Reservation system terminal

• US 5,311,425 A
• Filed: 09/17/1991
• Issued: 05/10/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Airlines Company Limited (Government of Japan)
• Original Assignee: Japan Airlines Company Limited (Government of Japan)
• Inventors: Inada, Takaya
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAI, ARI
• Application Number:
  US07/730,859
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/407
• US Class Current: 705/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation

Abstract

Disclosed is a reservation system terminal connected to a host computer for controlling the overall reservation status. The terminal can inquire of the host computer the present reservation status, request the reservation acquisition, and prepare, refer to, or change the reservation record to be received by the host computer. The terminal is provided with a terminal computer, a display unit (17) and a pointing device. The terminal computer can execute in parallel mode a plurality of tasks such as a reservation process for a reservation acquisition task, a reservation edition process for reservation record preparation and a change task, a reservation record reference process for preparing a reservation record reference task, etc. In each of these processes (reservation, reservation, edition, reservation record reference), images are formed, respectively, and displayed in multiwindow fashion. Each image includes a plurality of arranged visible parts operable by the pointing device. Therefore, various tasks related to reservation can be executed simply when the operator points to positions on these visible parts with the pointing device. Various data that is usable in common is automatically transferred among the above-mentioned processes and coordinated through inter-process communications. The arrangement of the images can be freely changed, so that any required image can be displayed in the front of a multidisplay image.

Claims

1. A reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status, which comprises:

(A) reserving means (35, 41, 43, 45,

     47) for forming a reservation image, said reservation image including a firs part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer, and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) displaying means (119, 121,

     17) for receiving the reservation images formed by said reserving means, and forming and displaying a display image including the formed reservation image;

(C) pointing device means (30) for operating the parts arranged in the image displayed by said displaying means;

(D) part operation detecting means (31,

     33) for detecting the part operated by said pointing device means; and

(E) host-to-terminal communicating means (125) for transmitting various messages to said host computer and receiving response data from said host computer.

2. The reservation system terminal of claim 1, which further comprises motion picture playback means (15, 19) for playing back a previously recorded motion picture related to said selected reservation option, said displaying means simultaneously displaying the reservation image formed by said reserving means and the motion picture played back by said motion picture playback means on the display image in an overlapping arrangement condition.

3. A reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status, which comprises:

(A) reserving means (35, 41, 43, 45,

     47) for forming a reservation image, said reservation image including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer, and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) reservation item selecting means (37,

     39) for forming a reservation item selection image, said reservation item selection image including a plurality of parts for selecting any one of a plurality of predetermined selectable data package options related to at least one specific item among the reservation items;

(C) displaying means (119, 121,

     17) for receiving the reservation image formed by said reserving means and the reservation item selection image formed by said reservation item selecting means, and forming and displaying a display image which includes the two images arranged in overlapping condition;

(D) pointing device means (30) for operating the parts arranged in the display image displayed by said displaying means;

(E) part operation detecting means (31,

     33) for detecting the part operated by said pointing device means;

(F) inter-process communicating means (123) connected between said reserving means and said reservation item selecting means, for allowing communications therebetween;

(G) host-to-terminal communicating means (125) for transmitting various messages to said host computer and receiving response data from said host computer; and

(H) said reservation item selecting means being adapted for selecting one of the selectable data package options on the basis of the part operation detected by said part operation detecting means in the reservation item selection image, and for transmitting the data package option selection to said reserving means via said inter-process communicating means as inputted data related to the specific item.

4. The reservation system terminal of claim 3, wherein said inter-terminal communicating means is a memory unit accessible from both said reserving means and said reservation item selecting means in order to store information to be transmitted/received between said two means.

5. The reservation system terminal of claim 3, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation item selection image according to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

24. The reservation system terminal of claim 4, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation item selection image according to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

6. A reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status, which comprises:

(A) reserving means (35, 41, 43, 45,

     47) for forming a reservation image, said reservation image including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer, and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) reservation editing means (51, 53, 55,

     57) for forming a reservation edition image including arranged parts for inputting data related to predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting a reservation record preparation related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined detailed reservation items and already-acquired reservations to said host computer;

(C) displaying means (119, 121,

     17) for receiving the reservation image formed by said reserving means and the reservation edition image formed by said reservation editing means, and forming and displaying a display image including the two images arranged in overlapping condition;

(D) pointing device means (30) for operating the parts arranged in the image displayed by said displaying means;

(E) part operation detecting means (31,

     33) for detecting the part operated by said pointing device means;

(F) inter-process communicating means (123) connected between said reserving means and said reservation editing means, for allowing communications therebetween; and

(G) host-to-terminal communicating means (125) for transmitting various messages to said host computer and receiving response data from said host computer.

