Apparatus, systems, and methods to support service calls
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a terminal to couple to a network having a service console, wherein the terminal includesa main display and a second display, wherein the second display is physically separate from the main display;
a dedicated switch for use only to transmit a service request to the service console;
a visible indicator to receive a service status signal from the service console,wherein the visible indicator is physically separate from the main display and the second display;
a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“
VOIP”
) module;
at least one processor; and
an operating system to be executed by the at least one processor;
wherein a status of the operating system may be either active or inactive;
wherein the visible indicator is to be activated by the service console in response to an activation of the dedicated switch;
wherein the terminal is to communicate with the service console via the VOIP module;
wherein the VOIP module is activated in response to activation of the switch if the operating system status is active; and
wherein the service console'"'"'s activation of the visible indicator is to occur even if the at least one processor is fully powered down and the operating system status is inactive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an embodiment, an apparatus, method, and/or system support a service request made by a computer user in an Internet café or similar electronic service environment. A user may operate a café-provided user terminal in a multi-terminal network controlled by a café service console. The user may operate a switch on the terminal to transmit a service request to the service console. A visible and/or audible indication may be provided to the user, via a suitable indicator on the terminal, regarding the status of the user'"'"'s service request. The user'"'"'s service request may cause service-related information to be displayed on a second display of the user terminal for selection by the user. The user may speak with a service administrator using a voice over Internet protocol module built into the terminal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a terminal to couple to a network having a service console, wherein the terminal includes a main display and a second display, wherein the second display is physically separate from the main display; a dedicated switch for use only to transmit a service request to the service console; a visible indicator to receive a service status signal from the service console, wherein the visible indicator is physically separate from the main display and the second display; a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“
VOIP”
) module;at least one processor; and an operating system to be executed by the at least one processor; wherein a status of the operating system may be either active or inactive; wherein the visible indicator is to be activated by the service console in response to an activation of the dedicated switch; wherein the terminal is to communicate with the service console via the VOIP module; wherein the VOIP module is activated in response to activation of the switch if the operating system status is active; and wherein the service console'"'"'s activation of the visible indicator is to occur even if the at least one processor is fully powered down and the operating system status is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a network; an Internet café
service console coupled to the network;a plurality of café
-provided terminals coupled to the network, wherein at least one of the terminals comprises a main display and a second display, wherein the second display is physically separate from the main display, a dedicated switch operable to transmit a user service request to the console, at least one processor, and an operating system to be executed by the at least one processor, wherein a status of the operating system may be either active or inactive,wherein the at least one terminal further comprises a visible or audible indicator, wherein the visible or audible indicator is physically separate from the main display and the second display, wherein the console is to activate the indicator upon receipt of the user service request, wherein the at least one terminal further includes a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“
VOIP”
) module, wherein the at least one terminal is to communicate with the service console via the VOIP module,wherein the VOIP module is activated in response to activation of the switch if the operating system status is active; and wherein the service console'"'"'s activation of the indicator is to occur even if the at least one processor is fully powered down and the operating system status is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating an Internet café
- system comprising a café
-provided terminal and an Internet café
service administration console, wherein the terminal includes a main display to display computer-based activities of primary interest to a user;
a second display to display customer service menu items, the second display being physically separate from the main display and comprising touch-screen locations;
a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“
VOIP”
) module, wherein the terminal is to communicate with the service console via the VOIP module;
at least one processor; and
an operating system to be executed by the at least one processor, wherein a status of the operating system may be either active or inactive, the method comprising;detecting, by the service console, activation of a dedicated switch on the terminal by an Internet café
user; andactivating, by the service console, a first visible or audible signal on the terminal to indicate receipt of a service request made by the user, wherein the service console'"'"'s activation of the indicator is to occur even if the at least one processor is fully powered down and the operating system status is inactive. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
- system comprising a café
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20. An article comprising a machine-accessible medium having associated instructions, wherein the instructions, when accessed, result in a processor performing:
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detecting, by an Internet café
service administration console, activation of a dedicated switch on an Internet café
-provided terminal by an Internet café
user, the terminal comprising at least one processor, and an operating system to be executed by the at least one processor, wherein a status of the operating system may be either active or inactive;activating, by the service console, a first visible or audible signal on the terminal to indicate receipt of a service request made by the user, wherein the service console'"'"'s activation of the indicator is to occur even if the at least one processor is fully powered down and the operating system status is inactive; and in response to detecting the activation of the dedicated switch, enabling a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“
VOIP”
) connection between the console and a location of the user, in response to detecting the activation of the dedicated switch. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeIntel Corporation
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Original AssigneeIntel Corporation
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InventorsHou, Chih-Lung, Sheng, Xiao Feng, Yang, Xiao Ping
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Primary Examiner(s)Swarthout; Brent
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Application NumberUS11/577,244Publication NumberTime in Patent Office2,208 DaysField of Search340/825.36, 340/286.02, 340/815.4, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 709223-226, 709/244, 709/219, 705/27, 705/15, 345/1.3, 707/512US Class Current340/286.02CPC Class CodesG06F 9/453 Help systemsG06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
