JP2000194933A - Paid viewing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a practical pay-viewing method and apparatus that can use an inexpensive card that is easy to disposable and that can read and write the device at a low cost, and that can limit damage even if counterfeited. provide. SOLUTION: An expiration date is printed on a paper card 1 with characters 1b and a bar code 1a, and equipment identification information of a television terminal device 2 to be used is printed with a bar code 1a. Also, the TV terminal device 2 has a bar code reading unit 2a, a calendar clock 2d unique to the TV terminal device, a microcomputer 2b for determining whether the validity period information and the equipment identification information are valid, and a paper card 1 valid. And a power supply control unit 2j for energizing the television 3 to enable viewing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inexpensive prepaid card type pay viewing method and a pay viewing facility for a prepaid card system in the field of pay television mainly in hotels and hospitals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional pay-per-view system for a prepaid card uses an exclusive magnetic card printed with a magnetic card, and is an expensive magnetic card reader for reading the magnetic card or rewriting the card data to handle the amount or frequency. A writer is built in, the information of the magnetic card is read, the validity of the magnetic card is determined, and if it is determined that the magnetic card is valid, the viewing device is operated.

[0003]

In the case of the conventional magnetic card system, in general, a large number of copy cards can be easily made, and the copy cards themselves can be used in common, so that they can be used in any terminal device. Yes, counterfeit card prevention peers need to be strict. The card has a complicated structure and a complicated operation having a writing function for reading a card in which the amount and the frequency are written in advance and for subtracting the amount and the frequency, and is expensive. The problem to be solved by the present invention solves these conventional problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a practical pay-viewing method and apparatus that can use an inexpensive and easily disposable paper card and that can be counterfeited with limited damage.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The configuration of the present invention which has solved the above problems is as follows: 1) Issue a paper card on which validity period information for validating the card and facility identification information of usable pay-viewing facilities are printed; The paper card is read by the paper card reading section of the pay-viewing equipment, and the pay-viewing-equipment determining means determines whether the equipment identification information of the read paper card matches the equipment identification information held by the pay-viewing equipment. The judgment means judges whether or not the date and time of the date and time information generated or managed by the pay-viewing equipment is included in the validity period of the read validity period information of the card. A pay-viewing method characterized in that a pay-viewing facility can output an image of a video source only when the equipment identification information matches and the date and time are within the validity period. 2) The validity period of a paper card The paid viewing method described in 1) above, in which the information and the equipment identification information are printed in non-character representation. 3) The validity period information of the paper card is printed in two types, character representation and non-character representation, and the equipment identification information of the paper card. Is the paid viewing method described in 1) above, which is printed in a non-character expression. 4) The paid viewing method described in the above 2) or 3), wherein the non-character expression format of the information printed on the paper card is a barcode. 5) Paper The validity period information of the card is valid time information of the actual date and time based on the actual actual date and time, and the date and time information of the pay viewing facility is also the current actual date and time information. ) To 4) Paid viewing method described in any of the above. 6) Paid viewing in which the validity period information of the non-character expression on the paper card is different from the actual actual date and time and has one-to-one correspondence with the actual date and time. Record based on a unique calendar clock that progresses with equipment-specific progress A valid period information, and pay date and time information generated or held by viewing equipment the specific calendar is information date time of the clock the 2) -
3) Paid viewing method described in any one of the above. 7) The description of the validity period information of the character expression printed on the paper card is a character expression of the date and time based on the actual date and time. The paid viewing method described in 8) The paid viewing method described in 6) or 7) above, wherein the time progressing speed, expression, and date of the unique calendar clock are changed depending on the point at which the paper card is issued. 9) Video from a video source In addition to the viewing device that displays the signal on the display, a paper card reading unit that reads the validity period information printed on the paper card and the equipment identification information of the paid viewing equipment, and internally generates date / time information or a paper card A current time information generation unit input by another route other than
Whether the equipment identification information read by the paper card reading unit matches the equipment identification information uniquely held by the pay-viewing equipment, and whether the current time information generation unit is in the validity period read from the paper card. A determination unit that determines whether or not the date and time are included; and an activation unit that activates the viewing device with a determination signal that the equipment identification information of the determination unit matches and is within the validity period. Paid viewing equipment that can be added and viewed using a paper card. 10) When the date and time generated or held by the paid viewing equipment progresses differently from the actual time unique to the paid viewing equipment. In addition, it is the information of the date and time of the unique calendar clock which has one-to-one correspondence with the actual date and time, and the validity information of the paper card used for this is also the information of the date and time of this unique calendar clock. Also made by expression It said 9) is in the pay-per-view equipment described is.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the validity period date and time information and the paid viewing facility information are printed on a paper card in character display or non-character display (for example, bar code display). Therefore, the paper card can use ordinary paper and can be manufactured at low cost. A user who uses the pay-viewing equipment obtains it in advance from the equipment manager by paying in advance or after-payment. When using the equipment, the user reads this paper card with the paper card reading section of the pay-viewing equipment, inputs the validity information of the paper card and the equipment identification information, and the equipment identification information and the paper card held by the equipment side. From the above, it is determined whether or not the equipment identification information matches, and if they are the same (usable), the next determination step is performed. If they do not match, a display or sound indicating that the paper card cannot be used is output. In the case of the same, the validity period information of the paper card is the current date and time information generated or held by the equipment side (the actual year / month / day time based on the normal calendar clock and the actual year based on the unique calendar clock of the equipment The date may be a virtual date different from the date) and it is between the dates in the validity period information from the paper card. Activate and make available.
Therefore, in the present invention, it is not necessary to print and write the usage degree on the paper card on the pay viewing facility side.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Paid viewing facility information and valid period date information printed on a paper card according to the present invention are printed in characters that can be read immediately, or when the contents are read immediately like a bar code. Printing in the form of non-character expressions such as symbols and patterns that are not difficult characters, or in a form in which the contents are not immediately known such as encrypted character strings and character arrays (collectively referred to as non-character expressions in this specification) May be. It is easy to understand that the information of the year, month, day, and time of the validity period of the paper card is printed in two types: normal characters and non-characters, which is preferable in terms of security. Possession of paid viewing equipment of the present invention
The generated date and time information is the actual date and time (the standard date and time of the land where the equipment is installed, the calendar clock of the time advance speed unique to other equipment, or the year and month even if the steps are the same) The date / time may be in the future / past and different from the current value of the actual date / time, etc. The representation of the date / time information may also be expressed in non-character or in an encrypted form. The prepaid card is not a general magnetic card, but may be a barcode-printed card such as paper or an inexpensive card that can print or erase characters.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which the present invention is used for a pay-viewing device which is a terminal device of CCTV equipment in a guest room of a hotel. Printed in characters and barcodes. The equipment identification number of the pay-viewing equipment that can be used is represented by a bar code. In addition to the television terminal device of the CCTV equipment, the pay-viewing device includes a bar code reading unit that can read a bar code of a paper card, a calendar clock that generates current actual date and time information, and equipment identification information of the terminal device. And whether or not the use is permitted by comparing the read date and time information with the information from the paper card of the equipment identification information and the information on the terminal device by the memory part of the ROM storing the information and the bar code reading part. This is an example including a determining unit using a microcomputer for determining and a power control unit that starts up the television of the television terminal device. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the paper card of the embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the television terminal device of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination processing flow of the microcomputer. In the figure, 1 is a paper card, 1a is a bar code in which the actual date and time of the valid period start and end are printed with information and equipment identification information of the terminal device number used, and 1b is a valid period in which the valid period is expressed by characters. The display unit 1c is a guest room number display unit that indicates the guest room number. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a television terminal device of a CCTV facility which supplies a video source such as a broadcast / VTR / self-broadcast which is also a pay-viewing facility, and 2a denotes a bar code reading unit and 2b executes a judgment by computer software. CPU
2c is a RAM and ROM memory part storing the equipment identification information of the television terminal device 2 of the pay-viewing equipment and the viewing permission software which is the computer software of the judging unit, and 2d is built in the pay-viewing equipment 2. A calendar clock by an IC that generates the actual date and time of the standard time of the installation site, a remote control 2e for turning on / off the power and selecting a video source, a remote control light receiving unit 2f, a video signal of CCTV equipment 2g Tuner, 2h is a demodulation unit, 2i is a buffer, 2j is a power control unit of the television 3, 2k is a power unit, 21
Is a common listening line of CCTV equipment, 2m is a small liquid crystal display, and 3 is a television. In this embodiment, the customer receives a CCTV which is a hotel room facility from a hotel or a travel agency.
A paper card 1, which is a use ticket for the television 3 of the equipment, is provided. When the customer watches the television 3 of the CCTV equipment, the paper card 1 is inserted into the bar code reading unit 2a, and the equipment identification information of the bar code 1a and the date and time information of the validity period are read, and the memory unit is read. 2d is stored. At the same time, the viewing permission software is activated in the microcomputer 2d and the following steps are performed (see FIG. 3). The equipment identification information A read from the paper card 1 and the equipment identification information B stored in the memory unit 2c are stored in the memory 2c. First, it is determined whether or not they match, and if they do not match, a display indicating that they cannot be used is output to the liquid crystal display 2m.
If they match, it is determined whether or not the date / time E of the calendar clock 2d on the equipment side is present during the period of the date / time information C and D of the valid period of the paper card 1, which is the next step. .
If it is during the validity period, the power supply control unit 2j is set to the power supply side to supply the power of the television 3 to enable viewing. In this state, the customer operates the remote controller 2e to select a video source to be viewed on the CCTV equipment. When the channel is selected, the video signal from the common listening line 21 is selected by the tuner 2g, and the demodulation unit 2h
, And sent to the television 3 via the buffer 2i.
It is projected on the television 3. If the date / time E of the calendar clock 2d does not exist during the validity period information C and D of the paper card 1, the fact that the card cannot be used outside the validity period is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2m and the television 3 is used. The power is kept off so that it cannot be performed. The barcode reading section 2a of the present embodiment basically includes a sensor for reading, and can perform high-precision reading if a card transport mechanism is provided. However, for a low-cost configuration, a manual insertion method may be used. Absent. In the pay-viewing apparatus, it is necessary to input an address and operating conditions in advance. However, it is possible to set the address and the operating condition by reading it with a paper card or by attaching a receiving section of the remote controller. In this embodiment, as the calendar clock, each TV terminal device 2 having a future or past date / time different from the actual date / time of the standard time of the land where the TV terminal 2 is installed, or having a different progressing speed of the time. And the date, time, and date information of the bar code on the paper card 1 is printed in non-character format in the year, month, day, and time information of the effective period of the expression of the calendar clock unique to the television terminal device 2. For example, it can be further unusable in other terminal devices and guest rooms, and forgery of the paper card can be prevented. Even if the forgery is forged, its use is restricted and damage can be reduced.

[0008]

As described above, according to the present invention, disposables can be easily used by using an inexpensive printed paper card, and the printed information of the paper card can be read by an inexpensive optical sensor. Equipment. Writing and printing on a paper card can be done with an inexpensive bar code printer instead of an expensive magnetic card. Since the use is checked based on the equipment identification information and the validity period, the security effect is high because the paper card is not used in other facilities and periods by copying. In particular, if a unique calendar clock is used for each facility, the security of the information is further enhanced if the information is encrypted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a paper card according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the television terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a determination processing flow of a microcomputer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 paper card 1a barcode 1b validity period display unit 1c room number display unit 2 TV terminal device 2a barcode reading unit 2b microcomputer 2c memory unit 2d calendar clock 2e remote control 2f remote control light receiving unit 2g tuner 2h demodulation unit 2i buffer 2j power control unit 2k power supply unit 2l common listening line 2m liquid crystal display 3 TV

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A paper card on which a validity period information for validating a card and equipment identification information of usable pay-viewing equipment is printed, and the paper card is read by a paper card reading unit of the pay-viewing equipment and read. Whether or not the equipment identification information of the paper card and the equipment identification information held by the pay-viewing equipment match each other,
Also, the determining means determines whether or not the date and time of the date and time information generated or managed by the pay viewing facility is included within the validity period of the read validity period information of the card, and the equipment identification information The pay-per-viewing method is characterized in that the pay-per-view facility can output the video of the video source only when the time and the date are within the valid period. 2. The pay viewing method according to claim 1, wherein the validity period information and the equipment identification information of the paper card are printed in a non-character expression. 3. The pay-viewing method according to claim 1, wherein the validity period information of the paper card is printed in two types, a character expression and a non-character expression, and the equipment identification information of the paper card is printed in a non-character expression. 4. The pay viewing method according to claim 2, wherein the non-character representation format of the information printed on the paper card is a barcode. 5. The effective period information of the paper card is the effective time information of the actual date and time based on the actual actual date and time, and the date and time information of the pay viewing facility is also the current actual date and time. The pay viewing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is time information. 6. A unique calendar that proceeds in a progress unique to pay-viewing equipment, in which the validity period information of the non-character expression of the paper card is different from the actual actual date and time and has a one-to-one correspondence with the actual date and time. 4. The effective period information described based on a clock, and the date and time information generated or held by the pay viewing facility is information on the date and time of the unique calendar clock. Paid viewing method. 7. The pay viewing method according to claim 3, wherein the description of the validity period information of the character expression printed on the paper card is a character expression of the date and time based on the actual date and time. 8. The pay-viewing method according to claim 6, wherein the time progressing speed, expression, and date of the unique calendar clock are changed depending on a point at which the paper card is issued. 9. A paper card reading unit for reading validity period information printed on a paper card and equipment identification information of a pay viewing facility, in addition to a viewing device for projecting a video signal from a video source on a display, The current time information generation unit that internally generates the date and time information or inputs it by another route other than the paper card, the equipment identification information read by the paper card reading unit, and the equipment identification information uniquely held by the pay viewing equipment A judgment unit for judging whether or not they match, and whether or not the current date and time of the current time information generation unit are included within the validity period read from the paper card; and the equipment identification information of the judgment unit is A pay-viewing facility in which a starting unit for activating a viewing device in response to a determination signal indicating that they are the same and within a valid period is added, so that viewing can be performed using a paper card. 10. The date and time generated or held by the pay-viewing apparatus progresses differently from the actual time specific to the pay-viewing apparatus, and there is a one-to-one correspondence with the actual date and time. 10. The pay viewing / listening according to claim 9, wherein the information is the date and time information of a specific calendar clock, and the validity period information of the paper card used for the information is expressed in the expression of the date and time of the specific calendar clock. Facility.