JPH01257640A - Information transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily cope with a change in dinner menu by providing reloadable memory means as a memory in a system where dinner menu information and select information are transmitted between terminal devices disposed at every seat for passengers and a central control device. CONSTITUTION:An air plane is constructed so that VTR 11-14 loaded with a tape cassette where movies, lifejacket wearing method and so on are recorded, a microcomputer 15 for controlling a cabin, and a still picture sender 26 for reproducing a still picture recording medium (CDROM or the like) where maps and airfield location maps are recorded are connected to a central control device 1. In this case, further there is provided a FDD device 24 where a floppy disk where data on dinner menu is stored is installed. Then, monitor receivers for displaying a dinner menu or terminal devices including operation keys for conducting the choice of a dinner menu, which are respectively provided at every seat 9a, 9c and the central control device 1 are connected to each other so as to transmit information.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention will be explained in the following order.

A. Field of industrial application B. Outline of the invention C. Prior art D. Problem to be solved by the invention E! I! Means for solving the problem F Effect G Example G, explanation of the central control unit G2 Explanation of the terminal device G, explanation at the time of menu selection G4 Explanation at the time of other operations H Effect of the invention A Industrial application field The present invention For example, the system transmits signals such as meal menu information from a central control unit to a terminal device installed in each passenger seat of an airplane, train, bus, etc., and also transmits meal menu selection information etc. from the terminal device side. The present invention relates to an information transmission device suitable for use.

B. Summary of the Invention The present invention transmits signals such as meal menu information from a central control unit to a terminal device provided for each passenger seat of an aircraft, train, bus, etc., and also transmits meal menu selection information from the terminal device side. An information transmission device capable of two-way communication suitable for use in transmitting video signals such as video signals from multiple video signal sources, audio signals from multiple audio signal sources, and information data from a memory. In an information transmission device consisting of a transmitting device that multiplexes and transmits, and a plurality of terminal devices to which multiplexed signals from the transmitting device are supplied through a signal transmission means, the memory is a rewritable memory means, and menu information and messages can be transmitted. By inputting the display information such as the above into the rewritable memory means, it is possible to easily change the data supplied from the transmitter to each terminal device by rewriting the data input into the memory means as necessary. This makes it easy to deal with changes in meal menus, etc.

C. Conventional Technology International passenger planes respond to individual requests from passengers regarding the purchase of meals, drinks, duty-free items, etc.

However, in the past, the flight attendants circulated around the aircraft responding to each passenger's request, making it impossible to show the selection menu to all passengers at the same time. Passengers were also required to call a stewardess to their seat when making their request.

In order to solve this inconvenience, the applicant first proposed that when providing various services to a large number of customers, menu data is sent from a central control device to a terminal device installed for each customer. proposed an information transmission device that displays the menu data on this terminal device and returns the results of the customer's selections from the displayed data to the central control device (Japanese Patent Application No. 62-42304).

According to such an information transmission device, the wishes of each passenger can be immediately known at the central control device side, making it possible to improve the efficiency of in-flight services.

D. Problem to be Solved by the Invention Incidentally, in such an information transmission device, display data such as menu data is supplied from a fixed storage means called a ROM cartridge in which data cannot be erased or rewritten.

For this reason, it is not possible to respond to sudden changes in the meal menu, etc., resulting in poor operability. Additionally, in order to write data to a ROM cartridge, a dedicated writing device is required, but this writing device is expensive and complicated to operate, and cannot be easily operated by aircraft crew. Ta.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information transmission device that allows data such as meal menus to be easily changed.

Means for Solving Problem El1 The information transmission device of the present invention, as shown in FIG. (26) A transmitter (1) that multiplexes and transmits the audio signal from the memory (24) and the information data from the memory (24), and the multiplexed signal from the transmitter (1) is supplied through the signal transmission means (2). In an information transmission device consisting of a plurality of terminal devices (6a), (6b), etc., the memo IJ (24) is made into a rewritable memory means, and display information such as menu information and messages can be rewritten. It is inputted into a suitable memory means.

F Function According to the information transmission device of the present invention, by rewriting the data to be input into the memory means as necessary, the transmission device (
1) to each terminal device (6a), (6b)...
It is possible to easily change the data supplied to the system, and it is possible to easily deal with changes in the meal menu, etc.

G. Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the information transmission device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

This example is a transmission device that transmits video signals, audio signals, etc. in an aircraft.

G. Description of Central Control Unit First, the central control unit will be explained. In Figure 1, (1
) indicates a central control device installed in the crew cabin, etc., and this central control device (1) is connected to four video tape recorders (
(hereinafter referred to as VTR). That is, the first, second and third Vs are loaded with tape cassettes on which movies are recorded.
It is equipped with TRs (11), (12), and (13), and an override VTR (14) loaded with a tape cassette recording instructions on how to put on a life jacket. In addition, there is a microcomputer (15) for in-flight management that aggregates data from each terminal device and creates character information to be supplied to each terminal device, and a still image recording medium (CD ROM) that stores maps, airport guide maps, etc. etc.), a video camera (17) installed inside the cockpit to record takeoff and landing, a microphone (18) for guiding passengers, and various operations described below. Keyboard (19) for giving instructions and each VTR (11) to (14)
and a monitor receiver (20) for checking the reproduced video and the like. These devices (11) to (20) are connected to the system controller (21) of this central control unit (1), and are controlled by the system controller (21) in response to operation commands from the keyboard (19). Each VTR (11)
~(14), a microcomputer (15), a still image transmitter (16), and a video camera (17), and each V T
R (11) to (14) supply video and audio signals from playback, the microcomputer (15) supplies character information, etc., and the still image transmitter (16) supplies still image video signals. The video camera (17) supplies a captured video signal.

Furthermore, an audio signal is supplied from the microphone (18).

By operating the keyboard (19), the video signal supplied to the system controller (21) and the information sent from the microcomputer (15), data sending a (27), etc. are transmitted to the monitor receiver (20). Can be confirmed.

Moreover, seven ROM cartridges can be installed in this central control device (1), and in the case of this example, seven game ROM cartridges (23a) and (23b) each storing a different video game program. (23g). And the ROM cartridge (23a)
The computer program data read from (23g) is supplied to a data transmitter (27), which will be described later.

Further, (24) indicates a floppy disk drive device,
This disk drive unit (24) supplies the data stored in the floppy disk attached to the disk drive (24) to the system controller (21), and also supplies the keyboard (21) with
By the operation 9), new data can be stored or stored data can be modified. During this storage operation or correction operation, data can be checked using a monitor receiver (20). In this example, this drive device f
Attach the floppy disk containing the meal menu data to f(24).

Further, (25) and (26) indicate audio playback devices each comprising three compact disc players and three tape playback devices, and these audio playback devices (25) and (26) are connected to the system controller (21). A skit! - Reproduction is performed by supplying the audio signal, and the reproduced audio signal is supplied to a CADA encoder (28) to be described later.

Further, (27) indicates a data transmitter, and by supplying a control signal from the system controller (21),
After reading data such as video game programs from the ROM cartridges (23a) to (23g) and adding error correction codes to the read data, CA
DA encoder (28).

Further, (28) is a CAD^ encoder used in a conventionally well-known cable digital audio/data transmission system (CADA system). The CAD^ system, for example, is a system that time-division multiplexes multiple digital audio signals and transmits them using the band (6M) Iz) of one vacant CATV TV channel. This is an extremely efficient transmission system. In this example, the bandwidth of two television channels is used to increase the amount of transmission. CA
The DA encoder (28) is configured with an A/D converter and a shift register, converts a plurality of audio signals into digital signals with a Δ/D converter, and inputs the signals to predetermined positions of the shift register in parallel. At the same time, the shift register is configured to perform time division multiplexing by serially outputting signals at high speed. Note that not only digital audio but also control data and convenience store program data are multiplexed.

Then, the above-mentioned audio signals and data such as text information such as meal menus, video game programs, etc., which are supplied to the system controller (21), are transferred to this CAD encoder (
28), and the audio signal and data are multiplexed in a time-division manner and output as a multiplexed signal ScA. This multiplexed signal SCA is then supplied to a modulator/demodulator (29), and a predetermined 2
It modulates and outputs the signal in the channel band. In addition, the first to third relays supplied to the system controller (21)
(7) The video signals from the VTRs (11) to (13), still image transmission 1 (16), and video camera (17) are supplied to the modulator/demodulator (29), respectively, and the video signals are transmitted in different channel bands. The signal is modulated into a 5-channel signal and output. The modulation frequency of this modulator/demodulator (29) is 60 or more television broadcast channels, and in order to prevent cross-modulation, the modulation frequency is sequentially modulated every two channels. In addition, V T for override
The video signal from R (14) is sent to the first VTR (11
), and the first VTR (11) is placed in a pause state while the override VTR (14) is being played back.

A transmission signal S is obtained by frequency-multiplexing the 2-channel multiplexed signal ScA and the 5-channel video signal output by the modulator/demodulator (29). As r, leaky cable (leakage cable) (2) constituting the bidirectional signal transmission means
supply to one end of the The other end of this leaky cable (2) is connected to a terminating resistor (2a) for termination. This leaky cable (2) is, for example, a coaxial cable with a spiral cutout around it to increase the amount of signal leakage.

In addition, terminal devices (6a), (6b) to be described later...
The signal supplied from ... to the leaky cable (2) is
After demodulating with the modem (29) of the central control unit (1),
The CAD encoder (28) supplies data based on transmission signals from the terminal devices (6a), (6b), etc. to the system controller (21).

Description of G2 Terminal Device Next, the configuration of the terminal side will be described. The leaky cable (2) mentioned above is stretched throughout the cabin of the aircraft as shown in Figure 2, and the seats for each passenger are one set of seat units (9) with three seats (9a). , (9b)
, (9c) are provided, and these seat units (9) are arranged on the left and right sides with a central aisle in between. Each seat unit (9) is provided with antennas (4a), (4b), (4c), etc. for capturing transmission signals leaking from the leaky cable (2). Antenna (4a), (4b), (4
c) The signals captured by the distributors (5a) and (5b
), (red)..., and these respective distributors (5
a), (5b), (5c) ...-, divide into 3,
The signal divided into three parts is sent to each seat (9) by each seat unit (9).
Terminal devices (6a), (6b) provided for each of 9a), (9b), and (9c).

(6C) Supply to... In this example, the seat (9a) corresponding to the terminal device ff(6a) is
ol, and the following terminal devices (6b), (6c),
(6d) Seat corresponding to...)No 2.3
．． 4...

These terminal devices (6a), (6b), (6c)...
... is each passenger seat (9a), (
9b) and (9C), and in FIG. 1 only one terminal device (6a) is shown in detail.
Other terminal devices (6b), (6c), etc. have the same configuration. This terminal device (6a) transmits the transmission signal 5) IP distributed by the distributor (5a) to TV channels (61) and C.
ADﾾChines (62) and TV China (6
In 1), the leaky cable c2 is connected from the central control device (1).
．． ), a predetermined channel on which the video signal is transmitted is selected and demodulated based on the channel selection information described later, and the demodulated video signal is supplied to the monitor receiver (63). , receives the video signal.

Also, CADA Chinana (62) is a central control bag! (1
) to the leaky cable (2), demodulates the two-channel signal in which the multiplexed signal SCA, which is a multiplexed audio signal and data, is transmitted;
The demodulated signal is supplied to a CADA decoder (64).

Further, when the demodulated signal includes tuning information, this tuning information is supplied to the 1'V tuner (61). This CAD human decoder (64) is a terminal equipment f which will be described later.
In response to the operation of the operation key (67) of f1 (6a), desired data (or audio signal) is extracted from the multiplexed signal Sc^, and this extracted data is transferred to the personal computer (
65) or the terminal side controller (66).

This personal computer (65) has a memory (6
5a) is connected. The operation key (67) is connected to the terminal side controller (66), and operation commands from the operation key (67) are supplied to the controller (66). , a headphone (68) and a joystick (69) can be connected via terminals (66a) and (66b), respectively.

In addition, the terminal equipment of this example @ (6a), (6b), (6c
)...= can transmit data to the central control device (1) side. That is, each terminal device (6a).

(6b), (6c) ... The data obtained by the personal combination coater (65) is transferred to the CAD decoder (64).
) from this CADA decoder (64) to a transmitter (7a) installed in each seat unit (9).
), (7b), (7c), and so on. These respective transmitters (7a), (7b).

(7c) ... is the ID in which seat number data is stored
unit) (8a), (8b), (8c)...
are connected, and the terminal devices (6a), (6b), (
After adding this seat number data to the data supplied from 6C)..., it is modulated into a signal of a predetermined band, and the demodulated signal is sent to the distributors (5a), (5b), (5c)...
Antenna (4a), (4b), (4e) via
Supply to... By doing this, the antenna (
4a), (4b).

A modulated signal is transmitted from (4C) to the central control unit (1) via the leaky cable [2], and demodulated by the modulator/demodulator (29) of the central control unit (1).

In addition, each terminal device (6a), (6b), (6c
)...'s personal combinator (65), the respective transmitters (7a), (7b), (7
c) "" is ID YuQ-/to (8a), (8b),
The seat number data from (8e)... can be sent to the personal combinator (65), and the personal computer (65) always stores this data in the memo 'J (65a), Terminal device (
6a), (6b), (6c), etc., the corresponding sheet numbers are stored.

Here, an example of the configuration of the panel surface of this terminal device (6a) is shown in FIG. 3. A monitor receiver (63) using a flat cathode ray tube is placed on the left side, and operation keys ( 6
7) is the arrangement. This operation key (67) is a channel indicator (67a) and a channel up key (
67b) and channel down key (67c)
, game selection key (67d), TV selection key (67e), menu selection key (67f), enter key (67g), and audio selection key (67e).
7h), a volume up key (67i), and a volume down key (67j).

In this case, for example, by pressing the TV selection key (67e) and then pressing the channel up key (67b) or channel down key (67e), you can change the channel of the video signal to be received by the monitor receiver (63) to the desired one. can be switched sequentially. Similarly, data/selection key (67d) and menu selection key (67
f) or audio selection key (67h) and then press the channel up key (67b) or channel down key (67e) to select a video game, select a menu, or You can select the audio signal to listen to with headphones (68).

G. Explanation when selecting menu Next, the case where a meal menu is selected using the terminal device (6a) will be explained. At this time, first press the menu selection key (67f). By pressing this key (67f), CA
The DA decoder (64) is instructed to extract meal menu information from the multiplexed signal SCA, and the extracted data is supplied to the personal computer (65). Based on this meal menu information, the personal combinator (6
5) to the monitor receiver (
The character signal of the meal menu is supplied to the monitor receiver (63), and the meal menu at this time is displayed on the monitor receiver (63). At this time, the meal menu information supplied as the multiplex signal SCA displays a plurality of types of meal menus stored on the floppy disk installed in the floppy disk drive (24) of the central controller (1), and
The number of the meal menu to be selected will be indicated by the cursor (
(not shown).

Passengers seated at each seat then press the channel up key (67b) while looking at the displayed meal menu.
Or, by pressing the channel down key (67C), the personal computer (
65) receives this operation command, and the position of the cursor changes. Then, by pressing the enter key (67g) when the displayed cursor position reaches the desired meal menu number 1, the meal menu with this number is selected. That is, when the enter key (67g) is pressed, the personal combination coater (65) converts the data of the selected meal menu to C based on the operation command from the operation key (67).
The data of the selected menu number is sent to the central control unit (1) from the transmitter (7a) with seat number data added thereto.

And the central controller f! 7 (1), this data is supplied to the system controller (21) via the CAD 8 coder (28).

