Catv system enabling access to premium (pay per view) program events by

Abstract

In order to enable viewing of single events without requiring a CATV subscriber to order the event in advance, documents are distributed to subscribers containing cognizable (advertising) data concerning the event and a bar code symbol corresponding thereto. Each subscriber is provided with a transaction terminal enabling the entry of bar code data at any time and whenever the subscriber has the impulse to do so (impulse pay per view). The event codes are transmitted interactively from the transaction terminal to the equipment (a subscriber control unit) located off the subscribers' premises which normally interdicts the premium channels and thence to the head end of the CATV distribution system over the cables of the system. Data coming from the head end back to the subscriber control unit indicates that events are in progress (event number and premium channel data). When the event is in progress, the interdiction of the premium channel is inhibited so as to clear the channel to the subscribers' premises and permit the viewing of the premium program for the duration thereof. When a signal that the program is over, such as a new event code for the same channel is transmitted from the head end, information that the event has been viewed by the subscriber is stored together with the subscribers' address. This data is then transmitted to the head end for billing purposes.