DE20006938U1 - Telephone device with internet access facility - Google Patents

Description

13/04/2000 German utility model
Geier, Rudi
DE-2306

Telephone device with internet access facility

The present invention relates to a telephone device with Internet access device.

Known telephone facilities that are accessible to the public, such as telephone booths, only have a telephone that allows the exchange of acoustic signals.

These well-known telephone devices cannot provide access to the Internet.

Since the communication possibilities offered by the Internet are being used more and more and many people already communicate by email (electronic mail), SMS (Short Message Service) or similar services, there is a need to create access to the Internet in easily accessible places or in highly frequented locations, such as a pedestrian zone, a train station, an airport, a department store, etc.

European Patent and Hausen 5b RO. Box 12 26

Trademark Attorneys D-85551 Kirchheim b. Munich D-85542 Kirchheim b. Munich

Dipl.-Ing. Markus ReinherrJtj Dipl.-Ing. Udo Söllner ·

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Dipl.-Phys. Bernhard Gärtähi ···· ···· rnternetfwww.patrnen.eem ··" *··* ^# ·· ^# &Rgr;3&KHgr;+ ^&bgr; 40&igr;(&dgr;9).3&thgr;48&Ogr;&Ogr;84 (G4 )

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Patent Attorneys Reinhardt - Söllner - Ganahl DE-2306 Page -2-

One way to access the Internet is through a portable telephone or cell phone. There is already an Internet service called WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) that allows the exchange of information via the cell phone's display.

Since the display of the mobile phone is very small and only allows a very limited representation compared to a conventional screen, this WAP service can only be used to a limited extent.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an Internet access that can be used by different people at freely accessible locations.

To achieve this object, the invention has the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments thereof are specified in the further claims.

Such an "Internet machine" comprises, as a telephone device with an integrated Internet access device, an access device to the Internet and/or a user authorization checking device; a display device; and an input device.

In particular, a publicly accessible telephone booth can thus be equipped with an Internet access facility.

According to the invention, the input device according to claim 2 optionally comprises a keyboard, a PC mouse, a trackball, a touch-sensitive screen or a voice input module.

The display device preferably comprises a screen, such as an LCD screen.

The integrated access device can preferably provide access to the Internet using a telephone card, an EC card, a credit card or cash.

Patent Attorneys Reinhardt - Söllner - Ganahl DE-2306 Page -3-

However, this access device can also have a connection device for a portable telephone or mobile phone, whereby access to the Internet can be established and/or activated via the portable telephone or mobile phone.
5

The above object, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood by considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
10

The well-known publicly accessible telephone booth can be converted into a so-called "Internet machine" by retrofitting it with the following components.

An Internet access device: This access device allows you to access the Internet using cash, an EC card, a phone card or similar. The fees incurred (phone charges, Internet access fees, etc.) are charged accordingly or, in the case of cash, paid by inserting a cash card. This enables anonymous Internet access.

A user authorization verification device can optionally be provided in addition. This user authorization verification device can, for example, automatically establish access for a specific person in the case of a special telephone card or Internet access card on which the login data for a specific provider (usually a company that enables access to the Internet) is stored.

A display device is advantageously provided as an LCD screen, which is attached to telescopic rails, for example, so that it can be pulled out and/or pivoted. In order to prevent damage due to vandalism, appropriate security can be provided, such as a shatter-proof glass cover or similar.

Patent Attorneys Reinhardt - Söllner - Ganahl DE-2306 Page -4-

An input device is required to enter data. Examples include a keyboard, a trackball, a PC mouse or a voice input module that converts the user's spoken words into commands for a computer.
5

When using such a publicly accessible telephone booth, the user can, for example, insert his telephone card into the access device. The charges incurred are then debited from this telephone card. The user can then either connect to the Internet manually by entering the access number (the provider's telephone number) or, if it is provided and stored on the telephone card, he can have the connection to the Internet established automatically.

The input device can be used to access certain Internet pages, using either the keyboard for input, the PC mouse or a touch-sensitive screen.

If the user has a cell phone, the cell phone can be connected directly via an optional connection device (interface) and the (data) connection to the Internet can also be established via the cell phone. The input device then serves as a convenient input option and the output device has the normal screen.

The user interface can be the well-known Internet browsers or email programs, depending on the user's selection.

With regard to features of the invention not explained in detail above, express reference is made to the claims.

Claims (6)

1. Telephone device with an Internet access facility, in particular a publicly accessible telephone booth with an Internet access facility, with: - an Internet access device and/or a user authorization verification device; - a display device; and - an input device. 2. Telephone device with an Internet access device according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device optionally comprises a keyboard, a PC mouse, a trackball, a touch-sensitive screen or a voice input module. 3. Telephone device with an Internet access device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display device comprises a screen, such as an LCD screen. 4. Telephone device with an Internet access device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the access device enables access to the Internet by means of a telephone card, an EC card, a credit card or by means of cash. 5. Telephone device with an Internet access device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the access device has a connection device for a portable telephone/mobile phone, wherein access to the Internet can be established and/or activated via the portable telephone/mobile phone. 6. Telephone device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a publicly accessible telephone booth is equipped with the Internet access device.