FR2783383A1 - Information network access facility for public telephone, has microcontroller, modem, and suitable man-machine interface to enable navigation on e.g. Internet - Google Patents

Abstract

The public phone incorporates a microcontroller (48) with a man-machine interface comprising a touch screen (24) to select from a choice of operating modes, a video camera (26), a microphone (28), and loudspeakers (30). The microcontroller is also connected to a modem (50) and communication controller (32) enabling network access and navigation. Manual (29) and periodic automatic (52) rebooting of the microcontroller are provided for. An Independent claim is included for a method of accessing at least one information network via a public telephone of the type described in the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a payphone, that is

  that is to say a telephone apparatus intended to be placed in a public place, and a method of accessing one or more computer networks via a network

  telephone, using such a public telephone.

  In the prior art, this type of telephone apparatus comprises means for establishing and managing telephone communications according to a call credit intended to be connected, in operation, to a telephone network by

switched example.

  It is used by picking up the telephone handset from the public telephone set, inserting a payment card for telephone communications, for example a "prepaid" type card, a bank card, etc., into a card reader and

  dialing the telephone number of a correspondent.

  The public telephone set therefore establishes a telephone call

  with the called party, until the call credit has been used up.

  Some public telephones are also capable of providing access to databases, via the Minitel network. However, they do not allow access to hypertext data, and, in general, they do not

  not allow a user to browse computer networks.

  The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks.

  It therefore relates to a public telephone set of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises a microcontroller to which peripheral devices providing a man / machine interface are connected, the microcontroller being associated with a modem intended to be connected to the telephone network and being connected to the means for establishing and managing telephone communications for access to at least one computer network via the telephone network and navigation in this network and in that the peripheral devices include means selection of

  predetermined modes of use of the or each computer network.

  This public telephone set therefore allows, on the one hand, to establish a telephone communication with a called correspondent and, on the other hand, to access computer networks, in particular the "Internet" network and this, according to a procedure

relatively simple.

  The public telephone set according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

  - It also includes means for automatic reset of the micro-

  controller; - It includes a touch screen delimiting, in operation, touch zones constituting said selection means; the computer network is a computer network using a communication protocol of the TCP / IP type; - the peripheral devices comprise means of taking pictures connected to the microcontroller and adapted for the formation of images of a user with a view to their transmission over the computer network; - the peripheral devices also comprise at least one speaker connected to the microcontroller; - the peripheral devices also include a microphone connected to the microcontroller; - the peripheral devices include an additional keyboard connected to the microcontroller; - the peripheral devices also include a printer connected to the microcontroller; - the peripheral devices and the microcontroller are constituted by constituent elements of a multimedia type microcomputer, integrated into the station

public telephone.

  The invention also relates to a method of accessing at least one computer network via a telephone network, by means of a public telephone set as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - selecting an operating mode of the public telephone set, from an operating mode as a telephone apparatus and an operating mode as an access terminal to the computer network; insert a telecommunications payment card into a card reader fitted to the public telephone set; and - if the operating mode is selected as a computer network access terminal, select at least one mode of use of the network, from a mode of use as a means of exchanging video images, a mode of use as a means of exchanging sound signals, a mode of use as a means of exchanging texts, a mode of use as a means of accessing databases, for example

  via network navigation software.

  Preferably, the operating mode of the public telephone set is selected by picking up or not picking up a telephone handset fitted to the set

public telephone.

  Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description,

  given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a general view of a public telephone set according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the public telephone set of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the public telephone set of Figures 1 and 2; and - Figure 4 illustrates a view of the touch screen of the public telephone set of Figures 1 and 2, allowing the selection of predetermined modes of use of the computer network. In Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a telephone set

  audience according to the invention, designated by the general reference 10.

  It is intended to be placed in a telephone booth (not shown), in a public location, to allow, on the one hand, the establishment of a telephone connection with a correspondent and, on the other hand, access to computer networks, in particular to the "Internet" computer network, and browsing in these networks, and this,

based on call credit.

  By navigation, one understands the seizure of an electronic address and the access to this address for the consultation of information, the use of links for the access to hypertext data and the access to a corresponding address, and the data entry, for example for ordering articles or documents. That is to say, navigation is understood to mean the use of the functionalities of browsers of the "Explorer", "Netscape (", ... As seen in this figure 1, public telephone set 10 comprises a box 12, preferably tamper-proof, provided, as is conventional, with a telephone handset 14, a keyboard 16 for dialing telephone numbers, a reader 18 for payment cards, a display window 20 allow in particular the display of an available call credit and an information plate 22 on which

  the user manual for the public telephone set 10 is presented.

  Furthermore, it can be seen that the public telephone set 10 is provided, on the front panel, with a touch screen 24, a shooting camera 26, a microphone 28, a button 29 for manual reset and, on its upper part, two speakers, such as 30. Of course, and as will be understood, the public telephone set 10 can be provided with other types of peripheral devices ensuring an interface

  man / machine, as will be described with reference to Figure 2.

