Accounting system in network for offering video programs
First Claim
1. An accounting system in a network offering video programs to a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled thereto, said accounting system comprising:
- first timer means, provided in each of said subscriber terminals, for counting a time, said first timer means starting to count a time when a subscriber terminal receives a video program offered from said network;
an account controller provided in each of said subscriber terminals and including;
determination means for determining whether or not a count time in said first timer means has reached a first reference value,start means for transmitting account starting information to said network when said determination means determines that the count time in said first timer means has reached the first reference value, andtermination means for transmitting account termination information to said network when the subscriber terminal discontinues receipt of the video program; and
accounting means, provided in said network, for performing an accounting process with respect to each of said subscriber terminals from which the account starting information and the account termination information are transmitted, the accounting process starting from a time at which said network receives the account starting information and ending at a time at which said network receives the account termination information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an accounting system in a B-ISDN offering video programs to a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled thereto, a timer, and an account controller are provided in each of the subscriber terminals. The timer starts to count time when a subscriber terminal receives a video program offered from the network. The account controller determines whether or not a count time in the timer has reached n sec. (e.g. 300 sec.), and transmits account starting information to the network when it is determined the count time in the timer has reached n sec.. The account controller also transmits account termination information to the network when the subscriber terminal discontinues receipt of the video program. The network is provided with an accounting unit for performing a accounting process with respect to each of the subscriber terminals from which the account starting information and the account termination information are transmitted, the accounting process starting from a time at which the network receives the account starting information to a time at which the network receives the account termination information.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An accounting system in a network offering video programs to a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled thereto, said accounting system comprising:
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first timer means, provided in each of said subscriber terminals, for counting a time, said first timer means starting to count a time when a subscriber terminal receives a video program offered from said network; an account controller provided in each of said subscriber terminals and including; determination means for determining whether or not a count time in said first timer means has reached a first reference value, start means for transmitting account starting information to said network when said determination means determines that the count time in said first timer means has reached the first reference value, and termination means for transmitting account termination information to said network when the subscriber terminal discontinues receipt of the video program; and accounting means, provided in said network, for performing an accounting process with respect to each of said subscriber terminals from which the account starting information and the account termination information are transmitted, the accounting process starting from a time at which said network receives the account starting information and ending at a time at which said network receives the account termination information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A terminal coupled to a network offering video programs to said terminal, said terminal comprising an account controller;
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timer means for counting a time, said timer means starting to count time when said terminal receives a video program offered from said network; said account controller including; determination means, coupled to said timer means, for determining whether or not a count time in said timer means has reached a first reference value; start means, coupled to said determination means, for transmitting account starting information to said network when said determination means determines that the count time in said timer means has reached the first reference value; termination means for transmitting account termination information to said network when said terminal discontinues receipt of the video program, wherein said network performs an accounting process, with respect to said terminal from which the account starting information and the account termination information are transmitted, the accounting process starting from a time at which said network receives the account starting information until a time at which said network receives the account termination information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for performing an accounting process in a network offering video programs to a plurality of subscriber terminals coupled thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing first timer means in each of said subscriber terminals, and counting a time starting when a subscriber terminal receives a video program offered from said network; providing in each terminal an account controller having determination means and determining thereby whether or not a count time in said first timer means has reached a first reference value; transmitting account starting information to said network when said determination means determines that the count time in said first timer means has reached the first reference value; transmitting account termination information to said network when the subscriber terminal discontinues receipt of the video program; and providing accounting means in said network, for performing an accounting process with respect to each of said subscriber terminals from which the account starting information and the account termination information are transmitted so that the accounting process starts from a time at which said network receives the account starting information and ends at a time at which said network receives the account termination information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification