IE20120368A1

IE20120368A1 - Tourist touchscreen

Info

Publication number: IE20120368A1
Application number: IE20120368A
Authority: IE
Inventors: David Egan
Original assignee: David Egan
Priority date: 2012-08-23
Filing date: 2012-08-23
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: IE86292B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a special type of touchscreen, a tourist touchscreen with multiple functions. The tourist touchscreen enables a user, a typical tourist, to quickly and conveniently access important and up-to-date tourist related information, interact with it and carry out transactions. The standardised information system on all tourist touchscreens provides consistency which is easy to understand and use. The capability to print empowers the user to print brochures, tickets, bookings, reservations, correspondence, receipts, etc. from the comfort of his/her room. The tourist touchscreen replaces many of the functions and facilities traditionally found in tourist offices and tourist information sections of hotels, guest houses, apartment blocks, hostels, caravan sites and other accomodation facilities, and make the provision of information and transactions more convenient and accessible to the tourist.

Description

The present invention relates to computer technology, information systems, and tourism. It proposes a novel new way of merging information systems and computer and communications technologies and new innovations and emerging technologies to solve tourism queries, and provide real-time information, interaction, communications, entertainment and electronic transactions for tourists.

Background to the Invention Touchscreens have become popular in recent years as evidenced by the strong and sustained growth in iPad, smartphone, tablet, iPhone and iPod sales in developed countries. There exists a great need for dedicated tourist touchscreens which are user friendly, convenient to use, city and/or region specific, have a specially configured information system for tourism purposes, can handle many types of electronic transactions, possess multiple functions, operate 24 hours a day every day, and which can communicate or interface with a diverse range of portable electronic devices.

Statement of Invention A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location, which consists of two basic interrelated component parts: (a) a uniquely structured and configured information system which consists of the following combination of features namely specific opening screens and menus, listings and details which (i) provide up to date information about an accommodation facility and the capability to conduct interactions and transactions with this accommodation facility (ii) provide up to date tourist related information about a particular city, resort and/or region and other regions and country and the capability to conduct communications, interactions and transactions with tourist services providers over the Internet and also replaces many of the functions and facilities traditionally found in tourist offices, kiosks, and tourist information sections of hotels, guest houses, holiday apartment blocks (iii) connection of |E1 2 0 3 6 8 various multimedia devices to the Tourist Touchscreen for information, virtual reality and immersion, entertainment and communications purposes and (b) a thin printer which is fully integrated into a computer system which is configured specifically to meet the special requirements of the aforementioned information system Brief Description of the Drawings The invention can he more clearly understood form observing the drawings.

Figure 1 gives a general overview of the Tourist Touchscreen. It provides a frontal view.

Figure 2 provides a 3D perspective and gives a side view of the Touchscreen. The right hand side is shown in detail with various outlets, ports and buttons.

Figure 3 gives a 3D perspective of the Touchscreen showing the left hand side. The various outlets on this side are shown.

Figure 4 shows the back of the Touchscreen and its outlets and component parts.

Figure 5 provides a 3D perspective of mechanism for fixing and locking the touchscreen onto a wall or other surface area.

Figure 6 provides a 3D perspective of the integrated thin printer, showing paper input and output channels.

Figure 7 provides a 3D perspective of the embedded printer showing facility for loading printer cartridges.

Figures 8-14 provide screen shots of the tourist touchscreen.

Detailed Description Referring now to the drawings, that is Figures 1 to 14. Figure 1 will be described first.

Figure 1 depicts a touchscreen unit 1 whose height is greater that it’s width, and whose body is made of plastic, composite material and some metal which are liquid resistant. Touchscreen 1 has embedded computer system, including motherboard, cpu with high speed processors, multiple GB of RAM, cache, BIOS, high capacity hard disk, internal bus system, flash memory, network interface card, video card, audio card, a high quality graphics card, Internet cable modem and outlet, embedded card reader, internal interfaces for Bluetooth, USB, Display port, DVI, HDMI, an embedded SIM card slot, an embedded printer, internal interface for microphone and speakers and for headphones and headphone / microphone combination, combined DVD & Blu-ray drive, Wi-Fi card, power supply. 161 2 ο 3 6 8 The computer screen area 2 of the touchscreen is clearly shown in Figure 1 and extends from the top of speakers at the base of the screen to the bottom of the web cam at the top of the screen. This is the viewing area for computer information. The touchscreen surface area 3, is comprised of a liquid crystal display, with finger print and scratch resistant glass. It has LED back lighting, and is a capacitive, multi-touch screen. Certain areas of the screen have fixed and constant functions, while other areas would contain changing content or information. This is outlined in the screenshots below. The screen has a high resolution The adjustable webcam 4 has a very high resolution and a high frame per second rate (FPS) and a high MP. It also has digital zoom, which can be operated manually. The webcam is built into the top of the unit and has a swivel built into it which enables the webcam to be moved upwards or downwards. This enables a person to use the web cam while sitting down or standing up.

There are two speakers 5, 7 at the base of the touchscreen and a microphone 6 is located in between these speakers. These facilitate communication and work in real-time and in conjunction with the web cam. The area covering the web cam from the left edge of the screen to the right edge of the touchscreen 8 is comprised of plastic or composite material to separate the web cam area from the computer screen viewing area. Similarly the area covering the speakers and microphone at the base of the touchscreen extending from the left edge of touchscreen to the right edge of the touchscreen 9 is comprised of plastic or composite material to separate the speakers and microphone from the computer screen viewing area. This is for functional and aesthetic purposes.

Next, we move to Figure 2 for description. Figure 2 provides a side view of the aforementioned touchscreen unit, showing right hand side of the touchscreen. There is a Bluetooth port 10 which facilitates wireless communication between the touchscreen unit and other electronic devices. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this Bluetooth connection 10 can be used for wirelessly connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un-installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs IE1 2 0 3 68 cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The Bluetooth button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use Bluetooth communications and services.

Figure 2 also shows a SIM card slot 11. This has GSM and CDMA network compatibility, and can be used for the provision of various SIM card services. The SIM card button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide an easy means to access SIM card communications and services. There is a combined DVD & Bluray drive 12 which enables one to operate disks configured in these formats. Below this is a microphone port 13 and earphone port 14 which enables a user to speak and /or listen to audio, and communicate in real-time.

The USB port 15 has multiple applications and uses. It has no cable extending from this port, and is a free USB port. The user though must have his, or her, own USB cable to connect their electronic device to the touchscreen. This may or may not be the case. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this USB connection 15 can be used for connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un25 installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The USB button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use USB communications and services.

At the bottom is the on/off switch 16 which enables a user to turn the touchscreen on or off. The position of this switch enables a user to guess what its function is. The front of the IE1 2 0 3 6 8 touchscreen is viewable from the side.

Figure 3 provides a side view of the aforementioned touchscreen unit, showing the left hand side of the touchscreen. The first item is a slot for card reader 17. This enables a user to insert a pay card into the slot, have it processed and pay for using the Internet and printing paper. This slot can also accept and process credit cards for E-commerce transactions. Below this is a Display port 18 which is used for connecting the touchscreen to other electronic devices with Display port connections. There is a Display port cable 19 which is wired into the touchscreen through the Display port. At the end of this cable there is a Display port connector 20. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this Display port connection 20 can be used for connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un-installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The Display port button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use Display port communications and services.

Below this is a USB port 21 which is used for connecting the touchscreen to other electronic devices with USB connections. There is a USB cable 22 which is wired into the touchscreen through the USB port 21. At the end of this cable there is a USB adaptor 23. This USB adaptor has six outlets to cover the various types of USB connectors. These USB connectors include a Micro-A 24, Micro-B 25, Standard-A plug 26, Standard-B 27, Mini-B 28, and Mini-A 29. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this USB adaptor 23 and its multiple USB connectors 24 - 29 can be used for connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality IE 1 2 0 3 6 8 equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un-installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The USB button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use USB communications and services. The user does not have to have a USB cable to make a connection. This particularly suits tourists who may not have USB cables.

Below this is a HDMI port 30 which is used for connecting the touchscreen to other electronic devices with HDMI connections. There is a HDMI cable 31 which is wired into the touchscreen through the HDMI port 30. At the end of this cable there is a HDMI connector 32. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this HDMI connection 32 can be used for connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un-installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The HDMI button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use HDMI communications and services.

Below this is a DVI port 33 which is used for connecting the touchscreen to other electronic devices with DVI connections. There is a Display port cable 34 which is wired into the touchscreen through the DVI port 33. At the end of this cable there is a DVI connector 35. In the context of a tourist touchscreen, this DVI connection 35 can be used for connecting IE1 2 0 3 6 8 digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads, smart phones, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. It also provides a connection for new and innovative technologies such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality. Drivers for equipment are checked for viruses and then installed for the duration the equipment is being used, then automatically un-installed once the equipment is disconnected from the touchscreen. Files cannot be saved to the touchscreen and programs cannot be executed or installed on the touchscreen. This is for security purposes. Files can be transferred inwards via the touchscreen to an email program or other communications programs, or audio / video to speakers or played on screen. The DVI button at the bottom of the computer screen which is depicted in the screenshots below provide a convenient means to access and use DVI communications and services.

In Figure 4 the back of the touchscreen is shown. This contains several features. There is a connection point for electric power supply 36. This enables an electric power cord to be connected to the back of the touchscreen. To the right of this power connection there is an Internet cable connection 37. This connects the touchscreen to the Internet. Below this is a strong solid metal bracket 38 which is welded into the back of the touchscreen unit. There are long metal bolts 39 welded into the bracket, and each bolt extends out from the bracket at a 90 degrees angle. The bolts 39 are all threaded so as to enable nuts to be fitted onto them. The bolts 39 extending out of the bracket are long enough to fit through a wall.

Figure 5 shows the second bracket 42 and its bolt holes 43 and a threaded nut 44 which exactly fits the aforementioned bolts 39. This second bracket 42 is for connecting to the bolts 39 on the bracket 38 welded to the touchscreen. The bolts 39 extend through a wall or other surface area, the second bracket 42 is then fitted to the bolts 39 and the nuts 44 are then screwed in to lock the second bracket into the wall or other surface area. This fastens the touchscreen unit to a wall or other surface area. An alarm or lock can be attached to the touchscreen or brackets inside the wall to prevent theft.

Below the bracket 38 on the touchscreen is a thin printer 40 which is embedded into the circuitry of the touchscreen and is part of the touchscreen unit. A portion of the printer extends out from the back of the touchscreen and this is used for inserting paper 41, outputting printed paper 45, and changing ink cartridges 46. Figure 6 provides more detail ,£ΐ2°368 about the printer and provides a three dimensional side-view of the printer, the locations for inserting paper 41 and receiving print-outs 45 are shown. In Figure 7, a side view of the left hand side of the printer depicts the ink cartridge compartment 46 and a small knob 47 for opening the ink cartridge compartment. This printer is a vital component of the touchscreen as it can be used for printing brochures, pages of web sites, tickets, receipts, bookings, reservations, discount vouchers.

What is being proposed here is a special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with an integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location, and consists of two basic interrelated component parts (a) a uniquely structured and configured information system which is standardised and consistent for all Tourist Touchscreens, and consists of the following combination of features such as specific opening screens and menus, listings and details which (i) provide up to date information about an accommodation facility and the capability to conduct interactions and transactions with this accommodation facility (ii) provide up to date tourist related information about a particular city, resort and/or region and other regions and country and the capability to conduct communications, interactions and transactions with tourist services providers over the Internet and also replaces many of the functions and facilities traditionally found in tourist offices, kiosks, and tourist information sections of hotels, guest houses, holiday apartment blocks, and makes the provision of tourist information and transactions more convenient and accessible to the tourist, and this is further enhanced by the use of twelve main global languages to view and interact with tourist information, virtual keyboards configured for these twelve languages, fixed position buttons on screen for immediately accessing Skype, emails, YouTube, Twitter, Social networking web sites, Google maps and Google Translate, touristrelated virtual reality worlds, weather forecasts, local, national and international news, accessibility options for disabled people, turning on and turning off the web cam, audio volume control, magnification of pages, adjusting screen brightness, a print button on screen, Bluetooth access and services, USB access and services, DVI access and services, Display port access and services, HDMI access and services, and SIM card access and services which enable a wide variety of devices to be connected to the touchscreen, and ,Et 2 0368 (b) a thin printer which is folly integrated into a computer system which is configured specifically to meet the special requirements of the aforementioned information system As the physical design of the touchscreen is governed by the specially configured information system, I have provided a description of the information system via screenshots below.

Figure 8 shows the opening screen. The user can choose his / her language and the computer automatically provides an electronic version of the keyboard used in that language and the icons are translated into the language. There are functional buttons with fixed positions on screen for immediately accessing Skype, emails, YouTube, Twitter, Social networking web sites, Google maps and Google Translate, virtual reality worlds, weather forecasts, local, national and international news, accessibility options for disabled people, turning on and turning off the web cam, audio volume control, magnification of text and pages, adjusting screen brightness, printing pages. There is also a Bluetooth button, USB button, DVI button, Display port button, HDMI button with fixed positions on screen. These buttons are used for handling transfer of data to or from electronic devices via Bluetooth / USB / DVI / Display port / HDMI devices. There is a SIM card button with fixed position on screen for accessing and handling SIM services. A Print button on screen. The interface design follows generally accepted guidelines and rules in interface design so that all types of users can understand and use the touchscreen.

Figure 9 shows the Home screen. This gives the user or tourist a choice on whether to access information on the accommodation facilities or information on tourist facilities in the resort, city or region itself.

Figure 10 shows a screen that provides information about the facilities offered by the accommodation facility. The specifics of accommodation providers will depend on the nature of the business and industry and expectations of tourists, and on the state of development of a region or country, and will differ from region to region, and from country to country. The touchscreen enables this information to be customised by accommodation providers.

IE 1 2 Ο 3 6 8 Figure 11 shows a screen that provides information about the many tourist attractions in a city / region(s) / country. This is divided into categories, in this case, restaurants. In later screenshots, this is further divided into either types of sub categories. This then is farther refined into names and logos of service / product providers. This then leads to the details of individual service providers. Navigation buttons provide easy access to desired web pages. The specifics of tourist service providers will depend on the city or region itself, and will differ from city to city and region to region. Regular updates to web sites enables this information be customised by tourist services providers.

Figure 11 shows a screen in which a user chooses a category. He / She will be brought to either a types or subcategory section. The various types of services offered within a given category are show here, in this case, types of restaurant.

Figure 12 shows a screen that provides a listing of service providers with their names and logos.

Figure 13 shows a screen that gives details of each service provider, and enables a tourist to views what’s on offer, and interact with them via electronic reservation form, Skype, email, chat, electronic payment, electronic receipts and tickets, and mobile phone confirmations.

There is pre-installed operating system software, an Internet browser with web address facility hidden, language translation facilities enabled and strong security and encryption features enabled, pdf viewer, anti-virus software, software for using Skype, emails, Social networking web sites, Twitter, Google Maps, Google Translate, Youtube, Virtual Reality, weather forecasts, local and international news. Software for accessibility functions, turning the web cam on and off, magnifying text and web pages, adjusting volume, adjusting screen brightness, printing pages, tracking Internet usage and prints and total costs, and handling transmission from and to external devices via USB port, HDMI port, Displayport port, DVI port, Bluetooth port. Software for SIM services.

