DE3514881A1 - Service device for simple interactive access to video material, computer image and videotex for the presentation of goods and services - Google Patents

Abstract

Service device for simple interactive access to video material, computer image and a videotex network for the presentation of goods and services in a functional compact housing, comprising - a particularly simple and animating image keyboard, - a control circuit generating and relaying a code signal, - a main processor with interface with the video recorder, - a video source (tape/disk), - a videotex-compatible video monitor to the CEPT standard, - a videotex decoder along with alphanumeric videotex keyboard. By virtue of the elements characterised in the sub claims, the device can be used universally for all communication tasks in which a simple, recognisable at a glance and animating information call-up for video material is desired. In addition, the invention offers the public practising of videotex access as a "videotext cell".

Description

description

Title: The invention relates to an image and sound generating service device, the user-friendly interactive access to various imaging Process (videotape, video disk, computer and Btx) enables.

Area of application: Advising the customer in the sales room about those in need of explanation or large-scale products mean high personnel and space costs for retailers. Exhibits tie up capital and cause transport costs. Services such as trips, events or video films can not do without technical aids are offered close to the experience.

Purpose: Here, according to the preamble of protection claim 1 marked device the possibility of additional display or shelf space in a convenient Self-service using new technical media in the sales room too bring.

"New media could support product launches or require explanation Demonstrate products. ... The fight is about the occupancy of television screens the proximity of the goods presentation in the trade, as is the case today with the occupancy of shelf spaces. " Prof. Dr. K. Brockhoff, Kiel, in Handelsblatt v. 12/13/84.

State of the art: Electronic systems as advertising and sales aids are in themselves nothing new in retail. (See Prof.

Dr. B. Tier, Saarbrücken in the Handelsblatt v. 10.9.

84: Electronic Marketing) However, the lines of development are still very scattered. Conventional video devices show continuous films or cassettes, was standing of technology and criticism: without any intervention or control options for the consumer. It remains more of a passive chance contact, both in the selection of the Image information as well as the ability to capture the beginning of the film. Channel- and recipient horizon are not synchronized. The transmission of the advertising message only random and superficial.

But the interactive Btx network distributed by post is also available to the consumer audience before a certain acceptance threshold. The signal capacity is sufficient for moving pictures not over and the cost of acquisition does not yet have a corresponding benefit expectation opposite to. (See B. Schramm in the Handelsblatt v. 13.

2.85: "Btx for private individuals is a flop") The first approach for a the integrating and interactive distribution medium based on video is that of Telemedia GmbH, Gütersloh offered Teleselect image plate information system. (See sales economy 10/84 p. 84 ff. A new hit at the POS ...) However, this also exists System disadvantages that stand in the way of certain applications.

A recorded optical disc can no longer be erased or overwritten will. Due to the high manufacturing costs for panels, use is only permitted from approx.

300 playback stations economical. For individual use the device is therefore out of the question. The exchange that is regularly required in practice of program parts due to changes in the range is also possible with the existing device not possible.

The plate production requires to maintain a stable Image composition a special quality of the base material. Apart from that was standing of technology and criticism: the higher cost of preproduction of the master tape is one Transfer of conventional home recorder films is not suitable for editing video discs.

(Philips communications on the premastering of their VLP optical disk) In the In practice, however, 1/2 inch tape is often used.

After all, the dialing technique used there is via a 10-key keypad at least to be criticized for the area of application described above.

It requires the consideration of a search menu or a directory of numbers. This means that several entries and selection files may be necessary before the image is presented. Input errors cannot be ruled out due to the tight numeric keypad.

Task: The task of the invention is to create the possibility of for those interested in the sales room, interactive access to AV media from one To have service device that 1. the desired information with just one press of a button drives.

2. Frequent updating of program parts of the same program allows.

3. Existing, even non-professional video material such as VHS, Beta, Video 2000, U-Maticstandard processed, thereby greater effectiveness and Profitability of the video production, which is expensive in any case, is achieved will.

4. Is economically justifiable as a single system.

5. Allow connection to the Btx network.

Solution: According to the invention, this object is achieved by the characteristics of claim 1 mentioned features solved. Advantageous further training are through the subclaims given. The invention is advantageous for all communication tasks Solution: can be used where a simple one is recognizable and animating at a glance Information retrieval is desired. In addition, the invention offers an excellent one Practice of Btx access as "Btx-Zele." Further configuration: For the case of larger ones Number of pieces of the same program (more than 300) is training with an or several video players acc.

Dependent claim 7 provided.

A video beam is used instead of the monitor for large-scale image projection according to dependent claim 2 provided. For the separation of the dialing unit from the parent device is an external voting unit according to

Dependent claim 3 (shop window control) provided.

For use as a self-collecting service device, a built-in coin validator of the usual design according to dependent claim 4 is provided.

For access to a provider computer via the Btx network of the Bundespost is a Btx keyboard and a corresponding decoder with connection box and modem as provided under claim le.

If the use of the Btx network is not to be switched free of charge, is a self-cashier; the fee meter of the Federal Post Office according to dependent claim 5 is provided. A screen printer is also available for the case that Btx information is to be printed out according to dependent claim 6- provided.

Exemplary embodiment: Fig. 1 shows the front view of the entire Device, with the illuminated buttons of the dialing unit highlighted with slides particularly stand out. The BTX keyboard is located in the middle of the dialing unit.

In the standby position, a computer-generated welcome page advertises (Fig. 4) for attention.

At the same time, a synthetic sound signal sounds every 2 minutes - also generated on the main processor. As soon as an image button is pressed, different functional sequences are set up in the assemblies as shown in Fig. 2 away.

It should be noted that the electrical circuit diagrams - with the exception of the Control circuit Fig.3-the assemblies are not shown because they are based on different Wise realizable and do not belong to the invention.

The pressed image key acknowledges the call by pendulum flashing, while all other buttons go out and become inactive. Initialized at the same time the control circuit (Fig.3.) Via the main processor, the selected introductory page for the video sequence and the interface initiates the search of the video recorder. The introduction page appears for the user immediately after pressing a key. (Fig. 5) As soon as the desired stop point is found on the video tape, the Video image and video sound released. The exact location of the stopping points is ensured by the programmed interface. This is not trivial inasmuch as than the conventional search of the remote control when braking from fast Forwards and backwards image pulses are lost, which in the course of time leads to inaccuracies in the automatic control of the image sequences. Be about the main processor Sound impulses applied to the second sound track and queried. This can also be used for In continuous operation, the exact image pulse position can be corrected automatically. One Process description can be omitted here. You can read it in Computer personally 9/82: Dr. Hans Freibichler: "Video combined with EDP." If the Video sequence is finished, a final page appears, also generated with the Main processor and stored in an internal page library. It contains one Comment that calls up the operation of the Btx network via the Btx keyboard (Fig. 6) If this is not desired, the general welcome page will appear after 30 seconds (Fig. 4) back on the monitor. The BTX keyboard is only available during the 30 second phase sensitive. If the Btx keyboard is touched in this phase, two things happen: a) the automatic dialing process and the password entry call are activated, and b) the monitor is enabled for the BTX dialog.

How the screen content changes after the connection is established and before the password is called up shows Fig.7.

The procedure of the Btx transfer to the provider computer runs according to the postal standard away. A menu-driven operator guidance then usually takes over the other Functional sequence.

The fee units are automatically recorded by Swiss Post. It it can be left open whether and how the end user will be charged target.

After completion of the Btx dialog (separation) appears on the monitor automatically the general welcome page of Fig. 4.

The dialogue can begin again. The entire operating sequence shows the operating plan in FIG. 8.

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Claims (7)

Claims 1. Service device for interactive access on video material, computer images and Btx networks for the presentation of goods and services in an easy-to-use compact housing, characterized in that a) the device a particularly simple and animating selection unit consisting of illuminated buttons with interchangeable slides inserted for the table of contents, b) the Service device a.aas, the dialing unit code signals generating control circuit contains which the coded control signals to an interface and a main processor forwards, c) the service device an interface and a main processor contains, the interface the frame-accurate start / stop of the selected video sequence on the video recorder using a comparison operation using stored destination addresses determined. The main processor is also used to build internal screens before and after playing the video sequences, as well as acoustic messages, d) the service device one or more video recorders for reproducing ready-made video sequences contains, e) the service device has a Btx decoder and an alpha-numeric one Contains Btx keyboard with automatic dialing device of the Federal Post Office, f) the service device contains a Btx-capable video monitor according to the CEPT standard. Dependent claims 2. Service device according to claim 1, but characterized marked that, in deviation from claim identification if instead of the monitor a video beam is used for large-screen projection. 3. Service device according to claim 1, but characterized in that that the dialing unit described below is separated from the mother device via wire or Radio controls the mother device. (Shop window control) 4. Service device according to claim 1, however, characterized in that the service is self-collecting with a usual Coin validator is connected. 5. Service device according to claim 1, but characterized in that that the Btx keypad is connected to the Bundespost with a self-collecting charge counter is. 6. Service device according to claim 1, but characterized in that that a screen printer is included in the housing. 7. Service device according to claim 1, but characterized in that that instead of the video recorder (s) video players are included.