JPS636985A - Videotex terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit a user to hardly require many operations of a keyboard or a key pad for making access to object picture information by transmitting an identification code stored in a card inserted into a card reader to a videotex center. CONSTITUTION:Key input data key inputted from the keyboard 2 or card data read by the card reader 17 and stored for a buffer in a RAM 12 is transmitted to the videotex center 20 through a CPU 10, an NCU/modem 14. In the videotex center 20, the picture information corresponding to the data is read from a picture information file and transmitted to a terminal equipment. The picture information received in the NCU/modem 14 is stored in a video RAM 13 and displayed on a CRT1. Thereby, the operation of the terminal equipment can be simplified and a videotex communication system can be easily used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a videotex terminal device that simplifies the search for screen information.

Q) 1 Summary of the Invention The Videotex terminal device according to the present invention is provided with a card reader and means for transmitting an identification code stored in a card inserted into the card reader to a Videotex center. .

This eliminates the need for the user to repeatedly operate the keyboard or keypad in order to access the desired screen information.

(C1 Prior Art and Its Disadvantages) In the Videotex communication systems such as Captain that are currently in practical use, a plurality of pieces of screen information are stored in a tree-like structure in the screen information file of the Videotex center. There are several methods for accessing the screen information, including: 1) selecting screen information sequentially from the top of the tree to reach the desired screen information; and 2) directly accessing the desired screen information by inputting its screen number.

In the method (2), the key input required to select each screen information is simply inputting a one- or two-digit number and #, which is simple, but this selection operation must be repeated several to several times.
It was time consuming and complicated. Direct access, which is the - method and ■ method, allows you to directly access screen information, but it requires the operation of entering * followed by a 4- to 9-digit number, and then entering # at the end. Because of the large amount of operations involved, it is easy to make mistakes and is difficult for users who are unfamiliar with operating terminal devices to use.

Furthermore, it is not possible to select screen information by direct access with the - part of the screen information, and in order to access such screen information, the screen information tree must be selected sequentially as in (■) above. Ta.

(d1 Purpose of the Invention In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention accepts the insertion of a card storing an identification code for identifying target screen information, and transmits the identification code to the Videotex center, thereby retrieving screen information. , an object of the present invention is to provide a videotex terminal device that can simplify access.

(e) Structure of the Invention This invention is connected via a line to a videotex center that has a screen information file, transmits an identification code for identifying screen information to the videotex center, and receives the corresponding screen information. A videotex terminal device comprising: a card reader; and means for transmitting an identification code stored in a card inserted into the card reader to the videotex center.

(f) Function The Videotex terminal device according to the present invention has the following features: 1. When a user inserts a card storing an identification code of screen information into a card reader; This Videotex terminal device reads the card data and transmits the identification code to the Videotex center. The Videotex center searches for screen information based on the identification code, which is normal operation of the Videotex center. ) Send the screen information tu to this terminal device.

(g) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the operation of the terminal device can be simplified and the use of the Videotex communication system can be facilitated.

Furthermore, if a code for identifying a plurality of pieces of screen information is stored in the card, and the videotex terminal device into which this card is inserted can sequentially access the screen information stored in the card, Regardless of the screen information tree stored in the videotex center, the user can now configure a flow (tree) of screen information unique to the user on the terminal device side.

Furthermore, if the Videotex terminal device starts operating by the card insertion operation, the user can display the desired screen information simply by inserting the card.

fhl Embodiment FIG. 2 is an external view of a Videotex terminal device which is an embodiment of the present invention. A CRTI for displaying screen information is installed on the operation panel at the front of the device, and a keyboard 2 is provided below the CRTl. Further, on the right side of the keyboard 2, there is provided a hard copy outlet 4 for discharging a hard copy of the display contents of the CRTI. Furthermore, a card insertion slot 3 is provided on the right side of the CRTI for accepting insertion of a card storing a screen number of predetermined screen information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the keyboard 2. As shown in FIG. This keyboard 2 has a start key 60. Previous screen key 61. Print key 62. It consists of a numeric keypad 63 and a next screen key 64. The start key 60 is a key for connecting this terminal device to the Videotex center. The previous screen key 61 is a key for displaying again the screen information that was displayed immediately before the screen information is being displayed. The print key 62 is a key for printing a hard copy of the screen information currently being displayed.

