COMMUNICATION TERMINAL AND METHOD

This invention relates to a communication terminal and method.

It is known to access voicemails from a remote location. Typically, a user of such a system will dial a known telephone number, enter a dedicated security code, and have their voicemails played back to them. There are a number of disadvantages with this system, in that it relies on the user remembering the telephone number and their own security code. It also does not allow the user to store the messages that are played to them, nor to send messages back via this system.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal comprising an input port for connecting to a portable device, an output connection for connecting to a network, and a processor arranged to automatically connect to a predetermined remote destination when a portable device is received at the input port, and arranged to automatically upload information from, and download information to, the portable device. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method comprising receiving a portable device, automatically connecting to a predetermined remote destination, and automatically uploading information from, and downloading information to, the portable device. Owing to the invention, it is possible for a user to access their voicemails automatically, from a remote location, and allows the user to store their voicemails. The user can also upload voicemails at the same time. The invention also exploits public telephone networks for content refreshing and profile modification. Advantageously, the input port is a slot, and the portable device is a data card or handset. Alternatively, the input port is a USB connection, and the portable device is a handset and USB cable. Preferably, the terminal comprises part of a public telephone kiosk. In a preferred embodiment, the information downloaded to the portable device is dependent on the location of the portable device. This allows relevant local information to be passed to the portable device.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a communication system, Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a communication terminal, Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the communication terminal, Figure 4 is a block diagram of a gateway configuration, and Figure 5 is a block diagram of a billing mechanism.

Figure 1 shows a communication system for providing content and personal communications in an asynchronous manner. The programme of content downloaded to a portable device 10 is determined by a user profile that is initially determined by user demographics. This user profile can be modified using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) application from any telephone on the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In addition, subscribers can access and playback their interactive content through a standard telephone. Refreshing the content of a device (upload of voicemails to be delivered and programme responses, as well as download of new voicemails received and new programming) can also be performed over the PSTN. The billing system of the PSTN operator used to collect micro- payments can be used to bill users for use of these services. In the system, a portable device 10 has the facility to receive and store structured audio programs in memory for later playback. This offline playback is interactive, the user's responses are stored on the device and subsequently uploaded to content or service providers. Content is exchanged between the network and the handset 10 in a periodic wired docking process. The public telephone networks are used as a means to configure programmes and downloaded content. As various content providers (governmental organisations, job centres, health centres, NGOs, Radio stations) make new content available, it is marked up (in a markup language Voice Interactive Media Format - VIMF) and the Regional Content Centres (RCC) 12 take editorial control and make initial proposals for distribution to the various interest groups. The RCC 12 then has responsibility to get the new content out to the distribution centres - Internet Tele-Centres (ITCs) 14 and Data Card Refresh Services (DCRSs) 16. The DCRS is optionally also responsible for Data Card production. The ITC is an internet access point and may be in the form of a tele-centre, a kiosk, a suitably configured ATM, a postal office or a dedicated DCRS. By caching the content at these centres, the burden of distributing a great deal of content over limited bandwidth is much reduced. The proposed synchronisation process for handsets 10 can take two routes, either docking of the handset (or card alone) at an ITC 14 or refreshing a data card 18 (that would be used in a hand set 10) on its own at a DCRS 16. If docking at an ITC 14, the user ID will be checked, and there will be an opportunity for the user to refine his/her configuration online and modify sensitive information such as their security code. At the same time, the usual information exchange can take place. This information exchange typically takes the following form:

1. Voice Messages ("Vmails") from the user, awaiting delivery, are uploaded, 2. Responses that the user has previously made to programmes are uploaded, 3. Unnecessary programming and data on the card is deleted, 4. New vmails for the user are downloaded, 5. New programmes are downloaded. If a user is docking at a DCRS, the data card owners will probably not be present, and the cards 18 will simply be "docked" and refreshed, before being dispatched for return to their owners. The refresh process will be the same as above, except of course that the users will not be present to authorise the refresh, or to interact with any services (e.g. to modify profile etc.). The handsets 10 have a USB 2.0 data connection, giving up to 480Mbit/s data rate. A data card 18 used in the handset may have between 32MB and 256MB of on-board flash memory, which will require a few minutes at most to refresh, assuming the ITC 14 or DCRS 16 has the capacity for upload, and pre-cached content ready for download. Communication to and from the devices 10 via the ITCs 14 travels through a gateway 20. The ITCs 14 connect to the gateway 20 via the telephone network (PSTN) in most instances. The PSTN is configured to be adept at managing micropayments, and there are many mechanisms available to take payment from PSTN users. For example, an IVR calling card mechanism may utilise a RADIUS server (Remote Authentication, Dial-In User Service) providing Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA). The current Internet kiosks provided in public places suffer from serious limitations, in that they require computer skill, they are not usable by the illiterate, they are expensive to maintain, they are vulnerable to vandalism, and they need to be used online. There are opportunities for users to make use of personal computers and modems connected to the PSTN to access the RCC 12 to refresh content and download vmails, but this approach has its own limitations, with a relatively low bandwidth (40-50kb/s), which will lead to very long calls (and high cost) to download and upload large quantities of audio, and a suitable PC and modem is a significant cost to an individual, and not likely to be available to many of the target user group. In many countries there is a pervasive network of public telephone kiosks that are under-utilised due to the high penetration of mobile phones. Use of these kiosks for the purposes of accessing vmails would provide benefits (in terms of revenues) for the telephone operator as well as access points for the users. The use of the public phone infrastructure to improve digital inclusion is a priority for many governments. A variety of PSTN terminals can be used as the front-end for access to the services and content refresh. Furthermore, there is a range of options for delivering access to the content and services to the PSTN. These are described in the following subsections.

Access to the services from private or public phones

A first option is a means to enable use of private telephones (on the PSTN) to use the services available through the network. It comprises a gateway to the network which checks authorisation, and mechanisms to present the services (such as profile modification and new programme selection) to a user such they can interact using the standard telephone interface (using Interactive Voice Response type services). By enabling access to the services from any phone on the PSTN, subscribers may access their programmes and vmails even if they cannot use their handset or data card subscriptions to the services will be possible without the necessity for a handset or data card. By enabling the user to configure their profile using the PSTN, users gain online access to up-to-date information about available channels and are able to subscribe to a program or service instantly. Subscribers will have greater access through thousands of available public telephones as well as private phones and mobile phones. If users wish to update their profile or suchlike, they will not have to await synchronisation update at an ITC (with the potential travelling and queuing that this entails) or the lengthy 2-stage process needed if they use a DCRS. Users may pay for services using standard call-payment mechanisms. Furthermore, enabling access to services from the PSTN paves the way for PSTN users to gain access to other services as if these services were native PSTN-based IVR applications. This opens up the PSTN subscriber base (and further revenue streams) to application providers, further increasing the integration of the new infrastructure (a system targeted at the poorer community) and the existing public telephone networks.

Access to the services from an extended public telephone kiosk

The measures described above can be extended to include access to services from public telephone kiosks such that users may dial up a gateway and interact with services, including services to modify their own profile. Users may enter their data card into such a kiosk, and users may update content on their cards. Users achieve fast data download enabled by an ADSL modem at the kiosk. Users may pay for content and services via telephone bill, cash, or telephone card (calling card or smart card). By enabling users to utilise a public kiosk in much the same way as an ITC, the network can be expanded enormously and very quickly. The phone kiosks are secure, quite robust against vandalism, and have a familiar interface enabling ease of use. Furthermore, if the phone kiosk has facilities to receive and record the content to a data card, users can complete the synchronisation process instantly, further reducing the burden at ITCs/DCRSs and the burden of distribution by the RCC. Enhancing the kiosk with a broadband data connection to the Internet (ADSL or similar technology) as well as local memory storage to enable rapid upload and download of content will further enhance the effectiveness of the kiosk as a content access and refresh point. A further advantage is the potential to exploit the known location of the public kiosk in order to tailor the content that is provided to the user. For example, directions to a job agency could take into account the user's current location, reducing their complexity and greatly improving their relevance.

