Method of providing information to the public

• US 20080313193A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jacob Mestman
• Original Assignee: Jacob Mestman
• Inventors: Mestman, Jacob, Wells, Phil
• Application Number:
  US12/150,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20080313193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/005 for orientation or public information
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An information access kiosk includes a computer assembly, including a wireless internet connection and an energy storage assembly, capable of powering the computer. Also, a protective assembly is adapted to permit the kiosk to withstand the attack of earthly elements when placed outside and a computer program, resident on the computer, is adapted to facilitate use of the computer to permit at least one anticipated use by a user.

Claims

1. An information access kiosk, comprising:

(a) a computer assembly, including a wireless internet connection;

(b) an energy storage assembly, capable of powering said computer;

(c) a protective assembly, adapted to permit said kiosk to withstand attack of earthly elements when placed outside; and

(d) a computer program, resident on said computer, adapted to facilitate use of said computer to permit at least one anticipated use by a user.

2. The information access kiosk of claim 1, wherein said anticipated use by a user is accessing social services information and said computer program displays a list of social service agencies.

3. The information access kiosk of claim 1, wherein said anticipated use by a user is to provide survey information, and said computer program presents said user with a set of survey questions.

4. The information access kiosk of claim 3, wherein said anticipated use by a user is to provide survey information regarding a movie, and said computer program presents said user with a set of survey questions regarding a movie.

5. The information access kiosk of claim 3, wherein said anticipated use by a user is to provide survey information regarding a restaurant, and said computer program presents said user with a set of survey questions regarding a restaurant.

6. The information access kiosk of claim 1, wherein said anticipated use by a user is accessing disaster relief information, subsequent to a disaster, and said computer displays a list of disaster relief resources.

7. The information access kiosk of claim 6, wherein said anticipated use by a user is finding the location of other persons and said computer program displays a person matching site.

8. The information access kiosk of claim 1, wherein said anticipated use by a user is searching for business services and said computer program presents a display adapted to help a user locate business services.

9. The information access kiosk of claim 8, wherein said business services are located in a business district in which said kiosk is located.

10. The information access kiosk of claim 1, which is self-powered by way of fuel that undergoes a chemical reaction.

11. The information access kiosk of claim 10, wherein said chemical fuel is hydrocarbon fuel.

12. The information access kiosk of claim 11, wherein said hydrocarbon fuel powers an electrical generator, which in turn powers said computer.

13. The information access kiosk of claim 11, wherein said electrical generator is powered by an internal combustion engine that burns said hydrocarbon fuel.

14. The information access kiosk of claim 11, wherein said hydrocarbon fuel is propane.

15. The information access kiosk of claim 1, which is at least in part self-powered by a battery.

16. The information access kiosk of claim 1, which is at least in part solar powered.

17. The information access kiosk of claim 1, further being transportable.

18. The information access kiosk of claim 1, wherein information access is limited to selected websites.

19. A method of providing social service information to the public, comprising providing a free-of-charge Internet terminal providing access to a select group of social service websites.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said social service websites are disaster relief websites.

21. A method of providing a self-powered Internet kiosk, comprising:

(a) providing an Internet kiosk kit made up of separate kit pieces packed in boxes, including;

(i) a roof bearing solar panels;

(ii) a battery assembly;

(iii) a charge controller connected and adapted to charge said battery assembly from electric power provided from said solar panels;

(iv) a computer having a wireless Internet connection; and

(v) a protective shell;

(b) wherein no said packed kit piece box has a mass of more than 80 Kg;

(c) removing said kit pieces from said kit piece boxes; and

(d) assembling said pieces together to form said self-powered Internet kiosk.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein no said packed kit piece box has a mass of greater than 70 Kg.