andy this is one feature that will give the v-chip a huge advantage!
News Release
TRI-VISION JOINS NEXSYS FOR FUTURISTIC ELECTRONIC BILLING
PRODUCTS
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1996 - TORONTO, ONTARIO. Creator's of the world's
first V-Chip Decoder, Tri-Vision International Ltd./Ltee, today announced an alliance
with Nexsys Commtech International Inc., leading interactive wireless data specialist to
develop futuristic electronic billing products.
The Canadian high-tech combination of Nexsys Commtech International Inc. and
Tri-Vision will produce state-of-the-art billing systems which eliminate the mailing of
printed bills and give residential customers up-to-the-second information on utility
usage on their television screens.
Tri-Vision will incorporate technology from its V-Chip Decoder, a device to limit
children's exposure to violence on television, into the billing chip product. The new
product not only provides full service information, its two-way capabilities mean it can
be easily adapted for summoning emergency medical help or alerting security
companies of a break-in.
Users can switch in to monitor their utility consumption, including electricity, cable, gas,
water, and view any monthly bills such as telephone and credit card, all in real time.
Home-users can even connect with the municipal tax department. In addition, bill
payments can be made electronically simply by using Tri-Vision's infra-red remote
control. This cost effective method of billing will maintain security of information with
the help of a high-tech encrypted addressing system. This encrypted system will enable
utilities and billing service providers to access billing devices at individual user locations
independently. An enormous opportunity also exists for advertising on the system as
each service provider will utilize a home page.
The Billing Chip communicates with Nexsys' wireless meter reading and device control
system which plugs directly into a home's electric meter. The Nexsys system controls
devices within the home and transmits readings instantly through the existing public
wireless communication network while holding a history of information in its own data
banks. With information displayed on consumers' television screens, the cost of paper
and mailing associated with billing amil-outs is significantly reduced.
Tri-Vision Electronics Inc., Tri-Vision's wholly-owned subsidiary, has received a
Letter of Intent from Nexsys. Work has begun on the development of a set top box
home-user decoder for the Billing Chip, which will be supplied exclusively to Nexsys.
Nexsys is very excited with the utilities' response to its "gateway" smart home
products. The NEXSYS system, comprised of automated reading, electronic billing
and remote electrical appliance control allows utilities to adapt easily to a wide range of
rate structures, compete effectively in deregulated markets, provide more
comprehensive customer service, and to operate more efficiently. The nexsys
system is interactive and allows residential customers total control over energy saving
and billing options via the Billing Chip.
Distribution of Billing Chip product is initially targeted at selected Canadian utilities
having a combined total customer base of 1 million customers. The worldwide market
potential for this product is enormous. Comprehensive beta testing is scheduled to
begin next month when Tri-Vision delivers the first working model of the Billing Chip.
A leading supplier to the global cable television industry for the past ten years,
Tri-Vision is undertaking a strategic move to develop products for the multimedia
industry. Tri-Vision holds exclusive rights to the V-Chip technology in Canada and
projects revenue from its V-Chip Decoder will top $500-million over the next five
years.
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