Access to the services from a cheap refresh device - the Infocharqer

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the communication terminal 22. The device 22, an "Infocharger", has an input port 24 that receives a data card 18 and plugs into a standard phone socket via an output connection 26. This device 22 has a processor 28 that dials into the network 30 automatically (to a preconfigured free-call number, with pre-configured handshake protocols) and synchronises the programmes and vmails for that user (or users) automatically. The lnfocharger 22 shows progress with use of one or two LEDs 32. By providing a cheap and simple modem 22 with a slot 24 for a data card 18 and connectors 26 for a standard phone socket, users will be able to use any available socket (private or public) and undertake the minimum refreshes they need (i.e. vmail exchange, and important response upload and programme download) at the time they need. The simplicity of the device 22 will enable use by the majority of the target population.

Access to the services from a cheap docking device - lnfocharger #2

A second embodiment of the communication terminal can be used, which is shown in Figure 3. This device 36 enables a handset 10 to be connected to the services from a PSTN connection, and mechanisms are provided for enabling interaction with applications from the docked device. This enables use of the handset user interface for interaction with services, enables users to modify their own profile and selection of programming, and enables updating of content on the data card 18. The input port 34 is a USB connection. As before, the communication terminal 36 includes a processor 28 arranged to automatically connect to a predetermined remote destination when a portable device is received at the input port 34, and arranged to automatically upload information from, and download information to, the portable device 10. It is also possible to provide a mechanism for more efficient downloads to handsets 10 via the lnfocharger 22, 36. Each lnfocharger 22, 36 has a small amount of embedded software and memory. An lnfocharger 22, 36 can be personalized to a set of people on the same street (perhaps 15 to 20 individuals). When the lnfocharger 22, 36 is personalized, an entry in the RCC 12 is created on those particular users of the lnfocharger 22, 36. Whenever a person sends out a mail, the RCC 12 forwards the mail to the respective lnfocharger 22, 36 where that recipient has registered. The advantage of this is that the download of mails will happen faster as voicemails will already be present at the info charger 22, 36. The lnfocharger 22, 36 itself is very easy for the user to access as it will be located relatively close to the residence of the end recipient. Naturally, such a system of downloading to the lnfocharger 22, 36 can also be applied to program downloads as well as vmails. A cheap docking device brings the advantages of the lnfocharger, but also enables interaction with services through the handset interface that subscribers will be familiar with. Users will be able to undertake tasks immediately, as if they were at an ITC, such as account configuration and profile update. Unlike the lnfocharger, users will be able to enter security codes, which will be required for some services. Unlike an ITC, the interactions will be over normal phone lines, so data exchanges will be slow, however, this may be fine for subscribers who exchange small amounts of content.

Mechanisms are required to inform the user via the PSTN network how much a particular transaction will cost before it is activated. Mechanisms are also needed to check credit before completing transaction. Mechanisms for charging the user for use of services could be by a number of means, using the PSTN billing architecture, for example, billing their home-phone subscription, charging to their calling card (network-based credit), charging against telephone card, making charges as cash, charging credit card (or bank account). Mechanisms may be provided for charging the user for content services using the same billing mechanism that is used to pay for the call. Mechanisms may be provided for variable-rate billing. Some content may be free (e.g. announcements about health or social issues), some may be fixed rate (e.g. vmails are a fixed cost per minute), or some may be variable rate cost (e.g. a music MP3 download) with cost related to quality as well as calibre of the music piece itself. Note that some uses of the network will result in credits for the user as well as debits, for example, completion of questionnaires and listening to adverts. Billing is one of the greatest benefits of enabling use of the PSTN infrastructure to access the services and refresh handsets/data cards. The telephone operators and public pay-phone networks are geared towards extracting many millions of micro-payments from a vast population of users. The billing infrastructure is secure and connects to banking and other financial systems or databases. Providing access into the network is achieved by providing a gateway to the proprietary infrastructure. The gateway options are described in further detail below. Essentially, a PSTN telephone number (an access number) will connect a caller to the PSTN gateway of, the network and the caller will be greeted by an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system that will articulate the available options. For subscribers, there will be an option to enter their unique address and then to enter their security code to verify their identity. When using a handset, they would also be required to enter the security code. The subscribers will then hear options to listen to the new content that is available for them. They can also hear an index of their vmails and latest "broadcasts" of programmes they receive, select vmails or content to playback online over the PSTN, responding as required, hear about new programming and subscribe to new channels, access (and modify) their profile, trigger data downloads of new programs or vmail to a refreshing system, either attached locally to the PSTN terminal, or even submit a request for these downloads to be done to a remote refreshing point. (Note here that one user at the terminal might nominate, or refer another user or group of users to receive subsequent downloads of particular programs or redirected vmails) Applications may be provided to users by radio stations, health centres, NGOs and the like in the VIMF description language and are made available to users over the infrastructure, primarily for use offline. There are a number of ways these applications can be made available for PSTN users. One way that these services can be enabled for any PSTN user is to transcode VIMF programmes into the IVR format used by the PSTN and to provide them to PSTN users in the same way other PSTN-based IVR services are provided. VIMF is an XML compliant language, developed with VoiceXML features in mind. This simplifies the mapping of VIMF programmes to VoiceXML IVR applications, because of the correspondence between the two mark-up languages. VIMF applications need to provide robust error handling and error recovery, because the interactions with service providers may take place over a period of days or weeks. If such applications are made available to PSTN users, much of the error detection and correction can be undertaken in a real¬ time dialogue, thus removing the need for such strong error resilience. Other improvements to optimise the IVR version can be added by the IVR application programmer. VIMF applications can result in responses being acquired, for return to agencies such as health centres and job centres, and these responses are dealt with offline over the Internet at a schedule that these agencies dictate (resulting in efficient use of resources and lower servicing costs). IVR applications typically result in a completed transaction within one phone-call. When the VIMF applications are rendered as IVR, they may need to retain that element of the VIMF service model to enable the service providing agencies to retain the control they have to handle responses. When a user interacts with a VIMF program, their responses are collected on a data card for subsequent return over the Internet to the content or service provider, or their nominees. When an IVR version of the application is run by a PSTN user, the IVR program may output a similar response file(s) in the same defined format, for return to the content or service provider or their nominees. One further addition is needed to enable further contact between the customer and the service provider, which is the customer's PSTN telephone number. The PSTN phone number will be provided to the content provider in the same way that the user's unique address is provided for use of services in the address space. A public kiosk can be simply enhanced with facilities to read/write the data cards used in the handsets. Furthermore, without modification to cabling, by inclusion of a suitable modem, the kiosk can be enabled for high bandwidth data exchange (i.e. ADSL) thus providing much of the functionality of the Internet-enabled phone kiosks that are seen today. It is of course possible to convert the phone kiosk onto a higher bandwidth network via fibre-optic data cables, WiFi <802.11*> wireless links, 3G wireless connections, etc.) In this way, the kiosk now provides functionality that closely matches that at an ITC. To use this kiosk, users will dial into the gateway via a PSTN access number, and interact with the IVR as described above. Furthermore, the user can put his/her data card into the additional data card slot at the kiosk, and upon appropriate security code authorisation, the user can refresh the data card, and download new programming that has been selected during the phone call. Because the telephone kiosk has access to the Internet via the PSTN, a secure connection can be made to a suitable interface (i.e. a web¬ server) to access content and services for the user (the caller at that kiosk). The IVR exchange is used to open up a synchronisation session. Because a broadband technology such as ADSL is in use, the data connection can be utilised in parallel with the voice call (and IVR interactions), which might well be determining the content to be downloaded. At this end of the family of possible terminals that might be used for access is the "Infocharger". This device has no interface for the user to interact with, it only supports card refreshing. This device is essentially a minimal piece of hardware providing a modem (with phone socket connector) and a card slot for data cards. The device has a small battery, and contains a minimum amount of flash memory to hold pre-configured dial-up numbers and handshake protocols for a gateway modem. The device has just one or two LEDs to indicate current status. This device is intentionally kept simple to keep it cheap. To use the device, firstly the user must have dial-up numbers and protocols stored on the data-card (the dial-up number may be a freephone or free-call number, enabling use from all phone lines without charge, or may be a fixed- rate number). The user takes the data-card from the handset, and slots it into the Infocharger. Upon plugging the lnfocharger into the phone socket, it will automatically dial the supplied modem number with the selected modem configuration, and once connected will automatically start handshaking with the gateway modem (providing the unique address of the user etc) in order to get authority to refresh the data card. Once authority is given, the data refresh will begin, much as if the data card were being refreshed at a DCRS. The data rate will be at the level available on the line, and at the level supported by the modem, so upload and download of content may be time consuming (possibly hours). A further refinement of this device is the inclusion of sufficient memory to enable the Infocharger to extract data from the card such that it can continue working to upload the data to the system once the downloading has been completed and the card removed. This may halve the amount of time the card is occupied, and will enable the user to proceed and interact with the new content. A refinement of the Infocharger is a dock that enables the user to interact with the services much as he/she might as if the services were being used offline (normal mode). Instead of a slot for a data card, this device has a USB connection suitable for connecting to a handset. When the handset is docked with this device, and it is connected to the network, online user- interaction such as profile changing is possible through the handset itself. Much like the Infocharger, this device will dial up the gateway upon connection to a phone line, prompting the user for a phone number if needed. Furthermore, the user will be prompted for a security code to access the services. The connection will be data, and the interactions will be via VIMF programs. The advantage in this situation being that the user can interact with these programs in real time, as far as the connection speed will allow. Note that during this process, some data packets coming to the handset may be for adding to the data card, whilst in parallel, others may be routed to the handset user-interface for online control commands and responses. In the above, only a few of the possible range of PSTN docking points are described. Office users might have central data card refreshing points in an office for example, yet control them from their office phones. In some cases, the user interaction will be supported via the PSTN keypad or voice- control, in another via the handset's own interface. There are a number or possible variations on the configuration of gateways between the PSTN and proprietary networks. One such configuration is illustrated in Figure 4. The gateway on the proprietary side provides the IVR access mechanism (user authentication and authorization) and opens up access to the proprietary services such as profile modification, new programming, vmail etc. With details of the IP address of the user's PSTN terminal, this gateway can then open up a data connection to enable content refresh on the user's data card. There may need to be some access control and routing of data at the PSTN side, requiring the presence of a PSTN to proprietary gateway in the PSTN. If this PSTN-resident takes a greater role in the provision of proprietary services to PSTN terminals, it will reduce the burden upon the proprietary gateway, and can increase the usability for the end-user. For all situations where a public telephone is used as a means to interact with proprietary services and download content, either to playback immediately or to download, there are a number of mechanisms available for charging (or in some situations, crediting) the user. Firstly, the user needs to be informed of the intended charge. If the user requests it, this can be achieved by using the Text to Speech (TTS) module at the gateway to render the charge that is calculated by the billing manager to speech. If the user proceeds with the transaction, he/she may have a choice of payment methods such as charging to their calling card (network-based credit), charging the telephone card (card-based credit), making charges as cash (as is done for long-distance calls), or charging to a credit card or bank account. Any one of these methods may currently be in use to pay for the voice call that is in progress, and can thus be readily used to also pay for the proprietary content. The proprietary billing system will need to look up in its payment schemes to send details of the charge required to the PSTN network (in the case of a calling card being used, or visa card) and ultimately to the kiosk if the charge is to be taken from a telephone card or from cash credit. One example of a billing system is shown in Figure 5. Some part of the charge made for proprietary services may go to the PSTN (to cover their costs for providing the service) some may go to the proprietary system manager, and some is suitably passed onto the appropriate service providers. For the revenue chain, standard mechanisms will be needed to ensure security and integrity of payment data and the networks involved. The methods and systems described above are focused upon the extracting value for subscribers by exploitation of the pervasive public telephone networks. However they also open up the benefits, content and services of the proprietary system to any PSTN subscriber.