MXPA99001908A - Television and telephone signal distribution system with payment through electronic cards - Google Patents

Abstract

Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by means of electronic cards of the type installable in public residential centers, which allows the reception by the user of different groups of channels making the payment by means of a card, and which carries out the automatic charging of each group of channels by modulating the signal with information relative to the applied rate that is interpreted by a television control unit that forwards said signal to public terminals receiving confirmation of said reception. also detecting the fraudulent use of said terminals, the entire system being managed by a modular telephone maintenance center consisting of a personal order connected by modem to the teams that manage

Description

TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH PAYMENT THROUGH ELECTRONIC CARDS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention relates to a system for distributing television signal and telephone signal for installation in residential centers, such as hospitals that allows the user to use electronic cards of different types as a means of payment, allowing the determination and automatic collection of the rate applied by the collecting entity according to the service acquired by the user by means of the coding of the information relating to the charging in the service signal itself.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION More specifically, the invention relates to a television and telephony signal distribution system in which the purchasing functions of the cards, charging of the television channels, control and collection of the television service are integrated and integrated. telephony, the translation of impulses associated with charging and anti-fraud control. All the functions of the system are controlled centrally from a single computer consisting of a PC PC of standard features currently on the market.

The application field of the invention, although specifically developed to be used with television systems, is not limited to this specific application, but could also be used in the control of other types of automatic machines, such as the case of coffee machines, ticket vending machines, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modular telephone management systems are currently known that perform the management of the collection of telephone and television services. The introduction into the market of public telephony of new services with the appearance of residential public telephones, of the type known as residential public telephones, hospital applications such as UCTV television control units and automatic dispensers of DATT cards, together with the The need for decentralized management of terminals makes it essential to use a telephone management system that meets the needs that are open in the development of these applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The system of the invention consists, basically, of five functional blocks, namely: 1) A block of reception function that carries out the reception of the signal including the possible decoding thereof, and which encodes in said signal the information relating to the pricing of the TV channels served. Said block incorporates, as specific equipment, an UANT antenna unit for the realization of these functions; 2) A user function block that includes a telephone terminal, a UCTV television control unit, a UCA power control unit and a headset rosette; 3) A control function block constituted by the specific equipment called CMTM modular telephone maintenance center; 4) A telephone system charging function block in which, if necessary, a pulse translator is installed necessary for charging the telephone service; 5) A vending function block consisting of an automatic telephone card dispenser. The antenna unit UA T of the reception block modifies the signal received by the antenna (conventional or parabolic) or a video signal. Said modification consists in the introduction of an additional signal that carries information associated to each group of channels in which the charging information is included and, if necessary, another type of additional information. The antenna unit has as inputs a conventional video signal or a radiofrequency signal, and as an output the signal amplified and encoded with the aforementioned information distributed throughout the complex by coaxial cable. A UCTV television control unit is incorporated into the user's room, a UCA power control unit, a telephone terminal and a headphone jack. The telephone terminal is preferably a residential public telephone that supports card payment. In the terminal, a message display screen is provided, such as time, card balance, and other indications for user information. The telephony service allows you to restrict traffic at certain times, enables a modem connection, provides detailed pricing for all extensions, incoming and outgoing call information, traffic saturation and call statistics, the system provides the highest level of security for both for the user as for the operator, with supervision of the loop, and automatic cutting of the line in case of manipulation or puncture of the same. Like all elements of the system, the terminal is controlled by the CMTM modular telephone maintenance center. The television control unit UCTV controls both the television and the power control unit UCA, consisting of an auxiliary panel, providing the audio output for the headset rosette and managing and pricing the different groups of TV channels that are served to the user, generating usage and collection statistics that he sends to the CMTM. With the terminal it maintains a constant communication and depends on it for the sending of information, parameter messages, alarms, postings and daily routine. In said television control unit a simple user interface consisting of a message display, function keys and zones for the placement of static information with instructions for use, etc., is provided. The unit works with electronic chip cards and charges based on the time of use of the channels and according to the pre-established rate for the UANT antenna unit. Through the message viewer, the television control unit informs the user of the operation, which can be on credit, allowing the card to be removed, or charging when necessary while the card is being inserted. If credit is available, the UCTV allows you to watch television and if free channels are selected, no credit is necessary. All parameters of the UCTV can be modified remotely through the CMTM. The UCA power control unit is controlled by means of the UCTV and enables or disables the power supply of the television receiver, so that when the credit is zero or the temporary window of operation does not allow it, the television will turn off. It is also responsible for feeding the UCTV. The television is a conventional commercial receiver, but includes a modification in the connection of the scart connector. The connection to the electrical network is made through the UCA, the antenna input is connected to the television signal distribution network and the euroconnector connects to the UCTV. The TV can be operated by means of a remote control, and the volume adjustment can be carried out by means of a potentiometer located in the headphone jack. The CMTM modular telephone maintenance center carries out the control of the entire system, and consists of a PC personal computer with four lines connected via modem with the equipment it serves. In this computer, a management software application is executed, responsible for storing the usage, plant and billing information of all the equipment connected to it and, at the same time, generating the reports and operating statistics of these equipment. The CMTM controls both telephone terminals and UCTV and automatic dispensers of DATT telephone cards. Between the telephone exchange to which the system connects and the PABX telephone exchange, a pulse translator is inserted that fulfills two tasks. On the one hand, it adapts the charging computer signal so that it passes transparently through the exchange and is correctly interpreted by the telephone terminal, and on the other hand it works as a security system for detecting fraud on the line, based on the sending of an echo by the aforementioned terminal that is recognized by the translator. DATT vending machines can dispense two types of products: telephone telephones and headphones. The DATT makes the sale of cards with different values or credits, and accumulates sales statistics that it sends to the CMTM that manages its operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the reading of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, given below by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the television and telephone signal distribution system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a CMTM modular telephone maintenance center according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a simplified block diagram of the connections between the reception function block and the user function block of the system of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a view of the front panel of the antenna unit of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a view of the upper panel of the antenna unit of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows two perspective views of the upper part and the lower part respectively of the television control unit of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the upper control panel of the television control unit of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a block diagram of the connections between the three elements of the user function block of the system of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a block diagram representing a first configuration of the pulse translator of the present invention, and Figure 10 shows a second configuration of the pulse translator of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the television and telephony signal distribution system according to the present invention, according to this figure, the reception function is represented by the block (1), in which the modification of the signal received through any NAT antenna or from a VCR video, in order to adapt it to allow control of the television signal. The UANT antenna unit allows, through the introduction of an additional signal in the channels that require it, the subsequent identification of each of the groups of channels, their charging and, where appropriate, other types of additional information. The antenna unit UANT (10) has as a typical input a video or a radio frequency signal, and as an output an amplifier that distributes the signal throughout the complex, with the preferred use of a coaxial cable. Each block (2.2b), linked to the block (1) representative of the reception function, constitutes the user room, and provides the respective users of the centers in which the system is installed (in particular, the hospital centers). ), the possibility of having telephone and television individually, by paying for said service, as explained above, by means of universal cards. The block incorporates a television control unit UCTV (20), a power control unit UCA (35), the specific telephone terminal T (45), a headset connection socket (not shown), and a TV set which preferably it will be capable of control by remote control. The block (4), indicative of the charging function, incorporates a telephone exchange PBX (41), connected to each of the terminals T (45) of each user block (2, 2b), and also connected in turn , by means of a translator TR (40) of pulses, to block 83) representative of the maintenance center of modular telephones CMTM, which also appears electrically connected to the RTB block representative of the basic telephone network. For its part, the central unit (41) is also connected to the block (5), indicative of DATT machines or devices, automatic telephone card dispensers. As