WO2001008408A1

WO2001008408A1 - Terminal device for use with a video distribution system

Info

Publication number: WO2001008408A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/020212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric W. Chisholm; Edward H. Wolfe
Original assignee: Chisholm Eric W; Wolfe Edward H
Priority date: 1999-07-27
Filing date: 2000-07-25
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: AU6373100A

Abstract

A terminal device (200) for use with a video distribution system (150) includes an RF input operatively connectable to the video programming distribution system (150) for receiving a source (50) of video programming. An RF output is operatively connectable to a television receiver (250) to permit delivery of video images to the television receiver. Channel access control circuitry (204) is connected in signal receiving relation to the RF input to receive the video images and connected in signal transmitting relation to the RF output to transmit the video images thereto. A microprocessor (208) is operatively connected to the channel access control circuitry and a card reader (209) is operatively connected to the microprocessor, for reading account data from a magnetic strip card.

Description

TERMINAL DEVICE FOR USE WITH A VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Technical Field

This invention relates to terminal devices used in video distribu¬

tion systems controlled by a central microcomputer, and in particular to such

terminal devices that are used for ordering and paying for video images, such

as television programs, movie videos, and video games, by means of magneti-

cally encoded cards, such as credit cards, debit cards and electronic cash cards.

Background Art

Hospitality establishments such as hotels, motels, hospitals and

rental apartments operate in a competitive environment. In order to enhance

their offering to customers and provide additional revenue, many offer a variety

of services, including video entertainment services. Systems that offer video

services are well known in the art and typically offer pay-per-view of movies

at preset scheduled times, movies on demand and interactive video games,

among other amenities.

The known prior art offers various methods by which consumers

can pay for these services. It is well known in the art to have the centralized

computer processor of the system that provides such video services connected to the establishment's property management system thereby to provide

automated billing. However, many smaller establishments often cannot afford

a property management system, or the property management system does not

support the necessary equipment to do this. There is also the issue that the

consumer may not want the service charged to their room bill.

United States Patent No. 5,475,740 to Biggs, Jr. et al. discloses

a System for Accessing and Paying for Amenities Using a Telephone. This

system includes an enhanced telephone having a conventional numeric keypad,

an additional keypad with amenity information on it, and a magnetic strip card

reader for reading credit cards, debit cards, and the like. This enhanced

telephone is used to enter billing and amenity identification information, to

transmit this information to a central distribution computer, and to facilitate

payment for and presentation of a selected amenity. A pay-per-view system is

connected to the central distribution computer for displaying the amenity.

Such conventional systems have significant limitations in that a

telephone system must be present in the guest's room, and also an undesirably

expensive enhanced telephone as described above must be located in the room.

Further, it is not possible to order an amenity when the phone is otherwise in

use, and vice versa. The control and ordering system is completely independent

from the video delivery system, which adds to the expense of the overall system and makes the control of the video system dependent on the telephone system,

which is fundamentally undesirable.

United States Patent No. 5,603,078 to Henderson et al. discloses

Remote Control Device with Credit Card Reading and Transmission Capabili-

ties Having Multiple IR LEDS , wherein an infrared remote control unit includes

an integral card reading device. The remote control unit is used for controlling

the television, including the selection of programming, and is also used for

ordering amenities offered through the television. The hand-held remote control

unit transfers data to a receiver connected to the television monitor and

therefore must be compatible with the television monitor. The television

monitor is connected via at least one modem to a control computer for

processing and purchase authorization.

A limitation on the amenity ordering system is that it is integrated

into the system that controls the television. Accordingly, the two cannot be used

to concurrently perform their separate functions. Further, the remote control

with the card reader built-in must be compatible with the television, which

might not be the case if the remote control and the television are not specifically

designed to operate one with the other. Further, such a television remote

control with a built-in card reader is quite expensive, which is undesirable since such remote controls tend to get lost or broken quite readily, especially in

public places, such as motels.

The foregoing limitations are overcome by the present invention

which provides a terminal device for use with a television programming

distribution system, wherein the terminal device is independent of a property

management system.

The present invention further provides a terminal device for use

with a television programming distribution system, wherein the purchase of an

amenity is not charged to a guest through the room bill.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a

terminal device is provided for use with a television programming distribution

system, wherein the terminal device is independent of the telephone system in

each room.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a

terminal device is provided for use with a television programming distribution

system, wherein the terminal device is independent of the television remote

control system in each room. Disclosure of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is

disclosed a terminal device for use with a video distribution system, controlled

by a central microcomputer, for ordering and paying for video images and

permitting selected video image to be displayed on a television receiver. The

terminal device comprises an RF input which is operatively connectable to the

video programming distribution system for receiving a source of video images

therefrom. An RF output is operatively connectable to a television receiver to

permit delivery of the video images to the television receiver.

Channel access control circuitry is connected in signal receiving

relation to the RF input to a receive the video images therefrom and connected

in signal transmitting relation to the RF output to transmit the video images

thereto. A microprocessor controller is operatively connected to the channel

access control circuitry for operating the channel access control circuitry. A

magnetic strip card reader is operatively connected to the microprocessor

means, for reading a magnetic strip card and transmitting magnetic strip card

data obtained from the magnetic strip card to the microprocessor means.

An RF transmitter and receiver unit is operatively connected to the

microprocessor controller and the central microcomputer for transferring the

magnetic strip card data and command data between the microprocessor and the central microcomputer. The magnetic strip card data from the magnetic strip

card reader is transferred from the microprocessor to the central microcom¬

puter, thereby permitting for payment of the delivery of the video images, and

the command data is transferred from the central microcomputer to the

microprocessor, thereby permitting the microprocessor means to operate the

channel access control circuitry, such that the channel access control circuitry

transmits the video images to the RF output.

In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a

system for ordering and paying for video services and other products or

services. The system includes two or more terminal devices installed in hotel

or motel guestrooms, which terminal devices are monitored and controlled by

a central control processor. The central processor polls the terminal devices at

regular intervals, and when a device is requesting service access, will initiate

the ordering sequence. During this process the user will be prompted to insert

a credit card into the reader built into the terminal device. The control

processor confirms details such as the credit card type and the expiry date from

the card data. If the card data is accepted, the terminal device is tuned to the

service channel and the user can proceed to purchase the service or goods. Brief Description of the Drawing

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be

described by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawing

figures, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an overall block diagram of a video distribution

system including a first embodiment of a terminal device according to the

present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows in detail a portion of the video distribution

system of FIGURE 1 , showing in greater detail the control equipment at the

start of the distribution system;

FIGURE 3 shows in detail a block diagram of the terminal device

of FIGURE 1 ; and,

FIGURE 4 shows in detail a block diagram of a second alternative

embodiment of terminal device according to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A service ordering and payment system employing a first

embodiment of the present invention is generally depicted in FIGURE 1 and

comprises a source of video signals 50, such as television signals, origination

and control equipment 100, a bidirectional video distribution system 150, and a plurality of terminal devices 200 located typically one in each room of a

motel. A television set 250 is connected to each of the terminal devices 200.

The terminal device 200 is used for ordering and paying for video images, such

as a television program, pre-recorded movie videos, video games, the internet,

and so on, and thereby permitting the selected video images to be displayed by

the respective one of the television receivers 250. The selected video images

comprise a plurality of video images contained within a television program, pre¬

recorded movie video, video game, and so on.

The origination and control equipment 100 receives television

signals and the like from a satellite receiver, a cable television network and so

on, which is well known in the industry, and passes these signals to the video

distribution system 150, which comprises RF type cables, connectors, and so

on, installed in a building, such as a motel. These signals are distributed to a

plurality of televisions 250 in each room in a motel, or the like, through a

respective one of a plurality of terminal devices 200 according to the present

invention.

FIGURE 2 show details of the origination and control equipment

100, which comprise a general purpose-computer 101, which by means of the

RF System Driver 102 issues commands to both co-located equipment such as

the VCR controller 104 and the text processor 105, and to a plurality of terminals device 200 located throughout the video distribution system 150. The

VCR controller 104, in response to commands received from the general-

purpose computer 101, will generate the proper signals, via the infrared

transmitting light emitting diode assembly 113, required to make the designated

VCR 106 play, stop or rewind.

The text processor 105 in response to commands from the general-

purpose computer 101 will overlay text messages over a video signal (either

internal or an external source). The outputs of the text processor 105 are

supplied to the TV modulators 108 and 109. The text messages presented to the

user on these channels will vary, and are intended to assist the user during the

order process. In general, the channel produced by modulator 108 will

commonly display a message such as "Please Wait." The other modulator 109

connected to the text processor will display text specific to the guest currently

using the system and is referred to as the "Interactive" channel.

The video and audio outputs from the VCR 106 are supplied to the

channel modulator 107. The output signals from the modulators 107, 108, and

109 and the system driver 101 are combined in the usual combining network

110. A low pass filter 112 prevents interference between signals from the

modulators 107, 108 and 109, and the frequencies used by the RF System

Driver 101. The output of this filter 112 and the combining network 110 are added using the usual tap 111. The signals transmitted from the output

terminals are connected to the RX data input of the RF System Driver 102 via

the additional tap 114.

Although only one VCR has been shown in FIGURE 2, it is

understood that an additional VCR 106, infrared transmitting diode 113 and

modulator 107 can be easily added to provide additional program choices.

An ordinary modem 103 is connected to a communication service

and the general-purpose computer 102 for the purposes of retrieval of billing

information.

Referring to FIGURE 3 , the terminal device 200 comprises an RF

input 210, 205 a low pass filter 202, channel access control circuitry comprising

a TV Tuner 204 connected between the RF input and the RF output, an RF

output comprising an RF switch 203, an RF transmitting and receiving means

comprising a FSK data receiver 206 and a data transmitter 207, microprocessor

means comprising a control microprocessor 208, a magnetic strip card reader

209, a selector means comprising a selector switch 210, and status indicators

211 and 212. Not shown is the usual power supply arrangement required for

electronic devices.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the RF input includes

a signal splitter 201 and a second signal splitter 205, and is operatively connectable at the signal splitter 201 to the video distribution system 150, for

receiving a source of video images from the video distribution system 150, and

also for passing data to the control microprocessor 208 in the video distribution

system 150.

The channel access control circuitry, namely the tuner 204 is

connected in signal receiving relation to the second signal splitter 205 to receive

video images from the RF input. The tuner 204 is also connected in signal

transmitting relation to the RF output, namely the RF switch 203, to transmit

these received video images thereto, and ultimately to the connected television

set 250.

The control microprocessor 208 and the tuner 204 are connected

one to the other such that the tuner 204 is connected in data receiving relation

to the control microprocessor 208, and such that the control microprocessor 208

operates the tuner 204, so as to permit control of the video images displayed by

the television 205.

The magnetic strip card reader is operatively connected to the

control microprocessor 208, for reading magnetic strip cards, such as credit

cards, debit cards, electronic cash cards, and so on, so as to obtain guest

account data from a read card. The account data is transmitted to the control

microprocessor 208. The selector switch 210 permits delivery by the RF output of

selected video images, such as television programs, to the television receiver

250 and will generally have positions identified as follows: FREE TV, MOVIE

1, MOVIE 2, etc. Each position is accompanied with a status indicator.

A key characteristic of the terminal device 200 is the provision of

the RF switch 203. When the user is viewing regular television programming

the tuner is bypassed and signals are supplied to the TV through the splitter 201

and the low pass filter 202. The low pass filter ensures that the channels on

which pay programming is carried on do not appear at the TV. This method

allows the remote control normally supplied with the TV to be used for

selection of any regular TV channels.

When the user presses one of the movie buttons on the selector

switch 210 the microprocessor will cause the RF switch 203 to connect the

output of the tuner 204 to the TV, and will cause the tuner to tune to a specific

channel.

The data receiver 206 and data transmitter 207 are connected to

the central microcomputer 101 via the RF input, namely the signal splitter 201

and the second signal splitter 205, to allow the general-purpose computer 102,

via the RF System Driver 101, to both send command information to and to

obtain status information from a specific terminal device 200. The ordering sequence proceeds as follows:

An in-room information card advises the guest what movies are

currently available, and the playing times. When the user presses any of the

terminal selector buttons 210 labeled Movie 1 through Movie 8 the micropro-

cessor 208 will set the RF switch 203 to the output of the tuner 204 and tune to

the "Please Wait" channel produced by modulator 108. The general-purpose

computer 101 during its normal polling of the terminal devices 200 detects this

terminal and is tuned to the "Please Wait" channel. If there is no other terminal

device using the selected Interactive channel, the terminal will then be tuned to

the appropriate channel as selected by modulator 108.

The computer 101 will send text containing the title of the movie,

and the next start time to the text processor 105. Text instructing the user to

insert a credit card will also be shown.

The computer 101 will monitor the terminal waiting for the card

to be inserted. When the card is inserted the terminal microprocessor 208

activates the Processing 211 indicator. The control computer 101 will retrieve

the card data from the terminal. In order to ensure an accurate transfer of data,

the data will be retrieved three times to allow checks for comparison and error

correction. The data is then processed to determine that it meets the following

validation criteria: 1. accepted card type (from the first few digits of the number) ;

2. verifying the check digit; and

3. card has not expired.

If the data passes all of these checks, the computer 101 will

transmit data to the specific terminal to tune to the movie channel associated

with the selector button pressed, and to turn the "Accept" indicator 211 on.

This allows the guest to watch the movie. When the guest removes the credit

card the "Accepted" indicator 211 will be turned off. The interactive channel

modulator 109 is then made available for another user.

The transaction is not completely processed at this point, and

actual billing will be delayed for 5 minutes. If at the end of this time the

terminal is still connected to the movie channel, the transaction will be

completed. If at this time the terminal is in the FREE TV mode, the transaction

will be cancelled.

If the data is not accepted (bad card type or expired) the terminal

will be instructed to turn on the "Retry" indicator 212. The text processor 105

will be sent a text message that will typically say "SORRY - CANNOT

PROCESS THE CARD. " When the card is removed the "Retry" indicator 212

will be turned off and the RF switch 203 in the terminal switched to output of

the low pass filter 202. This action will also happen if the card is still present 30 seconds after this message is shown, and the "Interactive" channel 109

released.

If at any time during this process, the user does not respond to the

prompt shown on the TV within 60 seconds, the RF switch 203 in the terminal

will be switched to output of the low pass filter 202 and the "Interactive"

channel 109 released.

In the event that the card reader 209 cannot read the card, the

terminal microprocessor 208 will turn on the "Retry" indicator 212 as soon as

the card is inserted.

The user can, at any time during the movie, return to the Free TV

Mode. If the movie they have already purchased (and it has not ended) is

selected, the guest will not be asked to insert a card again.

Retrieval of the billing data collected by the computer 101 is easily

done with an off-site computer via the modem 103 for subsequent processing.

It is also possible to configure the computer 101 and modem 103 to operate in

an on-line mode with an off site credit card processing computer.

An alternative embodiment of this invention uses the alternate

terminal shown in FIGURE 4. This terminal device includes a signal splitter

301 , a TV Tuner 302, a TV signal demodulator 303, on-screen display circuitry

304, a video/audio modulator 305, a FSK data receiver 306, a data transmitter 307, a control microprocessor 308, a magnetic strip card reader 309, an infra¬

red signal detector 310 and an infra-red remote control 311. Not shown is the

usual power supply arrangement required for electronic devices.

This alternate terminal is controlled using an ordinary infrared

remote control that generates signals to which the microprocessor 308 has been

programmed to respond. The user selects channels to watch using this remote

control, and the microprocessor 308 sending the appropriate tuning data to the

tuner 302. Whenever a movie channel that has not been purchased is selected,

the microprocessor 308 will activate the on-screen display circuitry 304 causing

a message "Insert credit card" to appear on the TV. Also shown will be text

information such as the title of the movie and the next start time. At this time

the video output from the demodulator 303 will be replaced with a static

background generated in the on-screen display circuitry. Also, the audio output

of the demodulator 303 will be muted.

