GB2395847A

GB2395847A - A service point for a portable electronic device

Info

Publication number: GB2395847A
Application number: GB0223443A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janko Mrsic-Flogel; Michael Tusch
Original assignee: NEARPLAY SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: NEARPLAY SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-09
Filing date: 2002-10-09
Publication date: 2004-06-02
Also published as: GB0223443D0

Abstract

A service point 6 for a portable electronic device e.g. a mobile phone 50, includes a control unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive the service provided. The service point includes a flexible cord 18 for attachment to the portable electronic device. The service provided may be recharging of batteries, data transfer, or software downloads. A human-machine interface may be provided. The validation of the authorization of the user may take place at a remote node.

Description

l Service Point for Portable Electronic Devices This invention relates to

a service point for portable electronic devices.

Portable electronic devices such as mobile radio communications 5 handsets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. conventionally include a rechargeable battery which intermittently requires recharging, depending on the amount of usage the user makes of the device, using a recharger terminal.

Conventionally, users have one or more recharger terminals at home or in other locations which the user will intermittently use to recharge the battery. However, 10 if the user makes more than an expected amount of usage of a device, or if the amount or frequency of recharging is insufficient to maintain the device in the useful state, the device will become inoperative. The user may carry a spare battery, however this is inconvenient. Some locations, such as mobile telephone retailers, provide a free recharging service to their customers, whereby the retailer 15 provides conventional rechargers whereby a customer may have an "emergency" recharge carried out to make a device with a rundown battery once again operative. United States patent no. 5,744,933 describes a vending machine for recharging a mobile telephone. The vending machine is of a box-like 20 construction with one or more charging compartments in which a charging block is located for receiving a mobile telephone. Each compartment has a lockable door, to provide security for the telephone whilst it is left in the compartment for charging. The vending machine includes a coin input mechanism, a validation mechanism and a charge time calculation unit which allows a user to obtain a 25 given amount of charging time for a corresponding amount of money. The vending machine described has drawbacks, in that the lockable compartment doors, being mechanical in nature, are prone to failure and require some secure procedure for allowing the correct user to access the correct compartment once they have left their mobile telephone in the compartment for charging.

An object of the present invention is to provide a service point for portable electronic devices which is of greater convenience to users.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a control 5 unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by the service point, the service point including a flexible cord, for attachment to a portable electronic device, whereby the service provided by the service point is deliverable to the device vie the cord upon authorization of the user to receive the service. 10 Hence, usage of the service point does not prevent a user continuing to operate the device during receipt of service from the service point. Furthermore, the service point can be kept relatively compact, since complex security mechanisms are not required to be provide on the service point, even if the service point provides for the simultaneous provision of service to a plurality of 15 devices et once.

It is noted the conventional charging terminals include flexible cords, however such conventional charging terminals are intended for use by a single, exclusive user, andlor at least in a secure environment. However, such conventional terminals do not include a control unit for validating the 20 authorization of a user to receive the service provided. The present applicants have realized the possibility of the use of flexible cords in the type of service point provided in the present invention, which may for example be placed in a public or semi-public environment, and their utility in that the various advantages provided can outweigh the disadvantage of lack of robustness of a flexible cord 25 attachment to a portable device in such a service point.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a plurality of bays in which each of a plurality of portable devices may be received during receipt of a service provide by the service point, the bays being angularly 30 spaced about a periphery of the service point.

Hereby, a compact design of service point is provided allowing for a plurality of users to obtain service from the service point simultaneously.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a control 5 unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by the service point, the service point including a human-machine interface for entry of data by a user and wherein said control unit is arranged to validate the authorization of the user to receive the service by validating data entered by a user. 10 This aspect of the invention provides a service point for a portable electronic device, in which the need for coin-operation entry of other value tokens into the service point is avoided. Instead the user may enter data, for example data identifying the portable device, even when the device is switched off or inoperative, in order to obtain service from the service point.

15 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by a service point for a portable mobile radio communications device, the method comprising the receipt of data for identifying the device from a user via a human machine interface at the service point, and validating the data entered by a user 20 by transmitting said identifying data from said service point to a remote node, the remote node obtaining data revealing a state of the identified device and providing authorization in dependence on said state data.

Again in this aspect of the invention, the user may enter data identifying the portable device, even when the device is switched off or inoperative, in order 25 to obtain service from the service point. The need for direct interrogation of the device by the service point, or the need for the service to be initiated by use of the device itself, which is impossible if for example the battery of device has no power left, is avoided.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent 30 fiom the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given

by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a service point for portable electronic devices in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 5 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the service point shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the service point shown in Figure 1 in use; Figure 4 is a simplified side view of an alternative embodiment of service point for portable electronic devices in accordance with the present invention; 10 and Figure 5 is a schematic illustration showing use of a service point in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in combination with a radio telecommunications network.

Referring now to Figure 1, a service point in this embodiment of the 15 invention includes a metal support pole 2 adapted for fixed attachment to the ground using a ground attachment plate 4. A service unit 6 is mounted on the support pole 2, and utility connections, such as electrical power cords, are connected to the service unit 6 to utility points in the ground via support pole 2.

The service unit 6 includes a base 8 and a top 10, between which charging bays 20 12 are formed. Each of the base 8 and top 10 are formed from cut and bent metal plates formed into round face plates. A further flat metal plate is attached between the top 10 and the base 8, forming a control plate 14.

The service unit 6 includes a plurality of charging bays 12. Each charging bay 12 is in the form of a compartment covered in flexible material, such as a 25 damage-resistant fabric, with an open face. A charging plug 14 is located at the base of each charging bay 12. Each charging plug 14 is retractably attached to a recharger 16 located in the base 8 via a flexible recharging cord 18 (see Figure 3), which is preferably at least 50cm, more preferably at least lm in length. A cord retraction mechanism 20 is located in the base 8 between each respective 30 charging plug 14 and the corresponding recharger 16, which automatically

retracts the cord into the bay when no pulling force is exerted on the plug. A bay indicator light 22 and the corresponding charging indicator light set 24 is located above each respective charging bay 12, on the service unit top 10.

The control panel 14 includes a coin input slot 26, a coin return slot 28 5 and a lockable coin box 30. A coin validation mechanism is located behind the control plate 14, which returns rejected coins to the coin return slot 28 if not validated thereby and sends validated coins to the lockable coin box 30. A data processing unit, which receives validation signals from the coin validation mechanism and controls the operation of the recharger 16 is also placed behind 10 control plate 14.

The control plate 14 also includes a plurality of bay selection buttons 32, one button corresponding to each charging bay 12, and a corresponding set of indicia 34.

When wishing to use the service point, a user inserts a coin in the coin 15 input slot, and upon validation thereof is prompted to select one of bay selection buttons 32. Each charging bay 12 has a charging plug adapted for a specific type of portable device. Different makes of mobile telephone, for example, use different charging plugs depending on the manufacturer thereof. Each charging bay 12 includes a charging plug 14, and the corresponding recharger 16, specific 20 to one type of portable device. The indicia 34 on the control plate 14 indicate to the user which type of portable device each bay, represented by the corresponding bay selection button 32, is adapted for. Thus, as a next step, the user actuates the appropriate bay selection button 32. On selection of the bay, the corresponding bay indicator light 22 is activated by the electronic control unit of 25 the service unit 6. As the user walks around the service point, the user can then readily identify which charging bay 12 is to be used for the recharging of their device. On seeing the appropriate bay, the user then manually takes the appropriate charging plug 14 from the bay so that the cord extends out of the bay, attaches the plug to the charging socket in their portable device, and charging 30 begins. During charging, the charging indicator lights 24 of the corresponding

bay are activated, for example sequentially, to indicate the continuance of charging of the device. The electronic control unit of the service point controls the amount of charging allowed, so that for example a predetermined period of charging, corresponding to the amount of money which the user has input into 5 coin input slot 26 is controllably measured, so that after the lapse of the corresponding period of time, the operation of the recharger 16 and the corresponding charging bay is halted, and the charging indicator lights 24 are made inactive.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the vertical 10 axis of the service unit 6, through the arrangement of charging bays 12 midway between the base 8 and the top 10. As can be seen, the bays 12 are arranged to be angularly spaced about the periphery of the service unit 6, in a generally circular configuration centred on the pole 2. Each charging bay 12 is formed between charging bay walls 40 formed of a flexible material such as fabric. The charging 15 bay walls are defined by respective metal guide rails 42, which are mounted diagonally between the base 8 and the top 10 and around which the flexible material of the walls is wrapped. A compressible filling material 44, such as a compressible foam material, is inserted between the fabric sides of each wall so that adjacent wall sections forming the walls of a single bay taper towards each 20 other towards the centre of the service unit 8 and are pressed into each other inside the bay. During charging, a user can insert the* device between the flexible walls, so that the walls exert a weak gripping force on the device, sufficient to hold the device in place within the bay and insufficient to damage the outer casing of the device.

25 Referring to Figure 3, instead of, or in addition to, leaving the device within a charging bay 12 during charging, the user can also make use of the device during charging. As can be seen in Figure 3, the retractable cord 18 is of sufficient length to allow the user to make use of the device during charging. In Figure 3, the exemplary device SO is a mobile telephone handset, and the user has 30 extracted the cord 18 sufficiently to allow the user to move the handset to its

operative position, next to the ear of the user when standing, whilst the plug 14 remains attached to the device 50. The arrangement thus allows the user to conduct a voice call whilst charging continues.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the service unit 6 includes a plurality of 5 different charging bays 12. In the example shown, 12 different charging bays are included. Thus, up to 12 different portable electronic devices, each of a different type and of a different recharger type, may be simultaneously recharged by up to 12 different users. In order to ensure the security of a portable device during recharging, a user may stand adjacent the respective charging bay even when the 10 device is left in the charging bay 12. Because of the generally circular construction of the service point, a large Rumba of users may thus congregate around the service point whilst each being kept near their devices during recharging, whilst the size of the service point itself remains relatively small. As mentioned above, rather than leaving the device in a charging bay during 15 recharging, the user may manually hold the device during the recharging, whether in use or not, in order to further ensure the security of the device during recharging. As mentioned above, because of the mounting of the service unit 6 on a pole and the spacing of the charging bays 12 about the periphery of the of the service unit 6, a relatively large number of users can congregate around the 20 service point whilst manually holding their respective devices, whether in use or not, whilst the space occupied by the service point itselfremains relatively small.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of service point in accordance with the present invention. The service point is generally similar in construction to the service point shown in Figure 1. However, in this embodiment, rather than being 25 coin-operated, the service point includes an alternative usage authorization system. In Figure 4, the elements of the service point which are similar in construction and function to corresponding elements of the embodiments shown in Figure 1 carry the same reference numerals, incremented by 100, and 30 description of those features above should be taken to apply here also.

In the second embodiment of service point, the control plate 114 includes, rather than coin input and return slots and a coin box, the service unit 106 includes a numeric keypad 160 and an instruction plate 162. By use of the numeric keypad 160, a user is able to input data which validates the user as an 5 authorised user of the service point. Various different validation mechanisms are possible, and different embodiments will be described below.

In one validation embodiment, the customer is issued with a secret code, referred to herein as a personal identification number (PIN). When at the service point, the customer enters an identifying number of their device. In the 10 following, the device is assumed to be a mobile telephone handset, however it should be understood that other types of portable device may also be identified by a device identifier. In the case of a mobile telephone handset, the device identifier is the directory number (MSISDN) of the mobile telephone. Thus, the user enters their mobile directory number into the keypad 160, then enters the 15 PIN that is associated with the user. The control unit of the service point then validates the combination of mobile directory number and PIN. The validation may be carried out by the remote interrogation of a validation database, or by the interrogation of a local database held in the service unit 106. If the data input by the user is validated, the control unit of the service point 106 controls the 20 appropriate charging bay to provide a predetermined amount of charging.

