JP2002185595A - Public telephone and line connecting method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a public telephone which can make effective advertisements without disturbing speech and, accordingly, enables users to make speech free of charge or at low charges, and a line connecting method of such public telephone. SOLUTION: When the hook switch 92 of the public telephone is not turned on, namely, when the receiver 20 of the telephone is not connected to the telephone line, a CPU 81 reads out the image data corresponding to a guidance image informing that the public telephone is a free-of-charge telephone from a storage device 84 and causes a main display device 40 to display the image through a display driving section 82. When the hook switch 92 is turned on, namely, when the receiver 20 is connected to the telephone line, the CPU 81 reads out image data for advertisement from the storage device 84 and causes the display device 40 to display an advertising image instead of the guidance image through the driving section 82.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a public telephone capable of making a free or low-cost telephone call and a method for connecting the line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional public telephone, when a telephone user inserts a coin or a card, a telephone receiver is connected to a telephone line, and an appropriate telephone number is inputted by a button to call a target party to connect the telephone. It is configured to be able to. At this time, an image for guiding the operation state of the public telephone may be displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like.

[0003]

It is desirable for a public telephone user as described above to have a low call charge. It is conceivable to reduce call charges due to corporate efforts and free competition of line connection companies, but there are certain limitations.

[0004] On the other hand, if the public telephone itself is used as an advertising medium, it is possible to reduce the call fee at once with the support of the advertiser, and it is necessary to provide effective advertisement without hindering the call.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a public telephone capable of providing an effective advertisement without disturbing the telephone call, a public telephone enabling free or low-cost telephone calls, and a line of such a public telephone. The purpose is to provide a connection method.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a public telephone which has a telephone set having a telephone receiver for making a call, a line connection circuit for connecting the telephone receiver to a telephone line, and an image. When the receiver is not connected to the telephone line, a guidance image indicating that the call cost is free or low is displayed on the display device, and when the receiver is connected to the telephone line, a specific image is displayed. A display switching device that causes the display device to display an advertisement image promoting the object. Here, the case where the handset is connected to the telephone line refers to, for example, a case where the hook switch is turned on to enable communication, and the case where the handset is not connected to the telephone line means, for example, a hook switch. Is turned off and calls cannot be made.

[0007] In the above public telephone, the display switching device causes the display device to display a guide image indicating that the call cost is free or low when the receiver is not connected to the telephone line. It is possible to recognize that the public telephone is a free or low-cost public telephone due to the advertising revenue, and it is possible to increase the number of users by advertising the public telephone itself. In addition, when the receiver is connected to the telephone line, the display switching device displays an advertisement image for advertising a specific object on the display device, so that the display can be visually performed without interrupting the call during use of the public telephone. Ads can be presented. Although the effect of the advertisement naturally depends on the content of the presentation, an image advertisement including a moving image or the like generally has a high advertisement effect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a public telephone comprising: a time calculating means for calculating a remaining time during which a call can be made; and a time displaying means for displaying the remaining time calculated by the time calculating means on at least a part of a display device. Is further provided.

In the above-mentioned public telephone, the time display means displays the remaining time during which a call can be made on a part of the display device, so that it becomes a reference for the telephone user to round up the conversation in time and waits behind. For the next telephone user, you can get an estimate of the waiting time before using a public telephone.

[0010] In the public telephone according to the third aspect, when the receiver is not connected to the telephone line, an advertisement image is displayed on the display device in an area smaller than the guide image.

The public telephone can advertise and introduce an advertiser's business and products to passers-by without impairing the function of advertising the public telephone itself.

[0012] Further, the line connection method of a public telephone according to claim 4 indicates that when the telephone receiver for making a telephone call is not connected to the telephone line, the telephone charge is free or low. Displaying the guidance image on a display device provided in a public telephone; connecting the handset to the telephone line without requesting the telephone user for the call cost or at a low call cost; and connecting the handset to the telephone line. And displaying the advertisement image for promoting the specific object on the display device.

In the above line connection method, when the receiver is not connected to the telephone line, a guidance image indicating that the call cost is free or low is displayed on a display device provided in the public telephone, and thus the public telephone is connected. It can advertise itself and increase its users. In addition, when the receiver is connected to the telephone line, the display switching device displays an advertisement image for advertising a specific object on the display device, so that the display can be visually performed without interrupting the call during use of the public telephone. Ads can be presented effectively.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a public telephone according to the present invention and a line connection method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of a free payphone according to an embodiment of the present invention. This free payphone has a housing 10 for housing electric circuits necessary for calls and advertisements.
And a receiver 20 connected to the housing 10 via a cable 21, and a hook 30 extending from the housing 10 for hanging the receiver 20.

