DE19749798A1 - Slot machine for public internet access - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine enables any user to obtain a time credit for internet access via the machine by selecting a user identification and inserting a sum of money into the machine in the form of coins or cash cards.

Description

In the past, access to the Internet was only available at universities and in large Companies have been available, so these have also recently become very popular Father households spread out. As a result, a large group of people is now using it this new medium and its possibilities.

What is missing so far, however, is a simple technical option, including short-term ones Internet activities such as checking personal e-mail also outside of Woh tion or work place, since no suitable devices similar to z. B. an automatic telephone. With existing public in ternet access (e.g. internet cafes) is generally charged at a flat rate every hour expected, which is unattractive for the occasional user.

For this problem, the invention listed in the claim offers a Possible solution. By making a deposit, the customer purchases from this machine the possibility of frequent short internet sessions (e.g. to read his e-mail) to do.

The machine - depending on the intended installation location, may be in a particularly robust version leadership - has a built-in computer with keyboard and screen, as well as a Possibility of payment, i.e. coin validator, money or credit card reader, as well as one Telephone connection with which an Internet provider can be dialed. At rest an input screen is displayed with which a customer can identify or a new customer can register again (selection of a name and password, with whom he identifies in the future).

Customers of the machine can increase their time account at any time by making a deposit. As long as there is still time credit, the customer can make a dial-up connection at any time to the preset Internet provider and with an access pro gram (browser) become active on the Internet. During longer reading phases or for The dial-up connection can be separated from the customer by writing texts (e-mail). For times with a separate dial-up connection (offline phase) the machine can drivers a slower time clock can be set as desired. The unused part the time account is retained even after leaving the machine.

For pools of machines, the account can be managed on a central server computer and can be used on various client computers networked with this.  

Description of an embodiment

A commercially available PC system is also fitted with a standard one multiple coin validator connected, its activation can be checked from the PC can. The PC has Internet access via ISDN to a specified inter net provider and runs with Linux as operating system and uses Netscape as browser and e-mail interface.

In addition, a server soft developed for this invention runs on this computer goods, which the user account management (determination of deposits and Ab bookings of the used time units) and the Internet access Activates the customer's request if the account balance is still positive.

This system is for use in a moderately controlled environment (the system is not yet vandal-proof in its current form). B. in companies for private use according to a telephone machine or in schools.

Achieved advantages

With this machine the technical basis for a wide spread of Internet access options similar to the automatic telephone machines are created. Also for A customer does not have to pay for short-term Internet activities for longer sessions en. For the machine operator, there is a potentially larger one Customers have the advantage that the billing does not have to be labor-intensive.

Claims (1)

Automatic machine for public Internet access, characterized in that any user acquires a time credit for Internet access at this machine by choosing a user ID and depositing an amount at the machine (with a coin validator or cash card).