On-line communication terminal/apparatus

• US 5,602,905 A
• Filed: 01/23/1995
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard P. Mettke
• Original Assignee: Richard P. Mettke
• Inventors: Mettke, Richard P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woo, Stella L.
• Application Number:
  US08/376,247
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 379/100, 379/91, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/93, 379/94, 379/144, 379/155, 358/401, 358/442, 235/380, 235/381, 235/382, 364/401, 364/408
• US Class Current: 379/93.22
• 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 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/02 Coin-freed or check-freed systems , e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths

Abstract

A "pay-as-you-use" communication terminal capable of interfacing with all major commercial on-line communications services (I.E. American On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe, Genie, Delphi, Eworld). Users can receive a hard copy of any activity that they conduct from the terminal through the co-located printer. Payment of services will be made by credit card, using a "magnetic swipe" system included as part of the terminal system. Users will be charged for use of the system as well as normal telephone charges.

Claims

1. A public on-line, pay-as-you-use communications terminal comprising a housing, wherein said housing contain:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a telephone access node;

an internal modem coupled to the CPU and telephone access node;

a video display monitor coupled to the CPU;

a keyboard for providing user interface coupled to the CPU;

a credit card reader swipe device coupled to the CPU for accepting payment by a user for use of the terminal;

means for accessing commercial on-line services and allow for user interaction;

software installed into the CPU to allow interface with commercial on-line service providers and credit card service centers;

a printer coupled to the CPU.

2. The terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for accessing includes a touch screen interface attached to the monitor and further includes a touch screen means for accepting input information from said touch screen interface and modifying program execution accordingly.

3. The terminal in accordance with claim 1 also including, within said housing, program means for causing said printer to print a receipt or any other document available from a commercial on-line service.

4. The terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a durable enclosure for the CPU, monitor, internal modem and printer, and a secured access door for service and repair.

5. A method of using a public on-line, pay-as-you-use terminal to access commercial on-line services comprising the steps of:

swiping a credit card through a credit card swipe device;

if credit is is denied, disallowing interaction;

if credit is approved, receiving charge approval from a credit card center for use of the terminal;

communicating said approval to CPU executing a main program;

in response to input from a user who is responding to a selection of on-line services that are assessable and displayed on a monitor in communication with said CPU and, based on interaction between said user and said main program, controlling switching means with said CPU to provide communication between a telephone access node and a modem with a commercial on-line service;

printing with a printer a hard copy of documents said user requires, said printer being in communication with the CPU;

deactivating said CPU from commercial on-line service user interaction on appropriate input from said user;

printing with said printer a billing statement.