The information is then supplied from the system controller (21) to the microcomputer (15), and the microcomputer (15) tallies the menus selected by the passengers at each seat. Then, when the crew member operates the keyboard (19), the selection status of this menu is displayed on the monitor receiver (20). Further, although not shown, if a printer is connected to the system controller (21), the tabulated results of the menu selection status can be made into a hard copy using this printer.

By looking at this display, the flight attendant of this airplane can know the meal menu desired by each passenger, and can easily know the meals to be distributed to each passenger.

In this example, by using the floppy disk drive (24) as a storage means for storing the meal menu in the central control unit (1), it is possible to easily deal with changes in the meal menu. . That is, by operating the keyboard (19) of the central control unit (1), it is possible to modify and rewrite the data stored on the floppy disk installed in the floppy disk drive (24). By making the changed menu, the meal menu information supplied from the central control unit (1) to each terminal device (6a), (6b)... is changed, and the displayed menu is changed. becomes.

Furthermore, if the meal menu differs depending on the flight of the aircraft, this can be handled by preparing a separate floppy disk for each flight and storing the meal menu of the flight to be used on each floppy disk. Furthermore, even when the meal menu changes completely due to seasonal changes, the data on this floppy disk can be rewritten, so it can be used again. It never becomes.

In this example, we have described the case where a meal menu is stored on a floppy disk, but a list of duty-free sales items, etc. is stored on this floppy disk and displayed, and the items that passengers wish to purchase are sent to the central controller ( 1) The data may be aggregated on the side.

G4 Other operation explanations and each terminal device (6a), (6b), (6c
)..., for example, when a TV channel switching command is supplied from the operation key (67) to the terminal controller (66) through the above operation, the terminal controller (66) )
The selection information is supplied to the TV china (61) via the personal combinator (65), and
In step 1), the channel of the video signal is switched to the specified channel, and the channel to be received by the monitor receiver (63) is switched, and the channel selection information is also supplied to the CADA decoder (64). 64) extracts the audio signal of this channel from the multiplexed signal ScA, supplies the extracted audio signal to the terminal controller (66), and outputs this lff from the headphones (68) connected to the terminal controller (66). Let it play.

In addition, the central control unit (1) override VTR (
14) is in the reproduction state, the multiplexed signal SeA sent from the CAD encoder 28) includes channel selection information for forcibly switching to the channel to which this override video signal is transmitted.

Therefore, the demodulation channel in the TV tuner (61) is forcibly switched to this override channel by this channel selection information in the multiplexed signal extracted by the CADA decoder (64), and the monitor receiver (63) is forced to switch to this override channel. The override video is forcibly received. Similarly, the audio is also forcibly switched to a compatible version.

In addition, when selecting an audio channel, the TV channel switching command can be performed using the operation key (
67) to the terminal-side controller (66), the terminal-side controller (66) supplies the channel selection information to the CAI) A decoder (64), and the multiplex information supplied from the medium-heat control device (1) side. The audio signal in the signal SCA is extracted based on this channel selection information and the terminal side controller (6
6) and reproduced through headphones (68).

When playing a video game, the user first presses the game selection key (67d). By pressing this key (67d), the terminal side controller (66) instructs the CADA decoder (64) to extract game type information from the multiplexed signal SCA, and supplies the extracted data to the personal combination coater (65). let Then, based on this type information, a monitor image is received from the personal computer (65) via the TV chicon (61)! 4 (63), a display signal indicating the type of the video game ROM cartridges (23a) to (23g) installed in the central control device (1) is supplied, and the display signal indicating the type of the video game is displayed on the monitor receiver (63). Display. At this time, seven types of ROM cartridges (23a) ~
(23g) is installed, so from No. 7
The numbers are displayed up to and the selected number is indicated by the position of the kerf.

Passengers seated at each seat then press the channel up key (67) while looking at the displayed game type display.
b) Or by pressing the channel down key (67c), the personal computer (
65) receives this operation command, and the position of the cursor changes. Then, by pressing the enter key (67g) when the displayed cursor position reaches a desired number, the game with this number is selected. That is, enter key (67g
) is pressed, the personal computer (65) outputs the data of the selected menu to the CADA decoder (64) based on the operation command from the operation key (67), and the data of the selected game number is Transmitter (7
From a), a letter with seat number data added is sent to the central control unit (1).

Then, in the central control unit (1), this data is
The system controller (
21).

When this television game program is selected, this program is read out from the ROM cartridge (for example, ROM cartridge (23)) stored in the specified TV Gate Pro Gamer J. ) Nol, the system controller (21) supplies it to the CAD^ encoder (28), and this CAD^ encoder (
28) with other data to produce a multiplexed signal St,
A, this multiplexed signal SCA is modulated by a modulator/demodulator (29), and then sent to the leaky cable (2) and transmitted as a download to the C terminal equipment (6a) side. At this time, information indicating the length of the game program, that is, the data length, is first transmitted from the central control unit (1).

Transmission of this game program requires a transmission time of 10 seconds to several minutes depending on the length of the program.

Then, on the terminal device (6a) side, based on the seat number data, the CADA decoder (64) extracts the video game program from the transmitted multiplex signal SCA, and sends it to the personal computer (65) (Jt[L, Hardware). Memory (65a) connected to sonal computer (65)
This program is stored over a transmission time (10 seconds to several minutes).

When the transmission of this program is completed, storage of one video game program in the memory (65a) is completed, and the video game starts to be executed. In this state, the game is operated by supplying operation commands to the personal combinator (65) in accordance with the operation of the joystick (69) connected to the terminal controller (66).

In addition, in the above-mentioned Example, each terminal device (6a).

(6b)... are attached to the back of the seat, but the armrests of the seat may also be attached to the back of the seat. In this case, only the operation keys (67) are mounted on the armrest and the monitor receiver (67) is mounted on the armrest.
3) on the back of the seat or on a monitor
Everything, including n (63), may be contained within the armrest. Further, in the above embodiments, the explanation has been given using a passenger plane as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to vehicles such as trains and buses, or to theaters and stadiums, if the service is provided to a large number of customers.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention According to the information transmission device of the present invention, by rewriting the data input to the memory means (24) as necessary, data can be transmitted from the transfer device (1) to each terminal device (!(6a), (6b)).
It is possible to easily change the data supplied to ..., and there is an advantage that it is possible to easily deal with changes in the meal menu, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the information transmission device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing the terminal device of the embodiment. . [1) is the central control unit, (2) is the leaky cable, (
4a), (4b), (4c) are antennas, (5a)
, (5b), (5c) are distributors, (6a), (6
b), (6C) -- are terminal devices, (7a), (7
b). (7C) is the transmitter, (8a), (8b), (8C)
is ID unit 7, (11) l;! 1st (7) VTR, (
12)l;! 2nd (7) VTR, (13) is 3rd (7)
VTR, (14)! ! , T-bar 5-F VTR. (15) is a microcomputer, (16) is a still image transmitter, (17) is a video camera, (18) is a microphone, (
19) is the keyboard, (20) is the monitor receiver, (21)
) is the system controller, (22), (23a)
~(23g) is a ROM cartridge, (25),
(26) is an audio player, (28) is a DA to C
:/ :)-da, (29H2 modem, (61) it
TV Chena, (62) is CADA Chikona, (6
3) is a monitor receiver, (64) is a CADA decoder, (
65) is a personal computer, (65a) is a memory, (66) is a terminal side controller, (67) is an operation key, and (69) is a joystick.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A transmitting device that multiplexes and transmits video signals from a plurality of video signal sources, audio signals from a plurality of audio signal sources, and information data from a memory, and a multiplexed signal from the transmitting device. In an information transmission device comprising a plurality of terminal devices to which terminals are supplied through a signal transmission means, the memory is a rewritable memory means, and display information such as menu information and messages is input into the rewritable memory means. An information transmission device characterized by: