JPH02178795A - Charging system for rental software - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the selection of software by a user convenient, and to reduce trouble due to malfunction by charging a fee only when the use time of one round exceeds unit maximum freely usable time, or when accumulated use time exceeds total maximum freely usable time. CONSTITUTION:The unit maximum freely usable time and the total maximum freely usable time are prescribed, and when the use time of one round exceeds the unit maximum freely usable time or when the accumulated use time exceeds the total maximum freely usable time, the fee is charged. Accordingly, when the use time of one round does not exceed the unit maximum freely usable time, the fee is not charged unless the accumulated use time exceeds the total maximum freely usable time. Thus, sufficient time for the selection of the software can be secured, and besides, as for cooling-off time too, since the fee is charged if the use time exceeds the maximum freely usable time, the bad use of it can be prevented.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a billing system for paid software, and in particular to a method for charging paid software when using paid software such as video and audio provided in a CATV system of a hotel. Regarding billing method.

[Prior art]

For example, as a service at a hotel, CA
TV terminals are installed and video software is provided for a fee.

A ``service time'' is set up to allow users to select and view samples of paid software, and a ``cooling-off time'' is set up to allow users to defer charges after an erroneous payment confirmation. Both the service time and cooling off time are viewing time that is not charged.

Of this free viewing time, the service time first given to the user has conventionally been set as the maximum free viewing time per session (maximum free viewing time per unit) and the number of times.

As for the cooling-off time given after that, conventionally there have been methods in which only one channel can be viewed for, for example, one minute, and methods in which a cooling-off time is set for each paid TV.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]According to the conventional billing system, first of all, during service time, even if the viewing time of each video channel is very short, if you switch the video channel, the number of viewing times is treated as one time. The service time ends when the number of video channel changes reaches a predetermined number, so if the user has a large number of video software or video channels, the service time ends without having to watch all the video software. may end.

This poses a problem in that it is difficult to function as a sample viewing.

Furthermore, during the cooling-off time, in the above method, charges may be incurred as soon as the video channel is switched, which is harsh for the user. Also,
In the latter method, where a cooling-off time is set for each paid confirmation, after watching one video channel until the limit time, you can set another video channel, and then return to the previous video channel again to continue playing the same video software. There was a problem in that if you repeated this process, you could watch one video software till the end for free.

Therefore, one of the main objects of this invention is to provide a new billing system for paid software.

Another object of the invention is to ensure sufficient selection time.
The purpose is to provide a billing method for paid software.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a billing system for paid software that is not harsh on users as a cooling-off time and can prevent abuse.

[Means to solve the problem]

This invention stipulates the maximum free usage time per unit, defines the total maximum free usage time, and when one usage time exceeds the maximum free usage time per unit, or the cumulative usage time exceeds the total maximum free usage time. This is a billing method for paid software that charges you when the available time is exceeded.

[Effect]

In addition to the maximum unit free usage time, a total maximum free usage time is defined, eliminating the previous number limit. Therefore, if the usage time for one time does not exceed the unit maximum free usage time, no charge will be made unless the cumulative usage time exceeds the total maximum free usage time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to this invention, since it is determined whether or not to charge based on the usage time for each use and the cumulative usage time, compared to the case where there is a limit on the number of times as in the conventional charging method, there is a sufficient amount of time for software selection. You can secure enough time. Also,
If the cumulative usage time exceeds the total maximum free usage time, you will be charged regardless of whether it is the same software or not, so it is possible to prevent the cooling-off time from being misused.

The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

First, with reference to FIG. 2, an outline of a hotel CATV system to which the paid software billing method of the present invention can be applied will be described.

The CATV system 10 of this embodiment has a center controller r
1112, and a CRT 14 and a printer 16 are connected to the center control device 12.

Further, the video deck 20 that plays multiple video software at the same time is controlled by the video controller 18, and the video controller 18 receives information as to whether or not the video of each video channel is being displayed normally, that is, whether or not it is in a chargeable state. 18, the data is input to the center control device 12.

The video signals (including audio signals) of each video channel reproduced by the video deck 20 are outputted through the video controller 18, converted into television signals by the RF modulator 22, and then sent to the antenna 26 by the mixer 24. The signal is sent to the terminal 28 set in each guest room together with the general broadcast television signal received at the terminal 28.

Terminal 28 includes a tuner 30, and the output of tuner 30 is connected to a video monitor or television receiver (not shown). This tuner 30 is tuned and controlled by a control signal given from the CPU 34 via l1032. That is, when the user operates the switch 36,
A switch signal is applied to the CPU 34 through 11038, and the CPU 34 can select any video channel or general broadcast channel by adjusting the tuned wave number of the tuner 30.

A lamp 40 is connected to the CPU 34 via 17032, and this lamp 40 displays, for example, whether a video is being shown or not, or the pay status.

Note that the switch 36 includes not only the above-mentioned channel selection switch but also a charge confirmation switch and a power switch.

A data transmission system between the center device t2 and each terminal 28 is configured through the RF modem 42. Therefore, the center device 12 and each terminal 28 communicate through this transmission system.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

First, when the user turns on the power switch (not shown) of the switch 36 of the terminal 28, the video monitor (not shown) turns on.
When the television receiver (television receiver) is turned on to enable video display and then a video selection switch (not shown) is operated, an image corresponding to the video signal from the video deck 20 is displayed on the monitor.

