E-commerce development intranet portal
First Claim
1. A public-access e-commerce service portal providing a user access to an internet, said portal comprising:
- a computer including a display screen, a card reader adapted to read financial account information from a card, an input device adapted to provide alphanumeric and screen-coordinate information selected by the user, a drive unit adapted to read data from and write data to a removable data storage medium, and a printer unit, said computer being programmed to permit a user to selectively operate the units after said user enters a valid log-on ID or to establish a log-on ID for a new user after receiving answers manually input to the computer by the new user in response to predetermined demographic questions, and said computer being programmed to test the validity of financial account information, PIN number and log-on ID entries made by users;
a video camera, which inputs video images, connected to the computer, said computer being programmed to use said video camera to provide video-conference service to the user;
a telecommunications link adapted to connect the computer to an e-commerce intranet providing free services to the user, said free services including information resources and free access to selected e-commerce intranet sites and contact with an intranet agent at an e-commerce service facility, the telecommunications link also being adapted to connect the computer to the internet to thereby provide the user access to the internet; and
a service unit including electric power and data connectors for use by a portable computing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intranet providing a multiple-carrel public-access kiosk provides free access to foreign and domestic informational e-commerce intranet sites as well as e-mail and public service educational and informational materials. The kiosk accepts anonymous pre-paid cards issued by a local franchisee of a network of e-commerce intranets that includes the local intranet. The paid services provided by each carrel may include video-conference and chat room time, playing and/or copying audio-visual materials such as computer games and music videos, and international e-commerce purchase support services such as customs and currency exchange. Third-party sponsored public service materials may include audio-visual instructional materials in local dialects introducing the user to the use of the kiosk'"'"'s services and providing training for using standard business software programs.
66 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A public-access e-commerce service portal providing a user access to an internet, said portal comprising:
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a computer including a display screen, a card reader adapted to read financial account information from a card, an input device adapted to provide alphanumeric and screen-coordinate information selected by the user, a drive unit adapted to read data from and write data to a removable data storage medium, and a printer unit, said computer being programmed to permit a user to selectively operate the units after said user enters a valid log-on ID or to establish a log-on ID for a new user after receiving answers manually input to the computer by the new user in response to predetermined demographic questions, and said computer being programmed to test the validity of financial account information, PIN number and log-on ID entries made by users; a video camera, which inputs video images, connected to the computer, said computer being programmed to use said video camera to provide video-conference service to the user; a telecommunications link adapted to connect the computer to an e-commerce intranet providing free services to the user, said free services including information resources and free access to selected e-commerce intranet sites and contact with an intranet agent at an e-commerce service facility, the telecommunications link also being adapted to connect the computer to the internet to thereby provide the user access to the internet; and a service unit including electric power and data connectors for use by a portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A public-access c-commerce service network, said, network comprising:
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a plurality of e-commerce portals, each portal having a video camera that inputs video images, a computer adapted to read financial account information from a card, respond to alphanumeric and screen-coordinate information selected by the user, read data from and write data to a removable data storage medium, selectively print information for the user, and provide video-conference service to a user, said computer being programmed to permit a user to selectively operate the units after said user enters a valid log-on ID or to establish a log-on ID for a new user after receiving answers manually input to the computer by the new user in response to predetermined demographic questions, and programmed to test the validity of financial account information, PIN number and log-on ID entries made by users; a respective telecommunications link adapted to connect each of the computers to an e-commerce intranet, said intranet providing free services to the user, said free services including information resources sponsored by members of the intranet, and user access to selected e-commerce intranet sites, and to an e-commerce service facility, said telecommunications link also being adapted to connect the computer to an internet to thereby provide the user access to the internet; and a service unit including electric power and data connectors for use by a portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing public access to e-commerce activities through an e-commerce service portal including an information processing apparatus and a telecommunications link, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a log-on ID to a user upon receiving answers from the user to predetermined questions; providing selectable access to a plurality of paid and free services after validating a user ID entered by a user, said free services including access to selected e-commerce intranet sites, said paid services including video-conference service using a video camera that inputs video images; providing access to each paid service selected by a user after validating a respective PIN number entered by the user; providing access to an internet through the telecommunications link connected to the information processing apparatus; and providing electric power and data connectors for use by a portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification