KR20010076679A - Public Internet Service System and the Operation Method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A public Internet service system and a method for the same are provided to enable a user to access the Internet using his portable computer, in the case of the user being in other regions, by installing a fee-charging line in a road side, a shop or a public place and connecting the user's portable computer based on whether a fee for use is prepaid or not. CONSTITUTION: A public Internet accessing terminal(A) has a card reading/writing part, a XDSL modem part connected between a jack port and a XDSL line(30), a modem switching part, a control part which turn on the modem switching part and charge on an inserted card, and a power part. A splitter(110) connected to the XDSL line(30) separates a data signal and an audio signal flowing on the XDSL line(30). The audio signal is outputted through a phone exchange(130) outputting/inputting the audio signal. A digital subscriber line access multiplexer(120) is connected between the splitter(110) and an ATM network(125) to transmit many data signals.

Description

Public Internet Service System and its Operation Method

The present invention relates to a public Internet service system, and more particularly, a pay Internet connection terminal is installed on a roadside, a convenience store, or a public building, and a computer connected to the Internet access terminal is selectively connected to the Internet network according to whether a fee is paid. Access to a public Internet service system that allows users with portable computers to easily connect their portable computers to the Internet at any time while they are on the road or in other areas to get up-to-date information quickly. It is about.

The present invention relates to a public Internet service system, and more particularly, by a paid Internet access terminal installed in a roadside, a convenience store, or a public building, a user who has a portable computer while traveling or in another region. It is a public Internet service system that allows users to easily connect their portable computers to the Internet network at a desired time to obtain the latest information quickly.

In recent years, with the exponential development of modern civilization, as computers are popularized and internet network technology has been greatly developed, various forms of information communication such as information retrieval and electronic commerce using the internet network have been popularized. In this way, the latest information from all over the world can be delivered to everyone in real time. Thus, for modern people, who first obtains the most up-to-date information correctly has become an important factor in determining success.

However, while many people in various industries carry portable computers, the Internet connection device is configured so that the user can access the Internet network only through a specific telephone line contracted with the telephone company, so that the user can check the latest information. It was difficult to connect his portable computer to the Internet at any place in time.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the public use for collecting a predetermined fee according to the usage time via a card that can charge a fee and connecting the portable computer to the Internet network By constructing an Internet service system, a public computer that allows a user with a portable computer to get up-to-date information quickly by connecting his portable computer to the Internet at any time, whenever he or she is on the go, or while in another location. The main purpose is to provide an Internet service system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a public Internet service system in which providers of telephone station apparatuses and Internet service apparatuses used for connection between the portable computer and the Internet network can charge a separate fee to users.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a public Internet service system according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the Internet access terminal of FIG. 1;

3 is a block diagram of FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for operating a public Internet service system according to the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

5: case, 10: keypad portion, 12: internet button, 14: outlet button, 16: card sending button, 20: control portion, 22: display portion, 24: memory portion, 26: card reading / writing portion, 30: XDSL line 32: modem switch, 34: XDSL modem, 36: jack port, 40: power input line, 42: power supply, 44: outlet switch, 46: outlet, 50: low pass filter, 55: connection port, 110 : Splitter, 120: Multiplexer (DSLAM), 125: ATM network, 130: Telephone switchboard, A: Internet access terminal, B: Telephone station device, C: Internet service device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, a card having a keypad including a card delivery button, a jack port for connecting a computer, and a card insertion port, and a card read / read for reading / writing a card inserted into the card insertion port. A recording unit, an XDSL modem unit connected between the jack port and the XDSL line to enable data transmission and reception between the computer connected to the jack port and the XDSL line, and to turn on / off a connection between the XDSL modem unit and the XDSL line. A public Internet connection terminal including a modem switch unit, a control unit for switching on and switching the modem switch unit as a card usable in the card insertion slot is inserted, and a fee for the inserted card; A splitter connected to the XDSL line for dividing a data signal and a voice signal, a telephone switch connected to the splitter for input and output of voice signals, and a digital signal for transmitting a plurality of data signals connected to and outputted between the splitter and the ATM network A telephone station apparatus including a multiplexer for subscriber line access; An Internet service device connected to the ATM network, connected to the multiplexer, and capable of transmitting and receiving data signals between a computer connected to the public Internet access terminal and an Internet network; Characterized in that consists of.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit of the Internet connection terminal switches on the modem switch unit to interconnect the jack port and the telephone station apparatus, and at the same time, pays the fee for the telephone station apparatus to a valid card inserted into the card insertion slot. To impose; When the account number and password of a prepaid card issued by an ISP is input from a computer connected to the jack port, the Internet service device connects the jack port connected through the telephone station device to the Internet network and at the same time receives an internet network access fee. And to impose on the prepaid card.

In addition, the present invention includes a card detecting step of determining by the controller of the Internet access terminal whether the card is inserted into the card insertion port of the Internet access terminal; A card reading step of determining whether the card inserted by the controller is a usable card when the card insertion is detected in the card detecting step; If it is determined that the card available in the card reading step is inserted, the control unit switches on the modem switch unit so that the computer connected to the jack port of the case is a splitter, telephone exchanger and digital subscriber which is a telephone station device via the XDLS modem unit and the XDLS line. A telephone station connection step of being connected to a line access multiplexer, and charging a card inserted according to the usage time and returning to the card reading step; An account number checking step which is executed after the telephone station connection step and determines by the Internet service apparatus whether a valid account number has been input from a computer connected to a jack port of the Internet access terminal; In the account number checking step, if it is determined that a valid account number is input, the Internet service device connects the ATM network connected to the telephone station device and the Internet network, and the computer connected to the jack port of the Internet access terminal connects to the Internet network. At the same time, the Internet access step of charging an Internet usage fee to the account number and returning to the account number checking step; In the account number checking step, if it is determined that a valid account number has not been entered, the Internet service device disconnects the connection between the ATM network connected to the telephone station device and the Internet network, thereby connecting the computer connected to the jack port with the Internet network. Blocking the Internet and returning to the account number checking step; In the card reading step, when it is determined that an unusable card is inserted, the control unit turns off the modem switch unit so that the connection between the computer connected to the jack port and the telephone station device / internet service device is blocked. step; Characterized in that it comprises a.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a public Internet service system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a public Internet service system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the Internet connection terminal of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a block diagram of FIG. Similarly, the present invention comprises a public Internet access terminal A, a telephone station apparatus B, and an Internet service apparatus C. FIG.

The public Internet access terminal (A) is a terminal which is installed in a convenience store or a public building to allow a user of the portable computer 1 to pay a predetermined fee and connect to a telephone station device B through an XDLS line. (5), control unit 20, card read / write unit 26, modem switch unit 32, XDSL modem unit 34, and power supply unit 42.

The case 5 is a box-shaped box for storing each component of the Internet access terminal A. In the front center portion, a card insertion hole 28 into which a magnetic card is inserted is formed. Jack port 36 is installed. The jack port 36 is configured as a port for connecting a UTP jack of a computer network card. In addition, a keypad portion 10 is provided below the card insertion hole 28, and the keypad part 10 includes a card dispensing button 16 for extracting the card inserted into the card insertion hole 28. It is composed. The card dispensing button 16 may be configured to directly transmit the inserted card. As shown, the card inserting port (16) is provided by the control unit 20 that receives the signal when the card dispensing button 16 is operated. It may be desirable to configure the card inserted in 28 to be sent out.

The card reading / writing section 26 is provided around the card insertion opening 28 in the case 5 and is configured to read and write the contents of the magnetic card inserted into the card insertion opening 28.

The XDSL modem unit 34 is a signal that enables data signal transmission and reception between an XDSL line 30 such as ADSL, IDSL, VDSL, SDSL, HDSL2 and the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36. As a processing modem, it is connected between the XDSL line 30 and the jack port 36 extending into the case 5.

The modem switch unit 32 is a means for switching the connection between the XDSL line 30 and the XDSL modem unit 34 in accordance with a signal input from the control unit 20, the XDSL modem unit 34 It is installed on the line of XDSL line 30 which is connected to.

The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the card read / write unit 26, the keypad unit 10, and the modem switch unit 32 to control each component of the Internet connection terminal A. FIG. As an input signal to the card read / write section 26, it is determined whether the card inserted into the card insertion port 28 is a usable card, and if it is determined that the usable card is inserted, the modem switch section 32 By switching on, the computer 10 connected to the jack port 36 is connected to the XDLS line 30, and at the same time, the Internet fee is charged to the card inserted during the time that the modem switch unit 32 is switched on. Configured to impose. Reference numeral 24 denotes an external memory unit 24 that stores the Internet usage fee per unit time charged to the card by the controller 20. The memory unit 24 may be included in the controller 20. It may be configured as a separate component as shown.