There is DVD / Blu-ray video viewing software, high-speed Internet cable connection, a smart card facility for processing pay cards. A cost tracking system for measuring time on the Internet, prints and total cost. An on and off button on the side of the unit.

IE 1 ί Ο 3 6 8 The Touchscreen is configured in such a way that it can be used by a person standing up or sitting down There is a bracket, and nuts and bolts locking mechanism at the back of the unit to fix and lock the unit into a another bracket through a wall or other surface area so as to secure the touchscreen to a wall or other surface area for use by customers.

Operation of system The touchscreen provides up-to-date (i) information about a hotel or guesthouse or other accommodation facility (ii) information about a particular city and/or region and nearby regions and country. These two sections are divided into categories, then further divided into subcategories or types, then refined into individual listings .of tourist service providers. The touchscreen is limited specifically to these functions; there is no facility for typing in web addresses. The Internet address facility is disabled. The information provided on touchscreens is strictly limited to the city or region and / or nearby regions. The purpose is the provision of specific tourist information, services and transactions not browsing of the Internet, The accommodation facility would configure their accommodation facilities infonnation on the Tourist Touchscreen. If required a special IT contractor could assist in them in doing this. In addition a special IT contractor and/or tourist office would configure the tourist information on the Touchscreen for a particular city or resort or region and/or country. A fee could be charged for this and included within the pricing for Touchscreens. Once the Tourist Touchscreen is configured, connected to the Internet via cable or wireless, and fixed into the wall or other surface area, it is ready for use by tourists.

This new system would facilitate and encourage bulk buying of spare broadband capacity which would help reduce communications costs for accommodation businesses. The aforementioned special IT contractor would provide cheap broadband options for different accommodation businesses such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, apartment complexes, caravan sites.

The content is drawn from existing web sites on the Internet. So the content is already in place and can be viewed. The Tourist Touchscreen structures it in such a way that it is easy IE 1 2 Ο 3 6 8 to understand, use, interact and transact with.

The aforementioned special IT contractor and / or tourist could assist businesses in establishing web sites and / or enhancing web sites with multimedia features, databases and e-commerce and m-commerce facilities.

The specifics of accommodation providers depends on the nature of the business and industry and expectations of tourists, and on the state of development of a region or country, and will differ from region to region, and from country to country. The touchscreen enables accommodation information to be customised by accommodation providers and tourist information to be customised by special IT contractors and / or tourist offices.

The tourist can avail of other services such as email, YouTube, Social networking web sites, Twitter, and connect various electronic devices to the ports on the computer for information, interaction, entertainment or communications purposes.

Broadband: consists of either use of cable broadband or Wi-Fi. Broadband speed should be high enough to provide optimal delivery of video and multimedia content to a touchscreen with very little or no latency.

Business server: Enterprise Edition of leading software. 64 bit or greater.

Touchscreen operating system: 64 bit or greater. Backwards compatible.

Advantages The main advantage of the invention is that it is an entirely new and standardised configuration of information systems and communications technologies. It is a uniquely configured system for (i) providing information about and interaction with an accommodation facility and (ii) providing tourist related information about a particular city and/or region and other regions and country and interaction with the many tourist service providers. The main advantage over other existing channels of communication is convenience, which is important for tourists visiting a new and unknown location. The Tourist Touchscreen uniquely enables tourists to view information in a highly structured and logical format and look at many offerings and make reservations, transactions, and plans from the comfort of his / her bedroom or lobby. The tourist can contact the service IE 1 2 Ο 3 6 8 provider via Skype call to make an enquiry or reservation. Additionally, the tourist could fill out an electronic reservation form or make a payment or other transaction via the virtual keyboard. Reservations and payments would be processed in real-time, and receipts and confirmations printed out. Notifications could be sent to one’s mobile phone. This would be important in cases where tourist offices are closed, and late at night when many businesses may be closed.

The wide range of functions within easy reach such as Email, Social networking web sites, Twitter, YouTube, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, DVI, Display Port adds to the aforementioned convenience and usefulness of this touchscreen.

The Tourist Touchscreen is a radically new type of touchscreen and integrates new and emerging technologies into one platform for the first time. It combines an adjustable web cam built into the touchscreen, an embedded microphone and two speakers on the front of the touchscreen unit, Bluetooth port, USB ports, HDMI port, DVI port, Display port with cables attached to the ports provide multiple options for data transmission from portable electronic devices to the touchscreen and vice versa, a SIM card slot, there are buttons on screen for immediately accessing Skype, Emails, Social networking web sites, Twitter, YouTube, tourist related virtual reality, Google maps, Google Translate, turning the web cam on and off, adjusting the volume, adjusting screen brightness, magnifying text and web pages, and a print button, an embedded printer which is part of tlie touchscreen unit, a browser for browsing through web pages and database pages, virtual keyboards for the 12 main global languages, a card reader for accepting pay cards, convenient access buttons for navigation and a time and cost tracking facility. The combination of these features, functions and concepts are not found in other touchscreens.

This Touchscreen would offer an entirely new way of enabling the following parties to capture value and hold onto value over time - (a) the service provider (b) the hotel or apartment or guesthouse or accommodation facility (c) the tourist, that is the touchscreen user. To facilitate this there would be no facility for typing in web addresses; the Internet address facility would be disabled. This would focus user activity on tourist information for the city, region, nearby regions or country. The primary purpose of the touchscreen and its design and information structuring is to capture value and hold on to value IEl 2 0 3 6 8 As regards (a) above, The user can only download one page at a time onto his / her smartphone or other portable device, and can only print one page at a time. This prevents mass downloading and theft of data. The fact that advertised web sites need to be updated frequently also protects the value of information presented via the touchscreen. The Tourist Touchscreen focuses the attention of the tourist on local business offerings, and makes it easy and convenient for the tourist to view and choose from a wide range of options, and book, reserve or purchase online. The service provider has the ability to market his product, interact with the tourist and sell via the touchscreen. This capturing of value and the holding on to value over time, in addition to the facility to add value over time would provide local businesses with important strategic competitive advantages over the longterm.

As regards (b) the hotel benefits from both presenting its own facilities and amenities via touchscreen and also presenting the amenities in the city / town / region. This helps it create sustainable competitive value over time.

As regards (c) the tourist captures value through having an efficient and convenient means of accessing up to date, quality information any time of the day and any day of the week. This would add value and would help them enjoy their stay. Only information which is appealing and relevant to a particular tourist can be printed out or saved to a portable electronic device.

It would expand the concept of the smartphone, iPhone, the iPod and the iPad to the tourist touchscreen. As people become more used to using these portable gadgets and devices, they will become used to using the Tourist Touchscreen and see it as a natural extension of the iPad or iPhone or smart phone. The Tourist Touchscreen would benefit from the popularity of touchscreens, but the Tourist Touchscreen would be different as it would be a very focussed and specific form of touchscreen technology.

It’s unique design and functions are easy to use and understand and could be used by all age groups, including those with very little computer knowledge to get information and perform transactions.

Updates to· web sites are immediately reflected in all connected touchscreens. Thus the IEl 2 0 3 6 8 content is always up to date for tourists.

The tourist has a very wide choice of ports such as USB, HDMI, DVI, Display port with cables connected and ready for use and also Bluetooth for wirelessly connecting a very wide range of devices such as virtual reality glasses or head mounted displays, augmented reality equipment, hologram equipment and other virtual reality devices to view virtual reality or holographic or augmented reality, and also connecting digital cameras, video camcorders, mp3 players, iPhones, iPads and other electronic devices to the touchscreen. This enhances the user’s experience and range of functions he / she can perform using the touchscreen.

The tourist can print out a map of the location, use GPS tracking to locate a business, print out a reservation receipt or ticket, print out pictures, print out a web page, print out discount vouchers.

The tourist can Skype his/her family and friends in another location, using a Skype to Skype call.

Claims

1. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an 5 information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location, and consists of two basic interrelated component parts: (a) a uniquely structured information system which is standardised and consistent for all Tourist Touchscreens, and consists of the following combination of features 10 namely specific opening screens and menus, listings and details which: (i) provide up to date information about an accommodation facility and the capability to conduct interactions and transactions with this accommodation facility, (ii) provide up to date tourist related information about a particular city, 15 resort and/or region and other regions and country and the capability to conduct communications, interactions and transactions with tourist services providers over the Internet and also replaces many of the functions and facilities traditionally found in tourist offices, kiosks, and tourist information sections of hotels, guest houses, hostels, 20 holiday apartment blocks, and makes the provision of tourist information and transactions more convenient and accessible to the tourist, and this is further enhanced by the use of twelve main global languages to view and interact with tourist information, virtual keyboards configured for these twelve languages, fixed position 25 buttons on screen for immediately accessing Skype, emails, YouTube, Twitter, Social networking web sites, Google maps and Google Translate, tourist-related virtual reality worlds, weather forecasts, local, national and international news, accessibility options for disabled people, turning on and turning off the web cam, audio 30 volume control, magnification of pages, adjusting screen brightness, a print button on screen, Bluetooth access and services, USB access and services, DVI access and services, Display port access and services, HDMI access and services, and SIM card access and services which enable a wide variety of devices to he connected to IEl

2. 0 3 6 8 the touchscreen, and (b) a thin printer which is fully integrated into a computer system which is configured specifically to meet the special requirements of the aforementioned information system 5 2. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, wherein: the Tourist Touchscreen has cables extending from the USB port, DVI port, HDMI port 10 and Display port which are wired into their respective ports at one end and have connectors at the other end, so tourists can conveniently connect them to a very wide range of portable electronic devices.

3. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an 15 information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, wherein: the Tourist Touchscreen has an embedded web cam on the top of the Touchscreen which can be adjusted upwards or downwards so that users can use the Touchscreen 20 either sitting down or standing up.

4. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, 25 wherein: the Touchscreen has a strong solid metal bracket fixed to its back, and the bracket has bolts extending out which can be fixed into another metal bracket through a wall or other surface area so as to lock and secure the touchscreen to a wall or other surface. 30 5. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, comprising: a navigation system for navigating the information system. IE1 2 0 3 6 8 6. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, 5 comprising; a virtual reality button which links to a virtual reality section for virtual reality viewing, augmented reality viewing and holographic viewing and use of Virtual Reality, augmented reality, holographic equipment connected to USB/DVI/HDMI/Displayport/Bluetooth ports for the provision of multimedia enriched 10 tourist information, interaction, transactions and/or entertainment. 7. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, 15 wherein: the Tourist Touchscreen has a smart card reader for pay cards and credit cards, and a time, print and total costs facility on screen for measuring Internet usage and prints and hilling. 20 8. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, wherein: the Tourist Touchscreen has the Internet address facility on the browser both hidden 25 and disabled so that the information system is focussed on the provision of tourist information, products and services, thus enabling the tourist service providers and accommodation providers to capture value, add value and protect value over time. 9. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an 30 information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above, wherein: the user can only download one page at a time onto their smartphone or other portable electronic device, thus preventing mass downloading and theft of data. IEl 2 Ο 3 6 8 10. A special purpose Tourist Touchscreen with integrated thin printer for use as an information, interaction, virtual reality, transaction, communications and entertainment point for tourists visiting a location as described in Claim 1 above,

5. Wherein: files cannot be saved to the Tourist Touchscreen and programs cannot be executed on it, thus ensuring the Tourist Touchscreen and its information system cannot be attacked by viruses, malware, trojans and hackers.