US5602905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On-line communication terminal/apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-23
•
Granted: 1997-02-11
•
Expires: 2015-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A "pay-as-you-use" communication terminal capable of interfacing with all major commercial on-line communications services (I.E. American On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe, Genie, Delphi, Eworld). Users can receive a hard copy of any activity that they conduct from the terminal through the co-located printer. Payment of services will be made by credit card, using a "magnetic swipe" system included as part of the terminal system. Users will be charged for use of the system as well as normal telephone charges.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Mettke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/18; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F17/16; H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M17/00; H04M17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A public on-line, pay-as-you-use communications terminal comprising a housing, wherein said housing contain: a central processing unit (CPU); a telephone access node; an internal modem coupled to the CPU and telephone access node; a video display monitor coupled to the CPU; a keyboard for providing user interface coupled to the CPU; a credit card reader swipe device coupled to the CPU for accepting payment by a user for use of the terminal; means for accessing commercial on-line services and allow for user interaction; software installed into the CPU to allow interface with commercial on-line service providers and credit card service centers; a printer coupled to the CPU.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A public on-line, pay-as-you-use communications terminal comprising a housing, wherein said housing contain: a central processing unit (CPU); a telephone access node; an internal modem coupled to the CPU and telephone access node; a video display monitor coupled to the CPU; a keyboard for providing user interface coupled to the CPU; a credit card reader swipe device coupled to the CPU for accepting payment by a user for use of the terminal; means for accessing commercial on-line services and allow for user interaction; software installed into the CPU to allow interface with commercial on-line service providers and credit card service centers; a printer coupled to the CPU.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for accessing includes a touch screen interface attached to the monitor and further includes a touch screen means for accepting input information from said touch screen interface and modifying program execution accordingly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The terminal in accordance with claim 1 also including, within said housing, program means for causing said printer to print a receipt or any other document available from a commercial on-line service.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The terminal in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a durable enclosure for the CPU, monitor, internal modem and printer, and a secured access door for service and repair.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of using a public on-line, pay-as-you-use terminal to access commercial on-line services comprising the steps of: swiping a credit card through a credit card swipe device; if credit is is denied, disallowing interaction; if credit is approved, receiving charge approval from a credit card center for use of the terminal; communicating said approval to CPU executing a main program; in response to input from a user who is responding to a selection of on-line services that are assessable and displayed on a monitor in communication with said CPU and, based on interaction between said user and said main program, controlling switching means with said CPU to provide communication between a telephone access node and a modem with a commercial on-line service; printing with a printer a hard copy of documents said user requires, said printer being in communication with the CPU; deactivating said CPU from commercial on-line service user interaction on appropriate input from said user; printing with said printer a billing statement.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of using a public on-line, pay-as-you-use terminal to access commercial on-line services comprising the steps of: swiping a credit card through a credit card swipe device; if credit is is denied, disallowing interaction; if credit is approved, receiving charge approval from a credit card center for use of the terminal; communicating said approval to CPU executing a main program; in response to input from a user who is responding to a selection of on-line services that are assessable and displayed on a monitor in communication with said CPU and, based on interaction between said user and said main program, controlling switching means with said CPU to provide communication between a telephone access node and a modem with a commercial on-line service; printing with a printer a hard copy of documents said user requires, said printer being in communication with the CPU; deactivating said CPU from commercial on-line service user interaction on appropriate input from said user; printing with said printer a billing statement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4902881A
Cited
US5247575A
Cited
US5272747A
Cited
US5008928A
Cited
US5393964A
Cited
US5333181A
Cited
US5396546A
Cited
US5218633A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |