JPS58225789A - Catv system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record charge for shopping, charged information utilized by a guest, etc., at a CATV center and to display it at a terminal device at a request through an existent coaxial cable. CONSTITUTION:When a signal indicating the depression of the switch of a remote control unit, i.e. a key code requesting a check-out is sent from the terminal device 102, this is demodulated by a head end 10 and then supplied to a main computer 32 through a buffer computer 31, discriminating that the check- out is requested at the terminal device 102. The calculation result of the charge is supplied to a check-out computer 33 and data on a list and the charge are converted by a character generator 36 into a signal to be displayed on the screen, i.e. a still video signal for one field wherein the list of purchased articles and the charge is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an interactive CATV system for hotels.

For example, in a hotel, each room has an interactive CAT
It is conceivable to prepare a V terminal device (television receiver) and provide the following services to guests.

(i) Viewing TV broadcasts You can watch regular TV broadcasts and CATV broadcasts.

(ii) L3cM You can listen to regular FM broadcasts and records.

(iii) Screening of movies Broadcast movies, etc. using a VTR.

(iv) Reservation For example, the menu of the restaurant in the hotel will be displayed on the screen, so you can reserve the food you like along with your seat.

(v) Shopping When the guest makes an instruction using the switch, various products are displayed on the screen and can be purchased.

(vi) Information about movies, theaters, etc. Displays the cast and other information about the movie currently being shown on the screen.

(vti> Absence service Displays messages on the screen about visitors, phone calls, etc. when the guest is absent.

(viii) Information In the event of a fire, etc., this will be notified to guests.

(ix) Others Information on how to use this CATV system, etc.

In this case, items (i) and (iii) must be continuous images (hereinafter referred to as "videos") as in normal broadcasting, but items (iv), (vi) to (i)
The item may be a still image. Regarding item (v), it is effective to combine moving images and still images.

By the way, in a typical hotel, coaxial cables 5C-2V are wired in all rooms for receiving television broadcasts. Therefore, it would be extremely convenient if the above-mentioned CATV could be implemented using this existing coaxial cable.

However, the upper limit of the transmission band of this coaxial cable is 400M.
Hz, which is only about 67 channels (67ζ400/6) of the TV band, and moreover, it is actually a channel for command and data access between the terminal equipment in each room and the CATV center. etc. are also required, resulting in a total of about 50 to 60 channels. With such a number of channels, the above (1) to (
The number of channels is insufficient to realize term i).

Therefore, by solving the following problems, the above-mentioned (i) to (
An interactive CATV system for hotels that enables item ix) is conceivable.

First, let's explain an example. Note that the following example is a case of a hotel CATV system in the United States, and the number of terminal devices is 1024. Further, a video signal and an audio signal in the state of a modulated signal in television broadcasting etc. will be referred to as a television signal.

In Figures 1 and 2, (100) is the CA within the hotel.
'r V sending center (200) indicates a terminal device installed in each room, and the center (100) and terminal device (200) are, for example, 5(, -2V coaxial cable (300) and both connected through a tropic distributor (400).

Then, at the center (100) (Fig. 1), 0
0) indicates a head end, and this head end 00) receives a signal indicating a request from the terminal device (200), and also sends out a control signal and a television signal that satisfies the request.

Further, (11) indicates a receiving device for receiving general CATV broadcasting outside the hotel, and (12) indicates a receiving device for receiving general TV broadcasting, and these receiving devices (11)
, (12) is composed of, for example, an RF amplifier, and the received TV signal (multiple channels) is subjected to level adjustment, etc., but demodulation is not performed, and the TV signal of the channel at the time of reception is sent to the head end as it is. is supplied to aω.

Furthermore, (13) shows a receiving device for receiving FM broadcasting, and the FM signal received thereby is also supplied to the bed end QO without being demodulated.

In addition, (14) indicates a plurality of record players or cassette players, and the audio signals played by these are supplied to the head end α0), converted into an FM signal in the same format as FM broadcasting, and then sent to the cable (300). It will be done.