for the other commented blocks, the functionality of each of these elements has been previously defined. Figure 2 shows a block diagram corresponding to a specific design of a maintenance center for modular telephones CMTM with which, according to the invention, it is intended to extend the CMTM performance currently existing. This center has been conceived as a low-cost management system, and is mainly intended for the maintenance of telephones of third-party entities, or its own telephone plants with a reduced number of terminals in isolated environments of other systems. Among the future extensions of the system, based on the previous design, the expansion of the type and number of terminals, with the connection to other management systems of the SGTM (modular telephone management system), and the management of other devices (UCTV and DATT). The CMTM contained in the block (3), has as main functions the control and supervision of the telephone plant. These functions are specified in the following: plant maintenance function, which supports the operations of registration, cancellation, modification, visualization and list of plant terminals, whose task involves the generation of the database of the different telephones ( identification, furniture, route, configuration, location, associated parameters, ..); the parameters function supports the maintenance operations of the parameter tables, such as high, low, modification, visualization and lists of the tables, generating the database that includes all the current parameters of the terminals (billing, coins, cards, fraud, numbers, collection and others), and so that messages of phone parameters will also be generated and sent; the function of plant conservation (breakdowns, franking and routes), which performs the tasks of reception of faults, management of pending faults, generation of repair bulletins for technicians, management of the postage received and process, and dispatch of Guidance routes for repair personnel, while at the same time involving the generation of the conservation database and the maintenance of the data of pending faults and the history of the fault-franking pairs; the traffic management function, by means of which the reception and processing tasks of the traffic messages in which the statistical information collected daily by the telephone is contained are carried out, and which will lead to the generation of the corresponding database with traffic information; the collection management function, by means of which the reception and processing tasks of the collection messages are carried out in which the information of the coins inserted in the telephone bank of the telephone is contained, and by means of which the database will be generated of collection; the function of compiling statistics, which allows the statistical grouping of the information stored in the CMTM database (3), and the administration function of the center, which will allow and facilitate the maintenance tasks of the system, the application and of the database (administration, backup copies, deletion of information not useful, etc). For its part, the user will have means to access the database, in read mode, while the connection function with other applications will allow the information stored in the database to be sent to the relevant management system or other corporate applications. On the other hand, the management software of the CMTM (3) allows the automation of maintenance operations, consisting mainly of real-time knowledge of the state of breakdowns, and the possibility of automatic guidance of technical repair personnel; In addition, it is important to highlight the ease of operation of the system based on user-friendly menus, and the possibilities of managing information related to breakdowns, traffic and collections. The automation of maintenance operations will allow the use of the system in an unattended manner (automatic guidance of technical repair personnel), while the tools provided will allow the user to make reports "tailored to their needs". As regards the integration of the CMTM (3) in the general structure of the SGTM, it is facilitated by the compatibility of the messages used, in the repair routes, in the similarity of the information stored in the database, and in the possibility of exchanging basic information through data networks. Telephones that depend on the CMTM must be compatible in functionality, communications protocol and messages, with modular phones that are not connected UVI. As regards the architecture of the CMTM (3) that is represented in Figure 2, it will be appreciated that it includes software means to carry out the pertinent management to the different assigned functions, and hardware means that include various interfaces for its connection to other external media, such as the IRTB interface for its connection to the RTB; user UI interface for connection to an external user U, and printer interface II, for connection to the corresponding printing device; on the other hand, the representations corresponding to the RTB block, of the basic telephone network, to the TM block identifying a modular telephone also appear in FIG. to the user block (2) that incorporates the terminal (45) and the television control unit UCTV, as well as the block (5) corresponding to the DATT function and the AC block identifying corporate applications. Consequently, the general structure of the CMTM (3) has been maintained, from a general point of view, in relation to the previous design, but with the introduction of various modifications necessary for its adaptation to the present situation, among which are the inclusion, on the ISA bus of the PC, of several modem cards, and the modification, from the point of view of the software, of the communications module so that it manages several channels simultaneously, and the inclusion of the high-speed channel driver. Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, a simplified block diagram of the connections between the reception function block e 1 user function block of the system of the present invention can be appreciated. The figure shows the antenna unit (10), included in the reception block (1), whose input is electrically connected to an antenna or a video, and whose output has been connected to an amplifier from which it is distributed. signal to the various control units (20) included in the user function block (2), and from these, to the respective TVs. From the functional point of view, the antenna unit (10) is responsible for tuning an incoming television channel, adding the charging information corresponding to the channel group channel (if it is paid or free), and modulating the Resulting signal (video, audio and data) in an output channel. The composite signal reaches the control unit through the euroconnector of the television itself and, once there, is processed. The parameters relating to input channels, output channels, and charging information can be updated through the maintenance terminal of the validation and identification unit (UVI) that is connected to the equipment for this purpose. Through this terminal, you can also display the parameters stored at each moment. The practical construction of this unit will be carried out, preferably, on a single plate, which obviously facilitates its maintenance, which is helped by means of internal routines for monitoring and sending faults to the television control unit. With respect to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, there are represented respectively, respectively, views of the front panel and the upper panel of the antenna unit (10), in which the positions of the various elements are represented. external associated to it. Thus, attending to figure 4, it is possible to appreciate an antenna input connector (11) of the radio frequency tuner by means of which the tuning and other functions are controlled, digitally, through the I2C bus; the output and input connectors (12, 13), respectively, of the modulator, in which all the parameters relating to the modulation are programmed through the I C bus; a scart (14), by means of which the connection is made between the antenna unit (10) and a television signal decoder, and a connector (15) for the cable that provides the power supply to the set. On the other hand, figure 5 relating to the upper panel of the UAN antenna unit (10), has a set of luminous indicators (16), preferably consisting of goddesses of the LED type, suitably numbered, by means of which the value of the "group identification" programmed in the unit, and in such a way that in the event that a fault is identified, said situation is indicated by the alternative ignition of, for example, two previously selected diodes; a connector (17) for the maintenance terminal, and a connector (18) for serial communication. With reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, perspective views of an example of practical realization of the television control unit of the present invention, by means of which the management and control of the television and video service in the environment of use, in particular a hospital environment. According to Figure 1 already connected in the above, the UCTV is integrated in the block (2) corresponding to the user function, and is electrically connected to both the antenna unit (10), whose block diagram appears in figure 3, as the terminal T (45), and also to the power control unit (35) UCA and to the television set itself TV, for the implementation of the functions connected already in the foregoing. This UCTV unit allows the user to visualize the desired television channel, choosing the payment method, and being equipped with functional elements, such as an alphanumeric display, function keys, warnings in several languages, etc., all with the purpose of help the user in the various phases of the operation, as well as a bell connector for a remote computer, which allows external access through the connection with the residential telephone. The form of a preferred practical embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 includes perspective views taken from the top and bottom of the horizontally positioned unit (Figure 6), and a front view of the unit placed vertical position. As shown, the unit incorporates a series of external elements that, on the top or front, include a set (21) function keys, of which the one indicated with (21a) is used for the change of language, the ( 21b) and (21c) are, respectively, forward and backward keys, and the (21d) is the validation-on key; it is also appreciable the slot (22), which is used for the introduction of any of the cards used as a means of payment; the display (23), preferably of the type that are built in LCD technology, which is responsible for presenting the different messages for both the user and the technical staff when it is in operation in tests, and finally, the zones ( 24) and (25) of information, which according to what can be seen consist of spaces of predetermined dimensions, slightly reduced with respect to the external surface. At the bottom, visible in figure 6, connections (26, 27, 28) intended, respectively, are provided to the feeder, the transition plate arranged in the support (euroconnector input), and to the residential telephone, (connection of internal data); also provided are housings (9, 10), made in the wall of the body itself, and intended respectively to the base support and to the tabs of the card holder; finally, it also has channels (11, 12, 13), also recessed in the wall of the body itself, and intended to constitute channels for the different outputs. Inside, the unit has a set of elements around a microprocessor device, including RAM and EPROM memories, real-time clock, input / output ports, connectors for different security modules, card reader, detector metallic threads arranged on the card used, as well as other connectors for connection with other external elements (data entry terminal and extraction of statistics, or even direct connection to the residential telephone, headphones, euroconnector, and / or power and control of the TV) .

