JP2003308411A - Information provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with correction) [PROBLEMS] To provide an information providing apparatus which can provide a user with further improved operability and can easily maintain the apparatus. SOLUTION: In an information providing apparatus including a tuner 412, a storage device 413, a display 403, and a printer 409, holding information received by the tuner 412 is stored in a storage device 41.
3 based on the data extraction means stored in the storage unit 413 and the betting ceremony of the race track, the race number, and the odds information to be obtained for each race number of the race track in units of the race date based on the race information stored in the storage device 413. Display control means for displaying, on the display 403, an odds information section to be displayed, a news section, and a print section instructing the printing of odds information on the display 403, and the selected bet-type odds information according to the instructions in the print section.
09, and a print control unit for outputting the result to the control unit 09.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus for providing a user with various information including odds information in horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in hosting a race such as a horse race, a bicycle race, or a boat race, a user (fan) is provided with race holding information such as odds (approximate dividend rate) information and performance information.

As a device for providing such race event information, a device using a monitor device is conventionally known.

Recently, in horse racing, in addition to the conventional frame number, a wide variety of betting methods such as wide are adopted.
In the method of providing information to a large number of users with the above-described monitor device, when trying to provide odds information corresponding to various betting methods, there is a problem that the user cannot easily confirm because the display becomes small. there were.

In order to solve such a problem, an odds information output device is known as a device for providing odds information of a desired race for each user, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 32215445 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-295305). .

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional odds information output device, an erroneous operation is performed because a predetermined operation procedure is executed while operating the keyboard or switch while looking at the display screen. There were many cases, and there were aspects that did not correspond to the convenience of the user.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus which can provide the user with information with further improved operability and can easily perform maintenance of the apparatus.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an information providing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing the event information, and In an information providing device equipped with a display for displaying event information and a printer for printing the event information, data extraction means for storing event information received by the tuner in the storage device, and event information stored in the storage device. Based on the information, the odds information column that lists the race place, the race number, and the betting ceremony of the odds information to be acquired for each race number of the corresponding race place based on the date of the race, and the news related to the race are shown in letters. A news column, display control means for displaying a print column for instructing printing of the odds information selected by the user on the display, and the printing According to the instructions in which the odds information of the selected bet type and a print control means for outputting to the printer.

According to the present invention, the user can select the odds relating to a desired race from the held information displayed in a list and can print the odds information of the selected race. It is possible to provide an information providing apparatus with improved operability for a person.

According to another aspect of the invention, a tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing the event information including the event information, a display device for displaying the event information, and a card for handling cards. In an information providing device including a reader / writer and a printer that prints the provided information, a data extraction unit that stores the event information received by the tuner in the storage device, and maintenance target information are set and stored in the storage device. (Information setting means), maintenance means for performing maintenance of the maintenance target information, card reader / writer control means for determining the type of the card inserted in the card reader / writer, and the storage means according to the type of the card Either the event information or maintenance target information stored in Is obtained by a Shimesuru display control means.

Since the present invention has a maintenance function for various information such as information for controlling the operation of the information providing apparatus, it is possible to easily perform maintenance at the time of a failure for each apparatus.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, the race is held as a horse race,
This is an example of an apparatus that extracts holding information such as odds information from teletext data distributed from a plurality of centers and provides the holding information to horse racing users by using a prepaid card.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of centers 100A as centers for handling various information related to holding horse races.
It is connected to the racetrack 300A and the out-of-place betting ticket section 300B via the network 200.

The race holding information providing device 40 of this embodiment
In No. 0, one or more machines are installed in the horse racetrack 300A and the out-of-place betting ticket counter 300B, the teletext data distributed from the east center 100A and the west center 100A is received via the network 200, and the odds information ( Approximate dividend rate), venue (race ground), race information such as race number, betting ceremony type information, race results, horse information such as horse weight, and other event information is extracted and provided to users of this device. provide.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information providing apparatus 400 of this embodiment has a base 401 and a housing 402.

The casing 402 has an LCD 403 with a touch panel switch for receiving a display for selection of odds information from the user and a selection, and a call button 405 for calling a clerk when a problem occurs in this machine. A button 404, a card reader / writer (R / W) 406 into which, for example, a prepaid card is inserted to pay for the provision of printing of odds information by this machine, a door key 407 for opening and closing the door for internal inspection of this machine, A speaker 408 for notifying the user of the operation procedure by voice or a voice for calling a staff member, a printer 409 for outputting odds information and the like on paper, and an outlet 410 for the user to take out the odds information print output on paper. It is provided.

The housing 402 is equipped with the hardware shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, an LCD (display device) 40 with a touch panel switch shown in FIG.
3, a call button 404, a card R / W 406, a speaker 408, and a printer 409 are connected.