The housing 10 includes a liquid crystal display and a CRT.
A main display device 40 for displaying an advertisement with a large area, an auxiliary display device 45 made of a liquid crystal display, a numeric keypad 52 for inputting a telephone number and the like, a volume control button 53 for adjusting a call volume, an advertisement and a message And a speaker 60 for generating a sound or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the free public telephone of FIG. This free public telephone is provided with the receiver 20, the main display device 40, the auxiliary display device 45, the operation buttons 50 corresponding to the numeric keypad 52 and the volume control button 53, and the speaker 60 as circuit elements. Furthermore,
This free payphone, like a regular computer,
PU 81, display drive unit 82, input key 83, storage device 8
4, a communication control unit 85 and an audio drive unit 86 are provided.
In order to fulfill the function as a telephone, the free public telephone has a line connection circuit 91 for connecting the telephone receiver 20 to a communication cable which is a telephone line, and the telephone receiver 20 has a hook 30 shown in FIG.
And a hook switch 92 which is turned on and off by being detached from and hooked on the hook. Note that, among the above-described elements, the receiver 20, the operation button 50, the line connection circuit 91, and the hook switch 92 constitute the telephone body PH.

Here, the CPU 81 includes a display driver 82,
Data and control signals can be exchanged among the input keys 83, the storage device 84, the communication control unit 85, the audio drive unit 86, the operation buttons 50, and the line connection circuit 91.

The CPU 81 controls the other components constituting the free public telephone in a unified manner and executes various processes. When executing various processes, the CPU 81 stores in the storage device 8.
The system program and various processing programs stored in the storage device 4 are read, and various processes are sequentially executed in accordance with the programs.
To a predetermined storage location. In this way, a function as a free public telephone is realized.

Specifically, the CPU 81 executes various processes such as a free line connection process, a guidance / advertisement display process, and an advertisement image fetching process in accordance with the various processing programs described above.

In the free line connection processing, the CPU 81
Controls the line connection circuit 91, and connects the receiver 20 to a subsequent exchange (not shown) via a communication cable in response to the ON signal of the hook switch 92. At the same time, the telephone number or the like of the other party input from the operation button 50 is transmitted to the above-mentioned exchange via the line connection circuit 91 and the communication cable.

In the guidance / advertisement display processing, the CPU 81
Reads out a guide image or an advertisement image such as appropriate moving image information from the storage device 84, and displays such a moving image on the display driving unit 8.
2 is displayed on the main display device 40. These CPs
U <b> 81 and the display drive unit 82 function as a display switching device that causes the main display device 40 to display a guidance image or an advertisement image.

At the time of the above-described guidance / advertisement display processing, the CPU 81 can also read out appropriate audio information from the storage device 84 and output this audio to the speaker 60 via the audio driver 86.

In the advertisement image capturing process, the CPU 8
1 controls the communication control unit 85 to perform digital data communication, and fetches advertisement information from an appropriate business establishment via a telephone line. The advertisement information is an advertisement that the advertiser requests to be presented on the main display device 40 of the free public telephone, and includes not only an advertisement image of a moving image but also an audio advertisement.

The display drive unit 82 generates a drive signal obtained by appropriately processing advertisement image data and the like based on an instruction from the CPU 81, and causes the main display device 40 and the auxiliary display device 45 to perform appropriate display.

The main display device 40 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like as described above, and displays a guide image or an advertisement image based on a drive signal from the display drive unit 82. Here, the guide image means a video or a still image that appeals to passers-by of the presence of a free payphone, and the advertisement image is a video or a still image that advertises the advertiser's company, business, product, service, etc. Means

The auxiliary display device 45 is a smaller display than the main display device 40, and displays the input telephone number of the destination and the call volume in response to the input operation of the operation button 50.

The input key 83 is constituted by a key housed in the housing 10 and provides a command signal reflecting the intention of the worker to the CPU 81 at the time of maintenance including setting of operating conditions of the free public telephone and modification of functions. Output.

The storage device 84 stores, in addition to a system program for operating a free public telephone, a processing program corresponding to basic seed processing performed by the free public telephone. Further, the storage device 84 stores DVD, CD-RO
Image data and programs can be reproduced from writable storage media such as M, MO and IC memories, and conversely, image data and programs can be recorded on this storage medium. The storage medium stores programs for executing various processes such as the above-described free line connection process, guidance / advertisement display process, and advertisement image capturing process.

The communication control unit 85 includes a modem (MODEM)
And a function similar to that of the terminal adapter (TA).
As a result, advertisement information can be taken in from a remote office via a telephone line, and the operating state of a free public telephone can be remotely managed and controlled from such an office.

The voice drive unit 86 generates a drive signal obtained by appropriately processing the advertisement voice data and the like based on an instruction from the CPU 81, and causes the speaker 60 to generate a suitable voice.

When connecting the handset 20 to the communication cable, the line connection circuit 91 intervenes between the receiver and the exchange to enable a telephone call.

Next, the main operation of the free public telephone according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 81 reads out image data corresponding to the guide image from the storage device 84, and
Then, the main display device 40 is caused to display a guide image indicating that it is a free public telephone via the terminal 2 (step S1). At the same time, the CPU 81 reads the voice data for guidance from the storage device 84 and sends the data to the speaker 6 via the voice drive unit 86.
0 outputs a guidance voice.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the guidance display. FIG. 4A shows a case where the entire display area of the main display device 40 is the guide image GI, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the main part of the display area of the main display device 40 is the guide image GI. .

The guide image GI shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b)
Is an example, and it goes without saying that various forms of guidance display are possible. Further, the guide image GI does not need to be a still image, and can be a moving image in which still images are switched at appropriate time intervals or images are continuously changed gradually. For example, the phrase “free payphone” may be displayed by flowing downward from the top of the screen.

The display area shown in FIG.
I. Although specific advertising content is not entered in the figure, various moving images and still images that advertise the advertiser's company, various businesses, various products, various services, etc. that have been requested in advance are inserted here. be able to. This allows
It is possible to advertise specific objects not only to users but also to passers-by on free payphones. The advertisement image PI
Can be displayed in a time-sharing manner with the guidance image GI. In this case, the advertisement image PI can be displayed on the entire surface. In addition, the advertisement image PI is not limited to the one that advertises a single business entity, a product, or the like, and may be one that displays advertisements of a plurality of business entities, a plurality of products, or the like at appropriate timing. In this case, a voice advertisement related to the advertisement image may be output from the speaker.

Returning to FIG. 3, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the hook switch 92 has been turned on via the line connection circuit 91 (step S2). If the hook switch 92 is on, the process proceeds to the next step. If the hook switch 92 remains off, the process returns to step S1.

When the hook switch 92 is turned on, the CPU 81 first reads the image data for advertisement from the storage device 84 and sends it to the main display device 40 via the display drive unit 82 in place of the guide image instead of the guide image. Display is performed (step S3). At this time, the CPU 81 stops the sound output from the speaker 60 via the sound drive unit 86,
Or make it smaller. This is to prevent the advertisement voice from interfering with the call. The advertisement images displayed on the main display device 40 are various moving images and still images that advertise the advertiser's company itself, various businesses, various products, various services, and the like, as in the above-described case.

Next, the CPU 81 controls the line connection circuit 91 based on the input to the operation buttons 50 and the like, and connects the telephone line to the target telephone via the exchange or the like at the end of the communication cable (step). S4). The destination telephone is not limited to a general telephone, but may be various mobile telephones such as a mobile telephone. Further, the communication line to be used is not limited to a general telephone line, but may be various line networks including the Internet and the like. The cost of connecting such a line is borne by the installer of the free public telephone and the advertiser. In order to set a certain limit on the contribution, the CPU 81 controls the line connection circuit 91 to monitor the call charge. That is, the CPU 81 sets a certain limit on the call time and the call area, and calculates the remaining time during which the call can be made as the time calculating means.

Next, the CPU 81, as time display means, causes the main display device 40 to count down the remaining available time for communication via the display drive section 82 (step S).
5).

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an advertisement display and the like during a free telephone connection. FIG. 5A shows a display example on the main display device 40, and FIGS. 5B and 5C show modified examples.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the main display device 40
Of the display area is the advertisement image PI, but an area of the countdown image CI corresponding to the remaining time during which a call can be made is provided in a small area below. The countdown image CI is a confirmation of the remaining time for the current telephone user, and is a measure of the waiting time until the use of a free public telephone for the next telephone user (that is, a person waiting behind). .