Referring now to Figure 8, it can be seen that therein is represented a corresponding block diagram the connections between the three elements enclosed in the user function block (2) provided by the system of the present invention. In this sense, the block (35) corresponding to the board containing the power control unit UCA, has an external connection to the electrical network, and inside it appear sub-blocks representative of a switch responsible for establishing connection / cutting of electrical power supply with the block (20) and with the TV block, and a power transformer of the UCTV control unit (20); for its part, the aforementioned control unit (20) is connected to the TV block via the scart (14), and by means of a plurality of lines intended for audio input / output, video input / output and control output towards the TV block, while in the last mentioned block, the one corresponding to TV, the radio frequency RF input is represented. Finally, with regard to figures 9 and 10, configurations have been shown referring to the two modes of use of the pulse translator (40) provided by the invention. Indeed, the need to introduce a pulse translator is motivated by the fact that the introduction of the residential telephone in different environments, such as its connection to extension lines of PABX (20), in which its bandwidth makes it impossible to pass to the extensions of the charging information, 12 kHz pulses provided by the switching centers, or the protection of the line against external intrusions, makes the use of this equipment necessary. In general, the operation of the pulse translator equipment obeys two specific modes: integrated as an auxiliary element within the public hospital telephony system, or independently, directly connected to the analog line of the control panel where a terminal is located, and want to provide protection against external instructions on the line, performing the selection of one mode or another of operation, preferably, by means of a set of microswitches arranged in the equipment. With regard to Figure 9, that is to say, to the operating mode integrated in the public hospital telephony system, the pulse translator (40) is located on the analog lines of input to the corresponding PABX central (41) , so that it converts the 12 kHz computation pulses, coming from the switching center, into pulses of another frequency, in particular pulses of 3 kHz. These impulses, being of a frequency comprised within the vocal base band, are transparent to the central unit, and therefore allow their transmission to the different terminals (45) that are connected to the extension lines of the exchanges. The 12 kHz computation pulses from the switching center are transparent to the translator (40), thus reaching the exchange. With the reception of the 3 kHz computation pulses, the terminal, if programmed to emit an "echo" signal, proceeds, according to a predetermined algorithm, to the forwarding to the pulse translator (40), by means of tones of a frequency determined, in particular 256 Hz tones, of the confirmation of receipt of the computed impulses. In the event that said translator (40) does not receive the response tone in the appropriate time and with the appropriate cadence, he will proceed to open the analog line, causing the cessation of the communication. In this way, the system is protected against possible fraudulent use that could occur when connecting other terminals in the extension lines of the exchange. As will be understood, the pulse translator (40) could be configured so that it operates without the need to analyze the forwarded echo signal. Of course, the pulse translator can be connected to any type of switching center and central, and is also able to detect the condition of line taken or open. Referring to Figure 10, the operation of the pulse translator (40) in independent mode is shown, in which case the pulse translator appears interleaved directly on the central analog line, detecting the 12 kHz computation pulses from of the switching center, to which it is totally transparent. When the terminal (45) receives the computation pulses generated from the control unit (42), it proceeds to resend said translator, according to a predetermined algorithm, of pulses in the form of 256 kHz tones, or of line openings (according to programming). ), for the confirmation of the receipt of the computation impulses. In case the pulse translator (40) does not receive the tone or response opening in the determined time and with the appropriate cadence, it proceeds to open the analog line, causing the cessation of the communication. In this way the system is protected from possible fraudulent use that could occur when connecting other terminals than the residential telephone. In the foregoing the system object of the present invention has been described, according to a preferred embodiment thereof. As will be understood by experts in the field, within their essentiality multiple variations of detail may be introduced, which may affect the whole or its parts, without this implying departing from the scope of the invention, limited only by the following claims.

Claims (7)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, of the type installable in public residential centers, such as hospitals, for the distribution of pay-TV or free-broadcast signal and telephone signal, which allows the charging of the different channels and services by means of the amplitude modulation of said signal and the coding therein of information associated with the tariff corresponding to each service, characterized in that it comprises a reception function block (1) that includes the signal reception and coding functions for charging, a user function block 82, 2p) including a telephone terminal, a television control unit (20) (UCTV), a power control unit (35) (CA) and a headset rosette a control function block (3) constituted by a maintenance center for modular telephones (CMTM), a charging function block 84) incorporating a pulse translator for reading the signal rate and a vending function block (5) comprising an automatic card dispenser 8DATT).

2. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to claim 1, further characterized in that said reception function block (1) is constituted by an antenna unit (10) (UANT) which comprises internally a UHF / VHF radio frequency tuner equipped with digital control of the tuning and the rest of its functions through a two-wire serial interface of the IC type, and a UHF radio frequency modulator, and comprising said antenna unit externally a tuner antenna input connector (11), a modulator output connector (12), an input connector (13) to the modulator, a scart (14) or SCART adapter for connecting the unit antenna to a television signal decoder, a connector (15) for power cable, a group (16) of indicator LEDs of the group of single-rate channels programmed in the unit (10), and a connector (17) for a maintenance terminal of the unit (10).

3. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to claim 1, further characterized in that said television control unit (UCTV) of the function block (2, 2b) user is qualified to determine the rate to be applied associated with the displayed channel, the collection management on the introduced means of payment, the realization of statistics of collection and use of the service, and the functions of interactivity with the user through a keyboard and a display, also being provided with a connection means with the corresponding telephone terminal for the sending of alarm messages, postage and daily routine and the reception of programming parameters, externally comprising a group of keys (21) of function, a slot (22) for the introduction of a card (6), a means (23) for displaying messages, areas (24, 25) for the placement of static information, a connection (26) with the power control unit (35) (CA), an input connection (27) to the scart connector, a connection (UCA), an input connection (27) to the scart connector, an internal data connection (28), housings (30) for the support tabs of the cards, and channels (31, 32, 33) of exit for the accommodation of the cables. 4.- Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to claim 3, further characterized in that the television control unit (UCTV) is internally constituted by a microprocessor for the processing of the functions of the device, RAM (random access memory) for programming the unit, EPROM memory (electrically programmable read only memory) for non-volatile program data, RAM 'for storing data and program parameters, a watchdog circuit, of the type known as watch-dog, and power supervision, a real time clock, input and output ports, and connectors for security modules for different types of electronic card. 5. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to claim 3, further characterized in that the group (21) of function keys consists of a key (21a) associated with the selection of the language , a pair of keys (21b, 21c) associated respectively to the forward and backward movement in the selection of functions, and a key (2Id) associated with the turning on of the device and the validation of options. 6. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to claim 1, further characterized by said control function block (3) is constituted by a modular telephone maintenance center (CMTM) consisting of a personal computer PC in connection with telephone terminals, both modular telephones and residential public telephones of the type mentioned above, through the basic telephone network (RTB) together with a management software application executed in said computer, being enabled for real-time realization of maintenance functions of the terminals, reception of faults, reception of postage, receipt of collections and reception of traffic, also presenting the functions of remote programming of the parameters of the different terminals , guided technical repair personnel through the printing of repair roadmaps and the management of the database. 7. - Television and telephony signal distribution system with payment by electronic cards, according to the preceding claims, further characterized in that the charging function block (4) comprises an adapted pulse translator (40), being able to be implemented in two different configurations, one of them being integrated into the telephony system in the analog input lines to the central station (41) (PABX) sending the pulses received from the switching center at a frequency transparent to the central unit (41) to be transmitted to the residential public terminals (45) connected to the extension lines of the central, being able to receive confirmation of the reception of the signal by them, and being in a second configuration operating independently and directly arranged in the central analog line, for the detection of pulses from the switching center to which it is transparent, and receiving confirmation by resubmitting said impulses on a different frequency by the residential public terminals (45), being enabled for the interruption of the communication in the event of the detection of fraudulent use by means of the connection of terminals other than those allowed for such purposes by virtue of the reception and recognition of an echo of the signal sent by said terminals.