초록 ▼

A system and methods for implementing access to and control of a service in a telecommunication system utilizes a first terminal device, a control center operable for handling short messages and/or data calls, an automated apparatus includes a second terminal device and a control unit connected ther

A system and methods for implementing access to and control of a service in a telecommunication system utilizes a first terminal device, a control center operable for handling short messages and/or data calls, an automated apparatus includes a second terminal device and a control unit connected thereto, a telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network, the intelligent network including means for determining charge and location data and for producing voice messages, a first telecommunication connection, and a second telecommunication connection. The first terminal device, the second terminal device and the control center are connected to the telecommunication network. A product vendable or otherwise accessible or distributable through the automated apparatus is ordered by making a call from the first terminal device to a number shown on or associated with the automated apparatus or with a service to be rendered by an automated apparatus. The control unit controls the automated apparatus and the second terminal device to operatively cause the customer to receive the product or service ordered. If the automated apparatus has run out of the product or has malfunctioned, then the customer is so informed by a voice message delivered to the first terminal through the first telecommunication connection.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for providing a service, provided by an automated service apparatus, under remote user control using a first terminal device of the user that is connectable to a telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network including a control center having means for handling one of short

1. A method for providing a service, provided by an automated service apparatus, under remote user control using a first terminal device of the user that is connectable to a telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network including a control center having means for handling one of short messages and data calls, a second terminal device connectable to the telecommunication network and located in the automated service apparatus, a control unit located in the automated service apparatus and connected to the second terminal device and the automated service apparatus, means in the intelligent network for determining charge and location data and for producing voice messages, a first telecommunication connection establishable between the first terminal device and the telecommunication network, and a second telecommunication connection establishable between the telecommunication network and the second terminal device, said method comprising the steps of: establishing the first telecommunication connection byin response to user operation of the first terminal device to initiate a call from the first terminal device to a predetermined called subscriber number associated with the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus, the call initiated from the first terminal device being directed through the first telecommunication connection to the intelligent network of the telecommunication network;determining, in the intelligent network, charge data associated with the call;establishing, through the intelligent network in response to the establishing of the first telecommunication connection, the second telecommunication connection from the telecommunication network to the second terminal device; andcontrolling the automated service apparatus, by operation of the control unit in response to establishing of the second telecommunication connection and subject to a state of the automated service apparatus, to carry out the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus in response to user establishment of the first telecommunication connection from the first terminal device by user initiation of the call to the predetermined called subscriber number. 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the service provided by the automated service apparatus comprises distribution of a product stored by the automated service apparatus, and wherein if one of the automated service apparatus runs out of the stored product and the automated service apparatus is currently busy servicing an earlier-received other-user request for the service, the method then further comprises the steps of: operating the control unit to set the second terminal device to one of a busy state and a no-answer state to reflect current unavailability of the service; andinforming the user of the first terminal device of the current unavailability of the service by means of a voice message transmitted to the user over the first telecommunication connection. 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the service provided by the automated service apparatus comprises distribution of any of a plurality of products stored by the automated service apparatus, and wherein if the automated service apparatus runs out of all of the plural stored products, the method then further comprises the steps of: operating the control device to shut off the second terminal device to reflect current unavailability of the service; andinforming the user of the first terminal device of the current unavailability of the service by means of a voice message transmitted to the user over the first telecommunication connection. 4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein in the event of a malfunction of the automated service apparatus, the method then further comprises the steps of: operating the control unit to set the second terminal device to one of a busy state and a no-answer state to reflect current unavailability of the service; andinforming the user of the first terminal device of the current unavailability of the service by means of a voice message transmitted to the user over the first telecommunication connection. 5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the automated service apparatus comprises a plurality of automated service apparatus at respectively geographically spaced apart locations, further comprising the steps of: determining, in the intelligent network, a current location of the first terminal device from which the call to the predetermined called subscriber number has been initiated using location data of the first terminal device; andestablishing the second telecommunication connection from the telecommunication network to a one of the plural automated service apparatus that is located nearest to the determined current location of the first terminal device. 6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of: identifying in the intelligent network a calling subscription associated with one of the user and the first terminal device from which the call has been initiated to establish the first telecommunication connection; andverifying access rights, to the service, in the user based on subscriber access rights associated with the identified calling subscription. 7. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting, from the control unit to the control center, a current state of the automated service apparatus in response to one of: transmission of a status inquiry message from the control center to the second terminal device;exhaustion of supply of the product stored in the automated service apparatus; anda malfunction of the automated service apparatus. 8. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting, from the control unit to the control center, a current state of the automated service apparatus over one of a data connection and a text message connection. 9. A system for providing a service, provided by an automated service apparatus, to a user under remote user control using a first terminal device of the user that is connectable to a telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network that includes means for determining charge and location data and for producing voice messages and a control center having means for handling one of short messages and data calls, the system comprising: a second terminal device connectable to the telecommunication network and located in the automated service apparatus;a control unit located in the automated service apparatus and connected to the second terminal device and to the automated service apparatus;the telecommunication network having a predetermined called subscriber number associated with the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus such that, when user operation of the first terminal device initiates a call from the first terminal device to the predetermined called subscriber number, the telecommunication network establishes a first telecommunication connection between the first terminal device and the telecommunication network, the intelligent network determines charge data associated with the call to the predetermined called subscriber number, and the telecommunication network establishes a second telecommunication connection between the telecommunication network and the second terminal device; andwherein said control unit is operable for monitoring functions of the automated control apparatus, for monitoring the second telecommunication connection, and for controlling operation of the automated service apparatus in response to the establishment and monitoring of the second telecommunication connection to provide the service in response to user initiation of the call to the predetermined called subscriber number associated with the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus. 10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said control unit is further operable for setting the second terminal device to one of a busy state and a no-answer state. 11. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said control unit is further operable for shutting off the second terminal device. 12. A system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising means in the telecommunication network for delivering, from the means for producing voice messages to the first terminal device through the first telecommunication connection, a voice message informing the user of a current status of the automated service apparatus. 13. A system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising means in the telecommunication network for determining calling subscriber current location data for the first terminal device from which the call to the predetermined subscriber number has been initiated. 14. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the automated service apparatus comprises a plurality of automated service apparatus at respectively geographically spaced apart locations, each of the automated service apparatus having a respective second terminal device and a respective control unit located in the each automated service apparatus, and wherein the second telecommunication connection is established between the telecommunication network and a one of the plural automated service apparatus that is located nearest to the telecommunication network-determined current location of the first terminal device from which the call to the predetermined subscriber number has been initiated. 15. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second terminal device includes means for transmitting and receiving one of short messages and data calls. 16. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said control unit comprises one of a computer and a microcontroller. 17. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first terminal device comprises a mobile station. 18. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first terminal device comprises a tone frequency telephone apparatus. 19. A method of providing a service by an automated service apparatus, comprising: establishing a first telecommunication connection in response to user operation of a first terminal device to initiate a call from the first terminal device to a predetermined called subscriber number associated with a service to be provided by the automated service apparatus, the call initiated from the first terminal device being directed through a first telecommunication connection to an intelligent network of a telecommunication network;determining, in the intelligent network, charge data associated with the call;establishing, through the intelligent network in response to the establishing of the first telecommunication connection, a second telecommunication connection from the telecommunication network to a second terminal device coupled to the telecommunications network; andcontrolling the automated service apparatus, by operation of a control unit in response to establishing of the second telecommunication connection and subject to a state of the automated service apparatus, to carry out the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus in response to user establishment of the first telecommunication connection from the first terminal device by user initiation of the call to the predetermined called subscriber number. 