The bus 411 is connected to the network 200.
A tuner 412 for receiving teletext data distributed from the center 100A via the storage unit, and a memory for storing the teletext data received by the tuner 412 and each data processed and created by each means configured by software described later. The device 413 is connected.

The storage device 413 has the following files.

A management file that stores the information reception status of the event information received from the teletext tuner 412, the type of betting formula attached to the odds information (approximate payout rate) of each race included in the event information, and the type of each betting formula Odds essentials file that stores the release requirements (release status etc.) for each race, horse weight file that stores the horse weight of the horses participating in the race, odds file that stores the odds information of each race, the results of each race (race record) ) Is stored, a guidance file that stores guidance information that indicates the operation procedure of the information providing device, a reception trace file that stores a trace of event information received from the teletext tuner 412, and system information of the information providing device ( Device date and time, device identification number, operating time, etc. and device operation management information (information for controlling device operation Operation management file for storing the accounting information file, statistical information file for storing statistical information such as the usage of the cards for storing charging information of the print service, the error log file for storing error logging apparatus,
It has a card usage history file that stores card history information for confirming the validity of the inserted card.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the software configuration comprises a general-purpose OS 20, application software and middleware 30. The application software and the middleware 30 set operation control information for controlling the operation of this apparatus (information setting means) 301 and the teletext data from the center received by the tuner 412 shown in FIG. Data extracting means 302 having an extracting function and an error control function of teletext data received based on the operation control information set by the (information setting means) 301, and a card R shown in FIG.
R / W control means having a read / write function of a card inserted into the / W406, a state of the card R / W406, and a fault monitoring function based on the operation control information set by the (information setting means) 301. A print control unit 30 having a function 303 of transmitting print data to the printer shown in FIG. 3 and a monitoring function of monitoring the printer based on the operation control information set by the (information setting unit) 301 shown in FIG.
4, a function of transmitting display data to the LCD (display device) 403 with a touch panel switch shown in FIG. 3, a function of receiving input data from the display device, and the (information setting means) 3 described above.
In the display control unit 305 having a display control function for performing display control based on the operation control information set in 01, the data extraction unit 302, the card R / W control unit 303, the print control unit 304, and the display control unit 305. An alarm notification means 306 for notifying an employee based on monitoring, a charge for calculating a charge based on the control information set by the (information setting means) 301 and the user's instruction content received by the display control means 305. A calculation means 308 and a maintenance means 309 for referring to and changing each control information set by the (information setting means) 301 are provided.

The (information setting means) 301, the data extraction means 302, the card R / W control means 303, the print control means 304, and the display control means 305 are the storage device 41 shown in FIG.
It also has the function of reading and writing information from and to the 3rd party.

Next, the operation of the information providing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a mechanism for providing event information to the user and a mechanism for providing maintenance information for the information providing apparatus. First, the operation regarding the mechanism for providing event information to the user will be described with reference to FIG. Will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device.

First, when the user stands in front of the information providing device, the display control means 305 causes the data extraction means 302 to operate.
From the management file, the odds summary file, the horse weight file, the race performance file, and the guidance file stored in the storage device 413, the holding information and the guidance information are read out and the reception screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. (Step S1). The reception screen shown in FIG. 6 is a screen for providing holding information to the user, and an odds information column 51 provided to the user as information to be printed from this apparatus.
0, the provided information content display column 520 indicating when the information displayed in the odds information column 510 is information regarding the race to be held, the switching column 530 for switching the provided information displayed in the odds information column 510, the operation procedure, etc. , A card information column 550A that displays the balance of the inserted prepaid card, a printing fee column 550B that displays the printing fee specified by the user, and a status display column 560 that shows the status of the information providing device. I have it.

Specifically, the odds information column 510 displays, for example, three racetracks held on the same day on the vertical axis and the race numbers of, for example, 12 races on each horizontal axis on the horizontal axis, with the race day as a unit. , Betting formula type information for each race at each race place is displayed in the corresponding column. Examples of the display contents of the betting type type information include, for example, one or more combinations of a win, a multi-win, a frame run, a horse run, a wide, a horse run, and a triple run, with or without horse weight, and printing of odds. This is the fee. In addition, the race deadline is displayed in the corresponding column of the race where the sale of the betting ticket is finished, and when the race is finished, the race performance is displayed in the corresponding column of the race. Since this display screen is composed of the LCD 403 with a touch panel switch, the operator can recognize the instruction content by touching the corresponding column in which the race number and the like displayed on the screen are displayed with his / her finger. .

The provided information display field 520 indicates when the currently displayed event information is information regarding the race to be held, and here it indicates that the information on the race to be held on the day is displayed.

The switching column 530 is for changing the information displayed in the odds information column 510, and when the information of the race to be held on the next day is to be displayed, the "previous day button" currently displayed. , The display switches to the information about the race to be held on the next day, and similar information is displayed.

The guidance column 540 provides the guidance file guidance information stored in the storage device 413 by the display control means 305 to the user of this device regarding the operating procedure (selection and printing of odds information) of this device. Read out and display characters.

In the card information column 550A, the card R / W control means 303 reads and displays the remaining amount of the prepaid card inserted in the card R / W 406 by the user, and in the printing fee column 550B, the fee for printing is displayed. The display control means 305 extracts the charge information file stored in the storage device 413 and displays the charge amount.

The status display field 560 clearly indicates whether the current operation is selection of odds information, handling such as printing or handling such as maintenance.

Then, the user inserts a prepaid card in which a charge for using the information providing device is set in advance in the card R / W 406 according to the display content of the guidance field 540 (step S2), and the card R / W Control means 30
The validity of the card inserted in 3 is checked (step S3). Specifically, the prepaid card includes an identifier (identification information of available services (for example, horse race, bicycle race,
Code that indicates which service such as boat racing is available), card type, card number (date of card creation, serial number),
The card amount (initial amount at the time of creation, remaining amount), updated usage date (last usage date), and device number used are encrypted and stored. In addition, the encrypted information can be read by the card R / W.
Key information for decryption is stored in the control means. Similarly, in the card usage history file of the storage device 413, an identifier (identification information of available services (for example,
Code indicating which service such as horse racing, bicycle race, boat racing, etc. can be used), card type, card number (date of card creation, serial number), card amount (initial amount at the time of creation, balance),
Since the update information (last use date, time), the device number used, and the decryption key for decrypting various information encrypted and written on the card are stored, the card R /
The information stored in the usage history file is read by the w control means, decrypted using the decryption key, the various information written on the card is compared with the information in the usage history file, and if they match, a copy is made. Judged as a fraudulent card,
The card is discharged from the card R / W 406 as unusable. If it is judged to be correct by this confirmation of the correctness, the remaining amount of the prepaid card or the like is confirmed, and if usable, the operation screen shown in FIG. 7 is subsequently displayed. Note that the information to be compared does not necessarily have to be compared with all the above information, and at least the validity can be determined by comparing with the device number used, the update information, and the card amount. On the other hand, when the inserted card is insufficient due to the remaining amount of money or the card cannot be used because it is out of service usage (identifier error) of this apparatus, the card is ejected and the card is prompted to be reinserted. When the same card that cannot be used is inserted again, an error or the like is determined based on the number of retries set in the operation management file of the storage device 413 by the (information setting means) 301.

The operation screen shown in FIG. 7 includes the selected race fields 570A, 570B, 57 in addition to the acceptance screen shown in FIG.
0C, operation content display column 580A, news column 580B
The cancel column 590A is displayed, the balance of the inserted prepaid card is calculated, and the balance is displayed in the card information column 550A as shown in the figure. The selected race column 570 is the odds information 5 displayed on the operation screen by the user.
It has a display field for displaying the total number of races 570A selected from 10, the number of choices 570B in the race on the day, and the number of choices 570C in the race on the previous day. Operation content display field 580A
Displays the contents actually operated by the user. In the news column 580B, among the text broadcasts extracted from the data extracting means 302 and stored in the storage device 413 and provided from the center 100A, news relating to the race, for example, “Kyoto Racecourse 4/6 (Sat)”. R5 has been canceled. "And the like are indicated by characters by the display control means 305. The user has the operation content display column 580A and the news column 58.
By referring to 0B, it is possible to immediately grasp the information about the actual operation contents and the race holding.

The cancel column 590A is a button for canceling the current operation. When this button is pressed, the display control means 305 returns to the acceptance screen (FIG. 6).

Then, the user designates the display column in which the race desired to be printed is displayed from the odds information column 510 according to the display content of the guidance column 540 (step S
4) As shown in FIG. 8, the corresponding column of the odds information column 510 in which the selected race is displayed is highlighted (hatched in the figure) and the selected race columns 570A and 570 are displayed.
In B and 570C, the total number of races of the selected odds information, the number of races selected on the current day, and the number of races selected on the previous day are displayed. Here, as shown by 570A and 570B in the figure, two races are selected as a whole, and the breakdown indicates that the odds information is about the race on the day. Then, the operation content is displayed in the operation content display field 580A.
Then, the charge calculation means 307 calculates the usage charge,
The charge in the print charge column 550B is displayed (step S
5). In this case, "Kyoto Racecourse 4/6 (Sat) 4R has been selected" is displayed. Further, a print execution field 590B for printing the selected odds information is displayed.

Next, when the user operates the touch panel switch of the LCD 403 with the touch panel switch to instruct the execution of printing of the odds information (step S6), the status "printing" is displayed in the guidance field 540 as shown in FIG. In addition to being displayed, the operation content display field 580A similarly displays that "printing". Then, the print control unit 304 extracts the odds information corresponding to the race designated by the user from the odds file of the storage device 413, prints the odds information shown in FIG. 10, and outputs it from the printer 407 (step S7). Then, the printing fee calculated by the fee calculation means 307 is settled from the inserted prepaid card, and the card R / W control means 30.
In the card 4, write the updated information such as the card amount, the updated date of use, the device number used, etc. to the card R / W4
Eject the card from 06. On the other hand, the cancel column 590
When A is instructed, printing is not performed, the operation up to that point is canceled, and the display control unit 305 returns to the reception screen (FIG. 6).

FIG. 10 shows a print example 600 of the odds information when printing is executed in the print execution column 590B.
Reference numeral 1 is a print example 601 of the same result information.

When the user is in the middle of operating this device and is judged to be abnormal in relation to each setting in this device stored in the operation management file of the storage device 413, the alarm notification means 306. At this time, the staff member is notified to the maintenance center on standby, and as shown in FIG.
In 40, for example, a message such as “Calling an attendant while calling. Please wait for a while” is displayed by the display means 305 based on the guidance file, and
The status display field 560 switches to "calling". If a problem occurs during the operation of the user other than the abnormality based on the setting in the device, the user presses the call button 405 to be notified to the maintenance center, and the display contents of the guidance field 540 and the like are also the same. Switch to.

Further, with respect to the processing for confirming the authenticity of the card in step 3, the following security is further strengthened.

Each information providing device stores unique first key information and fixed second key information generated each time information is written to the prepaid card. And this unique first key information and fixed second
Various information (identifier, card type, card number, card amount, renewal use date, device number used) to be written in the prepaid card is encrypted and written in the card using the third key information generated from the key information. On the card, in addition to various encrypted information, as key information for writing to the card,
The fourth key information generated from the first key information and the second key information is written. Note that the writing of various information to the prepaid card is performed at the time when the printing is completed and the payment is completed.

When the various information written in the encrypted card is restored, the first key is obtained by using the fourth key information read from the card and the second key information stored in the device. Information is generated, third key information is generated from the generated first key information and second key information, and various information written in the card is decrypted using this third key information. It is a mechanism to read the contents.

In the present embodiment, the card usage history file is stored in the storage device of each information providing device,
For example, although it has been explained that the number of histories to be held is determined and collation is performed within the range of histories stored in the storage device. If the system does not manage the history information in the storage device of the device in which the card is inserted, the system will be managed collectively, and the card usage history of other information providing devices managed by the centralized center will be read and verified. With this mechanism, it is possible to confirm the correctness more accurately.

As described above, in this apparatus, when printing the odds information, the holding information and the holding race are displayed on the matrix on the display screen. Therefore, the user can hold a plurality of holding information items to be printed at one time. Is displayed, the guidance and details of the operation are displayed, so that the user can confirm the operation. Further, for example, information regarding the event information such as the cancellation of the event race is displayed, so that the change in the situation can be immediately understood.

Further, by comparing the information written on the card with the usage history of the card stored in the device, it is possible to exclude the use of an illegal card, and the information in the card is encrypted and written and encrypted. Since the mechanism for changing the activation key at random can make it difficult to decipher the information written on the card, it is possible to further prevent the use of an unauthorized card.

Next, the operation of the mechanism for providing the maintenance information of the information providing device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the maintenance operation of the information providing device. When the clerk inserts the maintenance card into the card R / W 406 (step T1) while the power supply of the information providing device is ON, the card R / W control unit 303 transmits the maintenance card via the display control unit 305 based on the type of the inserted card. Each information is read from the operation management file of the storage device 413 and the maintenance main screen 700 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed (step T2).

The maintenance main screen 700 has a display guidance column 710 and a date column 72 showing the time in the information providing apparatus.
0, and a test print execution column 73 for test printing when the printing paper provided in the information providing device is replaced
0C, a log print execution column 730A for printing an error log relating to a device failure recorded in the device, and an all log print execution column 730B for printing all logs recorded in the device. , 740A number of users on the day showing usage statistics of this device such as prepaid cards (for sale) and maintenance cards used by users, maintenance cards, cutters for cutting printing paper, etc. A total number 740B, a statistics column 740 configured by the number of uses 740C within the period set in the device, and a maintenance item column 7 indicating maintenance items included in the device
50A to 750J and a guidance field 760 are provided.

Here, the statistics column 740 will be specifically described. This statistic column 740 shows the usage status of this device, and is a prepaid card in which the charge for using this device owned by the user has been set in advance, or a maintenance card used by a person in charge when performing maintenance. When the card is inserted into the card R / W 406 of this device,
The number of cards used, which is counted and recorded in the storage device 413 by the W control unit 303, the number of times the print paper is cut out when the odds information is printed out according to the user's operation, and the total number of uses of the device This is a field for displaying statistical values (including the case where the operation of the apparatus is canceled midway).
In addition, each value is the card R / W of this device for the card.
When a card is inserted into 406, the cutter counts and records in the apparatus when the printing paper is cut through the print control unit 304. And each statistic is
740A of the number of use on the day with the number for each day as the number for that day
In addition, the cumulative usage number 740B is displayed as the usage number from the time when the present apparatus operates to the current day, and the cyclic usage number 740C is displayed as the usage number within the cycle set in the present apparatus.

Subsequently, maintenance item columns 750A-7
50J will be specifically described. The maintenance items are maintenance information indicating the contents of maintenance, and are roughly classified into log print, operation control information print, change of operation control setting information, test print, system save / restore (information save), and trace operation setting.

The log printing corresponds to the log printing 730A and the all log printing 730B described above, and the operation control information printing corresponds to the operation control information printing of the maintenance item 750A. To change the operation control setting information, change the system information 750B,
The operation management setting change 750C, the statistical information change 750D, and the accounting degree change 750E correspond. System save / restore is system information save 750F, system restore 750G
Is applicable, and the trace operation setting is trace stop 750.
H and trace save 750I correspond.

The log print item 730 from the maintenance item of the maintenance main screen 700 in which the staff member is displayed on the screen.
When A or 730B is instructed, in the case of log printing 730A, (step T3), the maintenance means 308 reads the error log relating to the failure information of the apparatus from the error log file stored in the storage device 413, and the print control means 304 is used. The error log is printed from the printer 409. In the case of all log printing 730B, all the logs stored in the error log file are read and printed. (Step T4).

When the operation control information print 750A is instructed from the maintenance item of the maintenance main screen 700, (step T5) (information setting means) 301 is set, and the operation management file and the charging information file of the storage device 413 are set. , Statistical information file to maintenance means 3
08, the statistical information displayed in the statistics column 740, the date and time of the present apparatus, which will be described later, the apparatus number for identifying the apparatus, the system information of the operating hours (usually, extension) of the apparatus, etc., System operation management information (for example, setting time such as returning to the initial screen as an error if the user does not operate for a certain period of time when using this device, and how many times user's operation error is acknowledged) The print service charge (charging frequency) of the odds information for the user is read, and the system information 800 or 801 shown in FIG. 15 or 16 is printed out from the printer 409 via the print control unit 304 (step T6).

When the maintenance information on the maintenance main screen 700 is instructed to change the setting information, that is, change the system information 750B, change the operation management setting 750C, change the statistical information 750D, or change the charging degree 750E (step T7). The following screens are displayed (step T8), and the setting values are changed and updated by changing the setting data on each screen (step T9). Specifically, this system information change field 750 is selected by selecting the touch panel switch of the LCD 403 with the touch panel switch.
When B is instructed, the maintenance means 308 reads the system information from the operation management file of the storage device 413, and displays the system information change screen 701 shown in FIG. 17 via the display control means 305. The system information displayed on the screen 701 is the maintenance means 308.
Can be changed by.

That is, in the news column 580 of the date and time of this device, the device number for identifying the device, the operating time (usually an extension) such as the operating time of this device, and the holding information provided to the user. It is possible to change the settings such as whether to display teletext data such as race information to be displayed.

When the operation management setting change field 750C is designated by selecting the touch panel switch of the LCD 403 with touch panel switch, the maintenance means 308 reads the operation management information from the operation management file of the storage device 413, and the display control means 305 is used. The operation management setting change screen 702 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. And the screen 7
The operation management settings displayed in 02 can be changed by the maintenance unit 308.

That is, the customer operation waiting time showing the data reception interruption time for setting the time-out state when the reception of the teletext received from the center is interrupted, and the operation monitoring time after the user inserts it into the card R / W 406. , The number of retries for waiting for a customer operation, which indicates the number of times voice guidance prompts the user to perform an operation if not operated within this customer operation waiting time, and the number of retries for reading a card inserted in the card R / W 406 by the user. Settings such as the number of magnetic card error retries shown and the maximum number of selected races indicating the maximum number of races that the user can select (print designation selection) in one service can be changed.

By selecting the touch panel switch of the LCD 403 with the touch panel switch, this statistical information change field 75
When 0D is designated, the maintenance means 308 reads the statistical information from the statistical information file of the storage device 413,
The statistical information change screen 703 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed via the display control means 305. Then, the statistical information displayed on the screen 703 can be updated by the maintenance means 308.

That is, the number of card usages recorded by this apparatus, the number of times printing paper is cut out, and the total number of usages of this apparatus (including the case of canceling the operation of this apparatus) It is possible to change the cumulative total number of use from the first day to the current day, the statistical information of the number of periodic use within the period set in the device, and initialize the periodic statistical value.

When the charge degree change is instructed by selecting the touch panel switch of the LCD 403 with touch panel switch, the charge degree change screen 704 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed, and the charge degree displayed on the screen 704 can be changed.

When the test printing item 730C is designated from the maintenance item on the maintenance main screen 700 when the printing paper provided in the information providing apparatus is replaced (step T10), the test control means 304 performs the test printing (step T10). T11).

When the system save / restore, that is, the system save 750F and the system restore 750G is instructed from the maintenance items of the maintenance main screen 700 (step T12), and the system save is performed by the maintenance means 308 in the storage device. The system information is read from the operation management file stored in 413 and stored in the flexible disk (step T13). In the case of system restoration, the maintenance means 308 restores the system information from the flexible disk saved in the system saving (step T14).

When the trace operation setting, that is, the trace stop 750H or the trace save 750I is instructed from the maintenance item of the maintenance main screen 700 (step T15), the trace operation setting is performed (step T16). Specifically, trace stop 750
When H is instructed, the maintenance means 308 sets or stops the trace of the teletext data. Each time the trace stop field 750H is pressed, the trace is activated or stopped. Trace save 750
When I is instructed, the maintenance means 308 reads the race information from the trace file of the storage device 413 and saves the trace data collected on the current day in the preset storage device.

When the maintenance completion 750J on the maintenance main screen 700 is instructed, the maintenance is completed and the screen is switched to the information presentation screen for the user (step T).
17).

Initial settings such as the cycle of the statistical information of the maintenance target information, the presence / absence of recording of log information, system information, operation management, accounting degree, etc. are set in advance for each information providing apparatus (information setting means) 301. The maintenance means 308 can be used to change, for example, setting values that have been initialized in advance for each device on the screen of the device.

Regarding the operation of the user based on the screen for providing the holding information provided to the user, based on the set value set by the (information setting means) 301 and stored in the storage device 413 of each device. Each control means (data extraction means 302, card R / W control means 303, print control means 3
04, the display control means 305) controls the operation. For example, regarding the operation of use, if the operation error is set up to three times, if the input error occurs three times, the display control unit 305 controls the operation to be unnecessary, and the access of the user is also performed, for example. When there is no access for 1 minute, control such as returning to the initial reception screen (FIG. 6) is performed. In this way, when it is determined that there is a failure in relation to the set value, the alarm notifying means 306 notifies the maintenance center where the staff member is on standby. Based on this notification, the clerk will perform maintenance on the relevant device.

Further, for example, when the number of cuts of the print paper exceeds the set number, the print control means 304 notifies the maintenance center through the alarm notifying means 307 and, as shown in FIG. The display control unit 305 displays a bar of the remaining amount of the printing paper in the printing paper remaining amount display field 550C on the holding information providing screen 700 for the user. Therefore, the clerk can visually recognize the remaining amount on the display screen of the device.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can use the card R / W for the prepaid card applied to the present apparatus.
It is possible to print desired odds information on the screens shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 and FIG. 12 by inserting it in 406 and sequentially performing the display of the LCD 403 with a touch panel switch and the selection operation of the touch panel switch in an interactive manner. It will be possible.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the staff member uses the card R / W 406 for the maintenance card applied to this apparatus.
L in the interactive mode with a touch panel switch
By sequentially displaying the CD 403 and selecting the touch panel switch, desired maintenance information can be confirmed and changed on the maintenance screens shown in FIGS. 14 and 17 to 20.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the screen is generated and displayed by using the general-purpose OS, the screens related to the odds information shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 and FIG. It can be changed as desired, and even if a new betting formula is adopted, it can be easily dealt with. Similarly, since the general-purpose OS is used to generate and display the screen, the maintenance screen and its columns shown in FIGS. 14 and 17 to 20 can be changed as desired.

In the present embodiment, the information providing apparatus has been described by taking the horse race holding information providing service as an example. However, the information providing apparatus is not limited to this. It can also be applied to an information providing device that provides various types of information (event information, restaurant information, map information, vehicles (trains, buses, etc.)) provided to users installed in facilities, stores and the like. In this case, the information provided to the user is stored in the storage device 413 in advance, the data extraction unit 302 extracts the provided information from the storage device 413, and the display unit 403 is displayed via the display control unit 305.
Various information is displayed on. The maintenance information indicating the content of the maintenance is basically the same as the above, and the charging information is not included when the information is provided free of charge. Further, in the above description, the information provision using a card has been described as an example. However, when the card is not used, the statistical information on the card use and the statistical information on the printing when the printing function is not included are not included.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can select the odds relating to the desired race from the holding information displayed in the information providing device, and the odds of the selected race. You can print the information, so
Operability is further improved for the user.

