Telecommunications booth comprising a telecommunications train having a plurality of wheeled housings

• US 5,572,005 A
• Filed: 01/31/1995
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TPI Corporation
• Original Assignee: TPI Corporation
• Inventors: Brooks, Phillip R., Doyle, Thomas J., Hamilton, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Application Number:
  US08/381,127
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/377, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 280/411.1, 280/418, 280/408, 280/410, 280/419, 379/90, 379/91, 379/95, 379/96, 379/98, 379/100, 379/120, 379/132, 379/143, 379/144, 379/428, 379/437, 379/451, 379/453, 379/457, 902/24, 902/30, 902/31, 902/35
• US Class Current: 235/381
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/30 the meter or calculation of charges not being controlled from an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409

Abstract

A telecommunications booth providing business travelers a variety of services including telephone, facsimile, and various information options which result in automatic telephone dialing to desired destinations. The various telephonic devices function through a restrictor to access a single public communications channel. The restrictor prevents calls to certain classes of numbers, like 900 numbers. Billing data on the computer may be accessed through a modem.

Claims

1. A transportable telecommunications train, comprising:

a self-propelled vehicle;

a plurality of wheeled housings, each of said housings being walled and having a door, each of said housings including;

a card reader supported by said housing for reading data on card wielded by a user;

a preprogrammed computer system supported by said housing and including program means for interacting with said user;

a telephone coupled to said computer system and supported by said housing;

a facsimile module coupled to said computer system and supported by said housing;

a modem coupled to said computer system;

means for connecting to a public telecommunications channel, and means for selectively providing communication between said public telecommunications channel and one of said telephone, said facsimile module, and said modem;

said communication providing means including means for switching connection with said public telecommunications channel connecting means to one of said telephone, said facsimile module, and said modem;

said communication providing means further including means for controlling said switching means through said computer system based on interaction between said user and said program means; and

means for hitching one of said wheeled housings to said vehicle and the remainder to one another thereby forming said train.

2. A telecommunications train according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wheeled housings comprises a forward hitch and a rear hitch.

3. A telecommunications train according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting to a public telecommunications channel comprises a telephone jack mounted in the wall of the wheeled housing.

4. A telecommunications train according to claim 2, further comprising front and rear wheels.