KR20040042337A - System for providing television service of charging via central control - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A centralized control pay television providing service system is provided to control the operation of a pay television in a centralized control manner. CONSTITUTION: A centralized control pay television providing service system includes a central controller(100), an interphone(200), and a broadcasting output controller(300), and a television receiver(400). The central controller outputs a control signal, which controls a broadcasting program to be output to the television receiver through a channel selected by a user, to the interphone, and outputs a control signal for blocking the broadcasting program from being output to the television receiver when a pay television providing service utilization time has elapsed. The interphone is connected to the central controller and the broadcasting output controller. The broadcasting output controller outputs various broadcasting programs to the television receiver under the control of the central controller.

Description

System for providing television service of charging via central control

The present invention relates to a pay television service system.

More specifically, users who use lodging facilities such as hotels or entertainment facilities such as video rooms can centrally control the operation of the paying television when watching satellite, cable, airwave, and cable broadcasting through the pay TV provided in each room. The present invention relates to a centralized pay television service system.

In general, pay TVs with coin machines are installed in each room of hotels, inns, etc. and entertainment rooms, such as video rooms. You can watch various broadcasting programs such as cable, airwaves, and cable. In this case, the payment of the cost of watching the broadcast program may use a card reader (eg, a bill recognizer) in addition to the coin.

Accordingly, each lodging facility or entertainment establishment can greatly reduce the installation cost of various video service-related facilities by simply constructing a pay-TV system, and greatly increase the purchase and management costs of related video generated by users' use of the video. It is possible to reduce, and to create a comfortable room atmosphere by providing a variety of channels according to the user's preference.

1 is a configuration diagram of a pay TV system for viewing a broadcast installed in a conventional lodging facility or entertainment establishment as described above.

As illustrated, the distributor 10 is a device for outputting various broadcast programs such as satellite, wired and cable, and airwaves inputted from the outside to the rooms, and various accommodations such as hotels, inns, video rooms, and rest rooms. It is installed in various entertainment establishments.

The coin machine 20 is installed together with the television receiver 30 in each room of the lodging or entertainment establishment, and the satellite, wired and cable, airwaves, etc. inputted through the distributor 10 during the time according to the cost of the room users. Various broadcast programs are output to the television receiver 30 so that room users can watch them.

That is, the broadcast program provided from the outside through the distributor 10 is displayed through the television receiver 30 only when the room user inputs a predetermined amount of money into the coin machine 20.

In order to use a pay TV system for viewing a broadcast having the above-described configuration, first, a user who uses a lodging facility or an amusement place wants to watch the coin machine 20 installed in a room assigned to the user. Input the necessary costs while

When the room user inputs a predetermined cost, the coin machine 20 displays the time at which the broadcast program can be viewed according to the amount of money input by the room user (for example, 1 hour for 500 won input), and the distributor 10 An internal circuit is driven so that various broadcast programs, such as satellites, wires and cables, and airwaves, are output to the television receiver 30.

Thereafter, the room user may watch various broadcasting programs such as satellite, wired and cable, and airwaves input through the divider 10 for a predetermined time through the television receiver 30.

However, a television system for pay-per-view broadcasting installed in a conventional lodging facility or entertainment establishment as described above is required to directly enter a necessary cost during the time that a user wants to watch on a coin connected to a television receiver. Due to the popularity of the installation separately, the appearance was not beautiful, and this caused a problem in that it was not possible to install a pay-TV system in a business that aims to upgrade the room.

In addition, when managing a coin installed in each property or amusement room for a pay TV system, the manager must go to every room of each property or amusement place to collect coins put into the coin and perform maintenance. As a result, it takes a lot of time and money to maintain and repair the coin, and there is a problem in that the systematic management cannot be performed.

In addition, conventionally, since there is no channel blocking function for a specific channel (especially, a cable broadcasting channel that provides adult video) and a device for checking the age of users who use a lodging or entertainment establishment, family-level users use it. In this case, children or adolescents can use the adult channel that can't be watched by children or teenagers.

The object of the present invention is to centrally control the driving of the pay TV provided in each room of a hotel such as a hotel or an entertainment office such as a video room so as to solve the above-mentioned problems, and automatically include the charge in the charge. The present invention provides a centralized pay-TV service system that allows users to conveniently use pay-TV.

Another object of the present invention is to filter the frequency band of a particular adult channel in the center (front) when watching satellite, cable, airwaves and cable broadcasting through pay TV provided in accommodations such as hotels and inns, and entertainment facilities such as video rooms. The present invention provides a centralized pay-TV service system that prevents children and adolescents from watching adult channels by automatically controlling them to block.