The routine shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is as follows:
For example, configured as a timer-interrupted routine,
It should be pointed out in advance that this is executed in response to a timer clocked signal every second, for example.

In the first step Sl, a service timer formed in an appropriate area of the CPU 34 is reset. This service timer is a timer for counting the viewing time A for each viewing time, so in this step S1,
The count for that time A is set to °“0”°.

Subsequently, in step S3, the CPU 34 determines whether the user has operated a video channel selection switch (not shown) of the switch 34, that is, whether the video channel has been switched. If it is determined that the user has switched the video channel and started watching another video software, the process returns to step SL again.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the same video software is being viewed on the same video channel, the CPU 34 executes the next step S.
5, the above-mentioned time A is incremented (added by 1 second), and the cumulative viewing time B formed in another area of the CPU 34 and determined by a total service timer is incremented.

Then, in step S7, the CPU 34 determines whether the cumulative viewing time B exceeds a predefined total maximum free viewing time, that is, the total service time TST. This total service time TST is defined as, for example, 10 minutes.

If cumulative viewing time B is total service time TST
If it does not exceed , that is, BATST,
In step S9, the CPU 34 determines whether the time A exceeds the maximum free viewing time per session (unit maximum free viewing time), that is, the service time ST (A≧ST). Then, if the time A does not exceed the service time ST, the process returns to step S3 again.

Then, as long as the video channel is switched in step S3, or as long as the cumulative viewing time B does not exceed the total service time TST and the time A does not exceed the service time ST in step S7 or S9, the video channel can be viewed for free. It is.

However, even if the time A exceeds the service time ST in step S7, if another video channel is selected in step 311, the process returns to Sl again and the above-described process is repeated.

Then, when the video channel is not changed in step St1 even though the time A exceeds the service time ST in step S9, or in step S7, the cumulative viewing time B exceeds the total service time TST.
When the sample viewing time (free of charge) is exceeded, it is no longer possible to view the sample (free of charge), so in step 313, the CPU 34 sends a paid notification message such as "The viewing time from here on will be charged" from the appropriate telopper. Display.

After the paid notification message is displayed in this way, in step S15, the CPU 34 determines whether the power switch of the video monitor included in the switch 36 is turned off or the video channel switch is turned off and the general broadcast channel Determine whether the switch has been made. When the selection of the video channel is canceled or the video monitor itself is turned off by such a switch operation, the process returns to the first step S1 and waits for video viewing.

On the other hand, if no switch operation as described above is performed in step S15, the process moves to a ring-off time routine as shown in FIG. 1B.

First, in step 517, the user selects the switch 36
When the charge confirmation switch (not shown) included in the lamp 40 is operated to confirm the charge, the charge confirmation lamp included in the lamp 40 lights up.

In the next step 319, a cooling-off timer formed in an appropriate area of the CPU 34 is reset.

This cooling-off timer is a timer for counting the viewing time C for each viewing, and therefore, in this step S19, the count of the time C is set to 0''.

Subsequently, in step 321, the CPU 34 increments the above-mentioned time C, and the CPU 34
The total cooling-off timer is formed in a separate area to increment the cumulative viewing time.

Then, in step S23, the CPU 34 determines whether the cumulative viewing time exceeds a predefined maximum total free viewing time, that is, the total cooling off time TCOT. This total cooling off time TCOT is defined as, for example, 3 minutes.

If the cumulative viewing time does not exceed the total cooling off time TCOT, that is, if D<TCOT, in step S9, the CPU 34
It is determined whether or not the maximum free viewing time per session (unit maximum free viewing time), that is, the cooling off time COT has been exceeded (C≧COT). and,
If the time C does not exceed the cooling-off time COT, the process returns to step S21 via step S27.

Cooling-off is then possible as long as the video channel is switched in step S27 or as long as the cumulative viewing time C does not exceed the total cooling-off time TCOT and the time C does not exceed the cooling-off time COT in step 323 or S25. . In this case, the user only has to operate a cooling off switch (not shown).

Then, when the time C exceeds the cooling off time COT in step S25, or in step S323
The cumulative viewing time is the total cooling off time TC.
When the OT is exceeded, cooling-off is no longer possible, so in step S27, the CPU 34 displays a billing start message such as "We will calculate the charges now" from an appropriate telopper, and then calculates the billing data. calculate.

In this way, in this embodiment, both service time and cooling off time are applied when one usage time exceeds the unit maximum free usage time or when the cumulative usage time exceeds the total maximum free usage time. Since the system is configured to charge only for the software, it is more convenient for the user to select software than in the prior art, and the possibility of troubles due to erroneous operations can be reduced.

Note that the present invention is applicable to any paid software provision system other than the above-mentioned CATV system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a CATV system to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure, 10 is a CATV system, 12 is a center device, 18 is a video controller, 20 is a video deck, 28 is a terminal, 30 is a tuner, and 34 is a CPU. Figure 1A Patent Applicant Funai Electric Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Yama 1) Yoshito Figure 1B

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A unit maximum free usage time is defined, a total maximum free usage time is defined, and when one usage time exceeds the unit maximum free usage time, or the cumulative usage time A billing method for paid software that charges a fee when the total maximum free usage time is exceeded. 2. The paid software billing method according to claim 1, wherein the maximum free usage time is service time. 3. The billing method for paid software according to claim 1, wherein the maximum free usage time is a cooling off time.