JPS62208776A - Video tex communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce a key operation of an user and to automatically reach an object picture by automatically transmitting a picture selection code in a menu picture by a terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:When an user inserts a card, a company number table is retrieved by a company number in card data. Further, prescribed local picture information is read to urge to input a password number to a CRT1 through a display and the input of the password number is received. Then the prescribed local picture information is read from a floppy disk to display a calling of a center and the telephone number of the direct information center 52 is dialed. When the direct information center 52 of a security answer system can be connected with a line, a company code is transmitted to the center and the key-in of a transaction key by the user is received during this time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to videotex communication systems, and more particularly,
The present invention relates to a Videotex communication system having a terminal device that automatically selects a screen in branch screen information (menu screen).

(b1 Summary of the Invention The Videotex communication system according to the present invention allows the terminal device to automatically transmit a branch selection code in specific screen information among the branch screen information. This simplifies the user's operation. This eliminates operational errors and automatically guides the terminal installer to the screen information he or she wishes to display.

(C) Background of the Invention ■ Configuration of the Captain System The Videotex communication system includes a Videotex center that has a screen information file that stores a plurality of screen information, and a terminal device that can receive and display this screen information. This system connects via a line and allows any screen information to be accessed from a terminal device to the Videotex Center. One of the Videotex communication systems currently in practical use is the Captain System.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the captain system. The videotex center includes a captain information center 50 that provides screen information from various information providers to terminal devices.
and a direct information center 51,52 that provides screen information of a specific information provider, and the captain information center includes an information input device 54 that inputs screen information into the screen information file, and this captain information center 5o. An indirect information center 55 that provides unique screen information is connected thereto. These centers are connected to a plurality of Videotex communication processing devices 56, and these plurality of Videotex communication processing devices 56 are connected to each other by high-speed digital transmission lines, and terminal devices 56 are connected to each other via subscriber telephone lines 57.
8.59 is connected. The terminal devices include a public terminal device 58 and a personal terminal device 59. 6 ■Explanation of the Captain Securities Answer System By the way, for services provided through the direct information center 52, multiple information providing companies jointly set up one direct information center, and their computers were connected to this direct information center. There is something. After a terminal device directly accesses this information center, by inputting a predetermined code, computers and data of any company can be left behind.

An example of such a service system is the Captain Securities Answer System (hereinafter referred to as the "Securities Answer System").

This system makes it possible to buy and sell securities and inquire about balances via the captain's line, and as shown in FIG. This is a system consisting of a processing computer 53 of a securities company.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of key operations and screen information displayed accordingly when the terminal device accesses and uses the securities answer system.

The terminal user first picks up the handset (200) and selects “1”.
66" (201). By dialing this area number, the terminal device is connected to the Videotex (Captain) communication network (line processing). Next, the terminal device is connected to the Videotex (Captain) communication network (line processing). Dial the number (203). If the dialed center number is 36110'', this terminal device is connected to the captain information center 50 (line processing). On the other hand, if the dialed center number is "36221", it is connected directly to the information center 52 of the securities answer system (line processing).

When a terminal device is connected to the direct information center 52 of the securities answer system, screen information (100) is first transmitted from this center prompting the user to specify the securities company to be connected.

While displaying this screen information, the user inputs the company number of the securities company with which the transaction is made (204). Securities company numbers usually consist of four digits. Through this keystroke, the terminal device is directly connected from the information center 52 to the computer 53 of the securities company. During this comviator connection work, screen information (1
01) will be sent. When the line is connected to the securities company's computer 53, screen information (1
02) is sent (), this screen information (102)
While this is displayed, select the service (transaction type) to be used by operating the numeric keypad (205). The center (computer of the securities company) that receives the key-in data judges the data, and from (LO'3) to (106) transmits screen information corresponding to the key-in data to this terminal device (center processing). For example, if the user presses the 3# key while the screen information (102) is displayed, the center will send the screen information (106).This screen information II (
106), the user presses the numeric keypad to select the transaction type again (206). The center that receives the key-in data judges the data and displays the screen information (11O~
114) is sent (center processing). Below, the user must enter the branch number 2 of his/her own account,
Enter your PIN and other information to conduct a transaction. At the end of the transaction, the end screen information (11
5) is displayed, and the user presses the exit key (208).
), close the transaction. This turns off the line between the terminal device and the Videotex center.

Among the above operations, (200) to (208) are operations by the user, and (100) to (115) are screen information transmitted from the center in conjunction with these operations.

■ Disadvantages of using the Securities Answer System with a conventional videotex terminal In addition to key-in for simple screen selection, such as when selecting screen information, users must enter numbers with a large number of digits, such as selecting a center or entering their own account number or password. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the keypad of a general captain's terminal device has many keys such as kana keys in addition to the numeric keypad, making it difficult to perform complex key operations without making mistakes. There was a risk that smooth transaction processing could not be carried out due to a key human error.

Further, each securities company may install a public terminal device in its store in order to allow customers to use the services of this securities answer system. However, with conventional terminal devices, it was possible to freely select the next screen such as inputting the company number, so this terminal device could be used to use other services or connect lines with computers of other securities companies. He was able to use the securities answer system with other companies' accounts. This was completely against the wishes of the person installing the terminal device.

(d1 Purpose of the Invention This invention overcomes the above-mentioned current situation and makes it possible for the terminal device to automatically send a screen selection code on the menu screen, thereby reducing the user's key operations and automatically displaying the target screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a videotex communication system having a terminal device that can reach.

(e) Structure and effect of the invention This invention arranges a plurality of screen information including branch screen information into a screen information sequence that branches in the branch screen information,
A videotex center that can call up the plurality of screen information sequentially is connected to this videotex center via a line, receives and displays the screen information, and when the branch screen information is displayed, the next a terminal device having a screen selection means for receiving a selection input of screen information; and a code transmission means for transmitting a branch selection code corresponding to the selection input to the VideoTex center; A specific code storage means for storing a branch selection code is provided, and a specific code output for outputting the branch selection code stored in the specific code storage means instead of the screen selection means while displaying the branch screen information. It is characterized by having a means.

With the above configuration, according to the present invention, the terminal device automatically outputs a specific branch selection code without waiting for the user's selection (key-in) when branch screen information is received. and send it to the Videotex Center.

This allows the user to use the Videotex terminal device with fewer operations and eliminates operational errors. In addition, since the branch selection code is automatically transmitted, the screen information that the terminal device receives can be set in advance, so a public terminal device installed for the use of specific screen information can Screen information will no longer be used.

For example, when this system is used in the securities answer system, the securities company number input (205) is automatically performed in the securities answer system, thereby preventing connection with other companies' computers. The terminal device can be connected only to the computer of the securities company where the terminal device is installed.

In this way, this system can be used not only to directly access screen information from an information center, but also to a terminal device that calls up screen information that cannot be accessed directly from the terminal device.

ff) Embodiment FIG. 2 is an external view of a terminal device used in a captain system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

This terminal device is installed in a store of a securities company, and is used exclusively for using the securities answer system.

There is a CRT display screen on the operation panel on the front of the device.
A card insertion slot 3 for accepting a card and a paper discharge slot 4 for discharging a hard copy of the screen are provided on the right side of the CRTI. Furthermore, the CRTI
A keyboard 2 is installed below.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of the keyboard 2. The keyboard 2 is composed of a numeric keypad 201, a screen copy key 21, a cancel/end key 22, and transaction keys 23 and 24.

The numeric keypad 20 includes a # key 20a. This # key 2
01a is a key indicating the end of code input. The transaction key 23 is a stock transaction key, and the order (Tokyo) key 3
0. Order (Osaka) Key 31. Order (Nagoya) key 32° Stock price inquiry key 33. Order inquiry key 34. Contract inquiry key 3
5 and a balance inquiry key 36. transaction key 2
4 is a transaction key for medium-term government bond fund, and balance inquiry key 37. It consists of a cancellation key 38.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control section of the terminal device.

CPtJlo, which is a control device, includes a ROM II for storing programs etc. via an internal bus, a RAM 12 for storing data etc., a video RAM 13 for storing screen information to be displayed on the CRTI, and for communicating with the center via a line. NCU/modem 14, a keyboard interface 15 that accepts human input from the keyboard, a card reader 16 that reads data on the card inserted into the card insertion slot 3, and a printer 17 that prints out a hard copy of the content displayed on the CRTI. and a floppy disk unit W7 are connected.

The floppy disk device 7 includes a control program,
A floppy disk storing data, local screen information to be displayed on the CRTI when this terminal device is not connected to the center, etc. is set, and programs and data are written into the RAM 12 during power-on processing of this terminal device. Local screen information is input to the video RAM 13 when displayed on the CRTI.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the RAM 12. The figure is a table that stores line connection destinations for each securities company. For each company number, the telephone number of the Videotex center to which this terminal device is connected and the sending code to be sent when the line is connected to the center are stored. The terminal device reads the company number from the data of the card inserted into the card reader 16 (card insertion slot 3), searches this table using the company number, and performs dialing and sending the code. Note that no matter which securities company's card is inserted, the connected center is the direct information center 52 of the securities answer system, so all stored telephone numbers are "166-36221". The code sent when the line is directly connected to the information center is the securities company number with a # mark added to the end.

In the same figure (Bl is a transaction table. This table includes:
When any of the transaction keys shown in FIG. 3 is pressed, the key presses are replaced by key presses by the user until the desired screen information corresponding to the pressed transaction key is received from the center.
This is data for automatically transmitting the next screen selection code (branch selection code). For example, when the key for ordering stocks in the Tokyo market (Order (Tokyo) key 30) is pressed, when screen information (102) is sent from the center, refer to the screen number at the time of sending in this table. 3# code is sent to the center, and it is determined whether the screen number of the screen information sent from the center that received this code is 106. If it is 106, it is determined that a correct response has been obtained. do. Below is a table for transmitting a predetermined code to the center when screen information of a predetermined screen number is similarly sent. This table also stores the screen number for transmitting the card data of the inserted card towards the center and the screen number of the end screen information for disconnecting the line with the center and returning to the standby state.

In the same figure (C1 is a diagram showing a buffer set in the RAM 12. Area MIO is a card data buffer. Card data read by the card reader 16 (company number, branch number 2 account number and password ) is stored in this area. Area Mll is a buffer for the PIN number. The PIN number input by the user is temporarily stored in this area. Area M12 is a transaction buffer.

The contents of the transaction key pressed by the user are stored, and the data in this area is read out when referring to the transaction table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a card inserted into the terminal device. This card is a deposit card issued by a securities company. A magnetic stripe 41 is formed on the card 40, and storage areas identified by 41a to 41d are set on this magnetic stripe. A company number (41a), a branch number (41b), an account number (41c), and a password (41d) are stored in these areas.

This card is usually used by being inserted into an automatic transaction processing device installed in a securities company store.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. When the power is turned on, in step n1 (hereinafter referred to as step ni), the program and data stored in the Fronbi disk set in the floppy disk device 7 are loaded into the RAM 12. When this process is completed, the local screen information stored in the floppy disk is displayed on the CRTI (n2). This screen information consists of text prompting the user to insert a card.

The process waits until it is determined in n3 whether the user has inserted a card. When the user inserts a card, the card reader 16 reads the card data (n4) and searches the company number table using the company number in the card data (n5).

If there is a company number for this card in the company number table, proceed to steps n7 and below; if there is no company number, proceed to C.
In addition to displaying the card removal on RTI (n32
), eject the card (n33) and return to n2.

n7 reads the specified local screen information and displays the CRTI
A display prompting the user to input the PIN number is displayed, and the input of the PIN number is accepted (n8). When the password is input, the password read from the card and the input password are compared (n9), and if they match, the process goes to nil. If they do not match, return to n7 as determined by nlo. If this mismatch occurs three times in a row, the process proceeds to n32, the card is ejected, and the process returns to the standby state.

If nil, predetermined local screen information is read from the floppy disk, a display indicating that the center is calling is performed, and the telephone number of the direct information center 52 is dialed (n
12) If the line can be connected to the center through this dialing, the process proceeds to n15; if the connection cannot be established due to line congestion, etc., a message indicating that the line is busy is displayed in n14, and the process proceeds to n32.

When the line can be connected to the direct information center 52 of the securities answer system, the company code is sent to this center (n15), and during this time, a transaction key input by the user is accepted (n16). At this time, screen information from (100) to (102) in Figure 8 is sent directly from the information center, but this terminal device does not display this and continues to display the above-mentioned "Calling Center". do. This is to avoid displaying screen information that prompts the user of this terminal device to perform unnecessary operations. The transaction table is searched using the keyed-in transaction key, and it is determined from the screen number of the screen information received from the center whether there is a code to be transmitted at this time (n17). If there is a code to be transmitted, that code is transmitted to the center (n19). When the next screen information is received by sending this code, the screen number of the screen information is checked (n21). If the screen number of the received screen information matches the received screen number of the transaction table, it is determined that the correct screen information has been received, and it is determined whether or not there is a code to be sent at the time of screen information of this screen information.
Go back and search. If the screen number of the received screen information does not match the received screen number, it is determined that incorrect screen information has been sent, a retreat code is sent to the center (n23), and the process returns to n17. When there is no code that should be automatically sent when searching the transaction table, or when the next screen is not received even if the code is sent (for example, when the screen information in (109) above is sent) The branch number, account number, and PIN will be automatically sent to you, but the next screen will not be sent from the center because the deposit amount has not been entered (sent).)
Based on the judgments made in n18 and n20, the process proceeds to n24.

On the n24, the screen information sent from the center is sent to the CRTl.
to prompt the user to operate. When some key operation is performed on n25, it is determined whether or not that key is the screen copy key 21 (n26), and if it is the screen copy key 21, the printer 17 prints out a hard copy of the CRTI display contents and outputs it. (n27) and returns to n25 to wait for the next key-in. If it is a key other than the screen copy key 21, the code corresponding to the key is sent to the center (n28), and the next screen information is received (n29). It is determined at n30 whether the received screen information is the end screen (the last screen in the screen information tree), and if it is not the end screen, the process returns to n24 and this screen information is displayed on the CRTl. If it is the end screen, proceed to n31 based on the judgment at n30. At n31, the line with the Videotex center is turned off, a card removal display is displayed (n32), the card is ejected (n33),
Return to n2.

Note that even if the stop/end key 22 is pressed at any time during this operation, the processing operation is immediately terminated. In this case, when the line is connected to the center, the process jumps to n31, and when the line is not connected to the center, the process jumps to n32.

The company number table and transmission code table correspond to the specific code storage means of the present invention, and n12 and n15 correspond to the specific code output means and code transmission means of the present invention.

Thus, according to this Videotex communication system,
The user can reach the desired screen information simply by inserting the card into the terminal device and pressing the transaction button. That is, (200) when accessing the securities answer system by the conventional terminal device shown in FIG.
(201), (203), (204) and the input of the branch number 1 locus number and PIN on the respective purpose screens can be completed by simply inserting the card, and the operations in (205) and (206) can be completed. (Conventionally, this operation was performed by adding a # symbol to a two-digit number and keying in.) This can be done by simply keying in one of the transaction keys once. In this way, the customer can use the terminal device with fewer operations, thereby eliminating operational errors, increasing the operating speed, and increasing the efficiency of using the terminal device. Furthermore, since the user card inserted into this terminal device may be a deposit card issued by a securities company that has been issued in the past, the effort and expense for system configuration can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a terminal device used in a Videotex communication system which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the terminal device, and FIG. 3 is a keyboard installed in the terminal device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control unit of the terminal device, and FIG. 5 (A1.
(B), (C1 is a partial configuration diagram of the RAM of the terminal device, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a card inserted into the terminal device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a general Videotex communication system. 8 is a diagram showing the screen access procedure in the Videotex communication system shown in FIG. 7. 2-Keyboard, 16-Card League.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A Videotex center that arranges a plurality of screen information including branch screen information into a screen information sequence that branches in the branch screen information, and that makes it possible to sequentially call up the plurality of screen information; and a line between this VideoTex center and the line. a screen selection means that receives and displays the screen information, and receives a selection input for the next screen information when the branch screen information is displayed; A Videotex communication system comprising: a terminal device having code transmitting means for transmitting a corresponding branch selection code; and a specific code storage means for storing a specific branch selection code; . A videotex communication system, characterized in that, in place of the screen selection means, specific code output means for outputting a branch selection code stored in the specific code storage means is provided.