  As mentioned previously, the public telephone set 10 makes it possible to establish telephone communication with a called party, but

  also to access computer networks.

  To do this, and now referring to FIG. 2, the public telephone set comprises, arranged in the housing 12, means for establishing and managing telephone communications, designated by the general reference numeral 32 and means 34 d access to computer networks, working in conjunction with them. The means 32 for establishing and managing telephone communications comprise a central management unit 36, comprising a set of read-only memories in which are stored one or more algorithms for managing the operation of the public telephone station 10, and to which the keyboard 16,

  the payment card reader 18 and the display window 20.

  We also see in this figure that a supply battery 38 ensures

  central unit power supply 36.

  A URL card 40, constituting a unit for connecting the public telephone set to the switched telephone network, to which the handset 14 is connected,

  is connected to the central unit 36.

  This URL card is a known type card. It will therefore not be described in detail below. It should be noted, however, that it incorporates a modem allowing the transmission and reception of modulated voice signals over the switched telephone network, by means of an optional line protection unit UPL 42, ensuring protection of the station. public telephone against possible problems of overvoltage. We see that the UPL unit 42 has a terminal block 44 ensuring the connection

  from the public telephone to a telephone line.

  The means 32 for establishing and managing telephone communications are supplemented by an optional UGH unit 46, constituting an interface between the central unit 36 and a detection central located at a distance from the station.

  public telephone, as is conventional.

  Furthermore, the means 34 for accessing the computer network include a

  microcontroller 48 associated with a modem 50 connected to the UPL unit 42, the micro-

  controller 48 preferably incorporating a video card and a sound card.

  As can be seen in this figure, the microcontroller 48 is also connected to the touch screen 24, to the camera 26, to the microphone 28 and to the

speakers 30.

  It will be noted that, as a variant, these peripheral devices and the microcontroller 48 may be provided in the form of a microcomputer of multimedia type integrated into the

public telephone.

  Furthermore, the means 34 for accessing the computer network are further provided with means for automatic reset of the microcontroller 48, designated by the

  general reference 52.

  It will be noted that these reset means 52 are for example constituted by the association of a clock and a relay (not shown), the relay being located on a supply line of the microcontroller 48 so as to cut off its power supply in order to cause a periodic and automatic reset of the microcontroller 48 in the event

blocking its operation.

  Finally, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the peripheral devices connected to the microcontroller 48 also incorporate optional devices, represented in phantom in this figure, namely an additional keyboard 54 allowing the entry of texts, a printer 56 and a device pointing, constituted for example by a member with

  trackball, or with a mouse.

  Finally, it should be noted that the payment card reader 18 preferably incorporates a reader 18-a allowing the reading of smart cards, such as prepaid cards, bank cards, ... and a reader 18-b of track cards magnetic such

  than bank cards with magnetic stripes.

  The operation of the public telephone set, the structure of which has just been described, will now be described with reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates the main

  phases of the management algorithm stored in the microcontroller 48.

  During a first phase 60, the central unit 36 and the microcontroller 48 cause the display, on the display window 20, of a screen saver on which a waiting message is presented to a user , inviting the latter to select the operating mode of the public telephone set, that is to say either according to an operating mode as a conventional telephone apparatus, or as a terminal

access to the computer network.

  Note that this selection is made by picking up or not picking up the handset 14, the pickup corresponding to the choice of use of the public telephone set as

than telephone device.

  During the following step 62, in the case where it has been detected that the handset 14 has been lifted, the central unit 36 invites the user to insert a payment card into the reader 18 and to dial the telephone number d 'a correspondent, as is

classic.

  After these operations have been carried out, the means 32 for establishing and managing telephone communications cause the establishment of a telephone link with the called party, depending on the available call credit,

  via the URL 40 card and the UPL 42 line protection unit.

  As soon as a hang-up has been detected, the process returns to the previous step 60. In the case where, during the following step 64, it has been detected that a payment card has been inserted in the reader 18, without first picking up, the microcontroller 48 causes the display on the touch screen 24 a menu in the form of a selection bar delimiting tactile zones constituting means for selecting predetermined modes

  use of the computer network to which the user therefore has access.

  It will be noted that as soon as the user has selected, during steps 60 and 64, the choice corresponding to the mode of use of the public telephone set as an access terminal to the computer network, the means 52 for automatic reset are activated, under the control of the microcontroller 48 so as to reset it automatically and periodically as soon as no data is processed by the latter,

  thus indicating a blocking of its management algorithm.

  During step 64, the microcontroller 48 thus causes the display, on the touch screen 24, of a menu inviting the user to select one or more modes of use of the network, each mode corresponding to the of one or more

peripheral devices.

  The user therefore has the possibility of using the network to exchange video images with a correspondent, sound signals, texts, entered via a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen 24 as soon as the mode of corresponding use has been selected, or via the additional keyboard 54, or else to use the network as a means of access to databases, via software for browsing the network and this, as long as the call credit

  available to the user is not exhausted.

  Thus, after having selected, during step 64, one of the available modes of use, the user firstly has the possibility of sending a postcard to a correspondent (step 66). To do this after having chosen an image from among several images stored in memory in the microcontroller 48 supplemented, if necessary, by an image of the user, the electronic address should be entered using the virtual keyboard 24. of the correspondent, the image thus produced being sent directly to the latter. It will be noted that, possibly, according to this mode of use, the image can be supplemented by a text entered manually on the virtual keyboard 24 or on the additional keyboard 54, the image and the text being jointly sent towards the correspondent. Similarly, the user also has the option of browsing the network

IT (step 68).

  In this case, the microcontroller 48 causes the display, on the touch screen 24, of a selection menu, as shown in FIG. 4, on which are presented windows 70 for direct access to predetermined sites. , such as the site of the town hall of the locality in which the public telephone set 10 is installed, as well as a set of

  windows, such as 72, for browsing the network, as is conventional.

  Note also that, according to this mode of use, a set of links, in the form of underlined words, allow access to data

  hypertext by passing from one database to another, as is conventional.

  In addition, the user has the possibility of exchanging sound and / or video signals with a correspondent by using the camera 26, the microphone.

  28 and the speakers 30 (step 74).

  Finally, note that the user has the option of reading his e-mail (step 76) after having selected the corresponding choice and entering his password.

  pass along with its mail server flag (step 76).

  It is understood that of course, the user also has the possibility of using the public telephone set in a mixed mode of use, corresponding to a

  combination of these different modes of use.

  According to these modes of use of the public telephone, the micro-

  controller 48 causes the dialing of telephone numbers corresponding to

  servers, by coming to control the keyboard 16 appropriately.

  It will be appreciated that the public telephone set which has just been described makes it possible, on the one hand, to establish a telephone link with a called correspondent and, on the other hand, to access computer networks and to navigate on these, and this, according to a simplified access procedure, insofar as only predetermined modes

  of use are offered to the user.

  This simplified access procedure, combined with the use of means of

  automatic reset provides relatively high reliability.

Claims (11)

  1. Public telephone set, of the type comprising means (32) for establishing and managing telephone communications according to call credit, intended to be connected to a telephone network, characterized in that it comprises in addition to a microcontroller (48) to which peripheral devices (24, 26, 28, 30) are connected ensuring a man / machine interface, the microcontroller (48) being associated with a modem (50) intended to be connected to the telephone network and being connected to means (32) for establishing and managing telephone communications for access to at least one computer network via the telephone network and navigation in this network and in that the peripheral devices ( 24, 26, 28, 30) include means (24) for selecting predetermined modes   use of the or each computer network.   2. Public telephone set according to claim 1, characterized in that it   further comprises means (52) for automatic reset of the microcontroller.   3. Public telephone set according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized   in that it comprises a touch screen (24) delimiting, in operation, touch zones   constituting said selection means.   4. public telephone set according to any one of claims I to 3,   characterized in that the computer network is a computer network using a   communication protocol of the TCP / IP type.   5. Public telephone set according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the peripheral devices comprise image-taking means (26) connected to the microcontroller (48) and adapted for the formation of images of a   user for transmission over the computer network.   6. Public telephone set according to any one of claims I to 5,   characterized in that the peripheral devices further comprise at least one loudspeaker   speaker (30) connected to the microcontroller (48).   7. public telephone set according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the peripheral devices further include a microphone   (28) connected to the microcontroller.   8. Public telephone set according to any one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the peripheral devices include an additional keyboard (54) connected to the microcontroller.   9. public telephone set according to any one of claims I to 8,   characterized in that the peripheral devices further include a printer   (56) connected to the microcontroller.   10. Public telephone set according to any one of claims I to 9,   characterized in that the peripheral devices (24,26,28,30) and the microcontroller (48) consist of components of a microcomputer of the type   multimedia, integrated into the public telephone set.   1 liter. Method for accessing at least one computer network via a telephone network, by means of a public telephone set (10) according to any one   of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:   - Selecting an operating mode of the public telephone set (10), from an operating mode as a telephone apparatus and an operating mode as a computer network access terminal; - inserting a telecommunications payment card into a card reader (18) fitted to the public telephone set; and - if the operating mode is selected as a computer network access terminal, select at least one mode of use of the network, from a mode of use as a means of exchanging video images, a mode of use as a means of exchanging sound signals, a mode of use as a means of exchanging texts, a mode of use as a means of accessing databases, for example   via network navigation software.   12. Method according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the selection of the operating mode of the public telephone set is made by picking up or not a   telephone handset (14) fitted to the public telephone set.