WO2003042940A2 - Computer-based public communication terminal - Google Patents
Computer-based public communication terminal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003042940A2 WO2003042940A2 PCT/HU2002/000125 HU0200125W WO03042940A2 WO 2003042940 A2 WO2003042940 A2 WO 2003042940A2 HU 0200125 W HU0200125 W HU 0200125W WO 03042940 A2 WO03042940 A2 WO 03042940A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- communication
- terminal
- devices
- interface unit
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 74
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/18—Payment architectures involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/0014—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/16—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
- Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
- Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)
Abstract
The invention is a computer-based public communication terminal apparatus for providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, and for rendering multifarious services. The terminal contains communication interface unit (7) containing computer hardware unita, human interface unit (1) containing computer hardware units, communication data processing unit (3) containing computer hardware units and/or software units and/or usual office devices, accounting unit (5), and computer control unit (4). It may also contain marketing communication unit (9) to ensure the forwarding of advertisements, propaganda or other informative messages to the user. The communication interface unit (7) of the terminal contains at least one interface device to ensure access to communication networks. The human interface unit (19 providing an interactive user surface contains at least one of image reproduction devices and/or data input devices and/or sound reproducing devices. The accounting unit (5) contains at least one of coin-, banknote-chip card- or online bank card-accepting unit as well as identification unit and authentication unit. The computer control unit (4) contains querying unit, authorizing unit and hardware controlling unit. The network connecting surfaces of the interface devices within the communication interface unit (7) constitute the external network connecting surface (8) of the terminal. The control-, data input, image and/or sound reproducing surfaces of the devices within the human interface unit (1) constitute the external interactive user surface (2) of the terminal. The control and reception surfaces of the coin-, banknote- or chip card or on-line bank card accepting units of the accounting unit (5) constitute the external user paying surface (6) of the terminal. The terminal is constructed so that each of the communication interface unit (7), the communication data processing unit (3), the accounting unit (5) and the human interface unit (1) is connected to the control unit (4) in a way that allows two-ways data transfer between them. The apparatus invented, is a computer terminal providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, which terminal is suitable for profitable operation without the presence of personnel. It is suitable e.g. for placement into public street booths to ensure the usual computer environment of the work place or the home for the multipurpose use required by the user.
Description
Computer-based public communication terminal
The subject of the invention is a computer-based public communication terminal apparatus for providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, and for rendering multifarious services.
Public telephones, connected to the telephone network and installed in booths or other places by the telephone companies accessible by anyone and enabling payment for the services used right into the apparatus on the spot by means of cash or bank card and by coins or cards issued by the company and paid for in advance respectively, are well known all over the world.
Public apparatuses providing personal services other than communication e.g. games, vending machines, entrance systems, and which, too, are fitted out with a device enabling immediate payment for their use, are also generally used in a wide range of utilizations.
Our world today is characterized, besides a mobile way of life, by the flow and processing of information based on the technics of telecommunication and computer science, and a basic tool of which today is the system of computers linked to the world-wide web.
The widely popular service afforded by public catering units, e.g. hotels and coffee houses, where besides traditional telecommunication apparatuses, computers with access to the internet or whole offices equipped with computers can be rented for the purposes of office work or of amusement, are aimed at providing the familiar environment of
the home or the place of work where various computer-based services are available. Such solutions can only be made use of by the guests and are thus public for a given closed circle besides their use is usually tied to the use of other services. It also means that the profitable return of the costs of investment and operation is achieved by the obvious method of the usual calculation of the rent, which is collected by the staff, present anyway to collect the fees for other services.
The patent specification No. US 60/040,414 describes the solution of kiosks and server connected to a computer network. In the solution described the server is connected via network to several kiosks which are equipped with previously determined input and/or output units e.g. rendering unit, keyboards, printers, telephones, etc. fitted out with a driver-program. The server configures the kiosks for one specific use, selected from several versions, and the browser in each kiosk enables the user of the kiosk to receive materials from the server to use for the given application. The system thus formed may practically utilize, among others, the world-wide web to establish communication links between the kiosks and the server and though the kiosks may be fit for public use without the presence of personnel, their use is limited to the given purpose, to communication that can exclusively be established if permitted by the server and in respect of the information within that server.
