherein said multiplexing means includes: a converter for converting image data into a first digital data stream and control information into a second digital data stream; an ID allocating unit for allocating first identifying information to said first digital data stream for identifying image data and second identifying information to said second digital data stream for identifying control information; a table producing unit for producing a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers and the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers; and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing said first digital data stream, said second digital data stream, and said mapping table.

Claim 57

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 55, further comprising: third producing means for producing audio data according to audio information contained in said page information, and allocating said identifiers to said audio data corresponding to said image data; and third storage means for storing said audio data together with said identifiers, wherein said transmitting means transmits said audio data as well as said image data.

Claim 58

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 60, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data, audio data, and control information from said first, second, and third storage means, each combination including image data, audio data, and control information with the same identifier; multiplexing means for multiplexing one combination of image data, audio data, and control information read by said reading means to produce a television signal, said audio data being transmitted on a television audio signal, a plurality of frames of image daLa and control information required for reproducing said audio data being transmitted in the image section and vertical blanking interval, respectively, of a television image signal; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 59

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 61, wherein said multiplexing means transmits an identifier representing an image in a fixed position in a non-displayed part of said image section.

Claim 60

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 60, wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading all combinations of image data, audio data, and control information from said first, second, and third storage means, each combination including image data, audio data, and control information with the same identifier; multiplexing means for converting image data, audio data, and control information read by said reading means into digital data streams, and multiplexing said digital data streams so as to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed streams as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 61

A transmitting apparatus according to Claim 63, wherein said multiplexing means includes: a converter for converting image data into a first digital data stream, control information into a second digital data stream, and audio data into a third digital data stream; an ID allocating unit for allocating first identifying information to said first digital data stream to identify image data, second identifyinq information to said second digital data stream to identify control information, and third identifying information to said third digital data stream to identify audio data; a table producing unit for producing a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers, the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers, and the correspondence between said third identifying information and audio data identifiers; and a multiplexing unit for multiplexing said first, second, and third digital data streams, and said mapping table.

Claim 62

A receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, wherein said broadcast wave is produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data, and control information which includes image link information for each frame of image data showing links with other frames of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating the combining of a supplementary design with said plurality of frames of image data, said broadcast wave being repeatedly transmitted, and said supplementary design being combined with an image of the image data, wherein said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 63

A receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, wherein said broadcast wave is produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data, and control information which includes image link information for each frame of image data showing links with other frames of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating the combining of a supplementary design with said plurality of frames of image data, said broadcast wave being repeatedly transmitted, and said supplementary design being combined with an image of the image data, wherein said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 64

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes information indicating a combining of a supplementary design with a specific image part and a classification of the specific image part, wherein the supplementary design reading means includes: determining means for determining the classification in the supplementary design combining information included in the control information separated by the separating means: and supplementary design specifying means for specifying a supplementary design in the supplementary design storage means which corresponds to the determined classification.

Claim 65

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 66, wherein the classification indicates a headline as the specific image part and the supplementary design specifying means specifies a supplementary design which emphasizes the specific image part.

Claim 66

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 67, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinate information indicating the specific image part, wherein the determining means reads the coordinate information; and wherein the combining means combines the image data and the supplementary design based on the read coordinate information.

Claim 67

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 68, wherein the supplementary design is an image of a rectangle, wherein the combining means includes supplementary design converting means for converting the size of the supplementary design so that the rectangle surrounds the headline, and wherein the combining means combines the converted supplementary design and the image data.

Claim 68

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 66, wherein the classification indicates one of a character and image to which a link has been attached as the specific image part and wherein the supplementary design specifying means specifies a supplementary design which shows that the specific image part has an attached link to other image data.

Claim 69

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 70, wherein the supplementary design combining information includes coordinate information indicating the specific image part, wherein the determining means reads the coordinate information; and wherein the combining means combines the image data and the supplementary design based on the read coordinate information.

Claim 70

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 71, wherein the supplementary designs stored in the supplementary design storage means which are used for showing that a link to other image data is attached are composed of two types which respectively correspond to a selection and a non-selection state, wherein the operation means receives a selection operation from the user for one of a character and an image to which a link is attached, wherein the receiving apparatus includes state storage means for storing a selection or non-selection state in accordance with an instruction from the operation means, and wherein the supplementary design reading means reads a supplementary design corresponding to a state stored in the state storage means from the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 71

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein the control information received from a transmitting apparatus further includes a supplementary design, and wherein the receiving apparatus further comprises supplementary design recording means for recording a supplementary design included in the separated control information in the supplementary design storage means.

Claim 72

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein the supplementary design storage means includes a plurality of supplementary designs, wherein the receiving apparatus further comprises supplementary design selecting means for selecting one supplementary design from the plurality of supplementary designs stored by the supplementary design storage means, in accordance with a user operation, and wherein the supplementary design reading means reads the selected supplementary design.

Claim 73

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein the identifier allocated to a frame of image data is the same as the identifier allocated to corresponding control information, wherein said control information expresses the identifier allocated to linked image data, wherein said separating means includes: first detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said image data; second detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said control information; and obtaining means for obtaining said image data and control information if said first and second detecting means have detected said identifiers, and wherein said storage means stores said image data and control information obtained by said obtaining means.

Claim 74

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 75, wherein image data and control information are transmitted in the image section and vertical blanking interval, respectively, of a television signal as a multiplexed analog broadcast wave, wherein an identifier to be shown as an image is transmitted in a fixed position in non-displayed part of said image section, and wherein said first judging means recognizes an identifier from an image in a fixed position in said non-displayed part.

Claim 75

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein the same identifier is allocated to image data and corresponding control information, wherein said image data and control information are converted into digital data streams to be multiplexed to transmit a multiplexed stream as a multiplexed digital broadcast wave, wherein said digital data streams are allocated first identifying information to identify image data and second identifying information to identify control information, wherein said multiplexed stream comprises said digital data streams and a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers and the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers, said digital data streams and said mapping table being multiplexed, wherein said storage means stores a mapping table separated by said separating means, wherein said control means recognizes an identifier of linked image data indicated by control information, converts said identifier into first identifying information and second identifying information referring to a mapping table, and sets said first identifying information and second identifying information to said separating means, and wherein said separating means includes: first detecting means for detecting said first identifying information from said multiplexed stream; second detecting means for detecting said second identifying information from said multiplexed stream; and obtaining means for obtaining image data and control information indicated by said first and said second identifying information detected by said first and second detecting means.

Claim 76

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 65, wherein said control information is expressed by at least one combination of a coordinate showing image part in image data corresponding to said control information, and the identifier allocated to linked image data, wherein said operation means receives an operation instruction to designate said image part in image data, and wherein said control means reads the identifier allocated to linked image data corresponding to said designated image region, and sets said identifier to said separating means.

Claim 77

A receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data, control information which includes image link information for each frame of image data showing links with other frames of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating the combining of a supplementary design with said plurality of frames of image data, and audio data corresponding to said plurality of frames of image data, said broadcast wave being repeatedly transmitted, and said supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein the receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information and audio data from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information and audio data; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data and audio data to output an image signal and an audio signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 78

A receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data, control information which includes image link information for each frame of image data showing links with other frames of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating the combining of a supplementary design with said plurality of frames of image data, and audio data corresponding to said plurality of frames of image data, said broadcast wave being repeatedly transmitted, and said supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein the receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information and audio data from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information and audio data; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data and audio data to output an image signal and an audio signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 79

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein the identifier allocated to a frame of image data is the same as the identifier allocated to corresponding control information, wherein said control information expresses the identifier allocated to linked image data, wherein said separating means includes: first detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said image data; second detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said control information; and obtaining means for obtaining said image data and control information if said first and second detecting means have detected said identifiers, and wherein said storage means stores said image data and control information obtained by said obtaining means.

Claim 80

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 80, wherein said separating means further includes audio separating means for separating audio data corresponding to said image data, and wherein said storage means stores said audio data separated by said audio separating means.

Claim 81

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein image data and control information are transmitted in the image section and vertical blanking interval, respectively, of a television image signal as a multiplexed analog broadcast wave, while audio data are transmitted as a television audio signal, wherein an identifier to be shown as an image is transmitted in a fixed position in non-displayed part of said image section, and wherein said first detecting means recognizes an identifier from an image in a fixed position of said non-displayed part.

Claim 82

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein the same identifier is allocated to image data and corresponding control information and audio data, wherein said image data, audio data and control information are converted into digital data streams to be multiplexed to transmit a multiplexed stream as a multiplexed digital broadcast wave, wherein said digital data streams are allocated first identifying information to identify image data, second identifying information to identify control information, and third identifying information to identify audio information, wherein said multiplexed stream comprises said digital data streams and a mapping table showing the correspondence between said first identifying information and image data identifiers, the correspondence between said second identifying information and control information identifiers, and the correspondence between said third identifying information and audio information identifiers, said digital data streams and said mapping table being multiplexed, wherein said storage means stores a mapping table separated by said separating means, wherein said control means recognizes an identifier of linked image data indicated by control information, converts said identifier into first identifying information, second identifying information and third identifying information by referring to a mapping table, and sets said first identifying information, second identifying information, and third identifying information in said separating means, and wherein said separating means includes: first detecting means for detecting said first identifying information from said multiplexed stream; second detecting means for detecting said second identifying information from said multiplexed stream; and second detecting means for detecting said second identifying information from said multiplexed stream; and third detecting means for detecting said third identifying information from said multiplexed stream; and obtaining means for obtaining image data, audio data, and control information indicated by said first, second and third identifying information detected by said first, second, and third detecting means.

Claim 83

A receiving apparatus according to Claim 79, wherein said control information is expressed by at least one combination of a coordinate showing image part in image data corresponding to said control information, and the identifier allocated to linked image data, wherein said operation means receives an operation instruction from a user to designate said image part in image data, and wherein said control means reads the identifier allocated to linked image data corresponding to said designated image region, and sets said identifier to said separating means.

Claim 84

A receiving method used in a receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data and control information including link information showing a link to another of said plurality of frames of image data and supplementary design combining information for each frame of image data indicating a combining of a supplementary design and the image data, the supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein said receiving method comprises: a separating step for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; a supplementary design reading step for reading a supplementary design stored in a memory; a combining step for combining the read supplementary design and the image data; a storage step for storing said combined image daLa and said separated control information in a memory; a reproducing step for reproducing said image data stored in the memory to output an image signal; a operation step for receiving a user operation instruction to switch image data; a determining step for determining image data indicated by said control information stored in a memory according to said operation instruction; and a second separating step for separating said determined image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave.

Claim 85

A receiving method used in a receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data and control information including link information showing a link to another of said plurality of frames of image data and supplementary design combining information for each frame of image data indicating a combining of a supplementary design and the image data, the supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein said receiving method comprises: a separating step for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; a supplementary design reading step for reading a supplementary design stored in a memory; a combining step for combining the read supplementary design and the image data; a storage step for storing said combined image daLa and said separated control information in a memory; a reproducing step for reproducing said image data stored in the memory to output an image signal; a operation step for receiving a user operation instruction to switch image data; a determining step for determining image data indicated by said control information stored in a memory according to said operation instruction; and a second separating step for separating said determined image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave.

Claim 86

A recording medium for recording a receiving program used in a receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data and control information including link information showing a link to another of said plurality of frames of image data and supplementary design combining information for each frame of image data which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data, the supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein the receiving program comprises the steps of: a separating step for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; a supplementary design reading step for reading a supplementary design stored in a memory; a combining step for combining the read supplementary design and the image data; a storage step for storing said combined image data and said separated control information in a memory; a reproducing step for reproducing said image data stored in the memory to output an image signal; a operation step for receiving a user operation instruction to switch image data; a determining step for determining image data indicated by said control information stored in a memory according to said operation instruction; and a second separating step for separating said determined image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave.

Claim 87

A recording medium for recording a receiving program used in a receiving apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave produced by multiplexing a plurality of frames of image data and control information including link information showing a link to another of said plurality of frames of image data and supplementary design combining information for each frame of image data which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data, the supplementary design being combined with an image represented by the image data, wherein the receiving program comprises the steps of: a separating step for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; a supplementary design reading step for reading a supplementary design stored in a memory; a combining step for combining the read supplementary design and the image data; a storage step for storing said combined image data and said separated control information in a memory; a reproducing step for reproducing said image data stored in the memory to output an image signal; a operation step for receiving a user operation instruction to switch image data; a determining step for determining image data indicated by said control information stored in a memory according to said operation instruction; and a second separating step for separating said determined image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave.

Claim 88

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, said transmitting apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data; second storage means for storing control information which shows links between said plurality of frames of image data stored in said first storage means, and which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information, and said receiving apparatus comprising: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 89

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, said transmitting apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data; second storage means for storing control information which shows links between said plurality of frames of image data stored in said first storage means, and which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information, and said receiving apparatus comprising: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 90

An interactive communication system according to Claim 87, wherein the transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said corresponding control information from said first and second storage means; multiplexing means for multiplexing image data and control information read by said reading means by transmitting said image data and control information in image sections and vertical blanking intervals, respectively, of a television signal; and output means for outputting the multiplexed television signal as an analog broadcast wave.

Claim 91

An interactive communication system according to Claim 87, wherein said image data and control information stored in said first and second storage means are digitized, and wherein said transmitting means includes: reading means for repeatedly reading said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said corresponding control information from said first and second storage means; multiplexing means for converting image data and control information read by said reading means into digital data streams, and multiplexing said digital data streams to produce a multiplexed stream; and output means for outputting said multiplexed stream as a digital broadcast wave.

Claim 92

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein said transmitting apparatus comprises: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data with an identifier allocated to each frame of image data; second storage means for storing control information for each frame of image data showing a link to another frame of image data stored in said first image storage means, the same identifier being allocated to corresponding image data and control information, and said control information also indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design is being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information, and said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 93

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein said transmitting apparatus comprises: first storage means for storing a plurality of frames of image data with an identifier allocated to each frame of image data; second storage means for storing control information for each frame of image data showing a link to another frame of image data stored in said first image storage means, the same identifier being allocated to corresponding image data and control information, and said control information also indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the image data stored in the first storage means, the supplementary design is being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information, and said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data designated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 94

An interactive communication system according to Claim 90, wherein said control information is represented by said identifiers of linked image data, and wherein said separating means includes: first detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said image data; second detecting means for detecting said identifier allocated to said control information; and obtaining means for obtaining said image data and control information if said first and second detecting means have detected said identifiers.

Claim 95

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein the transmitting apparatus comprises: obtaining means for obtaining pieces of page information representing a page containing characters and images, said page information including link information to show a link to another page, character information, and image information; first producing means for producing one frame of image data containing characters and images in accordance with said character information and image information included in a piece of page information; second producing means for interpreting said link information included in said obtained page information and producing, for each frame of image data, control information including image link information about a link to another frame of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the frame of image data generated by the first producing means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; first storage means for storing a predetermined number of frames of image data produced by said first producing means; second storage means for storing said control information produced by said second producing means; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said control information, and said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data desiqnated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.

Claim 96

An interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, comprising a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus, wherein the transmitting apparatus comprises: obtaining means for obtaining pieces of page information representing a page containing characters and images, said page information including link information to show a link to another page, character information, and image information; first producing means for producing one frame of image data containing characters and images in accordance with said character information and image information included in a piece of page information; second producing means for interpreting said link information included in said obtained page information and producing, for each frame of image data, control information including image link information about a link to another frame of image data and supplementary design combining information indicating a combining of a supplementary design with the frame of image data generated by the first producing means, the supplementary design being stored by a receiving apparatus and being combined with an image represented by the image data; first storage means for storing a predetermined number of frames of image data produced by said first producing means; second storage means for storing said control information produced by said second producing means; and transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting said predetermined number of frames of image data together with said control information, and said receiving apparatus comprises: separating means for separating a frame of image data and corresponding control information from said broadcast wave; supplementary design storage means for storing at least one supplementary design; supplementary design reading means for reading a supplementary design from the supplementary design storage means, based on the separated control information; combining means for combining the read supplementary design with the separated image data; storage means for storing said combined image data and separated control information; reproducing means for reproducing said stored image data to output an image signal; operation means for receiving an operation instruction from a user to switch image data; and control means for controlling said separating means to separate another frame of image data desiqnated by said control information stored in said storage means according to said operation instruction.