The power supply unit 42 is a means for supplying power used for each component of the Internet access terminal A, and may include a power distribution unit for distributing and supplying power input from the outside to each component. Reference numeral 40 denotes a power input line.

On the other hand, the display unit 22 is further configured on the front side of the case 5, and the control unit 20 displays the control state and user instructions of each component in text on the display unit 22. It would be desirable to configure the system to

In addition, the keypad unit 10 is further provided with an Internet button 12, and the control unit only while the Internet button 12 is switched on in a state that a card usable in the card insertion hole 28 is inserted, At 20, the modem switch unit 32 may be switched on and at the same time, the Internet card may be charged to the inserted card.

In addition, an outlet 46 for supplying power to the portable computer may be additionally installed in the side portion of the case 5. In this case, the outlet 46 is connected to the power supply unit 42 via the outlet switch unit 44, and additionally provided with an outlet button 14 in the keypad unit 10, the control unit 20 At the same time, when the outlet button 14 is switched on in a state in which a card usable in the card insertion hole 28 is inserted, the outlet switch unit 44 is switched on so that power is applied to the outlet 46. It would be desirable to be configured to impose a certain outlet fee on the card inserted in the card insertion hole 28.

In addition, the Internet connection terminal (A) may be configured such that the ordinary telephone (2) is connected. At this time, the connection port 55 for the telephone connection is installed at one lower end of the case 5, but the XDSL line 30 input from the outside is branched in parallel with the modem switch unit 32, By configuring the connection to the connection port 55 via the low-pass filter 50 for transmitting and receiving a signal, it is possible to connect the telephone to the connection port 55.

The telephone station apparatus B is a device for separating and processing voice signals and data signals input and output through the XDLS line 30 of the Internet access terminal A. A splitter 110 as shown in the drawing. And a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) 120 and a telephone exchange 130.

The splitter 110 is connected to the Internet access terminal A via the XDLS line 30, and is configured to divide a data signal and an audio signal flowing through the XDLS line 30. The voice signal divided by the splitter 110 is output through the ordinary telephone exchange 130. The digital subscriber line access multiplexer 120 is connected between the splitter 110 and an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network 125 and configured to transmit a plurality of input / output data signals.

The Aggregator / Service Selection Gateway (C) is a device operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is connected to the ATM network 125 and connected to the multiplexer 120. It is configured to control transmission and reception between the portable computer 1 connected to the Internet access terminal A and the Internet network.

Considering that the telephone station device B and the provider of the Internet service device C are different from each other, whether the phone station device B is connected to the Internet service device C can be controlled separately. will be.

That is, when the Internet connection terminal A detects the insertion of the magnetic card available in the control unit 20 and switches the modem switch unit 32 on, the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 is connected. It can be configured to connect only up to the telephone station apparatus B. The Internet service apparatus C is connected to the telephone station apparatus by the Internet access terminal only when the account number available from the computer 1 connected via the telephone station apparatus B is input. ) May be connected to the Internet network.

As such, when the connection between the telephone station device B and the Internet service device C is controlled separately, the fee for the telephone station device B and the Internet service device C are also separately charged. It would be desirable.

That is, the control unit 20 of the Internet connection terminal (A), by switching on the modem switch unit 32 to connect the computer (1) connected to the jack port 36 and the telephone station device (B) with each other; At the same time, it is configured to charge the fee for use of the telephone station apparatus B to a valid card inserted in the card insertion opening 28, and together with the Internet service apparatus C, a computer connected to the jack port 36 ( Only when the account number and password of the prepaid card issued by the ISP which is an Internet service provider are inputted from 1), the jack port 36 connected through the telephone station device B is connected to the Internet network, It may be configured to charge the prepaid card a fee for the use of the Internet service device (C) for the connected time, ie for the time from log in to log out.

As a means for charging the Internet access terminal (A) fee, of course, in addition to the prepaid card, a general credit card or debit card can be used.

The operation method of the public Internet service system having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the card detecting step S10 of determining whether a predetermined card is inserted into the card insertion hole 28 of the case C by the control unit 20 of the Internet access terminal A is repeatedly performed. In this case, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 22 to display characters such as 'insert a card' which commands the card to be inserted into the display unit 22 until a predetermined card is inserted into the card insertion hole 28.

When it is detected that a predetermined card is inserted in the card detecting step S10, a card reading step S20 for determining whether the inserted card is a usable card is executed, and the card reading step S20 includes a card. This is executed by reading out the card contents detected through the reading / writing section 26 in the control section 20.

Then, if it is determined that a usable card is inserted in the card reading step (S20), an internet button detecting step (S30) for determining whether the internet button 12 is operated is executed.

If it is determined in the Internet button detection step (S30) that the Internet button 12 is on, the user wants to connect to the Internet network, so that the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 of the Internet access terminal (A) The telephone station connection step S32 for connecting to the telephone station apparatus B is executed. That is, in the telephone station connection step S32, the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 of the case 5 connects the XDLS modem unit 34 and the XDLS line 30 by switching the modem switch unit 32 on. The telephone station device (B) is connected to the splitter 110, the telephone exchange unit 130, and the digital subscriber line access multiplexer 120, and is inserted into the card according to the usage time. The process of charging the fee of B) and returning to the card reading step S20 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the Internet button detection step (S30) that the Internet button 12 is off, the user has not yet attempted to connect to the Internet network or to disconnect from the Internet network modem switch By switching off the section 32, the telephone station for the card inserted in the card insertion hole 28 is interrupted while the connection between the jack port 36 connected through the XDSL line 30 and the telephone station device B is interrupted. After executing the telephone station blocking step (S34) of stopping the charge of the device (B), the process returns to the card reading step (S20).

In the above, when the Internet access terminal A is not provided with the Internet button 12, if it is determined that the card available in the card reading step (S20) is inserted, without executing the Internet button detection step (S30) Of course, it can be configured to immediately execute the telephone station connection step (S32).

After the telephone station connection step (S32), it is determined whether a valid account number, that is, the account number and password of a prepaid card issued by the ISP, is input from the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 of the Internet access terminal A. FIG. The account number checking step S60 determined by the Internet service device C is executed.

When it is determined in step S62 that a valid account number is input, the Internet service apparatus C interconnects the ATM network 125 connected to the telephone station apparatus B with the Internet network. Internet connection step of allowing the computer (1) connected to the jack port 36 of the Internet access terminal (A) to be connected to the Internet network, and at the same time charge a fee for using the Internet service device (C) to the account or card of the account number (S62).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S60 that a valid account number has not been entered, it is determined that the user of the computer 1 does not have the ability to pay for the Internet usage fee, and at the Internet service apparatus C, The connection between the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 of the Internet access terminal A and the internet network are blocked by cutting off the connection state between the ATM network 125 connected to the telephone station device B and the Internet network. The Internet blocking step (S64) is performed. When the Internet blocking step (S64) is executed, the reason why the Internet connection terminal A or the display unit 22 of the Internet access terminal A or the computer 1 cannot be connected to the account number is 'unavailable account' and 'password'. It may be desirable to configure the display to be displayed in a letter such as 'Incorrect'. After the execution of the Internet access step (S62) and the Internet blocking step (S64), the process returns to the account number checking step (S60), thereby repeatedly checking whether the account number input from the computer 1 is available. It is configured to.

On the other hand, in the card reading step (S20), if it is determined that the unusable card is inserted, it is impossible to charge the fee, so the control unit 20 of the Internet access terminal (A) in the modem switch unit 32 By turning off, the disable step (S70) is executed in which the connection between the computer 1 connected to the jack port 36 and the telephone station apparatus B is cut off. When the stop step (S70) is executed, all operations of the Internet access terminal (A) are stopped, and the card inserted into the card insertion slot (28) is automatically sent out, and furthermore, to the Internet service apparatus (C). The connection with the Internet network is also automatically blocked.

Further, the Internet button detection step (S30) is executed, and at the same time, the play button detection step (S40) is repeatedly executed. In the play button detection step (S40), the card sending button 16 requesting the card to be sent out is performed. If it is determined that the operation, and if it is determined that the card dispensing button 16 is activated, the stop step (S70) is executed.

Meanwhile, in addition to the internet button detecting step S30, an outlet button detecting step S50 for detecting an operation state of the outlet button 14 may be additionally performed. At this time, when it is determined that the outlet button 14 is turned on in the outlet button detecting step S50, the outlet switch unit 44 is switched on so that power is applied to the outlet 46, and the outlet switch unit A power usage fee is imposed on the card in the card insertion hole 28 for the time when 44 is switched on, and then the outlet use step S52 is returned to the card reading step S20. In this state, power is applied to the outlet 46 fixedly installed at one side of the case 5, so that the user can receive electricity from his portable notebook in the field.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the outlet button 14 is in the off state in the outlet button detecting step (S50), the outlet switch unit 44 is switched off to cut off the connection between the outlet 46 and the power supply 42; At the same time, the charging of the power usage fee imposed on the card in the card insertion port 28 is stopped and the outlet blocking step S54 is returned to the card reading step S20.

On the other hand, in each of the steps (S10 to S70), the control status such as whether the inserted card can be used and available, the connection with the Internet network, whether the outlet is used, and a user such as 'insert a card' or the like. It is preferable to configure the instructions so that the display unit 22 displays a predetermined character or picture so that the user can accurately recognize the control state of the terminal and the work to be performed.

As can be seen by the above embodiments, according to the public Internet service system according to the present invention, a portable computer is collected for a predetermined fee according to a usage time through a magnetic card and a prepaid card, which can be charged. By providing an Internet access terminal that connects the Internet to the Internet network, it is possible to install and provide the Internet access terminal on the side of a road, a convenience store or a public building, so that a user with a portable computer is on the move or in another area. During this time, you can connect your portable computer to the Internet anytime you want and get the latest information quickly.

Although the public Internet service system according to the embodiments of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and applications may be made by those skilled in the art.

Claims (4)

A case having a keypad including a card dispensing button, a jack port for connecting a computer, and a card insertion hole, a card reading / recording unit for reading / writing a card inserted into the card insertion hole, a computer connected to the jack port, and an XDSL line An XDSL modem unit connected between the jack port and the XDSL line to enable data transmission and reception therebetween, a modem switch unit for turning on / off a connection between the XDSL modem unit and the XDSL line, and a card usable in the card insertion slot A public Internet access terminal including a control unit and a power supply unit for switching on and switching the modem switch unit as the card is inserted; A splitter connected to the XDSL line for dividing a data signal and a voice signal, a telephone switch connected to the splitter for input and output of voice signals, and a digital signal for transmitting a plurality of data signals connected to and outputted between the splitter and the ATM network A telephone station apparatus including a multiplexer for subscriber line access; An Internet service device connected to the ATM network, connected to the multiplexer, and capable of transmitting and receiving data signals between a computer connected to the public Internet access terminal and an Internet network; Public Internet service system, characterized in that consisting of. The method of claim 1, The Internet connection terminal is configured to connect a computer connected to the jack port to the telephone station device when the control unit detects the insertion of a card available in the control unit and switches on the modem switch unit; The Internet service apparatus is configured to connect the computer connected to the telephone station apparatus with the Internet network by the Internet access terminal upon input of an account number available from the computer connected through the telephone station apparatus. Internet service system. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The control unit of the Internet access terminal is configured to switch on the modem switch unit to interconnect the jack port and the telephone station apparatus, and to charge the fee of the telephone station apparatus to a valid card inserted into the card insertion slot; When the account number and password of a prepaid card issued by an ISP is input from a computer connected to the jack port, the Internet service device connects the jack port connected through the telephone station device to the Internet network and at the same time receives an internet network access fee. Public Internet service system, characterized in that configured to impose on the prepaid card. A card detecting step of determining, by the controller of the Internet access terminal, whether the card is inserted into the card insertion slot of the Internet access terminal; A card reading step of determining whether the card inserted by the controller is a usable card when the card insertion is detected in the card detecting step; If it is determined that the card available in the card reading step is inserted, the control unit switches on the modem switch unit so that the computer connected to the jack port of the case is a splitter, telephone exchanger and digital subscriber which is a telephone station device via the XDLS modem unit and the XDLS line. A telephone station connection step of being connected to a line access multiplexer, and charging a card inserted according to the usage time and returning to the card reading step; An account number checking step which is executed after the telephone station connection step and determines by the Internet service apparatus whether a valid account number has been input from a computer connected to a jack port of the Internet access terminal; In the account number checking step, if it is determined that a valid account number is input, the Internet service device connects the ATM network connected to the telephone station device and the Internet network, and the computer connected to the jack port of the Internet access terminal connects to the Internet network. At the same time, the Internet access step of charging an Internet usage fee to the account number and returning to the account number checking step; In the account number checking step, if it is determined that a valid account number has not been entered, the Internet service device disconnects the connection between the ATM network connected to the telephone station device and the Internet network, thereby connecting the computer connected to the jack port with the Internet network. Blocking the Internet and returning to the account number checking step; And, In the card reading step, if it is determined that an unusable card is inserted, the control unit turns off the modem switch unit to stop the connection between the computer connected to the jack port and the telephone station device / Internet service device; Public Internet service system operating method comprising a.