It is still another object of the present invention to perform management related to the billing of a paying television, which is operated centrally by each lodging facility or entertainment establishment, by an operator supplying various broadcasting programs or installing a system for paying television service. It is to provide a centralized pay-TV service providing system that enables accurate processing and management of pay-TV.

1 is a configuration diagram of a pay-TV system for viewing a broadcast installed in a conventional lodging facility or entertainment establishment;

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a centralized pay-TV service system according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of the central controller of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing in detail a configuration of a broadcast output controller connected to a television receiver provided in a lodging facility or an entertainment facility of FIG. 2;

5 is a view for explaining online management of each business establishment using a centralized pay-TV service according to the present invention;

6 is a flow chart showing in detail the operation of the centralized pay-TV service system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: central controller

200: interphone

300: broadcast output controller

400: television receiver

500: administrator computer

600: server computer

In order to achieve the above object, the centralized pay-TV service system according to the present invention is a television receiver installed in a room according to a key signal inputted by a manager who receives a pay-TV service request from a user who uses a specific room. Outputs a control signal for outputting a broadcast program, outputs a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to the television receiver when the user-required use of the pay TV service is requested, and blocks a broadcast program output to the television receiver A central controller for calculating and storing the cost of using the pay-TV service until the time when the control signal for the service is output; It is provided in each room and is connected to the central controller and the telephone line through the data communication line, and is connected to the broadcasting output controller which controls the output of various broadcasting programs provided from the outside through the distributor. An interphone outputting a control signal for outputting a broadcast program or a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to a television receiver to a broadcast output controller; Each room is connected to an interphone and a television receiver, and when a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller to the television receiver is input via the interphone, a corresponding channel provided from the outside of the channel receiver of the room user is manipulated. It is a broadcasting output controller which controls the broadcasting program to be output to the television receiver, and controls various broadcasting programs provided from the outside when the control signal for blocking the broadcasting program outputted from the central controller to the television receiver is not output to the television receiver. Characterized in that configured.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the centralized pay-TV service system of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a centralized pay television service system according to the present invention.

As shown, the central controller 100 is connected to the television receiver 400 by the interphone 200 installed in the room according to a key signal inputted by a manager who receives a request for pay TV service from a user who uses a specific room. The control signal outputs a broadcast program of a channel selected by the user, and outputs a television receiver to the interphone 200 of the corresponding room when the user's request for use of the pay-TV service provided (for example, 1 hour) ends. The control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to 400 is output.

In addition, the fee is calculated and stored until the time when the control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to the television receiver 400 is output, and the bill is paid to the room user later.

The interphone 200 is provided in each room to make a telephone call with the front desk or the outside. The interphone 200 is connected to the central controller 100 through a data communication line of a telephone line, and is provided from outside through a distributor. It is connected to a broadcast output controller 300 that controls the output of a broadcast program.

The control signal for outputting the broadcast program to the television receiver 400 input from the central controller 100 or the control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to the television receiver 400 is output to the broadcast output controller 300. do.

In this case, using the data communication line of the telephone line of the intercom 200 as the output line of the control signal output from the central controller 100 to the broadcast output controller 300 of each room, a separate service for providing a pay TV service This is to avoid the cost of facility investment.

The broadcast output controller 300 controls the central controller 100 to output various broadcast programs, such as satellites, cables, airwaves, and wirelines, which are provided from the outside through a distributor according to a request of a room user, to the television receiver 400. For example, it is connected to the interphone 200 and the television receiver 400 provided in each room.

When a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 400 is input through the interphone 200, various channels provided from the outside according to the operation of the television receiver 400 of the corresponding room user. Control the broadcast program to be output to the television receiver 400, and when a control signal for blocking the broadcast program output from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 400 is input, the broadcast program of various channels provided from the outside Control not to output to the television receiver 400.

In this case, the above-described broadcast output controller 300 may further include a coin machine or a banknote recognizer to enable both independent operations according to the central control through the central controller 100 or the cost input of the room user.

3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the central controller 100 of FIG. 2 in more detail.

As shown, the key input unit 110 outputs various key signals input by the administrator to the control unit 120 for the pay-TV providing service requested by the user who uses the lodging facility or the entertainment establishment.

At this time, the key signal input by the manager may include a time input for driving a television receiver provided in each room, a cost settlement according to service use, an adult channel blocking, and a key signal for checking a service use status of each room.

The control unit 120 blocks the control signal for outputting the broadcast program to the television receiver 400 of a specific room or the broadcast program output to the television receiver 400 according to the manager's key signal input from the key input unit 110. Control the generation of control signals and outputs to the corresponding room interphone 200, and control the settlement, storage and output of the cost of using the pay TV service for each room, and to use the pay TV service provided by each room Control the display of the current status.

In this case, when the controller 120 includes a key signal for setting an adult channel blocking function through the key input unit 110 when the user includes a child or adolescent among the users who use the lodging facility or the amusement place, the interphone The control unit 200 outputs a control signal for blocking the adult channel to the broadcast output controller 300 of the room. When the user including children and adolescents ends use, a control signal for normal operation of the adult channel (that is, release of adult channel blocking) is outputted according to the administrator's key input to control the normal operation. .

The data communication unit (modem) 130 is output as a control signal or a television receiver 400 for outputting a broadcast program to the television receiver 400 of a specific room output from the controller 120 under the control of the controller 120. The control signal for blocking the broadcast program is output to the interphone 200 of the corresponding room.

The storage 140 stores the cost of using the pay-TV service for each room under the control of the controller 120.

The display unit 150 displays on the screen the current state of the use of the pay-TV service provided by each room under the control of the controller 120.

The communication interface unit 160 performs a data input / output by performing a communication connection with a manager computer 500 provided in a lodging facility or an entertainment facility and connected to the Internet or a dedicated communication network.

In addition, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the configuration of the broadcast output controller 300 connected to the television receiver 400 provided in the lodging facility or the entertainment establishment of FIG. 2.

As shown, the signal input unit 310 is a broadcast signal output to the television receiver 400 or a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 40 of the room via the interphone 200 Receives a control signal for blocking the program.

When the control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the signal input unit 310 to the television receiver 400 is input, the microcontroller 320 outputs a broadcast program of various channels supplied from the outside to the television receiver 400. Generates and outputs the signal to the relay driver 330, and when a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output from the signal input unit 310 to the television receiver 400 is input, broadcast programs of various channels output to the television receiver 400. Generates a control signal to block the output to the relay driver 330.

In addition, when the control signal for adult channel blocking or normal operation is input from the central controller 100, the microcontroller 320 blocks a specific adult channel or a channel blocking function of a broadcast program output to the television receiver 400. Generates a control signal to return to normal, and outputs the generated adult channel blocking control signal or the adult channel normal operation control signal to the relay driver 330.

The relay driver 330 switches the output signal for normal operation when the control signal is input from the microcontroller 320 to the television receiver 400 to output broadcast programs of various channels. When various broadcast programs input through the 350 are output to the broadcast signal output terminal 360 and a control signal for blocking broadcast programs of various channels output from the microcontroller 320 to the television receiver 400 is input, Various broadcast programs input through the broadcast signal input terminal 350 may not be output to the broadcast signal output terminal 360.

In addition, when a control signal for blocking an adult channel is input from the microcontroller 320, the relay driver 330 switches various broadcast programs input from the broadcast signal input terminal 350 to an output line for blocking an adult channel. When the control signal for the normal operation of the adult channel is input from the controller 320, various broadcast programs input from the broadcast signal input terminal 350 are switched to the output line for the normal operation of the adult channel, and various broadcast programs provided from the outside are adult. Through the channel blocking filter 340 and the broadcast signal output terminal 360 to be output to the television receiver 400.

The filter 340 is provided on an output line for blocking an adult channel of the relay driver 330, and a frequency band of a specific adult channel among various broadcast programs input from the relay driver 330 through the broadcast signal input terminal 350. After blocking the output to the broadcast signal output terminal 360.

In this case, the above-described filter 240, a filter that can block the frequency band of the channel exclusively according to the adult channel supplied to each lodging or entertainment establishment. For example, if an adult channel is supplied to channels 2, 3, or 4 to a particular property or entertainment facility, a filter is used to block channels 2, 3, and 4, and the adult channel is supplied to channels 65, 67, or 69. In this case, a filter that blocks channels 65, 67, and 69 should be used.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is a view for explaining the online management of each lodging facility or entertainment establishment using the centralized pay-TV service according to the present invention.

As shown, the manager computer 500 is a communication device provided for each lodging facility or entertainment establishment. The manager computer 500 is connected to the central controller 100 through the communication interface unit 160 and then the storage unit of the central controller 100 ( Requests and receives cost information according to the pay-TV providing service for each room stored in 140, and outputs the cost information according to the pay-TV providing service for each room to the server computer 600 through a network communication network of the Internet or a dedicated communication network.

The server computer 600 receives the cost information according to the pay TV provided for each room from the manager computer 500 provided in each accommodation or entertainment establishment, and the pay computer provided for the pay for each room received from the manager computer 500. After collecting the cost information, the collection manager visits the relevant property or entertainment facility to collect money for the use of paid TV service by room users so that more accurate collection management can be achieved.

Next, the operation of the centralized pay-TV service system according to the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

6 is a flow chart showing in detail the operation of the centralized pay-TV service system according to the present invention.

First, a manager who receives a paid-TV service from a specific user using a particular property or entertainment facility equipped with a facility for providing a centralized pay-TV service, uses the key input unit 110 of the central controller 100 to provide the service. When a key signal is input through the central controller 100, the central controller 100 generates a control signal for outputting a broadcast program of each channel supplied from the outside to the television receiver 400 of the corresponding room, and then generates the generated control signal as data on the telephone line. It outputs to the intercom 200 of the room through the communication line (S100).

Then, the interphone 200 provided in the room outputs a control signal for outputting a broadcast program to the television receiver 400 input from the central controller 100 to the broadcast output controller 300 connected to the television receiver 400. (S200).

At this time, the interphone 200 receiving a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 400 is received until the room user rings a predetermined number of times (for example, two times). If not, the control signal input from the central controller 100 is output to the broadcast output controller 300.

That is, when the user picks up the handset before the phone rings twice, the interphone 200 is recognized as a general phone call, and the user recognizes the data communication when the user does not pick up the handset until the phone rings two times. By outputting a control signal for outputting a broadcast program to the television receiver 400 input from the central controller 100 to the broadcast output controller 300.

As such, the broadcast output controller 300 receives a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 400 through the interphone 200. The relay driver 330 is controlled to output the broadcast program of the channel to the television receiver 400 via the broadcast signal output terminal 360 (S300).

Accordingly, the room user can watch a broadcast program of each channel through the television receiver 400.

Now, when the request time of the pay-TV providing service requested by a specific room user ends, the central controller 100 generates a control signal for blocking a broadcast program of each channel supplied from the outside to the television receiver 400 of the room. Then, the generated control signal is output to the intercom 200 of the room through the data communication line of the telephone line (S400).

Then, in the interphone 200 provided in the room, the broadcast output controller 300 connected to the television receiver 400 receives a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to the television receiver 400 input from the central controller 100. Output to (S500).

In addition, the broadcast signal input terminal 350 is provided in the broadcast output controller 300 that receives a control signal for blocking broadcast programs of various channels output from the central controller 100 to the television receiver 400 through the interphone 200. The relay driver 330 is controlled to prevent the broadcast program of each channel input through the broadcast signal output terminal 360 from being output to the television receiver 400 (S600).

After blocking the broadcast programs of various channels output to the television receiver 400 as described above, the central controller 100 calculates the cost of using the paid TV providing service of the corresponding room, and bills the user of the room (S700). ). In this case, it is most preferable that the billing and payment of the fee according to the use of the pay TV service is generally billed and paid when the room user ends the use of the lodging facility or the entertainment establishment.

On the other hand, in the above-described process (S100), if the room for requesting the pay TV service includes children or teenagers, if the administrator selects the adult channel blocking key signal provided in the central controller 100, the central controller 100 ) Outputs a control signal for blocking an adult channel to the broadcast output controller 300 through the interphone 200 of the corresponding room, and cuts the frequency band of a specific adult channel among various broadcast programs supplied from the outside, and then the television receiver 400 To print).

That is, when the administrator selects the adult channel blocking and outputs a control signal for blocking the adult channel from the central controller 100 to the broadcast output controller 300 through the interphone 200 provided in the room, the broadcast output controller 300. The microcontroller 320 generates a relay switching signal for blocking an adult channel and outputs the relay switching signal to the relay driver 330, and the relay driver 330 broadcast signal input terminal 350 according to the relay switching signal for blocking an adult channel. The broadcast program provided from the outside is switched to an output line including an adult channel blocking filter 340, and the broadcast program that cuts the frequency band of a specific adult channel in the filter 340 is a broadcast signal output terminal 360. ) To be output to the television receiver 400.

As described above, according to the centralized pay-TV service system of the present invention, by controlling the pay-TV service provided in each room of a hotel such as a hotel or an entertainment facility such as a video room, the room users can control the pay TV. It is more convenient to use, and since it is not necessary to connect the coin unit with a television receiver as in the prior art, there is an effect of not harming the room aesthetics.

In addition, since the data communication line of the existing telephone line is used when installing the system for the centralized pay TV service, the cost of installing the system is reduced, and the system is very easy to install.

In addition, when children and adolescents are included among the room users, the adult channel can be blocked by a simple key operation of the manager, thereby preventing a problem that children and adolescents inevitably encounter the adult channel.

Herein, while the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will variously modify the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. And can be changed.

Claims (6)

It consists of a divider, a broadcast output controller and a television receiver, and variously provided from the outside through the divider for a time corresponding to a predetermined amount of money input and paid to the broadcast output controller provided in the room using coins, bills, cards, etc. In a pay TV service system for outputting a broadcast program to a television receiver to watch a broadcast program, A control signal for outputting a broadcast program to a television receiver installed in a corresponding room is output according to a key signal inputted by a manager who receives a request for a pay television service from a user who uses a specific room, and the pay TV service requested by the user is output. When the usage time is over, the control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to the television receiver is output, and the cost of using the paid TV providing service until the time when the control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to the television receiver is output. Central controller for calculating and storing; A television which is provided in each room and connected to the central controller and a data line of a telephone line, and connected to a broadcast output controller that controls the output of various broadcast programs provided from the outside through a distributor, and is input from the central controller. An interphone outputting a control signal for outputting a broadcast program to a receiver or a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to a television receiver to a broadcast output controller; And It is connected to the interphone and the television receiver provided in each room, and when a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller to the television receiver is input through the interphone, it is provided externally according to the operation of the television receiver channel of the room user. The broadcast program of the corresponding channel is controlled to be output to the television receiver, and when a control signal for blocking the broadcast program output from the central controller is input to the television receiver, various broadcast programs provided from the outside are not output to the television receiver. Centralized pay TV provided service system characterized in that it comprises a broadcast output controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the central controller, A key input unit for outputting various key signals inputted by an administrator to a pay TV service requested by a room user; The control signal for outputting the broadcast program to the television receiver of a specific room or the control signal for blocking the broadcast program output to the television receiver according to the manager's key signal input from the key input unit and the output to the room interphone A control unit for controlling, controlling, storing, and outputting the cost according to the use of the pay-TV service for each room, and controlling the display of the current status according to the use of the pay-TV service provided for each room; A data communication unit outputting a control signal for outputting a broadcast program to a television receiver of a specific room output from the control unit or a control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to the television receiver to an interphone of the corresponding room under the control of the controller; A storage unit for storing the cost of using the pay-TV service for each room under the control of the controller; And And a display unit configured to display on a screen a current state of use of a pay-TV service provided by each room under control of the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast output controller, A signal input unit for receiving a control signal for outputting a broadcast program from the central controller to a television receiver of a room or the control signal for blocking a broadcast program output to the television receiver through the interphone; When a control signal for outputting a broadcast program to the television receiver is input from the signal input unit, a control signal for outputting a broadcast program of various channels supplied from the outside is output to the television receiver, and is output to the television receiver. A microcontroller for generating and outputting a control signal for blocking broadcast programs of various channels output to the television receiver when a control signal for blocking the output broadcast program is input; And When a control signal for outputting broadcast programs of various channels supplied from the microcontroller to the television receiver is output, the broadcast signals are outputted to various broadcast programs inputted through a broadcast signal input terminal by switching to an output line for normal operation. And a control signal for blocking broadcast programs of various channels output from the microcontroller from the microcontroller to block the various broadcast programs input through the broadcast signal input terminal from being output to the broadcast signal output terminal. Centralized pay TV service system, characterized in that configured to include a relay drive. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the central controller, A centralized pay television service service system, characterized in that the communication interface unit for performing data input and output by performing a communication connection with a manager computer that is provided in the lodging or entertainment establishment and connected to the Internet or a dedicated communication network. The method of claim 3, wherein the broadcast output controller, It is provided on the output line for blocking the adult channel of the relay driver, and outputs to the broadcast signal output terminal after cutting the frequency band of a specific adult channel of the various broadcast programs input from the relay driver through the broadcast signal input terminal. Centralized pay TV service system, characterized in that further provided with a filter. The method of claim 3, wherein the broadcast output controller, Coin or banknote recognizer is further provided, The centralized pay-TV service system, characterized in that both independent operation is possible according to the central control and the input of the room user through the central controller.