Further, since a maintenance function relating to the information for controlling the operation of the information providing device is provided, it is possible to easily perform maintenance for each device at the time of a failure, etc. Furthermore, it is used in using the information providing device. Since the security of the card is strengthened, it is possible to eliminate the use of fraudulent cards.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an installation form of a holding information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the holding information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a holding information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a software configuration of the holding information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of providing event information of the event information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of printed meeting information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of printed result information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a maintenance function of the holding information providing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen during maintenance of the device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a print output during maintenance of the apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a printout at the time of maintenance of the apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of maintenance of the device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of maintenance of the device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of maintenance of the device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen at the time of maintenance of the apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen when the holding information is provided by the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

400 ... Race information providing device 401 ... stand 402 ... Housing 403 ... LCD with touch panel switch 404 ... Call button 406 ... Card R / W 407 ... Open / close door key 408 ... Speaker 409 ... Printer 410 ... Exit 500 ... Held information screen 510 ... odds information column 520 ... Information provision content display column 530 ... Switching column 540 ... Guidance column 550A ... Card information field 550B ... Printing fee column 560 ... Status display column 570 ... Selected race field 580A ... Operation content display column 580B ... News section 590A ... Cancellation column 590B ... Print execution column 700 ... Main maintenance screen 710 ... Display guidance column 720 ... Date column 730A, 730B, 730C ... Print execution column 740A, 740B, 740C ... Card statistics column 750A to 750J ... Maintenance item column 760 ... Guidance column

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 10, 2003 (2003.4.1)
0)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

According to another aspect of the invention, a tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing the event information including the event information, a display device for displaying the event information, and a card for handling cards. In an information providing device including a reader / writer and a printer that prints the provided information, a data extraction unit that stores the event information received by the tuner in the storage device, and maintenance target information are set and stored in the storage device. Information setting
Means , maintenance means for performing maintenance of the maintenance target information, card reader / writer control means for determining the type of the card inserted in the card reader / writer, and storage means stored in the storage means according to the type of the card. Display control means for displaying either the holding information or the maintenance target information on the display is provided.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the software configuration comprises a general-purpose OS 20, application software and middleware 30. The application software and the middleware 30 are information setting means 301 for setting operation control information for controlling the operation of the apparatus and FIG.
The function of extracting the holding information such as odds information from the teletext data from the center received by the tuner 412 and the error control function of the teletext data received based on the operation control information set by the information setting means 301 are shown in FIG. The data extracting means 302 provided and the card R / W 40 shown in FIG.
6 card read / write function and card R / W4
A card R / W control means 303 having a monitoring function for performing failure monitoring based on the state of 06 and operation control information set by the information setting means 301; and a function of transmitting print data to the printer shown in FIG. The display data is transmitted to the print control unit 304 having a monitoring function for monitoring the printer based on the operation control information set by the information setting unit 301 and the LCD (display device) 403 with a touch panel switch shown in FIG. Display control means 305 having a function and a function of receiving input data from the display and a display control function of performing display control based on the operation control information set by the information setting means 301, a data extraction means 302, a card Alarm notifying means for notifying an attendant based on the monitoring by the R / W control means 303, the print control means 304, and the display control means 305. 06, billing means 308 for calculating a fee based on the instruction contents of the user with the received control information set by the information setting unit 301 in the display control unit 305, each of which is set by the information setting means 301 Maintenance means 309 for referring to and changing control information
It has and.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Information setting means 301, data extraction means 302, card R / W control means 303, print control means 3
04, the display control means 305 is the storage device 413 shown in FIG.
It also has a function to read and write information to and from.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Then, the user inserts a prepaid card in which a charge for using the information providing device is set in advance in the card R / W 406 according to the display content of the guidance field 540 (step S2), and the card R / W Control means 30
The validity of the card inserted in 3 is checked (step S3). Specifically, the prepaid card includes an identifier (identification information of available services (for example, horse race, bicycle race,
Code that indicates which service such as boat racing is available), card type, card number (date of card creation, serial number),
The card amount (initial amount at the time of creation, remaining amount), updated usage date (last usage date), and device number used are encrypted and stored. In addition, the encrypted information can be read by the card R / W.
Key information for decryption is stored in the control means. Similarly, in the card usage history file of the storage device 413, an identifier (identification information of available services (for example,
Code indicating which service such as horse racing, bicycle race, boat racing, etc. can be used), card type, card number (date of card creation, serial number), card amount (initial amount at the time of creation, balance),
Since the update information (last use date, time), device number used, and a decryption key for decrypting various information encrypted and written on the card are stored, the card R /
The information stored in the usage history file is read by the w control means, decrypted using the decryption key, the various information written on the card is compared with the information in the usage history file, and if they match, a copy is made. Judged as a fraudulent card,
The card is discharged from the card R / W 406 as unusable. If it is judged to be correct by this confirmation of the correctness, the remaining amount of the prepaid card or the like is confirmed, and if it is usable, the operation screen shown in FIG. 7 is subsequently displayed. The information to be compared does not necessarily have to be compared with all the above information, and at least the validity can be determined by comparing with the device number used, the update information, and the card amount. On the other hand, if the inserted card is not available due to insufficient remaining money or is not applicable to the service of this apparatus (identifier error), the card is ejected to prompt reinsertion of the card. If the same card that cannot be used is inserted again, the information setting
The means 301 determines an error or the like based on the number of retries set in the operation management file of the storage device 413.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0052

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

When the operation control information print 750A is instructed from the maintenance item on the maintenance main screen 700 (step T5), it is set by the information setting means 301, and the operation management file, billing information file, and statistics of the storage device 413 are set. Information file to maintenance means 308
, The statistical information displayed in the statistics column 740, the date and time of the present apparatus, which will be described later, the apparatus number for identifying the apparatus, the system information of the business hours (usually, extension) such as the operating time of the apparatus, and the system. Operation management information (for example, the setting time such as returning to the initial screen as an error if the user does not operate for a certain period of time when using this device, and the number of settings such as how many times user's operation error is acknowledged) Etc.) The print service charge (charge rate) of the odds information for the user is read out, and the system information 800 or 801 shown in FIG. 15 or 16 is printed out from the printer 409 via the print control means 304 (step T6).

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0065

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Regarding the operation of the user based on the screen for providing the holding information provided to the user, the information setting means 3
01 and the control means (data extraction means 30) based on the set values stored in the storage device 413 of each device.
2, card R / W control means 303, print control means 30
4. The operation is controlled by the display control means 305). For example, regarding the operation of use, if the operation error is set up to three times, if the input error occurs three times, the display control unit 305 controls the operation to be unnecessary, and the access of the user is also performed, for example. If there is no access for 1 minute,
Control such as returning to the initial reception screen (FIG. 6) is performed. In this way, when it is determined that there is a failure in relation to the set value, the alarm notifying means 306 notifies the maintenance center where the staff member is on standby. Based on this notification, the clerk will perform maintenance on the relevant device.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor S. Nakamura             6-11-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo All over Japan             Central Horse Racing Roppongi Office (72) Inventor Yasuo Tobisaka             Eidai Da 1-14-5 Eiyo, Koto-ku, Tokyo             Ear Building Nihon Totally Zeta Co., Ltd.             Company office (72) Inventor Shuichi Mimura             Eidai Da 1-14-5 Eiyo, Koto-ku, Tokyo             Ear Building Nihon Totally Zeta Co., Ltd.             Company office (72) Inventor Ryuji Kishi             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office F-term (reference) 5B058 CA01 CA31 KA35 YA06

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Information provision comprising a tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing the event information, a display for displaying the event information, and a printer for printing the event information. In the device, a data extraction unit that stores the event information received by the tuner in the storage device, and based on the event information stored in the storage device, a race track, a race number, and a corresponding race track in units of race dates. An odds information column that displays a bet type of odds information to be acquired for each race number, a news column that shows the news related to the race in letters in text, and an instruction to print the odds information of the betting type selected by the user Display control means for displaying a print column on the display, and output to the printer the odds information of the selected betting type according to the print instruction. An information providing apparatus, comprising: 2. A tuner that extracts event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device that stores the event information, a display that displays the event information, a card reader / writer that handles cards, and the event information is printed. In an information providing device equipped with a printer, a data extraction means for storing the event information received by the tuner in the storage device, based on the event information stored in the storage device, a racetrack in units of race dates, The odds information column that lists the betting ceremony of the odds information to be acquired for each race number and race number of the corresponding racetrack, the news column that shows the news related to the race in letters in letters, and the betting ceremony selected by the user Display control means for displaying a print field for instructing the printing of odds information on the display device, and the selected according to the print instruction. A printing control means for outputting betting type odds information to the printer, and a fee calculation means for performing a payment process from a card inserted in the card reader / writer when the odds information is printed by the printing control means. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is provided. 3. A tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing the event information including the event information, a display for displaying the event information, a card reader / writer for handling cards, and An information providing apparatus including a printer for printing provided information, comprising: a data extracting unit that stores the event information received by the tuner in the storage device; and maintenance target information that is stored in the storage device (information setting unit ), Maintenance means for performing maintenance of the maintenance target information, card reader / writer control means for discriminating the type of a card inserted in the card reader / writer, and a storage device stored in the storage device according to the type of the card. Display control to display either holding information or maintenance target information on the display Information providing apparatus characterized by comprising a stage. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the maintenance for the maintenance target information includes at least any one of changing the maintenance target information, printing, and saving to an external device. 5. A tuner for extracting event information including odds information from a race event center, a storage device for storing provided information including the event information, a display device for displaying the event information, and a printer for printing the event information. In the information providing device provided, a data extracting unit that stores the event information received by the tuner in the storage device, a display control unit that displays the event information stored in the storage device on the display, and a user's A print control unit that prints the odds information included in the holding information from the printer based on a request, stores the print execution count in the storage device, and displays the remaining amount of printing paper on the display unit based on the execution count. An information providing device comprising: