JPS6359083A - Charged channel control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To correctly charge to the user by informing the CATV center of an identification(ID) number data read by a card reader installed at a home terminal, and charging the holder of the card to which this ID card is allocated. CONSTITUTION:The card reader 61 is added to the home terminal 7, and a transmission/reception control part 4 starts to receive the broadcasting of a chargeable channel in accordance with a control data from the reader 61. The ID number stored in the card is informed to the CATV center 1, and the charging information is written in each ID number in a charge register file 2. If a user sets one's own card in the reader 61, the ID number data is informed to the CATV center 1, and on the CATV center side, the charging information for a received ID number data is written in the charge register file 2.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] In a CATV system, authentication (ID) number data '&
This technology allows the user to be billed correctly by notifying the CATV center and billing the owner of the card to which the number has been assigned.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention provides a pay channel t in a CATV system.
This relates to a pay channel control system that allows users to pay for access.

Currently, social interest in various types of knee media is rapidly increasing, and one of them is a two-way CATV system that can be used for multiple channels and for multiple purposes.

This CATV system connects each home with a broadcasting center that can broadcast general Kn channel programs through a two-way communal viewing line. You can freely select and receive programs and paid broadcast programs. Furthermore, not only can broadcasts from the center be made to all households at once or to specific groups, but by connecting to a computer online, billing for paid program viewing fees can also be automatically processed.

[Prior art]

The CATV system as described above is conventionally configured as shown in FIG.

In other words, a bidirectional transmission line 3 such as coaxial or optical is connected between the CNTV center (1) and the home terminal 7 placed in each home.
It is connected with.

For example, when you want to watch a certain program, you specify the channel on which that program is being broadcast from the home terminal 7, and the transmission/reception control unit 4 takes out that channel from the bidirectional transmission path 3 and inputs it to the monitor. It's a trap.

Then, at the home terminal 7, a notification that the paid channel has been received is sent to the CATV center IK using the empty channel of the bidirectional transmission line 3.

Written to the installed billing registration file.

[Problems with conventional technology]

Here, because conventional billing is done for each home terminal, for example, if you watch a program you want to watch at a friend's house, that household will be charged, and the real viewer will not be charged. .

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve such problems, the present invention adds a card reading device 6 to the home terminal 7 as shown in FIG. When you start receiving paid channels, you can also send the call number data stored on your card to CATV.
The center is notified and billing information is written in billing registration file 2 for each ID number.

[Effect]

A user who wants to view a pay channel sets his or her card in the card reader 6.

From this K, the card reading device 6 reads the contents and inputs the control data ID number data to the transmission/reception control section 4.

The transmission/reception control unit 4 receives the control data, receives the designated pay channel, outputs it to the monitor 5, and notifies the ID number data to the YCATV center 1.

The CATV center 1 writes billing information in the billing registration file 2 for the received ID number.

Since charges are made for each KID number in this manner, it becomes possible to charge the true users.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 8 is a key bat, 9 is a magnetic card, 31 is a bidirectional amplifier, 41 is a bidirectional converter, 42 is a modem, 43 is a control unit, and 61 is a magnetic card reader.

As shown in the figure, the transmission/reception control unit 4 includes a modulator/demodulator 42 that modulates data from the key bat 8 and the magnetic card reader 61 and demodulates video signals etc. from the center, and a bidirectional transmission line for transmitting signals from the modulator/demodulator 42. 3, a bidirectional converter 41 that sends out to a specific channel or takes in information on a specific channel, and a control section 43 that receives control data from the magnetic card reader 61 and outputs a start signal for the bidirectional converter 41. Consisted of.

Here, when viewing a pay channel, the magnetic card 9 is set in the reader 61.

The reading device 61 reads control data and ID number data from the magnetic card 9.

From this point K, the bidirectional converter 41 is put into operation as described above, and the ID number data and the pay channel number from the keypad 8 are modulated by the modulator/demodulator 42 and input to the bidirectional converter 41.

From this K, the bidirectional converter 41 receives the specified pay channel and also receives the ID number data YCAT.
Send to V center 1.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, since charges are made for each ID number, it is possible to charge true users.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a conventional CATV system, including a terminal reading device and 7 a home terminal. Scabbard Sun Moon Shield FF Zutsu 1 Figure wo Ro no Gehonchu] 2 Bacteria Conventional CA V Sinubum Illustrated 3 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A home terminal equipped with a transmission/reception control unit (4) and a monitor (5) that transmits and receives data and TV signals via the transmission/reception control unit 4 to the CATV center (1) via a bidirectional transmission line (3). (7), and transmits pay TV signals to the CATV in response to requests from the home terminal.
In the paid channel control method conducted from the center,
A card reading device (6) is installed in the home terminal,
By reading the authentication number data of the card, the transmission/reception control unit can receive signals of pay channels, and the authentication number data can be sent to the CATV center (1).
A pay channel control method characterized in that the authentication number is transmitted to the account registration fee file 2, and is used for determining charges.