WO2000067461A1

WO2000067461A1 - Terminal for providing an interactive service on a screen by means of a private network and private network system for providing services

Info

Publication number: WO2000067461A1
Application number: PCT/FR2000/001124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josette Ledran; Jacques Rivals; François RICHET; Patrick Langlet; François MARIE
Original assignee: France Telecom
Priority date: 1999-04-30
Filing date: 2000-04-27
Publication date: 2000-11-09
Also published as: FR2793100B1; AU4305800A; FR2793100A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal (2) for providing at least one interactive service on a screen, characterized in that said terminal comprises means (38, 40, 42) for connection to a private telecommunications network (e.g. a public phone network) whereby access thereto is subject to a payment transaction. Said means of connection comprise opening and closing means (38) for said access depending on the commands issued by the network. The invention also includes a software device enabling the terminal to be operated, in addition to a system comprising a private network with at least one terminal of this variety connected thereto.

Description

Terminal for providing interactive service on screen via a private network and private network system for providing services

The present invention relates to a terminal and a system for providing one or more interactive services on screen by access to a private telecommunications network, access being governed by a one-off payment. An interactive service offered by the terminal can be internet access, in which case the terminal constitutes an internet terminal.

By the term private network, we understand a telephone network belonging to an operator who collects the network usage taxes through tax collection commands transmitted on the network when the latter is used. These commands are managed by a central network unit. Thus, a network of public pay telephones, such as the "Publiphone" network belonging to France Telecom, is an example of a private telecommunications network. In fact, payphones depend on a network that manages access to the line based on a payment received at the telephone terminal. This mode of access to the line implies a protocol specific to this private network allowing the central unit and the terminal to dialogue to perform functions such as validation of the means of payment, opening of the line, direct debit. charging (for example by debiting a memory card), closing the line in the event of insufficient or incorrect payment, etc. At least the line opening and closing commands are issued by the network.

This specific protocol is not found in public subscriber telephone networks. In these, the opening and closing of the line is ordered at the subscriber stations (except for the initial installation and the termination of the subscription). For some time now there have been free terminals for accessing services such as the internet for a one-off payment. These terminals are designed to connect to the public subscriber network. As a result, they must integrate their own means of authorizing access to the line and cutting off communication, calculating taxation and ordering the collection of corresponding taxes. More generally, these terminals are necessarily autonomous vis-à-vis the telephone network in terms of managing the progress of the connection. However, such autonomy is difficult to reconcile with centralized management of a set of terminals, for example to ensure consistency in the services offered and in pricing. Furthermore, these terminals are relatively complex and costly due to the significant internal management that they have to provide. In view of this problem, the subject of the present invention is a terminal for providing at least one interactive service on screen, connected on a private network, which can benefit, at least for certain communication management functions, from commands transmitted by this network.

This terminal is characterized in that it comprises means of connection to a private telecommunications network whose access is governed by a one-off payment, the connection means comprising means for opening and cutting access which depend of commands from the network.

Preferably, the means allowing access to a private network include software means performing an interface function between means of execution of the service (s) and the private network. The means allowing access to a private network can also manage punctual payment according to orders received by the private network.

Advantageously, the payment of the punctual payment is made in association with a card reader intended to receive a prepayment and / or bank card.

The means allowing access to a private network can be provided to pay the punctual payment according to orders from the network periodically during the communication.

The terminal can also offer at least one local service accessible against punctual payment managed by the private network, the terminal comprising means for transmitting information to said network concerning a selected local service and means for receiving back from the network orders acknowledgment of payment for the service.

The invention also relates to a device comprising software means for operating at least one interactive service on screen, characterized in that it comprises software means for interfacing with a said terminal.

These interface software means can be configured to exchange data relating to the cost of the service (s), notably authorizing the display of these costs.

The interface software means can also be configured to exchange data with the private network relating to at least one service selected by the user.

In addition, the interface software means can be configured to exchange data relating to the punctual payment method (for example the type of card) in use with the private network. and to display to the user data relating to the payment paid.

The invention also relates to a system for providing at least one interactive service on screen, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one terminal of the aforementioned type; and

a private network comprising at least one connection unit ensuring a connection between at least one aforementioned terminal and a communication network, the connection unit comprising means for establishing commands for opening and cutting access to the network communication, these commands being transmitted to a terminal for execution by the latter.

The punctual payment can be variable depending on the services selected by the user.

In addition, the pricing of the service (s) can be managed by the private network.

The terminal may include means for selecting one or more service (s) and for informing the network of this selection, the network comprising means for transmitting in response a payment acknowledgment command as a function of this selection and data relating to the costs of this or these service (s) so that these costs can be displayed by the terminal.

Advantageously, an interactive screen service is internet access.

It is also possible to provide at least one interactive service on screen among: - access to a game,

- access to a product purchasing server that can be downloaded, access to the use of software installed on a remote server, - access to a database. Advantageously, the network includes means for transmitting to at least one terminal data relating to the services offered, this data possibly being in particular the pricing, software and data related to the maintenance of the terminal.

Preferably, the system includes means for securing payment by a specific protocol between the network and the terminal.

The system can also include means for securing payment by analyzing data contained in a payment card inserted in a card reader of the terminal.

In this case, the analysis can be carried out at the terminal level, or at the private network level. Advantageously, the management of at least one aforementioned terminal is carried out by at least one server of the network upstream of the connection unit, and the terminal dialogues with the connection unit during exchanges relating to management. Advantageously, at least one terminal cooperates with means for securing the protocol at the network level, making it possible to authenticate the origin of a message in order to ensure that said message is actually sent by a terminal of said network. The private network can be the France Telecom Publiphone network.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the embodiments which will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a diagram of a terminal for providing services on screen, connected to a private network, in this case the Publiphone network; and Figure 2 is a block diagram of the main units involved in the communication between the terminal of Figure 1 and the Publiphone network. The general appearance of a terminal for providing interactive services on a screen in accordance with the present invention is generally represented in FIG. 1. This terminal 2 is in the form of a personal computer comprising a central unit unit 4, a monitor 6, a keyboard 8 and a pointing device on the screen, here represented in the form of a mouse 10. The monitor 6 can be associated with a finger designation device (for example in the form of a tactile membrane covering the screen or a network of infrared diodes) to allow selecting a function or confirming a choice by contact on a displayed icon. The terminal 2 further comprises acoustic speakers 7 connected to a sound card, allowing the terminal to function as a multimedia terminal.

Peripherals can be connected to the computer, for example a printer 9 and a scanner 11.

The terminal can be installed as a fixed or mobile station in public, semi-public or private premises.

The box 4 includes all of the cards necessary for the conventional operation of a computer as well as a hard disk in which various programs are stored, and floppy, CD-ROM or DVD drives. In addition, the box 4 includes interfaces and management circuits which make it possible to connect the computer 2 functionally to a private network 21, in particular the Publiphone network of the France Telecom company. In the example, the network private 21 is digital, of the Numéris type, and the connection of terminal 2 to the network is carried out by a digital network termination socket (TNR) 12 known in itself. Access to the terminal is chargeable, payment being made by means of a card reader 14 provided with a display (not shown), for example the GRC500 reader marketed by the company Gemplus. The cards 16 accepted by this reader are either pre-payment cards issued by the operator of the private network 21 (for example T1G and T2G cards from the company France Telecom), or bank cards (chip or possibly track magnetic).

Like a telephone terminal in the Publiphone network, terminal 2 includes a set of counters which record various parameters related to its use, such as the number of cards inserted, the number of hung-ups on the terminal (for example when the terminal automatically hangs up on detection of fraud), etc.

The active elements in a link between the private network 21 Publiphone and the terminal 2 are shown in Figure 2.

The Publiphone network is linked to the general telecommunications network, called Autonomous Routing Center (CAA) 20, by connection units (UR) 22, only one of which is shown. The connection units 22 are specific to the private network and provide the interface between the Publiphones terminals and the autonomous routing center. It is possible to connect to the same connection unit both conventional telephone sets 24 and terminals 2 for providing interactive services on screen. A line between a telephone set 24 or a terminal 2 and a communication unit connection is the equivalent of a leased line, the operator of which is the sole user.