7. The reservation system terminal of claim 6, wherein said inter-terminal communicating means is a memory unit accessible from both said reserving means and said reservation editing means in order to store information to be transmitted/received between said two means.

8. The reservation system terminal of claim 6, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation edition image according to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

25. The reservation system terminal of claim 7, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation edition image according to part operation detected by said a part operation detecting means.

9. A reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status, which comprises:

(A) reservation record referring means (71, 73, 81, 83,

     85) for forming a reservation record reference image, said record reference image including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation record reference items so as to form a selected reservation record, a second part for referring to the host computer for an already-prepared reservation record relating to the data concerning the inputted reservation record reference items, a third part for displaying the selected and prepared reservation records, and a fourth part for referring to the host computer said selected reservation record and said prepared reservation record;

(B) reservation editing means (51, 53, 55,

     57) for forming a reservation edition image including a plurality of parts for inputting data to be changed that is related to the predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting change in the selected and prepared reservation records related to the inputted detailed reservation items to be changed in said host computer;

(C) displaying means (119, 121,

     17) for receiving the reservation image formed by said reservation record preparing means and the reservation edition image formed by said reservation editing means, and forming and displaying a display image including these two images arranged in overlapping condition;

(D) pointing device means (30) for operating the parts arranged in the display image displayed by said displaying means;

(E) part operation detecting means (31,

     33) for detecting the part operated by said pointing device means;

(F) inter-process communicating means (123) connected between said reservation record referring means and said reservation editing means, for allowing communications therebetween; and

(G) host-to-terminal communicating means (125) for transmitting various messages to said host computer and receiving response data from said host computer.

10. The reservation system terminal of claim 9, wherein said inter-terminal communicating means is a memory unit accessible from both said reservation record referring means and said reservation editing means in order to store information to be transmitted/received between said two means.

11. The reservation system terminal of claim 9, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation record reference image and the reservation edition image according to part operation detected by said a part operation detecting means.

26. The reservation system terminal of claim 10, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation record reference image and the reservation edition image acccording to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

12. A reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status, which comprises:

(A) reserving means (35, 41, 43, 45,

     47) for forming a reservation image, said reservation image including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer, and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) reservation record referring means (71, 73, 81, 83,

     85) for forming a reservation record reference image, said record reference image including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation record reference items so as to form a selected reservation record, a second part for referring to the host computer for an already-prepared reservation record related to the data concerning the inputted reservation record reference items, a third part for displaying the selected and already-prepared reservation records, and a fourth part for referring to the host computer the selected reservation record and the prepared reservation record;

(C) reservation editing means (51, 53, 55,

     57) for forming a reservation edition image including arranged parts for inputting data related to predetermined detailed reservation items, requesting a reservation record preparation related to the inputted data concerning the predetermined detailed reservation items and already-acquired reservations to said host computer, inputting data changes related to the predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting of the host computer a change in the selected and prepared reservation records related to the inputted detailed reservation items to be changed;

(D) displaying means (119, 121,

     17) for receiving the reservation image formed by said reserving means, the reservation record reference image formed by said reservation record referring means, and the reservation edition image formed by said reservation editing means, and forming and displaying a display image including these three images arranged in overlapping condition;

(E) pointing device means (30) for operating the parts arranged in the image displayed by said displaying means;

(F) part operation detecting means (31,

     33) for detecting the part operated by said pointing device means;

(G) inter-process communicating means (123) connected between said reserving means, said reservation record referring means and said reservation editing means, for allowing communications therebetween; and

(H) host-to-terminal communicating means (125) for transmitting various messages to said host computer and for receiving response data from said host computer.

13. The reservation system terminal of claim 12, wherein said inter-terminal communicating means is a memory unit accessible from any of said reserving means, reservation record referring means and said reservation editing means in order to store information to be transmitted/received among said three means.

14. The reservation system terminal of claim 12, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image, the reservation record reference image and the reservation edition image according to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

27. The reservation system terminal of claim 13, wherein said displaying means comprises image controlling means (119) for controlling an arrangement of the reservation image, the reservation record reference image and the reservation edition image according to a part operation detected by said part operation detecting means.

15. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status and provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) forming a display image including the formed reservation image, and transmitting the formed display image to the display unit for display;

(C) detecting a part operated by the pointing device on the displayed image;

(D) if a part pointing operation for inputting the data relating to the reservation items is detected, displaying the inputted data relating to the reservation items on the reservation image;

(E) if a part pointing operation for inquiring of the host computer the reservation status is detected after the inputted reservation items have been displayed, forming a reservation status inquiry message for inquiring the reservation status related to the inputted reservation items;

(F) transmitting the formed reservation status inquiry message to the host computer;

(G) receiving reservation status information indicative of selectable reservation options transmitted from the host computer in response to the inquiry message;

(H) forming a list indicative of the selectable reservation options on the basis of the reservation status information, and displaying the formed list related to the part for selecting a desired reservation option on the reservation image;

(I) if a part pointing operation for selecting the reservation object is detected after the reservation option list has been displayed, displaying the reservation option selected by the part pointing operation on the reservation image;

(J) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation acquisition is detected after the selected reservation option has been displayed, forming a reservation request message for requesting a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(K) transmitting the formed reservation request message to the host computer;

(L) receiving reservation acquisition information indicative of the items of the acquired reservation transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation request message; and

(M) displaying the acquired reservation items on the reservation image on the basis of the acquired reservation information.

16. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status and provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) forming a reservation item selection image including parts for selecting one item from a plurality of selectable items previously determined with respect to data inputted and relating to at least one specific item among the reservation items;

(C) forming a multidisplay image including the reservation image and the reservation item selection image, and transmitting the formed multidisplay image to the display unit for display;

(D) detecting a part operated by the pointing device on the displayed image;

(E) if a part pointing operation is detected on the reservation item selection image, transmitting one item selected by the part pointing operation to the reservation image, and displaying the transmitted item on the reservation image;

(F) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to one of the reservation items is detected, displaying the inputted data relating to the one reservation item on the reservation image;

(G) if a part pointing operation for inquiring into the reservation status is detected after the inputted reservation items have been displayed, forming a reservation status inquiry message for inquiring into the reservation status related to the inputted reservation items;

(H) transmitting the formed reservation status inquiry message to the host computer;

(I) receiving reservation status information indicative of one or more selectable reservation options transmitted from the host computer in response to the inquiry message;

(J) forming a list indicative of the selectable reservation options on the basis of the reservation status information, and displaying the formed list related to the part for selecting the reservation options on the reservation image;

(K) if a part pointing operation for selecting a reservation option is detected after the reservation option list has been displayed, displaying the reservation option selected by the part pointing operation on the reservation image;

(L) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation acquisition is detected after the selected reservation option has been displayed, forming a reservation request message for requesting a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(M) transmitting the formed reservation request message to the host computer;

(N) receiving reservation acquisition information indicative of the items of acquired reservation transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation request message; and

(O) displaying the acquired reservation items on the reservation image on the basis of the acquired reservation information.

17. The method of operating a terminal computer of claim 16, which further comprises a step of controlling arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation item selection image, according to the detected part pointing operation.

18. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status and provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) forming a reservation editor image which includes a plurality of parts for inputting data related to predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting the host computer to prepare a reservation record as to the inputted data relating to the predetermined detailed reservation items and of the already acquired reservation option;

(C) forming a multidisplay image including the reservation image and the reservation item selection image, and transmitting the formed multidisplayed image to the display unit for display;

(D) detecting a part operated by the pointing device on the displayed image;

(E) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to one of the reservation items is detected, displaying the inputted data relating to the one reservation item on the reservation image;

(F) if a part pointing operation for inquiring into the reservation status is detected after the inputted reservation items have been displayed, forming a reservation status inquiry message for inquiring into the reservation status related to the inputted reservation items;

(G) transmitting the formed reservation status inquiry message to the host computer;

(H) receiving reservation status information indicative of one or more selectable reservation options transmitted from the host computer in response to the inquiry message;

(I) forming a list indicative of the selectable reservation options on the basis of the reservation status information, and displaying the formed list related to the part for selecting the reservation options on the reservation image;

(J) if a part pointing operation for selecting a reservation option is detected after the reservation option list has been displayed, displaying the reservation option selected by the part pointing operation on the reservation image;

(K) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation acquisition is detected after the selected reservation option has been displayed, forming a reservation request message for requesting a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(L) transmitting the formed reservation request message to the host computer;

(M) receiving reservation acquisition information indicative of the items of acquired reservation transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation request message;

(N) displaying the acquired reservation items on the reservation image on the basis of the acquired reservation information;

(O) displaying the acquired reservation items on the reservation edition image;

(P) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to the detailed reservation items is detected, displaying the data relating to the detailed reservation items inputted by the detected part pointing operation on the reservation edition image;

(Q) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation record formation after the acquired reservation information has been displayed and further the inputted detailed reservation items have been displayed, forming a reservation record preparation request message for requesting a reservation record preparation related to the inputted detailed reservation items and the acquired reservation information; and

(R) transmitting the formed reservation record preparation request message to the host computer.

19. The method of operating a terminal computer of claim 18, which further comprises a step of controlling arrangement of the reservation image and the reservation edition image, according to the detected part pointing operation.

20. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status and provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation record reference image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation record reference items, a second part for referring to the host computer for an already-prepared reservation record related to the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference items, a third part for selecting the already-prepared reservation record, and a fourth part for referring to the host computer for data relating to said reservation record items which concern the selected reservation record;

(B) forming a reservation edition image including a plurality of parts for inputting changed data relating to predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting change in the selected reservation record based on the changed data to form a changed reservation record;

(C) forming a multidisplay image including the reservation image and the reservation edition image, and transmitting the formed multidisplay image to the display unit for display;

(D) detecting a part operated by the pointing device on the displayed image;

(E) if a part pointing operation for inputting data related to the reservation record reference items is detected, forming a reservation record reference message for referring to the prepared reservation record reference related to the inputted reservation record reference items;

(F) if a part pointing operation for referring to the reservation record reference is detected after the inputted data of the reservation record reference items have been displayed, forming a reservation record reference message for referring to the prepared reservation record reference related to the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference items;

(G) transmitting the formed reservation record reference message to the host computer;

(H) receiving reservation record information indicative of the prepared reservation record transmitted from the host computer in response to the reference message;

(I) forming a prepared reservation record list on the basis of the reservation record information, and displaying the formed list relating to said fourth part for selecting the reservation record on the reservation record reference image;

(J) if a part pointing operation for selecting the reservation record is detected, forming a reservation record item reference message for referring to the reservation record items related to the prepared reservation record selected by the part pointing operation;

(K) transmitting the formed reservation record item reference message to the host computer;

(L) receiving reservation record item information indicative of the selected reservation record items transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation record content reference message;

(M) displaying the selected reservation record items obtained on the basis of the reservation record item information on the reservation edition image;

(N) if a part pointing operation for inputting the changed data is detected, displaying the detailed reservation items inputted by the part pointing operation on the reservation edition image;

(O) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation record change is detected after the changed data has been displayed, forming a reservation record change request message for requesting change in the selected reservation record related to the inputted detailed reservation items concerning the changed data; and

(P) transmitting the formed reservation record change request message to the host computer.

21. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status and provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, a second part for inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted reservation items, a third part for selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer and a fourth part for requesting of the host computer a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) forming a reservation record reference image with a plurality of parts including a first part for inputting data related to predetermined reservation record reference items, a second part for referring to the host computer for an already-prepared reservation record related to the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference items, a third part for selecting the already-prepared reservation record, and a fourth part for referring to the host computer for data relating to said reservation record items which concern the selected reservation record;

(C) forming a reservation edition image including a plurality of parts for inputting data related to predetermined detailed reservation items, requesting reservation record preparation of the host computer related to the inputted data concerning the detailed reservation items and the requested reservation acquisition, inputting data changes related to predetermined detailed reservation items, and requesting of the host computer change in the selected and already-prepared reservation records related to the inputted data changes concerning the detailed reservation items;

(D) forming a multidisplay image including the reservation image, the reservation record reference image, and the reservation edition image, and transmitting the formed multidisplayed image to the display unit for display;

(E) detecting a part operated by the pointing device;

(F) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to the reservation items is detected, displaying the inputted data relating to the reservation items on the reservation image;

(G) if a part pointing operation for inquiring into the reservation status is detected after the inputted data relating to the reservation items has been detected, forming a reservation status inquiry message for inquiring into the reservation status related to the inputted data related to the reservation items;

(H) transmitting the formed reservation status inquiry message to the host computer;

(I) receiving reservation status information indicative of selectable reservation options transmitted from the host computer in response to the formed inquiry message;

(J) forming the selectable reservation option list on the basis of the reservation status information, and displaying the formed list related to a part for selecting the reservation options on the reservation image;

(K) if a part pointing operation for selecting the reservation options is detected after the reservation option list has been displayed, displaying the reservation option selected by the part pointing operation on the reservation image;

(L) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation acquisition is detected after the selected reservation option has been displayed, forming a reservation request message for requesting the reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(M) transmitting the formed reservation request message to the host computer;

(N) receiving acquisition reservation information indicative of the acquired reservation items transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation request message;

(O) displaying the reservation items acquired on the basis of the acquisition reservation information on the reservation image;

(P) displaying the acquired reservation items acquired on the reservation edition image;

(Q) if a part pointing operation for inputting data related to the reservation record reference items is detected, forming a reservation record reference message for referring to the prepared reservation record reference related to the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference items;

(R) if a part pointing operation for referring to the reservation record reference is detected after the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference item has been displayed, forming a reservation record reference message for referring to the prepared reservation record reference related to the inputted data concerning the reservation record reference items;

(S) transmitting the formed reservation record reference message to the host computer;

(T) receiving reservation record information indicative of the prepared reservation record transmitted from the host computer in response to the reference message;

(U) forming the prepared reservation record list on the basis of the reservation record information, and displaying the formed list related to a part for selecting the reservation record on the reservation record reference image;

(V) if a part pointing operation for selecting the reservation record is detected, forming a reservation record item reference message for referring to the reservation record items related to the prepared reservation record selected by the part pointing operation;

(W) transmitting the formed reservation record content reference message to the host computer;

(X) receiving reservation record item information indicative of the selected reservation record items transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation record item reference message;

(Y) displaying the selected reservation record items obtained on the basis of the reservation record item information on the reservation edition image;

(Z) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to the detailed reservation items is detected, displaying the data relating to the detailed reservation items inputted by the part pointing operation on the reservation edition image;

(AA) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation record preparation is detected after the acquired reservation items have been displayed and after the inputted data related to the detailed reservation items has been displayed, forming a reservation record preparation request message for requesting the reservation record preparation related to the inputted data concerning the detailed reservation items and the acquired reservation items;

(AB) transmitting the formed reservation record preparation request message to the host computer;

(AC) if a part pointing operation for inputting data changes is detected, displaying the detailed reservation items inputted by the part pointing operation on the reservation edition image;

(AD) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation record change is detected after the items to be changed have been displayed, forming a reservation record change request message for requesting the selected reservation record change related to the inputted data changes concerning the detailed reservation items; and

(AE) transmitting the formed reservation record change request message to the host computer.

22. The method of operating a terminal computer of claim 21 which further comprises a step of controlling an arrangement of the reservation image, the reservation record reference image, and the reservation edition image, according to the detected part pointing operation.

23. A method of operating a terminal computer incorporated in a reservation system terminal associated with a host computer for processing reservation status aand provided with a display unit coupled to the terminal computer to display images and with a pointing device also coupled to the terminal computer to point visible parts on the displayed image, and with a motion picture playback unit coupled to the terminal computer to playback previously record motion pictures, comprising the steps of:

(A) forming a reservation image including a plurality of parts for inputting data related to predetermined reservation items, inquiring of the host computer a reservation status related to the inputted data concerning the reservation of items, selecting a reservation option from one or more reservation options provided by the host computer, and requesting a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(B) forming a multidisplay image including the formed reservation image and a motion picture being played by the motion picture playback unit, and transmitting the formed multidisplay image to the display unit for dislay;

(C) detecting a part operated by the pointing device on the displayed image;

(D) if a part pointing operation for inputting data relating to the reservation items is detected, displaying the inputted data related to the reservation items on the reservation image;

(E) if a part pointing operation for inquiring into the reservation status is detected after the inputted data relating to the reservation items has been displayed, forming a reservation status inquiry message for inquiring into the reservation status related to the inputted data relating to the reservation items;

(F) transmitting the formed reservsation status inquiry message to the host computer;

(G) receiving reservation status information indicative of selectable reservation options transmitted from the host computer in response to the inquiry message;

(H) forming a list indicative of the selectable reservation options on the basis of the reservation status information, and displaying the formed list related to the part for selecting the reservation option on the reservation image;

(I) if a part pointing operation for selecting the reservation option is detected after the reservation option list has been displayed, displaying the reservation option selected by the part pointing operation on the reservation image;

(J) if a part pointing operation for requesting the reservation aquisition is detected after the selected reservation option has been displayed, forming a reservation request message for requesting a reservation acquisition related to the selected reservation option;

(K) transmitting the formed reservation request message to the host computer;

(L) receiving reservation acquisition information indicative of the items of acquired reservation transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation transmitted from the host computer in response to the reservation request message; and

(M) displaying the acquired reservation items on the reservation image on the basis of the acquired reservation information.