The numeric keypad 63 is used for various purposes in addition to accessing arbitrary screen information. The next screen key 64 is a key for accessing screen information in the order in which a plurality of screen numbers (identification codes) are stored when a card is inserted. This key becomes valid only when a card storing a plurality of screen numbers is inserted as described above.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control section of the Videotex terminal device. The CPU 10, which is a control device, has a ROMI 1. which stores programs etc. via an internal bus. A RAM 12 for storing data etc., a video RAM 13 for storing screen information etc. to be displayed on the CRTI. NCU/modem 14 for communicating with the videotex center 20 via a line. Keyboard interface 15 for receiving input from the keyboard 2. Printer for printing a hard copy of the CRTI display contents 16. The card insertion slot 3
A card reader 17 for receiving a card inserted therein and reading the card data, and a frossopitisk device 7 for uploading a data bank are connected. Key data entered manually from the keyboard 2 or card data read by the card reader 17 and filed in the RAM 12 is sent to the CPU 10 . It is transmitted to the videotex center 20 via the NCU/modem 14. The videotex center 20 reads screen information corresponding to the data from the screen information file and transmits it to this terminal device. Screen information received by the NCU/modem 14 is stored in the video RAM 13 and displayed on the CRTI.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen information tree stored in the videotex center 20. Each piece of screen information is given a screen number, and each piece of screen information can be identified by the screen number. Further, the screen information is structured in a tree shape that branches sequentially from the top screen information. Therefore, in order to access these screen information, as mentioned above, there is a method of direct access by manually inputting the screen number, and a branch selection code (1#,
2#, etc.) and access the tree according to its structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a card inserted into the Videotex terminal device. A magnetic stripe 51 is formed on this card 50, and n screen numbers (51a to 51n) for identifying screen information are stored on the magnetic stripe. When this card is inserted into the terminal device,
The terminal device reads this card data and stores it in the RAM 12. Furthermore, for the terminal device, this card insertion has the same function as pressing the start key 60, and by inserting the card (even without pressing the start key) the terminal device connects to the videotex center 20. Connecting.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section of the Videotex terminal device. Steps n1 (hereinafter referred to as "step ni") and n2 wait until a card is inserted or the start key 60 is pressed. When the card is inserted, the process proceeds to n3, where the card data is read and the line is connected to the videotex center (n4). After the line is connected, the first screen number read from the card is sent to the Videotex center for direct access (n5), and the screen information is received (n8). Display this screen information on the CRTl (n9), and input the next key input (n10)
). If the pressed key is the next screen key 64, it is determined whether or not the next screen number to be accessed is stored.
A card is inserted and it is determined whether access to a plurality of screen numbers stored on the card has been completed. If the screen number to be accessed next is stored, that screen number is sent to the center (n13) and the process returns to n8. Also, if a key other than the next screen key 64 is pressed, the corresponding code should be sent to the center (n14), n
Return to 8.

- On the other hand, if the start is started by pressing the start key 60, connect the line with the Videotex center at n6 and receive the start screen information from the Videotex center (n?)
, proceed to n9.

n5. n13 corresponds to the "means for transmitting the identification code stored in the card to the videotex center" of the present invention.

Thus, according to this Videotex terminal device, it is possible to store one or more specific screen numbers on a card and receive the screen information simply by inserting this card. Furthermore, if a plurality of screen numbers are stored, pressing the next screen key 64 allows the screen information to be displayed in sequence. This makes it extremely easy to operate the terminal device and improves the efficiency of using the Videotex communication system.

It is also possible to increase the popularity of this card by integrating it with a prepaid card for paying Videotex usage fees. Further, although the card in this embodiment is made up of a magnetic card, it is equally easy to use an IC card.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section of a Videotex terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of the Videotex terminal device, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of the keyboard of the Videotex terminal device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control unit of the Videotex terminal device,
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen information tree stored in the Videotex center, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a card inserted into the Videotex terminal device. 3-Card insertion slot; 17- Card reader, 50-card, 51-magnetic drive, 64-next screen key.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a Videotex terminal device that is connected via a line to a Videotex center that has a screen information file and transmits an identification code for identifying screen information to the Videotex center and receives the corresponding screen information, a card 1. A videotex terminal device comprising a reader and means for transmitting an identification code stored in a card inserted into the card reader to the videotex center.