In addition, (15A) and (15B) indicate, for example, a plurality of U-standard videotape players, in which the player (15A) constantly plays back movies, etc. in item (iii), and the playback signal is sent to the head end 110). Supplied. Further, the player (15B) has an image (video image) related to shopping in item (V), and the controller (
25), and code signals related to the contents of the playback screen can also be played back from the auxiliary track of the tape during playback. The reproduction signal of this player (15B) is also supplied to the head end α0).

Further, (16A) and (16B) indicate, for example, a plurality of laser-type video disk players, and from player (16A), similar to player (15A>),
The movie or the like in item (iii) is constantly played, and the playback signal is supplied to the head end αω. Also, the player (
16B) has images in units of l frames (or units of 1 field) for terms (iv) to (ix), etc.,
This is controlled by the controller (26) so that it can be played back in l frame units, and the playback signal is supplied to the head end 00. Note that during this reproduction, the reproduction position (frame) can be designated by an address signal.

Further, (17) indicates a plurality of sheet recorders, which record video signals from a video camera (18) frame by frame using, for example, a cassette-type rotating magnetic sheet, and are capable of playing back the video signals. The reproduced video signal is supplied to the head end 00). The sheet recorder (17) is used to reproduce items (iv) to (vit), and has an address like a video disc, and is controlled frame by frame by the controller (27). Further, a video signal from the camera (18) is also supplied to the head end OQ.

Further, (30) indicates a microcomputer of a multi-CPU system, and this computer (30) is connected to the head end Ol and controllers (25) to (27) to carry out various controls as described later, such as the terminal device (2).
Processing is performed in response to a request from 00). Also,
The hotel's main computer (50) is also connected to the computer (30).

Further, (41) represents a CRT monitor, and (42) represents a printer, through which monitor results of this CATV system are displayed or printed.

Here, the signals accessed between the center (100) and the terminal device (200) are assigned frequencies as shown in FIG. 3, for example.

In other words, the frequency band 10~30MHz is the terminal bag ft
(200) to the center (100), band 10 to 20M) (z is a channel for signals indicating requests from the terminal device (200), etc., as described later, and band 20 to 20M). 30 MHz is a channel for maintenance and inspection of the terminal device (200).

In addition, the frequency band 54 to 402 MHz is centered (10
0) to the terminal device (200), of which the bands 54 to 88 MHz and 17
4-216MHz is the normal television broadcasting band,
CAT received by receiving devices (11) and (12)
The TV signal of V and the normal TV signal (multiple channels) are directly transmitted within this band as described above. Furthermore, although the band 88 to 108 MHz is the band of FM broadcast, the FM broadcast (
(multiple channels) are also transmitted as is within this band. Furthermore, the FM signal from the player (14) is also sent out within this band.

Furthermore, the band 108~120MHz is centered (100MHz).
) is the band of the control signal sent to the terminal device (200). Then, the signals from the devices (15A) to (18) are sent to the head end (101) in the remaining band 120.
~174MHz and 216~402MHz, and TV broadcast bands (54~88MHz, 174~216MHz)
Hz) and sent to the cable (300).

That is, moving images such as movies played on the players (15A), (15B) and the video disc player (16A) are played using a specific channel among the remaining channels, for example, an empty channel in the television broadcasting band. It is sent out all the time. The still image of one frame played back by the video disc player (16B) and the sheet recorder (17) is also selected from a specific channel among the remaining channels, for example, band 120 to 174 MH2.
and 216-402 MHz channels (details will be described later).

On the other hand, in the terminal device (200) (Fig. 2), (20
1) shows a microcomputer, which controls the operation of this device (200) and also controls the center (10).
0) is accessed by control signals. moreover,
(211') is a bandpass filter for extracting downlink signals, and (212) is a bandpass filter for extracting uplink signals, which are connected to the distributor (400). In addition, (211) indicates a tuner device for television, which is controlled by a microcomputer (201), receives necessary ones from among the multiple channels of television signals sent, and outputs video and audio signals. De0 keyed. The video signal and audio signal are then supplied to switch circuits v&(223) and (224).

Furthermore, (225) indicates a memory device, which can record one frame of the video signal from the tuner device (221) using, for example, a rotating magnetic sheet, and can perform still playback, in which this is continuously and repeatedly played back. The reproduced video signal is supplied to a switch circuit (223).

Also, (222> points the FM tuner device,
This is also controlled by the computer (201), and among the multiple channels of FM signals sent, necessary ones are received and audio signals are extracted, and the audio signals are supplied to the switch circuit (224).

And these switch circuits (22g), (2
24) is controlled by a computer (201).

Furthermore, (226) indicates a character generator,
This is controlled by a computer (201), and a video signal to be reproduced as characters, numbers, etc. is extracted, and this is sent to a switch circuit (223) in a synthesis circuit (227).
＞ is combined with the video signal from ＞ and becomes 1. The video signal from this synthesis circuit (227>) is supplied to the television receiver (240), and the audio signal from the switch circuit (224) is also supplied to the television receiver (240).

In addition, (202) shows a demodulation circuit, and (203) shows a modulation circuit. A control signal sent on the downlink is extracted from the demodulation circuit (202) and supplied to the computer (201), and the control signal sent from the demodulation circuit (202) is supplied to the computer (201). ), the computer (201
) is modulated into the uplink band and passed through the filter (
212> to the cable (300).

Further, (231) indicates a transmitting unit of, for example, an infrared remote control, and (232) indicates its receiving device. The transmitting unit <231) has various switches as shown in FIG. 5, and when these switches are operated, a corresponding output is obtained to the receiving device (232), which is then supplied to the computer (201). Guests can receive the services listed in (i) to (ix) above. In addition, (233) is a display lamp, (250"
) is a printer.

Further, signal access between the center (100) and the terminal device (200) is performed by polling the computer (30).

In other words, for simplicity, 1024 terminal devices (200
) are (101) to (164).

(201) ~ (264) ,... C1601) ~ (
1664), the downlink control signal channel (108 to 120 MHz) is divided into 16 channels DS1 to DSt6 as shown in the upper half of FIG. (
64 terminal devices (iol) to (i64) are allocated to one channel DSi (i-1 to i-16).

Then, in each channel DS+, the period τ
1 to τε1 are repeatedly set, for example, channel DS
Each channel DS+
In the period τj (j=1 to 64), a code signal specifying the terminal device (ij) is sent out. In this case, this code signal is
For example, it is an 8-bit serial signal, and 1 bit is 1 m.
Therefore, the period τj is 8 m seconds, and the period τ
One cycle from 1 to τ64 is 512 msec (=8 msec x 64)
becomes. That is, on any channel, all terminal devices are sequentially designated repeatedly every 512 msec with a shift of 8 msec. This designation is performed simultaneously for 16 channels.

On the other hand, the same applies to uplink channels (10 to 20 MHz), and as shown in the lower half of Figure 4, 16
It is divided into channels US1 to US1g, and 64 terminal devices (iol) to (i
64) is assigned. And for example channel U
In SI, the period T1 delayed by 9 bits from the specified period τ1 of the terminal device (101) is
) will be considered as the return period for data from
In channel USi, a period Tj delayed by 9 bit periods from the designated period τj of terminal device (ij) is regarded as the period for returning data from terminal device 4 (ij).

In other words, if data is sent during period Tj of channel USi, it is assumed that it is from the terminal device (ij).

Therefore, when control signals are accessed between the center (100) and the terminal device (200), this is done as follows.

For example, the number of a certain terminal device (200) is (102)
If there is data to be sent from this terminal device (102) to the center (100), this data is temporarily stored in the computer (201). and,
When polling of the center (100) is performed on channel 051, the signal is transmitted from the center (100) to the cable (300) to the distributor (400) to the filter (21).
1) It is supplied to the computer (201) through the line from demodulation circuit (202) to computer (201), and the computer (201) determines whether or not it is polling for itself, and does not process anything if it is not polling for itself. is not performed, and waits until polling for itself is performed. Note that this waiting time is at most one cycle of polling, that is, 512 msec.

Then, when the terminal device (102) is polled during the period τ2, the stored data is
Computer (201) → Modulation circuit (203) → Filter (212) - Distributor (400) → Cable (300)
→Channel US1 of the center (100) line
This data is sent to the center (100) through channel US1 during period T2, so at the center (100) it is considered to be from the terminal device (102) and predetermined processing is performed. In this case, if necessary, the center (100) and the terminal device (102)
) A handshake is performed between the two.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a row view of this terminal device (200),
The receiver (240) is installed on the stand (rack) (270) and the upper part (271) of the stand (270').
) houses the television signal system circuit, and the stand (27
A memory device (225), a computer (201), a printer (250), a speaker (not shown), etc. are arranged inside the computer.

The above-mentioned items (i) to (i) are realized by the following operations. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the number of the terminal device (200) used by the guest is (102).

(i) Viewing TV broadcasts In this case, when the guest turns on the TV switch St of the remote control unit (231), this is determined by the computer (201).

Then, when you turn on the desired channel among the channel switches Sc of the unit (231) (or operate the sweep switch Siv), this is determined by the computer (201), and the tuner device (221) The unit (231) tunes to the specified channel.

Therefore, the tuner device (221) selects the desired one among the television signals sent out from the center (100), and the video signal and audio 76 signal are sent from the tuner device (221) to the switch circuit (22).
3) is supplied to the receiver (240) through (224). Therefore, guests can freely watch any channel of television broadcasting.

Furthermore, since CATV broadcasting is sent out from the center (100) using vacant channels of normal television broadcasting, this can also be viewed in the same way.

(ii) BGM In this case, when the BGM switch sb of the remote control unit (231) is turned on, this
1), the mode is set to receive FM broadcasting, and the switch circuit (224) is switched to the state opposite to that shown in FIG. Then, when the sweep switch S of the unit (231) is operated, the reception frequency of the tuner device (222) is swept, and when there is an FM broadcast, the sweep is stopped once. Therefore, the user can listen to the desired FM broadcast.

Furthermore, since the audio signal from the player (14) is also converted to an FM8 signal and sent out, it can be listened to in the same way.

(iii > Screening of Movies Movies are frequently played back by players (15A) and (16A) and are sent out on a specific channel, so when the movie switch Sm of the remote control unit (231) is turned on, this is displayed on the computer ( 201), the tuner device (221) becomes tuned to that particular channel, and therefore, the movie can be watched on the television receiver (240) in the same way as in the case of item (i).

Incidentally, when a plurality of movies are being sent out using a plurality of channels, selection can be made using the channel switch Sc as in the case of item (i).

(ix) Others (how to use this system) When the guide switch Sg of the remote control unit (231) is turned on, this is determined by the computer (201>), and the tuner device (221> is set to the still image channel selection state. At the same time, when this terminal device (102) is bored by the center (100), a request signal is sent back.
100), in response to this request signal, one frame of a video signal of an image as shown in FIG. (10
0). However, at this time, a terminal code indicating the number (102) of the terminal device (200) is added to the vertical blanking period at the beginning of this one frame video signal (television signal).

In the terminal device (102), since the tuner device (221> is in the tuned state of the channel of the one-frame television signal that has been sent out, the television signal is received and the tuner device (221) ) supplies a terminal code to the computer (201).The computer (201) then determines from this terminal code whether the television signal is for itself, and sends the terminal code to the terminal device (102).
Since this is a television signal for oneself, the video signal (one frame) obtained from the tuner device (221) is stored in the memory device (225) and is repeatedly played back (still playback). Further, the switch circuit (223) is connected in a state opposite to that shown in FIG.

Therefore, the seventh
The image shown in the figure is obtained.

Therefore, when the customer turns on switch "5" among the channel switches Sc of the unit (231), when this is the next polling from the center (100), the center (
100).