20. A system for providing a service, provided by an automated service apparatus, to a user under remote user control, comprising: a first terminal device capable of being under remote control of the user that is connectable to a telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network, a control center having means for handling one of short messages and data calls;a second terminal device connectable to the telecommunication network and located in the automated service apparatus;a control unit located in the automated service apparatus and connected to the second terminal device and to the automated service apparatus; andthe telecommunication network operable to have a predetermined called subscriber number associated with the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus such that, when user operation of the first terminal device initiates a call from the first terminal device to the predetermined called subscriber number, the telecommunication network is capable of establishing a first telecommunication connection between the first terminal device and the telecommunication network, the intelligent network is capable of determining charge data associated with the call to the predetermined called subscriber number, and the telecommunication network is capable of establishing a second telecommunication connection between the telecommunication network and the second terminal device. 21. A method comprising: receiving, at an intelligent network, a call from a telecommunication terminal requesting a product located within an automated apparatus, wherein the call is to a subscriber number associated with the product, and wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located within the automated apparatus;routing, from the intelligent network, the call to a communication interface associated with the automated apparatus; anddetermining, at the intelligent network, a charge for at least one of the call and the provided product. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining a location of the telecommunication terminal; androuting the call to the communication interface based on the determined location. 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising sending, from the intelligent network, a voice message reporting a status of the automated apparatus. 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising confirming if the first telecommunication terminal has access rights to the product. 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising determining a price for the product. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein a service subscription is charged based on a telephone number associated with the first telecommunication terminal. 27. A system, comprising: an intelligent network configured to: receive a call from a first telecommunication terminal requesting a product located within an automated apparatus, wherein the call is to a subscriber number associated with the product, and wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located within the automated apparatus;route the call to a communication interface associated with the automated apparatus; anddetermine a charge for at least one of the call and the provided product. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the intelligent network is further configured to: determine a location of the first telecommunication terminal; androute the call to the communication interface based on the determined location. 29. The system of claim 27, wherein the intelligent network is further configured to send a voice message reporting a status of the automated apparatus. 30. The system of claim 27, wherein the intelligent network is further configured to confirm if the first telecommunication terminal has access rights to the product. 31. The system of claim 27, wherein the intelligent network is further configured to determine a price for the product. 32. The system of claim 27, wherein a service subscription is charged based on a telephone number associated with the first telecommunication terminal. 33. The system of claim 27, further comprising a control center configured to handle SMS messages. 34. A method, comprising: receiving, at an interface of an automated apparatus, a short message service (SMS) message originating from a telecommunication terminal requesting a product located within the automated apparatus, wherein the SMS message is to a subscriber number associated with the product, and wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located with the automated apparatus;determining, at the automated apparatus, if the product requested by the telecommunication terminal is available;determining, at the automated apparatus, if the telecommunication terminal has access rights for the requested product; andproviding the product requested by the telecommunication terminal if the product is available at the automated apparatus and if the telecommunication terminal has access rights for the product, wherein an intelligent network determines a charge for at least one of the SMS message and the provided product. 35. The method of claim 34, further comprising: sending a status message from the automated apparatus to a remote service center. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the status message is either sent periodically or in response to a status request message. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the status message indicates if the automated apparatus has malfunctioned or is out of a product. 38. The method of claim 34, wherein the automated apparatus is a vending machine. 39. The method of claim 34, wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located within the automated apparatus. 40. A system, comprising: an automated apparatus configured to: receive a short message service (SMS) message originating from a telecommunication terminal requesting a product located within the automated apparatus, wherein the SMS message is to a subscriber number associated with the product, and wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located with the automated apparatus;determine if the product requested by the telecommunication terminal is available;determine if the telecommunication terminal has access rights for the requested product; andprovide the product requested by the telecommunication terminal if the product is available at the automated apparatus and if the telecommunication terminal has access rights for the product,wherein an intelligent network determines a charge for at least one of the SMS message and the provided product. 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the automated apparatus is further configured to send a status message to a remote service center. 42. The system of claim 41, wherein the status message is either sent periodically or in response to a status request message. 43. The system of claim 41, wherein the status message indicates if the automated apparatus has malfunctioned or is out of a product. 44. The system of claim 40, wherein the automated apparatus is a vending machine. 45. The system of claim 40, wherein a different subscriber number is associated with each unique product located within the automated apparatus. 46. The system of claim 40, further comprising a control center configured to handle SMS messages.