Abstract: In a processing terminal, operational request information inputted from an operational request unit is transmitted as additional information to a communication unit of a CATV distributor. In the CATV distributor, the additional information is received in the communication unit, and when the additional information is the operational request information, an operational command generator generates operational command information corresponding to the operational request information. The operational command information is transmitted to a communication unit of a receiver through the communication unit. In the receiver, as the communication unit receives the operational command information for the receiver, an operating unit operates the receiver to perform the desired operation in response to the operational command information.

Abstract: A device for sending broadcast-program information to a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network so that the plurality of terminal devices display the broadcast-program information on display screens. The device includes an addition unit attaching at least one of a reception setting button and a recording setting button to broadcast-program information which is to be sent to a terminal device, the reception setting button and the recording setting button being used in the terminal device for issuing a request to make settings for automatic receiving and recording, respectively, of a selected broadcast program. The device further includes an execution-information extracting unit obtaining execution information in response to the request, the execution information specifying information necessary for making the settings, and a transmission unit sending the execution information to the terminal device.

Abstract: In a processing terminal, operational request information inputted from an operational request unit is transmitted as additional information to a communication unit of a CATV distributor. In the CATV distributor, the additional information is received in the communication unit, and when the additional information is the operational request information, an operational command generator generates operational command information corresponding to the operational request information. The operational command information is transmitted to a communication unit of a receiver through the communication unit. In the receiver, as the communication unit receives the operational command information for the receiver, an operating unit operates the receiver to perform the desired operation in response to the operational command information.

Abstract: A device for sending broadcast-program information to a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network so that the plurality of terminal devices display the broadcast-program information on display screens. The device includes an addition unit attaching at least one of a reception setting button and a recording setting button to broadcast-program information which is to be sent to a terminal device, the reception setting button and the recording setting button being used in the terminal device for issuing a request to make settings for automatic receiving and recording, respectively, of a selected broadcast program. The device further includes an execution-information extracting unit obtaining execution information in response to the request, the execution information specifying information necessary for making the settings, and a transmission unit sending the execution information to the terminal device.

Abstract: A device sends broadcast-program information to a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network so that the plurality of terminal devices display the broadcast-program information on display screens. The device includes a keyword management unit storing correspondence between keywords and addresses of information sources which provide information relevant to the keywords, a check unit checking whether broadcast-program information to be sent to a terminal device contains the keywords, and an addition unit attaching an access button to each of the keywords found in the broadcast-program information by looking up the correspondence stored in the keyword management unit so that the access button specifies an address of a corresponding one of the information sources. The access button is used in the terminal device for accessing the corresponding one of the information sources.

Abstract: A bidirectional CATV system having a CATV distributing device and a terminal system. The CATV distributing device includes a video information generating unit that generates video information by executing software, particularly game software, using execution information and a communication unit then receives the execution information from the terminal system. The communication unit sends the execution information to the video information generating unit and transmits the video information generated by the video information generating unit to the terminal system. The terminal system incudes a TV receiver that displays the video information transmitted from the CATV distributing device and a processing device having an execution information compilation unit that compiles the execution information. The communication unit then transmits the execution information to the CATV distributing device.

Abstract: A device is provided for sending listings of broadcast programs to a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network so that the plurality of terminal devices display the listings of broadcast programs on display screens. The device includes a program-management unit for keeping information about broadcast programs of a plurality of broadcast stations in a random-list format, a generation unit for extracting information from the program-management unit with respect to broadcast programs of a date and time indicated by one of the terminal devices, and for editing extracted information to generate a listing of broadcast programs, and an addition unit for attaching at least one of a date change button, a time change button, and a search button to the listing of broadcast programs. The date change button and the time change button are used for changing a date and a time slot of a displayed listing of broadcast programs, respectively.

Abstract: A bidirectional cable television ("CATV") system includes a CATV distributing device which transmits information through each of a plurality of channels. The information includes video information and added information relating to the content of the video information. A TV receiver then displays the video information that is transmitted from the CATV distributing device, and a processing terminal device compiles a picture that can be displayed on a monitor TV. The picture is compiled from the video information and added information that are sent from the CATV distributing device. The CATV distributing device includes a communication unit that transmits the video information and added information through each of the plurality of channel. The processing terminal device includes a communication unit that receives the video information and added information from the CATV distributing device, and a picture that is displayed on a monitor TV.