JPH09326874A - Reservation input terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply make an entry operation for a medical examination reservation of a hospital or ticket reservation for a concert or the like by means of a phone call in the reservation input terminal equipment. SOLUTION: A party desiring reservation sets a reservation card 11 to a card reader 12. The card reader reads recording data, which are stored in a 1st memory section 15. Items required for the reservation re stored in a memory section and a control section 24 displays the required items onto a display section 13 according to a set form and commands the entered content for the operator. According to the command by the operator, an entry section 14 of a touch panel type or the like is used for entry. Entered reservation data are converted into a pushbutton signal by a PB signal transmission section 18 or a MODEM signal by a MODEM transmission section 19. To which signal the data are to be converted is discriminated, based on recording data of a card and signal form data of a reservation function of a 2nd memory section 16. A telephone line control section 21 makes automatic connection to the reservation function, based on the converted signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reservation input terminal device, and more particularly, to a reservation for facilitating an input operation when making a reservation for a medical examination at a hospital, a ticket for a concert or a theater, etc. by telephone. Input terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been possible to make a reservation for a medical examination at a hospital or make a reservation for various tickets by telephone, but it is usually made by conversation between people. On the other hand, in recent years, with the spread of push button telephones and personal computer communications, an automatic computer reservation system using a push button signal (PB signal) or a modem signal is operating.

[0003]

However, a certain operating technique is required to operate a push-button telephone or a personal computer to reserve a ticket or the like, so that it may be difficult for an elderly person to perform the operation. . Therefore, if the computer automatic reservation system described above can be used by a simple input operation without requiring a special operation technique, it is convenient for a person who desires to make a reservation. The present invention has been made from such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a reservation input terminal device which simplifies the operation of reservation input in a computer automatic reservation system by a push button signal or a modem signal.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a reservation card in which required data such as a membership number, a telephone number of a reservation agency and an identification code of the reservation agency are recorded, and a card reader for reading recorded data of the reservation card. And a display unit for displaying required input items regarding reservation, an input unit for inputting required items regarding reservation based on the display of the display unit, and a necessary input item regarding reservation displayed on the display unit, A memory unit that stores the data read by the card reader and the data input from the input unit, a push button signal transmission unit that converts the data stored in the memory unit into a push button signal, and the push button signal A telephone that connects to the reservation agency via the telephone line based on the signal from the transmitter and sends the required data regarding the reservation. A line control unit, the card reader, display unit, input unit, a memory unit, there is provided a reservation input terminal device configured with a control unit for controlling the push-button signal transmitting unit and the telephone line control section.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A person who wishes to make a reservation sets a medical examination card, a ticket reservation card, or the like he or she has in advance in a card reader. The recorded data of the card is read by the card reader and stored in the memory unit (first memory unit). The memory unit stores in advance items necessary for reservation. Therefore, the control unit displays these necessary items on the display unit according to the set format, and instructs the operator what to input. According to this instruction, the operator inputs from an input unit such as a touch panel type.

The input reservation data is stored in the memory section. After the required items are stored in the memory section, the stored data is converted into a push button signal or a modem signal. Whether to convert to a push button signal or a modem signal is determined based on the recorded data of the card and the stored data of the second memory section. The telephone line controller automatically connects to the corresponding reservation agency based on the converted signal. The data of the reservation result transmitted from the reservation agency is converted into a display signal by a push button signal or a modem communication unit via the line control unit. The control unit causes the display unit to display the reservation result data. Also, the display contents are printed out from the printer.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A reservation input terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts showing an embodiment of a reservation input terminal device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of essential parts showing another embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a reservation input terminal device, 2 to 4 are hospitals or reservation agencies A, B, C, etc. for tickets and the like, and 5 is a telephone line. In the reservation input terminal device 1, 11 is a reservation card on which necessary data such as a member or patient number and a telephone number for reservation is recorded, 12 is a card reader for reading recorded data of the reservation card 11, and 13 is necessary input for reservation. A display unit for displaying items and the like, and 14 is an input unit for inputting required items for reservation based on the display on the display unit.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a first memory unit for storing the necessary items concerning the reservation to be displayed on the display unit 13 and also for storing the data read by the card reader 12 and the data input from the input unit 14, and 16 A second memory unit 17 stores a push-button signal (hereinafter, PB signal) or a modem signal as the format of the signal transmitted to the reservation agency, and 17 denotes the data read by the card reader 12 and the second memory unit 16.
A determination unit that determines whether the format of the transmission signal to the reservation agency is a PB signal or a modem signal based on the stored data of 18 and a push button 18 that converts the data stored in the first memory unit 15 into a PB signal. A signal transmitting unit (hereinafter referred to as a PB signal transmitting unit), 19 is a modem communication unit that converts data stored in the first memory unit 15 into a modem signal or a modem signal from a reservation agency into a display signal. .

Reference numeral 20 is a push button signal receiving unit (hereinafter, PB signal receiving unit) for converting a PB signal from the reservation agency into a display signal, 21 is a telephone line control unit for establishing a telephone line connection with the reservation agency, and 22 is A printer for printing out reservation contents, 23 is an external printer connection section, 24 is a display section 13, and an input section 1
4, the first memory unit 15, the second memory unit 16, the determination unit 17,
A control unit for controlling the PB signal transmission unit 18, the modem communication unit 19, and the like shown in the figure. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, 51 is a telephone, 61 is a modem signal or push button signal is converted into a corresponding sound signal, while a sound signal from the telephone 51 is converted. It is a sound signal conversion unit that converts the generated modem signal or push button signal into a display signal.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described separately for each figure. (1) Embodiment of FIG. 1 The reservation input terminal device according to the present invention is premised on the use of a card. The card referred to here is a medical examination card issued by the hospital in the case of a hospital patient, and a reservation card issued by the reservation organization in the case of ticket reservation for concerts and the like. On this card, required items such as a member (or patient) number, an identification code of the issuing organization and a telephone number are recorded. Hereinafter, a ticket reservation for a concert or the like will be described as an example. A person who wishes to reserve a ticket sets the above-mentioned card 11 which he has in advance in a card reader. Recorded data of the set card is a card reader
The data read by 12 and the read data are stored in the first memory unit 15.

The first memory section 15 is for storing required data relating to reservation, and the required items are formatted and stored in advance. The control unit 24 has the above card 11 set, and after reading the recorded data, displays the items necessary for the reservation stored in the first memory unit 15 on the display unit.
It is displayed on 13, and the operator of this terminal is instructed what to input and specify. The purpose of this instruction is to allow even an inexperienced person to easily input. In accordance with this instruction, the operator sequentially inputs his or her desired conditions (date and time, seat type, number of seats, etc.) from the input unit 14. This input item may include a personal identification number to improve the accuracy of identifying the person. In this case, the reservation agency also registers the personal identification number for verification.

The input unit 14 may be of a simplified keyboard type independent of the display unit 13, but may be a touch panel type input unit for touching and operating a required display portion of the display unit 13, or a display screen. It may be a penlight input unit for inputting handwriting on the upper part (display unit 13) via a penlight.
The required data thus input is stored in the first memory unit 15 under the control of the control unit 24. First memory section
After storing the necessary data in 15, the control unit 24 converts the stored data into a modem signal or a PB signal. Which signal is converted depends on the reservation agency. For example, in the case of a medical examination reservation to a hospital, it is necessary to transmit the current medical examination reservation status from the hospital side to this terminal, but the data volume of this medical examination reservation status is larger than that in the case of ticket reservation. When the amount of data is large as described above, communication by the PB signal is unsuitable, and it is necessary to use a modem signal capable of a large amount of data communication. Communication by the PB signal is limited to the case where the amount of data is small.

In the case of ticket reservation, generally, the reservation status data is not transmitted, or the availability information is limited to a simple content. Therefore, the amount of data does not increase, and communication by PB signal is possible. Is. Therefore,
It is necessary to determine in advance whether it is a modem signal or a PB signal according to the reservation agency. The relationship between the signal format and the reservation agency is stored in the second memory unit 16 in advance. Based on the data of the second memory unit 16 and the identification code of the reservation agency read by the card reader 12, the discriminator 17 determines whether the signal format of the reservation agency is a modem signal or P
It is determined whether it is a B signal. Since ticket reservation is taken as an example here, the determination result by the determination unit 17 is the PB signal.

On the other hand, a method of pre-recording the signal format of the reservation agency on the card may be considered. In this case, it is not necessary to store it in the second memory section 16. In this case, the card reader 12 reads the data relating to the signal format, and the discrimination unit 17 discriminates whether it is a modem signal or a PB signal based on the data. Based on the determination made as described above, the control unit 24 causes the PB signal transmission unit 18 to convert the data stored in the first memory unit 15 into a PB signal. This PB signal is a signal composed of telephone number data and reservation data for the reservation agency. The PB signal is sent to the telephone line controller 21. The telephone line control unit 21 automatically connects (dial) to the corresponding reservation agency (for example, the reservation agency A2) based on the telephone number data of the PB signal via the telephone line 5, and obtains the required data regarding the reservation from the reservation agency. Send to.

Regarding the telephone number of the reservation agency, the card has been stored in advance in the card together with the identification code of the reservation agency in the above description. However, instead of storing this card, a plurality of telephone numbers are stored in the second memory section 16. It is stored together with each identification code for each reservation agency, and the determination unit 17 determines based on the identification code of the reservation agency read by the card reader 12 from the card 11, and the telephone number of the reservation agency is specified. Good. The following is the case of the conventional PB
The same processing as in the case of signal reservation is performed. Data is transmitted from the other party's reservation organization regarding the availability of the reservation.
In other words, the data indicating that the reservation has been accepted, or that the designated date and time and seats are sold out and cannot be reserved,
Further, it is data such as available dates and times and seats. The format of the signal transmitted from the reservation agency is the PB signal. The data regarding the availability of the reservation from the other party's reservation organization is transmitted to the telephone line control unit 21 via the telephone line 5, and the data is transmitted via the control unit 21 to the P
Input to the B signal receiving unit 20.

The PB signal receiving section 20 converts the input PB signal into a display signal. The converted display signal is sent to the display unit 13 under the control of the control unit 24 and displayed. If this display is bookable, the control unit 24
Displays whether to print out the confirmed reservation content (display unit 13) and instructs the operator to specify input. When the operator designates printout, the control unit 24 causes the printer 22 to print out, then instructs the operation to end, and ends the operation. When this operation ends, the telephone line connection is also released. If the above reservation is possible,
The fact that the reservation is possible may be stored in the first memory unit 15 in addition to the reservation content previously input. With this function, the reservation contents can be displayed or printed out at any time.

On the other hand, when the reservation cannot be made because the tickets are sold out, the fact is displayed, but when the data of the vacant information is also transmitted, the content is displayed and the re-input is instructed. . When this re-input is made, the control unit 24 re-transmits to the reservation agency by the PB signal as described above. The reservation is established by this re-transmission, the data to that effect is transmitted from the reservation agency, and displayed on the display unit 13. The printout of the reservation contents or the storage in the first memory unit 15 is processed in the same manner as described above. As for the printer, an external printer may be used. As a result, the size of the terminal can be reduced. In this case, a printer connection unit 23 is provided instead of the internal printer 22, and the external printer 25 is connected to this. When the printout is designated, the control section 24 sends the print data through the printer connection section 23.

In the above description, the ticket reservation with a relatively small amount of data is used as an example and the PB signal is used.
When the amount of data is large, such as when making an appointment for a medical examination at a hospital, transmission / reception is performed using a modem signal as described above. In the case of a medical examination appointment at this hospital, it is determined from the data read by the card reader 12 from the medical examination card and the data stored in the second memory unit 16 that the communication signal format is a modem signal (determination unit 17). ). As described above, the data stored in the second memory unit 16 is unnecessary when the signal format is stored in the consultation card. Also, in the case of a medical examination reservation, the input procedure, storage of input data in the first memory unit 15, etc. are the same as in the case of the ticket reservation. The control unit 24 causes the modem communication unit 19 to perform signal conversion of the reservation data stored in the first memory unit 15. As a result, the telephone line control unit 21 connects to the relevant hospital (for example, the reservation agency B3) based on the modem signal from the modem communication unit 19 and transmits the required data (medical department, patient code, etc.) related to the reservation. .

Upon receipt of the above-mentioned transmission, the hospital side transmits the reservation status data of the relevant medical department to the terminal 1 by a modem signal. The transmission signal is sent to the modem communication unit 19 via the telephone line control unit 21. The modem communication unit 19 converts the input data relating to the reservation status into a display signal. The control unit 24 causes the display unit 13 to display the display signal. Based on this display,
Have the patient (operator) enter the required reservation items such as the desired date and time. The input data is stored in the first memory unit 15, then read out, converted into a modem signal by the modem communication unit 19 in the same manner as described above, and transmitted to the hospital side by the telephone line control unit 21. The hospital side registers this reservation and the reservation is completed. The data indicating the registration is transmitted to the terminal 1 and displayed on the display unit 13. If a printout is specified for the reservation content, print it out in the same way as the previous section.

(2) Embodiment of FIG. 2 In FIG. 1, the reservation input terminal device 1 is directly connected to a telephone line for use. On the other hand, in FIG. 2, signal transmission / reception is performed by a sound signal via the handset of the telephone. This is so that reservations can be made easily from public telephones on the street. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a sound signal control unit is used instead of the telephone line control unit 21 of FIG.
61 is provided. Figure 1 for other functional blocks
It has the same structure as. Therefore, the input procedure of the operator, the conversion of the input data into a modem signal or a PB signal, etc., are shown in FIG.
Is performed in the same manner as

The sound signal conversion unit 61 converts the modem signal from the modem communication unit 19 or the PB signal from the PB signal transmission unit 18 into a corresponding sound signal, and causes the sound transmission unit 61a to sound. Whether it is the modem signal or the PB signal is determined by the determination unit 17 as in the case of FIG. This sound transmitter 61
a and the earpiece 51a (handset) of the telephone set 51, and the sound transmitter
The sound signal generated by 61a is received by the earpiece 51a. Based on this sound signal, the telephone 51 and the corresponding reservation agency are connected,
Input data regarding the reservation is sent. The answer data from the reservation agency is issued by a sound signal from the transmitter 51b (receiver) of the telephone set 51. The sound signal is received by the sound receiving section 61a of the sound signal control section 61. The sound signal received is the sound signal control unit.
It is converted into a modem signal or a PB signal by 61. The processing after the above conversion is the same as in FIG.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to simplify the input operation when making a ticket reservation for a concert or a medical examination reservation at a hospital through a telephone line. That is, the above-mentioned reservation is usually made by operating a push-button telephone, a personal computer, or the like, but in this case, it is difficult for the elderly to operate because it requires a certain level of operation technology. In the reservation input terminal device, the input contents are instructed by a touch panel type input unit, and the input data is input according to the input contents, and the input data is operated by a push button (PB) signal similar to the operation of a push button telephone or a personal computer. It is converted into the same modem signal as that described above, so that the same communication as the conventional one is performed. Therefore, anyone can easily make a reservation input without requiring a special operation technique. Further, in the present invention, in addition to being used by directly connecting to a telephone line, it also has a function of being used via a receiver of a public telephone, and is characterized in that it is widely used. Furthermore, besides displaying the reservation result on the display unit, it is also possible to print out. As for this printer, in addition to the method of using the internal printer, the method of connecting an external printer is also considered, so that the device can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principal block diagram showing an embodiment of a reservation input terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a principal block diagram showing another embodiment of the reservation input terminal device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reservation input terminal device 11 Card 12 Card reader 13 Display unit 14 Input unit 15 First memory unit 16 Second memory unit 17 Discrimination unit 18 PB signal transmission unit 19 Modem communication unit 20 PB signal reception unit 21 Telephone line control unit 22 Printer 23 Printer connection section 24 Control section 25 External printer 2 Reservation acceptance organization A 5 Telephone line 51 Telephone 61 Sound signal conversion section 61a Sound transmission section 61b Sound reception section

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A reservation card in which necessary data such as a membership number, a telephone number of a reservation agency, and an identification code of the same is recorded, a card reader for reading the recorded data of the reservation card, and necessary input items concerning a reservation. The display unit to display, the input unit for inputting requirements regarding reservation based on the display of the display unit, the required input items regarding reservation to be displayed on the display unit are stored, and the data read by the card reader and A memory unit that stores each data input from the input unit, a push button signal transmission unit that converts the data stored in the memory unit into a push button signal, and a reservation based on a signal from the push button signal transmission unit A telephone line control unit that connects to the institution via a telephone line and sends required data related to the reservation Display unit, display unit, input unit, memory unit,
A reservation input terminal device comprising a push button signal transmission unit and a control unit for controlling a telephone line control unit. 2. A push button signal receiving unit for receiving data relating to a reservation transmitted from a reservation agency as a push button signal via the telephone line control unit and converting the received signal into display data, in the control unit. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the reservation input terminal device is provided and the display data is displayed on the display unit. 3. A modem communication unit for converting the data stored in the memory unit into a modem signal, and a second memory unit for storing whether a transmission signal to a reservation agency has a push button signal or a modem signal. And a determination based on the reservation agency identification code read by the card reader and the data relating to the signal format of the second memory unit to determine whether the format of the transmission signal to the reservation agency is a push button signal or a modem signal. Section is provided in the control section, and when the format of the signal transmitted to the reservation agency is a push button signal, it is transmitted via the push button signal transmitting section and the telephone line control section, and when it is a modem signal, the section is transmitted. 2. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the reservation input terminal device is configured to transmit via a modem communication unit and a telephone line control unit. 4. The modem communication unit receives data concerning a reservation transmitted from a reservation agency via the telephone line control unit as a modem signal, converts the received signal into display data, and displays the data by the display unit. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the reservation input terminal device is provided for display. 5. The reservation agency identification code read by the card reader, instead of the reservation card, stores the telephone number of the reservation agency in the second memory unit in association with each reservation agency identification code. 4. The telephone number of the reservation agency is specified by the discrimination unit based on the data relating to the telephone number in the second memory unit, and the telephone number of the reservation agency is specified. Reservation input terminal device. 6. The reservation according to claim 1, wherein the display data converted by the push button signal receiving unit or the modem communication unit is stored in the memory unit. Input terminal device. 7. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 3, wherein a format of a transmission signal to a reservation agency is recorded on the reservation card instead of the second memory section. 8. A sound signal for converting a modem signal or a push button signal into a sound signal in place of the telephone line control unit, and converting a sound signal from the telephone signal into a modem signal or a push button signal into a display signal. The converter is provided in the controller, and the homophonic signal converter is brought into contact with a receiver of a telephone to perform transmission / reception with a reservation agency, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4. The reservation input terminal device described in 4. 9. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a touch panel type input unit in which a touch panel is provided on a display screen and a desired display location is touched for input operation. . 10. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a penlight input unit for handwriting input on a display screen via a penlight. 11. A reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a printer is provided in the control unit to print out reservation contents. 12. The reservation input terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a printer connection unit for connecting an external printer is provided in the control unit, and reservation contents are printed out from the external printer.