Public communications services vending method and apparatus
Patent 6118860 Issued on September 12, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date: 
September 12, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
September 12, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventors
AssigneeApplicationNo. 928519 filed on 09/12/1997US Classes:379/155, At terminal station (e.g., coin paystation)235/380, Credit or identification card systems235/381, With vending379/91.01, Credit authorization379/114.05, Special service fees (e.g., customized feature)379/144.04, Card reader379/144.07, Information message notification at paystation379/144.08, Visual display379/900, INTERNET (E.G., INTERNET PHONE, WEBPHONE, INTERNET-BASED TELEPHONY)709/227COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER SESSION/CONNECTION ESTABLISHINGExaminersPrimary: Kuntz, CurtisAssistant: Barnie, Rexford Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesH04M 017/00H04M 011/00 88.13 93.07 91.01 AbstractAn apparatus and method for vending public communications services. The apparatus includes a telephone, a multimedia terminal, and a payment receiver for receiving an authorization to accept charges for enabling use of at least one of the telephone and the multimedia terminal.Other References
Field of SearchSales, ordering, or banking systemHaving conferencing Having electronic mail Having remote database (e.g., videotex system) Having pressure or position sensitive surface (e.g., touch-screen, light pen) To produce visual-graphic copy (e.g., facsimile) Usage system Communication charge calculation INTERNET (E.G., INTERNET PHONE, WEBPHONE, INTERNET-BASED TELEPHONY) TOUCHTONE MESSAGE TRANSMISSION Usage measurement Billing At subscriber unit Bill distribution or payment Itemization of parts, supplies, or services (e.g., bill of materials) Specified keyboard feature With vending Credit or identification card systems Combined circuit switching and packet switching | |