When the credit card is inserted, the message shown on the TV

changes to "Processing."

The computer 101 will detect, during the normal polling of all

terminals, the presence of the card in the terminal. The control computer 101

will retrieve the card data from the terminal. In order to ensure an accurate

transfer of data, the data will be retrieved three times to allow checks for consistency to be made. The data is then processed to determine that it meets

the following validation criteria:

1. accepted card type (from the first few digits of the number) ;

2. verifying the check digit; and,

3. card has not expired.

If the data passes all of these checks the computer 101 will

transmit data to the specific terminal to authorize reception of the movie

channel. The microprocessor 308 will allow the video output from the

demodulator 303 to pass through the on-screen display circuitry 304, but will

also cause the message "Remove card" to appear over the video. The audio

output from the demodulator 303 will be allowed through to the modulator.

When the card is removed the message will be erased.

If the computer 101 does not accept the card, or it has expired, a

message will be sent to the terminal causing the microprocessor 308 to display

the message "Card not accepted." In this alternate embodiment the text

processor 105 and modulators 108 and 109 shown in FIGURE 2 are redundant

and can be removed. Industrial Applicability

The present invention allows the consumer to use a magnetic card

reader, such as a credit card reader, in his hotel room to purchase video

services and interactively purchase other products and services. This system has

been optimized for use in smaller establishments , which generally cannot afford

conventional systems for economic reasons. It is also designed to overcome

some of the limitations of conventional systems that require that the television

receiver either be compatible with the terminal device, or that the terminal

device be configured to be compatible with the receiver.

Those skilled in the art can replace the VCR with another program

source such as a satellite receiver, digital video server, digital video disc player,

or other programming source, or any other source of video images, such as a

video game system, and so on. In the above described manner, video

programming is available to be selected for subsequent display by a television

receiver 250.

Claims

1. A terminal device for use with a video distribution system,

controlled by a central microcomputer, for ordering and paying for video

images and permitting selected video images to be displayed on a television

receiver, said terminal device comprising:

an RF input operatively connectable to said video

distribution system for receiving a source of video images therefrom;

an RF output operatively connectable to a television

receiver to permit delivery of said video images to said television receiver;

channel access control circuitry connected in signal

receiving relation to said RF input to receive said video images therefrom and

connected in signal transmitting relation to said RF output to transmit said video

images thereto;

microprocessor means operatively connected to said

channel access control circuitry for operating said channel access control

circuitry;

a magnetic strip card reader operatively connected to said

microprocessor means, for reading a magnetic strip card and transmitting magnetic strip card data obtained from said magnetic strip card to said

microprocessor means; and,

RF transmitting and receiving means operatively connected

to said microprocessor means and said central microcomputer for transferring

said magnetic strip credit card data and command data between said micropro¬

cessor means and said central microcomputer;

wherein said magnetic strip credit card data from said

magnetic strip card reader is transferred from said microprocessor means to said

central microcomputer, thereby permitting for payment of said delivery of said

video images, and said command data is transferred from said central

microcomputer to said microprocessor means, thereby permitting said

microprocessor means to operate said channel access control circuitry, such that

said channel access control circuitry transmits said video images to said RF

output.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein said RF

transmitting and receiving means is connected to said central microcomputer via

said RF input.

3. The terminal device according to claim 2, further

comprising selector means for permitting delivery by said RF output of selected

video images to said television receiver.

4. The terminal device according to claim 3, further

comprising a low pass filter operatively connected between said RF input and

said RF output.

5. The terminal device according to claim 4, wherein said RF

output comprises an RF switch.

6. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein said

channel access control circuitry comprises a television tuner connected between

said RF input and said RF output and connected in data receiving relation to

said microprocessor means.

7. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein said

selector means comprises an infra-red remote control and a co-operating infra-

red signal detector operatively connected to said microprocessor.

8. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said

video images comprise a plurality of video images contained within a television

program.

9. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said

video images comprise a plurality of video images contained within a pre¬

recorded movie video.

10. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said

video images comprise a plurality of video images contained within a video

game.