Interactive multi-media payphone system conbining networking and telephony technology

摘要

A payphone system includes a public payphone connected to a voice network and a data network. The voice network provides standard telephone communication. The data network is a private, secure network, with a dedicated service provider. The payphone has an interactive, multi-media touch screen for displaying a variety of content which can be downloaded to the payphone or pushed by the service provider. Services include Internet access, e-commerce, e-mail, facsimile, data transfer, scanning, printing, and more. Specially developed applications and advertisements are also provided to users. One such application is provided for tourists and has information on hotels, restaurants, local events, transportation, and tourist attractions. Greatly increased options for payment are provided, including myriad smart cards, coins, currency, and credit cards and other magnetically striped cards. The payphone system design is modular and can easily be tailored to public or private environments and to virtually any type of network configuration.