Among the solutions reflecting the state of the useful art and listed above we could not find any specification for a perfectly public, computer-based, internet-connectable, multipurpose communication terminal, that could be used for purposes required by the user and not only for given applications. Accordingly the object of the present invention
is to eliminate this gap and bring such an apparatus into being.
It has been realized that a configuration compiled of computer components and the usual office machines can be equipped with a computer control unit whereby an accounting unit can be added to the configuration and the configuration so complemented will become suitable for employment as a profitably operable public terminal.
Accordingly the subject of the invention is computer- based public communication terminal apparatus for providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, and for rendering multifarious services.
The apparatus contains communication interface unit containing computer hardware units, human interface unit containing computer hardware units, communication data processing unit containing computer hardware units and/or software units and/or the usual office devices, accounting unit, and computer control unit.
The communication interface unit contains at least one interface device to ensure access to communication networks. The human interface unit providing interactive interface for the user contains at least one of the following: image reproduction devices and/or data input devices and/or "sound reproducing devices. The accounting unit contains at least one of the following: coin-, banknote-, chip card- or online bank card-accepting unit as well as identification unit and authentication unit. The computer control unit contains querying unit, authorizing unit and hardware controlling unit.
Each of the communication interface unit, the communication data processing unit, the accounting unit and the human interface unit is connected to the control unit in a way that allows two-way data transfer between them.
The network connecting surfaces of the interface devices within the communication interface unit constitute the external network connecting surface of the terminal. The control-, data input-, image and/or sound reproducing surfaces of the devices within the human interface unit constitute the external interactive user surface of the terminal. The control and reception surfaces of the coin-, banknote- or chip card or on-line bank card accepting units of the accounting unit constitute the external user paying surface of the terminal.
The computer control unit of the apparatus, which unit contains querying, authorizing and hardware controlling units, is able, through its connections allowing two-way data transfer, to ensure cooperation with the accounting unit whereby the configuration becomes suitable for utilization as a profitably operable public terminal.
The apparatus may also contain marketing communication unit to ensure the forwarding of advertisements, propaganda or other informative messages to the user and consisting of calling unit and rendering unit. The marketing communication unit is connected to the control unit in a way that allows two-way data transfer.
In a practical form of execution the computer control unit also contains microcontroller and/or flash device.
In another practical execution the computer control unit consists of the basic hardware of an ordinary personal
computer with special software jointly constituting the querying unit, the authorizing unit and the hardware controlling unit.
Figure 1 is a general block diagram of the apparatus also containing the marketing communication unit.
The invention is going to be described in detail on basis of a form of practical execution, serving as an example, with the help of Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 1. each of the communication interface unit 7, the communication data processing unit 3, the accounting unit 5, the human interface unit 1 and the marketing communication unit 9, is connected to the control unit 4 in a way that allows two-way data transfer within the communication terminal apparatus.
In this terminal apparatus, serving as an example, the communication interface unit 7 contains telephone modem and Ethernet card, which are computer hardware units. The human interface unit 1 contains monitor, loudspeaker, keyboard, mouse, WEBcamera, IR unit and printer which, too, are computer hardware units. The communication data processing unit 3 contains software fax unit, software internet browser unit, software IR protocol unit and software video phone. The accounting unit 5 contains identifying unit, authorizing unit, chip card reader and coin accepting unit. The marketing communication unit 9 contains software calling unit and software rendering unit. In the terminal, serving as an example, the computer control unit 4 is, in a practical form of execution, the basic hardware of an ordinary personal computer with a special software jointly constituting the
querying unit, the authorizing unit and the hardware controlling unit. The network connecting surfaces of the telephone modem and the Ethernet card interface devices within the communication interface unit 7 constitute the external network connecting surface 8 of the terminal. The control- data input-, image and/or sound reproducing surfaces of the monitor, loudspeaker, keyboard, mouse, WEBcamera, IR unit and printer devices within the human interface unit 1 constitute the external interactive user surface 2 of the terminal. The control and reception surfaces of the coin- and chip card accepting units of the accounting unit 5 constitute the external user paying surface 6 of the terminal.
In the apparatus, serving as an example, as represented in Figure 1, the special software of the control unit 4 also operates as an operating system. If the user inserts a coin or a chip card through the external user paying surface 6 of the coin or chip card accepting units into the coin or chip card accepting units of the accounting unit 5, the accounting unit 5 will send, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the ordinary personal computer basic hardware and special software control unit 4 a signal. This signal will contain the available balance and, in case a chip card is used, the individual identifier of the card. The querying unit of the control unit 4 interprets the balance and, if it is positive, sends an enabling signal through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the human interface unit 1 containing the monitor, loudspeaker, keyboard, mouse, WEB camera, IR unit and printer. Namely, in default state, operation of the human interface unit 1 by users is disabled by the disabled state of the control and data input surfaces of the interactive user surface 2 containing the operating buttons which is released by the
enabling signal from the control unit 4. The user chooses, starts then operates, through the operating buttons and keyboard of the external interactive user surface 2, the desired communication service, either of the communication services of phoning, faxing, mobile services, using the internet, videophoning, sending and receiving e-mails. In the course of the communication service the keyboard, mouse, WEB camera and IR unit belonging to the human interface unit 1 will send, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, a signal pertaining to the communication service chosen, to the authorizing and hardware controlling units of the control unit 4. As a result the control unit 4 will send, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, a signal to the communication data processing unit 3 containing the software fax unit, the software internet browsing unit, the software IR protocol unit and the software videophone unit. The communication data processing unit 3 will send, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, a signal processed according to the service chosen, to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 will forward this signal, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the communication interface unit 7 containing the telephone modem and the Ethernet card wherefrom it will be sent to the chosen communication network through the connection points pertaining to the service chosen of the network connecting surface 8.
Thereafter the signals arriving from the chosen communication network through the connection points, pertaining to the service chosen, of the network connecting surface 8 will be transmitted by the communication interface unit 7, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the control unit 4 which will forward them, through the
connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the communication data processing unit 3 for further processing. The communication data processing unit 3 will send the signals after processing through the connection that allows two-way data transfer to the control unit 4, which will forward them, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the human interface unit 1. The human interface unit 1 renders the processed signals of the chosen service on the interactive user surface 2 constituted by the user surfaces of the monitor, loudspeaker and/or printer belonging to the human interface unit 1.
While the chosen service is being used the control unit 4 continuously sends signals through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the accounting unit 5 which will decrease the balance accordingly. As soon as the value of the balance is zero or the user takes out the chip card the accounting unit 5 sends a signal, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the control unit 4. As a result the authorizing unit of the control unit 4 sends a disabling signal, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the human interface unit 1 which, by putting the control and data input surfaces of the interactive user surface 2, containing the operating buttons, into disabled state, does not allow operation by the user and stops the chosen communication service.
The calling unit of the marketing communication unit 9 sends a signal at regular intervals, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the control unit 4. This signal the control unit 4 forwards, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the communication interface unit 7 containing the telephone modem and the Ethernet card which unit will then send it, through
the proper connection points of the network connecting surface 8, to the communication network set up in advance. The signals carrying the pieces of image and/or voice information of advertisements, propaganda or other informative messages and arrive from the pre-connected communication network to the proper connection points of the network connecting surface 8 will get, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the control unit 4 which will then forward them for processing, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the rendering unit of the marketing communication unit 9. The rendering unit of the marketing communication unit 9 sends the processed signals to the control unit 4 which forwards them, through the connection that allows two-way data transfer, to the human interface unit 1 which in turn will render them through the interactive user surface 2 constituted by the user surfaces of the monitor, loudspeaker and/or printer, irrespective of the state of operability, i.e. of the disabled state of the control and data input surfaces of the interactive user surface 2 containing the operating buttons.
Our invention, the apparatus, is a computer terminal providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, which terminal is suitable for profitable operation without the presence of personnel. It is suitable e.g. for placement into public street booths to ensure the usual computer environment of the work place or the home for the multipurpose use required by the user. In a practical form of execution, completed with marketing communication unit, it is fit for rendering paid advertisements furthering thereby profitable operation, and for rendering pieces of public service information.
It is an unexpected advantage of the apparatus that it can be constructed of modules, that is, it can be changed and extended any time as desired, so it is possible to modify the services offered, to include services which may not at present be known, and to establish connection with communication networks as yet unknown.
List of Symbols
1 human interface unit
2 interactive user surface
3 communication data processing unit
4 control unit
5 accounting unit
6 external user paying surface
7 communication interface unit
8 network connecting surface
9 marketing communication unit
Claims
1. A computer-based public communication terminal apparatus for providing access to various communication networks, including the internet, for rendering multifarious services, which terminal contains communication interface unit containing computer hardware units, human interface unit containing computer hardware units, communication data processing unit containing computer hardware units and/or software units and/or the usual office devices, accounting unit, and computer control unit; characterized by that the communication interface unit (7) contains at least one interface device to ensure access to communication networks, the human interface unit (1) providing interactive user surface (2) contains at least one of image reproduction devices and/or data input devices and/or sound reproducing devices, the accounting unit (5) contains at least one of coin-, banknote-, chip card- or online bank card-accepting unit as well as identification unit and authentication unit, the computer control unit (4) contains querying unit, authorizing unit and hardware controlling unit, each of the communication interface unit (7), the communication data processing unit (3), the accounting unit (5) and the human interface unit (1) is connected to the control unit (4) in a way that allows two-way transfer between them, the network connecting surfaces of the interface devices within the communication interface unit (7) constitute the external network connecting surface (8) of the terminal, the control-, data input, image and/or sound reproducing surfaces of the devices within the human interface unit (1) constitute the external interactive user surface (2) of the terminal, the control and reception surfaces of the coin-, banknote- or chip card or on-line bank card accepting unit of the accounting unit (5) constitute the external user paying surface (6) of the terminal.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1. characterized by that it may also contain marketing communication unit (9) enabling the forwarding of advertisements, propaganda or other informative messages to the user and consisting of calling unit and rendering unit, and is connected to the control unit (4) in a way that allows two-way data transfer.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2002349166A AU2002349166A1 (en) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-11-18 | Computer-based public communication terminal |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| HU0104972A HUP0104972A2 (en) | 2001-11-16 | 2001-11-16 | Public computer communication terminal |
| HUP0104972 | 2001-11-16 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2003042940A2 true WO2003042940A2 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
| WO2003042940A3 WO2003042940A3 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
Family
ID=89979903
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/HU2002/000125 WO2003042940A2 (en) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-11-18 | Computer-based public communication terminal |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2002349166A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUP0104972A2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2003042940A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011134082A1 (en) * | 2010-04-27 | 2011-11-03 | M3 Touch Inc. | Self-service gateway unit, system and method for providing an access to the internet |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0120771A2 (en) * | 1983-03-18 | 1984-10-03 | Compagnie Industrielle Des Techniques Pour L'informatique, Citi, Sa. | Computer installation in civic centres |
| US4902881A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1990-02-20 | Faxplus Corporation | Parallel process communications terminal and network |
| US5812765A (en) * | 1996-03-22 | 1998-09-22 | Axxs Technologies Corporation | Multi-media remote data access terminals and system |
| US5953504A (en) * | 1995-10-10 | 1999-09-14 | Suntek Software Corporation | Public accessible terminal capable of opening an account for allowing access to the internet and E-mail by generating ID code and security code for users |
| GB2357176A (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2001-06-13 | Hussain Amir Ali | Internet booth |
-
2001
- 2001-11-16 HU HU0104972A patent/HUP0104972A2/en unknown
-
2002
- 2002-11-18 WO PCT/HU2002/000125 patent/WO2003042940A2/en active Application Filing
- 2002-11-18 AU AU2002349166A patent/AU2002349166A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0120771A2 (en) * | 1983-03-18 | 1984-10-03 | Compagnie Industrielle Des Techniques Pour L'informatique, Citi, Sa. | Computer installation in civic centres |
| US4902881A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1990-02-20 | Faxplus Corporation | Parallel process communications terminal and network |
| US5953504A (en) * | 1995-10-10 | 1999-09-14 | Suntek Software Corporation | Public accessible terminal capable of opening an account for allowing access to the internet and E-mail by generating ID code and security code for users |
| US5812765A (en) * | 1996-03-22 | 1998-09-22 | Axxs Technologies Corporation | Multi-media remote data access terminals and system |
| GB2357176A (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2001-06-13 | Hussain Amir Ali | Internet booth |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011134082A1 (en) * | 2010-04-27 | 2011-11-03 | M3 Touch Inc. | Self-service gateway unit, system and method for providing an access to the internet |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2003042940A3 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
| AU2002349166A1 (en) | 2003-05-26 |
| HU0104972D0 (en) | 2002-01-28 |
| HUP0104972A2 (en) | 2003-06-28 |
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