GB2305745A - Dedicated internet access device - Google Patents

Abstract

A communications unit using generic Personal Computer technology in the form of a low performance 16 bit CPU is dedicated to the access of 'The Internet' and other on-line subscription services by having the operating system and dedicated access software located in ROM. The hardware configuration uses a domestic TV for output and provides low-speed access via telephone lines to the on-line services. It features a miniature 'membrane' keyboard and has an external Power Supply Unit which along with the stick-on keyboard legend allows it to be localised easily. In use, the unit is powered up and from a menu allows a user to choose the service they wish to use along with the respective telephone access numbers. The unit provides basic video display and communications facilities but can be upgraded to drive a dedicated computer monitor and use the high speed ISDN digital telephone lines. The unit may be used to provide e-mail access, video telephony and may include a security smart card.

Description

Communications Center [Technical Field] This invention relates to a Communications Center [Background] The advent of the Personal Computer (PC) during the last decade has brought with it a range of 'on-line' information services, the most popular being the Internet (aka the 'net'), CompuServe (Cl S), Prodigy and America On-line (AOL).

These services are available to any PC user with a modem, a login account and the relevant access software, and once 'on-line' a user has access to a whole range of facilities and information.

The goal of the PC manufacturers has always been to put a computer on every desk, but the relatively high cost (circa 1000 in 1995) means that the goal has and may not be realised unless the expense is reduced.

With all the recent hype and interest in The Internet, a lower cost solution dedicated to providing access to 'on-line' services could open up the market to infrequent business and the much larger home user market.

[Essential Technical features] The unit is based on available PC technology in that it uses a generic CPU based motherboard with expansion slots for communications and display modules.

By utilising expansion slots the modules (aka adapters) can be replaced with higher performance units giving a scaleable unit.

[Example] The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the unit with the respective connections to a domestic TV or dedicated computer monitor, to a dial-up analogue (PSTN) or digital (ISDN) line with connectors for a mouse and external PSU.

Figure 2 shows again in perspective, an exploded view of the unit which is DIN A4 paper sized and contains a computer motherboard upon which resides a two slot expansion connector, the logic to run the unit and a smartcard reader.

The diagram also shows the expandable video and communications boards.

Referring to the first drawing, it can be seen that the unit is small and self contained.

The unit is approximately 297 x 21 0mm in footprint, it is estimated that the height would be no more than 50mm at it's highest point with the membrane type keyboard sitting at about half that.

[Example] continued. Taking the external features first, the unit is designed to use an external PSU which would allow easier localisation of the communications center, i.e. they could be sourced locally, it also means that any transformation is carried out away from the main unit, thereby reducing the problems of heat dissipation on the motherboard.

The keyboard is a wipe-clean miniature membrane keyboard with a stick-on legend keeping costs and maintenance very low. The stick-on legend also assists in producing an international product. Above the keyboard are a set of LEDs displaying power and communications status.

On the right of the unit there is a mouse connector and a slot for an optional security reader and a five pin connector at the rear would allow the supply of the respective voltage levels, typically 12v and 5v.

On the left of the unit are the exit points for the expandable communications and video cards which by default (i.e. lowest cost configuration) provide r.f. output for connection to a domestic television and a telephone cable and connector from a 14.4Kbps PSTN modem.

The modem would be upgradable to either a 28.8Kbps modem or a ISDN card offering over 64Kbps speeds whilst the video card may be replaced by a composite video or TTL output for connection to a dedicated computer monitor.

The diagram in figure two gives a little more detail as to how the unit is laid out internally, a generic motherboard using a low-end 16bit CPU (in Intel terms an 80386 or 80486 processor) which is the heart of a very simple and low cost Personal Computer. The motherboard holds upon it five other groups of components; the ROM contains the Operating system and Access software, a section of the motherboard offers location for approximately 1MB of RAM in either SiMM or DRAM form. At the rear of the motherboard can be found all other logic, i.e. memory refresh, input/output and CPU support circuitry, and sitting above this section is the two slot expansion ports which initially take the entry level video and communications board but that allow the unit to be expanded with more performant boards.

The motherboard also hosts an optional security card reader, which using a credit card type of pass is expected to offer a level of security that is not currently available to users of the Intemet.

The low cost of unit depends upon several factors; use of a low performance C.P.U., use of a minimum amount of memory (typically 1MB), all software storage on solid state ROM chips, using a slow (in today's terms) modem and sending the picture to a domestic TV set in standard form.

[Glossary] PC Personal Computer (e.g. IBM compatible, Apple Macintosh) Intemet A worldwide data communications network, set to be de-facto CompuServe, Major on-line data communications providers, access is provided America On-Line, by subscription, service is usually policed, very professional, easy Prodigy, to use and encourages electronic shopping which makes it an ideal MS Network home unit.

Modem Equipment to 'talk' to on-line services, uses telephone line.

CPU Central Processing Unit - heart or brain of a computer PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network - regular telephone lines ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network - digital equivalent Mouse Hand-held pointing device which drives an on-screen cursor PSU Power Supply Unit - takes mains power and changes to DC DC Direct current - type of power needed for electrical equipment DIN A4 A standard size of paper - 297mm x 21 Omm LED Light Emitting Diode - low voltage solid state 'bulb' r.f. Radio Frequency - signal supplied to domestic TV Kbps Kilobits per second, 14.4Kbps = approx. 14400 bits per second 1 6bit referring to CPU, describes memory addressing ROM Read-only memory, solid state fixed software memory Operating system Software that drives computer, gives user a set of commands that the unit understands and can obey.

Access software Communications software and Internet 'browser'.

RAM Random access memory, offers temporary storage for software.

SiMM & DRAM Types of RAM

Claims (5)

1. [Claims] 1. The Communications Center refers to an inexpensive alternative to the generic personal computer which through it's hardware configuration and dedicated software is particularly suited to providing access to the increasing 'on-line' network services.

   It's low cost based on lower performance C.P.U. technology, minimum memory and dedication to access these services will find favour with home and infrequent business users who maynot want or be able to afford the current 1000 plus for an IBM compatible personal computer.
2. 2. The Communications Center as claimed in Claim 1 takes advantage of lower performance video and communications technology by using a domestic TV and telephone lines to access said 'on-line' systems and thereby provide a cost effective entry to the world of inter network communications.
3. 3. The Communications Center as claimed in Claim 1 may be scaled up to the datacommunications equivalent of the telephone by upgrading the standard video and communcations cards to more performant version.
4. 4. The Communications Center as claimed in Claim 1 will in conjunction with intemet and other service providers bring electronic mail facilities to the home user.
5. 5. The Communications Center as claimed in Claim 1 offers a measure of security against unauthorised access through a 'credit-card' sized smartcard and reader similar to those used in satellite and cable viewing decoders.