In the case of remote interrogation, the interrogation may occur for example by a wireless radio link, such as a general packet radio service (GPRS) link provided by means of a wireless communications unit mounted in the service unit 106. In this arrangement, as shown in Figure 5, the service unit 106 is 25 located within the coverage area of a mobile radio communications network including a plurality of base stations 164 with associated radio antennae 166.

The sernce unit 106 is provided with a wireless communications unit capable of communicating via a radio link with a radio antenna 166. The mobile communications network includes a mobile switching centre (MSC) 168 and 30 subscriber databases including a visitor location register (VLR) 170 and a home

location register (HLR) 172. The service unit 106 is able to interrogate a database in the mobile radio communications network to validate data input by the user and/or a state of the mobile telephone handset 150 which the user is attempting to recharge.

5 In further validation embodiments involving remote interrogation, the state of the mobile telephone handset is checked in the network. Various different checks may be carried out when the user enters the mobile directory number of the mobile telephone handset 150 which the user is attempting to recharge in the keypad 160 of the service unit 106. The service unit 106 10 establishes a connection with the mobile telephone network and transmits data, including a unique identity associated with the service unit 106 and the mobile directory number entered by the user, to the mobile radio communications network via the wireless link. A service node 174 within the mobile communications network then validates the mobile communications device.

15 In one further validation embodiment involving remote interrogation, the validation involves validating that the mobile telephone handset 150 identified by the mobile telephone directory number entered by the user is switched off. In this case, the service node 174 queries the VLR 170, the HER 172 and/or a further database for the state of the associated mobile telephone handset. If the mobile 20 telephone handset is switched off, the mobile radio network will not have received an update message from the mobile telephone handset within an update refresh period, and the state of the mobile telephone handset will be marked as switched off within the network. Providing the mobile telephone handset is switched off, an authorisation signal is sent back to the service unit 106 and 25 charging is allowed to start. Thus, in order to ensure that the unit may be recharged, the user must first switch the mobile telephone handset off before attempting to recharge. Of course, if the mobile telephone handset is in an uncharged state, the mobile telephone handset cannot be switched on. If the mobile telephone handset is not off, the assumption is either that the user is not in 30 control of the handset in question, and authorization is denied, or a location-based

validation, as described below, is carried out to determine whether the service should be provided. Following the start of charging, the customa may then switch the mobile telephone handset on to use the handset during charging.

In a further validation embodiment involving remote interrogation, 5 validation involves validating that the mobile telephone handset 150 identified by the mobile telephone directory number entered by the user is in the proximity of the service point. In this embodiment, the check is performed with a location database in the mobile radio communications network. In this embodiment, the user first enters their mobile telephone directory number into the keypad of the 10 service unit 106. The service unit 106 communicates with the service node 174 and queries the location information for the phone. If the telephone is in the proximity of the cell site, service is authorized. For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the mobile radio communications network stores location information for subscriber terminals in the form of cell identifiers (cell IDs), and the service point 15 106 is located in the cell coverage areas of cells A and B. the service node 104 checks that the mobile telephone handset 150 is within a predetermined set of one or more cells (in this example cell A and cell B) before charging is authorised.

Otherwise, if the mobile telephone handset 150 is not within the specified cells, service is denied since the handset is not in the proximity of the location of the 20 service point, and therefore not in the same location as the user.

In a further validation embodiment, the user simply enters the mobile directory number. In this embodiment, the service unit 106, using a local validation test or tests, and/or by transmitting the entered data to the the service node 174 and using a remote validation test or tests, performs general verification 25 of the mobile directory number, for example its length andlor a prefix code. If the verification test or tests are passed, then charging is authorised, and if not, charging is denied.

In each of the embodiments described above, the identifiers of the devices which are entered into the service units 106 may be stored to form a record of 30 each charging service provided to the user. The charging records may then

subsequently be collated and billing information may be generated, which billing information is transmitted to the respective mobile network operators providing service to the identified subscribers.

Whilst in some of the above embodiments the service point is adapted to 5 receive value tokens in the form of coins, other value tokens such as banknotes and credit cards may also be received and validated by the service point.

Whilst in some of the above embodiments the service point is adapted to receive data by means of a keypad, other human-machine interfaces such as voice recognition units may also be used to receive data by the service point.

10 Whilst in the above embodiments the service point is adapted to recharge a device attached to it, other services may also or alternatively be provided by a service point in accordance with the present invention, such as a data connection service or a software download service.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of 15 the invention. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments.

Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be 20 employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims

5 1. A service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a control unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by the service point, the service point including a flexible cord, for attachment to a portable electronic device, whereby the service provided by the service point is deliverable to the device via the cord upon authorization of 10 the user to receive the service.

2. A service point according to claim 1, wherein the service point provides a battery recharging service, the cord including a battery recharging port for attachment to a corresponding recharging port on the device.

3. A service point according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the service point comprises a plurality of said cords, whereby each of a plurality of portable devices may receive a service provide by the service point.

20 4. A service point according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the service point comprises a plurality of bays, in which each of a plurality of portable devices may be received during receipt of a service provide by the service point.

5. A service point according to claim 4, each said bay comprises one 25 or more movable walls arranged to provide a compressive force on a device when received within said bay.

6. A service point according to claim 3 and 4, or 3 and 5, wherein each of said plurality of said cords is physically associated with a corresponding 30 one of said plurality of bays.

7. A service point according to any preceding claim, wherein the service point includes a port for accepting value tokens, and said control unit validates the authorization of the user to receive the service by validating said 5 value token.

8. A service point according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the service point includes a human-machine interface for entry of data by a user and said control unit validates the authorization of the user to receive the service by 10 validating data entered by a user.

9. A service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a plurality of bays in which each of a plurality of portable devices may be received during receipt of a service provide by the service point, the bays 15 being angularly spaced about a periphery of the service point.

10. A service point according to claim 9, wherein the service point provides a battery recharging service, the service point including a plurality of battery recharging ports for attachment to a corresponding recharging port on said 20 devices when received with a respective bay.

11. A service point according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the service point comprises a plurality of flexible cords, whereby each of said devices may receive a service provide by the service point.

12. A service point according to any of claims 9 to 11, comprising a control unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by the service point.

13. A service point according to any of claims 9 to 12, comprising a pole mounted service unit comprising said plurality of bays.

14. A service point according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the 5 service point is generally at least partly circular at said periphery.

15. A service point for a portable electronic device, the service point including a control unit for validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by the service point, the service point including a human 10 machine interface for entry of data by a user and wherein said control unit is arranged to validate the authorization of the user to receive the service by validating data entered by a user.

16. A service point according to claim 15, wherein the service point 15 provides a battery recharging service, the service point including a battery recharging port for attachment to a corresponding recharging port on the device.

17. A service point according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the human-

machine interface is adapted for the entry of an identifier for a portable electronic 20 device and said control unit is arranged to validate the authorization of the user to receive the service by querying a database using said identifier.

18. A service point according to claim 17, wherein the service point is adapted for providing a service to a mobile telephone handset, wherein the 25 control unit is adapted for the entry of a mobile telephone directory number and said control unit is arranged to validate the authorization of the user to receive the service by querying a database using said mobile telephone directory number.

19. A service point according to claim 18, wherein the service point is adapted to transmit data identifying the mobile telephone directory number to a remote node via a telecommunications link.

S 20. A method of validating the authorization of a user to receive a service provided by a service point for a portable mobile radio communications device, the method comprising the receipt of data for identifying the device Mom a user via a human-machine interface at the service point, and validating the data entered by a user by transmitting said identifying data from said service point to a 10 remote node, the remote node obtaining data revealing a state of the identified device and providing authorization in dependence on said state data.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the state data reveals an operative on/off state for the identified device.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the state data reveals an geographical location state for the identified device.

23. A method according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the 20 identifying data comprises a mobile telephone directory Rumba.