The countdown image CI is not indispensable, and the advertisement image PI can be displayed on the entire main display device 40 (see FIG. 5B). Further, even during a free telephone connection, a guide image GI can be displayed on a part of the main display device 40 (FIG. 5).
(C)). Note that the countdown image CI and the guidance image GI can be displayed in a time-sharing manner with the advertisement image PI. In this case, the guide image GI or the like can be displayed on the entire surface.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the present invention is applied to a free public telephone. In this case as well, by appropriately switching and displaying a guide image such as "discount public telephone" and an appropriate advertisement image,
Advertisement revenues can sufficiently cover discounts on call charges and maintenance costs.

Before connecting the telephone line, an advertisement image may be displayed for a certain period of time, and then the telephone line may be connected. Further, a display requesting that a questionnaire be answered about an advertiser's corporate product or the like. Alternatively, a telephone line can be connected on condition that there is a response via the operation buttons 50 or the like by outputting voice or voice.

The public telephone according to the above-described embodiment has numeric keys 52 and volume control buttons 53. A touch panel is arranged on the display device 40, and the numeric keys and volume control buttons are provided on the display device 40. It may be displayed.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the telephone line is connected by turning on the hook switch 92. However, the connection instruction button is displayed on the display device 40 in the form of a touch panel, and this connection is performed. The telephone line may be connected by touching the instruction button.

[0049]

According to the public telephone according to the first aspect, the display switching device displays a guide image on the display device indicating that the call cost is free or low when the receiver is not connected to the telephone line. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of users by advertising the public telephone itself. In addition, when the receiver is connected to the telephone line, the display switching device displays an advertisement image for advertising a specific object on the display device, so that the display can be visually performed without interrupting the call during use of the public telephone. Ads can be presented effectively.

According to the public telephone according to the second aspect,
The time display means displays the remaining available time on at least a part of the display device, so that the telephone user can refer to the round-up of the conversation in time and wait for the next telephone user waiting behind. Can provide an indication of the waiting time before using a public telephone.

According to the public telephone according to the third aspect,
The advertiser's business, products, etc. can be advertised and introduced to passers-by without impairing the function of advertising the public telephone itself.

According to the public telephone line connection method of the present invention, when the receiver is not connected to the telephone line, the public telephone is provided with a guide image indicating that the call cost is free or low. Display on the display device
It is possible to increase the number of users by advertising the public telephone itself. In addition, when the receiver is connected to the telephone line, the display switching device displays an advertisement image for advertising a specific object on the display device, so that the display can be visually performed without interrupting the call during use of the public telephone. Ads can be presented effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a free payphone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the free public telephone in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating main operations of the free public telephone in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a guidance display on a main display device.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating advertisement display on a main display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... housing | casing, 20 ... handset, 30 ... hook, 40 ... main display, 45 ... auxiliary display, 50 ... operation button, 60
... Speaker, 82 ... Display drive unit, 83 ... Input key, 84
... storage device, 85 ... communication control unit, 86 ... audio drive unit, 9
1: line connection circuit, 92: hook switch, 81: CP
U, GI: guide image, PH: telephone body, PI: advertisement image.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A telephone set having a handset for making a call, a line connection circuit for connecting the handset to a telephone line, a display device for displaying an image, and the handset connected to a telephone line. If not, a guidance image indicating that the call cost is free or low is displayed on the display device, and the advertisement image promoting a specific object is displayed when the handset is connected to a telephone line. A public telephone, comprising: a display switching device that causes the device to display the information. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: time calculating means for calculating a remaining time during which a call can be made; and time displaying means for displaying the remaining time calculated by the time calculating means on at least a part of the display device. The public telephone according to claim 1. 3. The public according to claim 1, wherein when the handset is not connected to the telephone line, the advertisement image is also displayed on the display device in an area smaller than the guide image. phone. 4. When a receiver for making a telephone call is not connected to a telephone line, a guidance image indicating that the call cost is free or low is displayed on a display device provided on a public telephone. Connecting the handset to a telephone line without asking the telephone user for the call cost or at a low call cost; and when the handset is connected to the telephone line, Displaying the advertisement image to be advertised on the display device.