Then, at the center (100), one frame of an image (explanatory text) explaining how to use this system is played from the player (16B) as in the case of Fig. 7, and a terminal code is also added to this. sent out. Then, in the terminal device (102), the signal is stored in the memory device (225) and played repeatedly, so that a still image of its usage is stored in the receiver (240).
) is displayed.

1 2 υ Then, when the customer turns on the forward switch Sf of the unit (231), the above operation is repeated and explanatory texts are displayed one after another. In addition, unit (231)
When the backward switch Sr is turned on, the explanation display returns to the previous screen.

(iv) Information on movies, theaters, etc. In this case, by turning on the guide switch Sg, the receiver (240) will display the screen shown in Figure 7, so at this time, turn on "1" of the switches Sc. Then, the same operation as in the case of item (ix) above is performed. However, in this case, one frame of image is played back by the sheet recorder (17) instead of the player (16B).

(v) Sun Sopping In this case as well, it is carried out by turning on switch "2" of the switches Sc following the guide switch Sg and following the screen shown in FIG. And in this case,
Players (15B) and (16B) are used together.

2. In other words, for example, in the case of fashion, the player (15B) sends out a video of a fashion show, and when you find a piece of clothing that you like, turn on the enter switch Se of the unit (231). 100).

Then, at the center (100), the player at this time (
The address of the disk of the player (16B) is specified based on the address signal being played from the auxiliary trunk of the tape 15B), and based on that address, various information regarding clothes when the switch Se is turned on, such as Images of the fabric, manufacturer, price, etc. will be played, and from then on,
Various types of guidance are provided by the player (16B) in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, if the forward switch Sf of the unit (231) is turned on, the video returns to the video from the player (15A).

When making a purchase, the player (16B) plays an image asking how to purchase (e.g., when, how many, etc.), and as in section (1), the player (16B) plays an image asking questions about how to purchase (for example, when, how many, etc.)
231).

Data such as the price of the product is then stored on a computer (
30) and is also output to the printer (42).

(vi) Reservation Also, when the Gaito Inch Sg is turned on and the screen shown in Figure 7 appears, if you turn on the switch "3" of the switches Sc, the switch An image of the dish is displayed every time Sf is turned on. Therefore, when the desired dish is desired, the user turns on the switch Se and the desired dish is ordered.

In addition, seats can be reserved interactively in the same manner as in section (v).

(vii) Absence service In this case, the display lamp (233) of the terminal device (102) is lit by the processing of the computer (30) on the center (100) side. Therefore, when the customer turns on the power of the terminal device (102), one frame of the screen previously recorded using the camera (18) is played back from the recorder (17), and if this is item (ix), 3 is displayed on the receiver (240) in the same manner as above.

Therefore, the customer can know about the guests who are absent.

(viti) information This is the terminal device (2) that requires the output of the image set in the player (16B) or the camera (18) by the operation of the computer (30) of the center (100).
00) and is displayed.

In addition, when outputting from the player (16B), it is still 1
The data is sent frame by frame and serialized by the memory device (225).

Figure 8 shows the waveform when one frame of video signal (television signal) is sent from the center (100) to the terminal device (102), where Ph is the horizontal synchronization pulse, Pv is the vertical synchronization pulse, and BS is the horizontal synchronization pulse. In the burst signal, the numbers 1 to 525 are line numbers. As described above, the terminal code TC specifying the terminal device (102) is repeatedly inserted into the 10th line to the 16th line of the vertical blanking period, and this is, for example, a 20-bit direct code. It is a 5 4 column digital signal and is composed of an address signal and a control signal that actually designate the terminal device (102).

Then, the terminal device (102) determines that the video signal is sent to itself from the address signal in the terminal code TC, and also stores this video signal in the memory device (225) according to the control signal. It is determined that it is stored and then repeatedly retrieved and provided to the receiver (240).

Therefore, even if this video signal is only one frame, it is sent to a specific terminal device (102) and is continuously generated as an H image.

FIG. 9 shows the handshake between the center (100) and the terminal device (102). In other words, ■ Center (
100) to the terminal device (102).

■ Data is sent from the terminal device (102) to the center (100).

(2) An acknowledge signal is sent from the center (100) to the terminal device (102).

6. A termination code is sent from the terminal device (102) to the center (100).

Then, in (2), the center (100) is executing the necessary processing at the time of transmitting the acknowledge signal.

As described above, in this CATV system, when sending a still image from the center (100) to the terminal device (200), only one frame is sent and this is sent to the terminal device (200).
0), the memory device (225) is used to repeatedly reproduce still images, so the center (1
00) and a plurality of terminal devices (200).
Even if the capacity of 300) is small, a large number of still images can be transmitted. In other words, since the time required to send an image of 1 frame is 1/30 seconds, a still image can be sent to 30 terminal devices (200) per channel in 1 second. If one still image is required for each channel, 150 terminal devices (200
) You can send still images to In the example shown in Figure 3, if the bands (120 to 7174 MHz, 216 to 402 MHz) are allocated to still images (videos can be allocated to empty broadcast channels), this is the capacity for 40 channels. Therefore, it is possible to respond to requests from 6000 terminal devices (200) (-150 devices x 40 channels). Alternatively, since the operating rate of general telephone lines is usually less than 5%, in the case of Figure 3, the operating rate is 12,000.
It is possible to respond to requests from 0 (=6000 15%) terminal devices (200). Thus, according to this CATV system, only one coaxial cable (300)
However, you can also send a large number of still images. Moreover, since the coaxial cable (300) can be an existing cable, the cost is low.

However, if the CATV system as described above is implemented, it will take time to pay the fee at the time of check-out. That is, if you use the shopping described in item (v) of the above-mentioned services, you must pay the price at checkout. Further, when viewing the television broadcast in item (iv), there is a paid channel (pay channel) in the CATV broadcast, and when viewing this, it is necessary to pay the fee. The same applies to charges when using the hotel restaurant.

Furthermore, the charges in paragraphs (v) and (iv) are of course paid by the guest after checking the details.
If you do this at the front desk when checking out, the front desk will be crowded. In particular, hotel check-outs are concentrated at specific times, so if the payment fee includes various fees other than the accommodation fee, it can become even more crowded, making you have to wait for check-out, and causing problems. I end up. This invention attempts to improve these problems.

Therefore, the present invention enables the following processing.

That is, when the guide switch Sg of the remote control unit (231) is turned on, the receiver (230)
A screen like the one shown in Figure 7 is displayed.9Xl! 8, but then when switch 4 of the switches Sc is turned on, this is transmitted to the computer (30) when polled, and the entire amount including the accommodation fee and the shopping fee in item (v) is sent to the computer (30). The charges and their details are sequentially displayed on the screen of the receiver (240).

Therefore, the guest can know all the charges up to that point along with the details at any time from the comfort of his or her own room.

Therefore, at the front desk, you only have to pay the fee, and even if there are a lot of checkouts, you can check out quickly and avoid any trouble.

In order to perform the above processing, in this invention, the center (
For example, a program of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is prepared in the computer (30) of 100).

That is, in FIG. 1O, r101J to r104J
shows the steps when a guest checks in at the front desk, and in step r102J, the guest's name and room number are checked.
In steps r103 J and r104 J, whether or not a credit card will be used is input, and if so, the card number is input.

Further, steps r211J to r226J indicate steps when the guest confirms the charge in his/her room.

That is, when the terminal device (102) is powered on in step r201J, it waits for a switch input of the remote control unit (231) in step r202J, and when this switch input is received, a checkout switch input (switch Sg and "4" switch), and if it is not a checkout switch input, step r
In response to the switch input at 204J, (1) ~
(vti).

The service in item (ix) is performed.

When the checkout switch is input, the explanatory text is displayed on the receiver (240) in step r211J.
), and then, in step r212J, the fee and its details are displayed on the receiver (240). In addition,
The display in steps r211 J and r212 is performed by creating the display screen by the computer (30) and sending it out frame by frame to the terminal device (102). Moreover, rechecking is also possible in step r213J.

When the switch ``1'' of the switches Sc of the remote control unit (231) is turned on in step r214J, it is considered that the above display contents are approved, and when the switch ``0'' is turned on, the switch Sc of the remote control unit (231) is turned on. If it is assumed that the user has not approved the application and the input is made to approve, the process proceeds to step r103J in step r221J.
In other words, it is determined whether or not to use a credit card. When using a credit card, the user waits for input on whether to take the receipt home at the front desk or mail it at a later date in step r223J, and when mailing the receipt, that fact is registered in the computer (30) in step r225J. Then, step r222
J, r224 J, r226 J 11 The terminal device (102) is powered off.

Further, if it is input in step r214J that the displayed content is not approved, the process returns to step r203J.

Steps r301J to r321J show steps for paying the fee at the front desk, and a receipt is issued by the printer (42) in steps r302J and r311J.

FIG. 11 also shows an example of a computer (30). That is, in FIG. 11, the computer (30)
has a multi-PU configuration, (31) is an input buffer computer, and (32) is the main computer, and this computer (32) stores a list each time a guest does shopping. ing. The usage time of the pay channel is also stored.

Furthermore, (33) shows a computer for creating a checkout screen, (35) is a memory for its data, and (36) is a character generator. Further, (34) is a convenience store 32-ta for charge calculation.

Then, from the terminal device (102) to the remote control unit (2
When a signal indicating that the switch 14 of 31) has been pressed is sent, that is, a key code requesting checkout is sent, this is sent to the head end (14).
0) and then demodulated at the buffer computer (3
1) is supplied to the main computer (32) through
It is determined that a checkout request has been made at the terminal device (102). As a result of this determination,
A list of fees paid by guests using this terminal device (102) is sequentially read out from the main computer (32), and this is read out from the checkout computer (32).
3) is supplied to the fee calculation computer (34), and the fee is calculated based on the list.

The calculation result of this charge is then supplied to the checkout computer (33), and the list and charge data are converted by the character generator (36) into signals for displaying the screen, i.e., the list of purchased items and their charges. A video signal of one still image (14 fields) for displaying is formed.

Further, at this time, a terminal code specifying the terminal device (102) explained in FIG. 8 and the like is also added to the first vertical blanking period.

Then, the video signal of this still image is transmitted to the head end (10
) is sent to the terminal device (102).

Therefore, in the receiver (240) of the terminal device (102),
The charges will be displayed with their details. Also, this receiving fi
The screen of (240) is screen copied by the printer (250). Note that when this display exceeds one screen, the above process is repeated each time the forward switch Sf is turned on, and the entire screen is sequentially displayed one screen at a time.

Thus, according to this invention, guests can check the charges and their details in their room before going to the front desk to check out, and can simply pay the charges at the front desk or use their credit card. When using,
There's no need to do anything.

Therefore, guests can easily check out at a time that is convenient for them, without having to wait at the front desk. In addition, hotels can improve the quality of their services, and users can use their time more effectively.

In addition, in the terminal device (200), the still image TV f
A tuner device exclusively for the h-number may be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 11 are system diagrams of an example of this invention,
FIG. 3 to FIG. 10 are diagrams for explaining the same. (100) is a CATV center, (200) is a terminal device,
(300) is a coaxial cable. 6 JP-A-58-225789 ('?1) JP-A-58-2
25789 (12) JP-A-58-225789 (1:9) Figure 5 JP-A-58-225789 (14)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Two-way communication is possible between the hotel's CATV center and terminal devices installed in each room through cables, and charges for shopping, paid information, etc. used by guests in the hotel are transferred to the CATV center. from the terminal device to the C through the cable.
A CATV system in which, when a request is made to an ATV center, the record is sent from the CATV center to the terminal device via the cable and displayed.