The connection unit 22 comprises two modules: a connection module (MR) 26 and a service processing module (MTS) 28.

The connection module 26 has the function of connecting the terminals which connect a station 24 or a terminal 2 to the self-routing center 20 and ensuring the transfer of the communication. It is essentially a switch which authorizes or not the passage of the communication.

The service processing module 28 is the intelligent part of the connection unit 22. It controls the connection module and controls the sending of messages, for example to fix the charging which will be transmitted, etc. The connection unit 22 is connected on the side of a station 24 or of a terminal 2 by a bus of the S0 type, and on the side of the CAA network 20 by a bus of the T2 type. Typically, a connection unit comprises several connection cards (called channel cards), each making it possible to concentrate up to 15 stations 22 or terminals 2 on a T2 bus.

The connection units of the private network 21 are connected to a network management unit 34. In the case of the Publiphone network, this unit includes a management system making it possible to monitor the quality of service and other parameters. In addition to this management system, there are other servers, including authorization centers (CA) for means of payment. These servers are consulted by the management unit 22 during a card transaction 16 on a reader 14 of a terminal 2. Thus, when the transaction is carried out by means of a bank card, the connection unit connects with a server 36 called "Macsim" which provides 1 interface with the world banking. This server indicates inter alia if the card is not in the opposition list and allows the connection unit to refuse access to the line for the terminal concerned if this is the case. For the so-called second generation (T2G) prepayment cards issued by the network owner, the management unit 22 has its own validation means, called SAM corresponding to the English expression "Secure Access Module" which performs a cryptographic calculation and authorizes or not the connection of the terminal concerned depending on the result. The connection unit also consults a CAFT 35 server (authorization center for the France Telecom card) to identify false cards by reference to the lot number of the card presented and manage opposition lists.

In addition to the signals specific to a conventional telecommunication, whether voice signals or digital data, there is a periodic exchange of information between the terminal 2, the management unit 22 and the private network 21 for the management the use of the line.

This information includes the return to the network of data recorded in the set of aforementioned counters of the terminal. The ascent is done in response to a specific command transmitted for example every 15 minutes to the terminal by the connection unit.

The feedback of information does not only concern the meter readings of the terminal 22, but also information which is produced directly in the connection unit from data which is seen directly by this unit. This information relates in particular to charging, which is established by the connection unit. All of the feedback is then used by the operator of the private network 21 to enable traffic, alarms (operating anomalies) to be observed, use of the various means of payment, terminal status (in use, out of service), etc. This information passes through the connection unit 22, which retransmits it to the network.

Note however that at the terminal 2, the only element which is seen is the connection unit 22. All the other elements are transparent. It is therefore the connection unit 22 which dialogues with all the other servers.

Terminal 2 is designed to perform all of the aforementioned functions with respect to the network as well as functions which are specific to the use of a terminal for providing interactive services on screen. To this end, the core of the terminal 2 is functionally broken down into two sub-assemblies, namely: - an application execution set 37 which includes the elements of the central unit 4, in particular the motherboard, the memory cards , video, sound, output / input ports (parallel and serial) allowing the connection of peripherals such as the keyboard 8 and the mouse 10, the monitor 6, the printer 9 and the scanner 11, as well as the hard disk, the media readers (floppy, CD-ROM, DVD), and other means that make up computer-specific electronics; and a unit 29 for managing the exchange of orders on the private network 21, which has the function of operating the terminal in accordance with the protocol of the private network 21 as regards the routing of communications and the payment of the charges. use of the terminal on this network. The Information exchanges with the private network are carried out via a digital line interface card, called an ISDN card (digital network with service integration). It will be noted that the exchange management unit directly controls the card reader 14.

This unit 39 also comprises two software interfaces: a "network" interface 38 which provides the link between its internal elements and the private network 21, and an "applications" interface which ensures the link between its internal elements and the set of execution of applications 37. These two interfaces 38 and 40 can communicate with each other by means of a software bus 42.

The distribution of tasks between the network interfaces 38 and applications 40 is so that:

- the applications software interface 40 sees neither the means of payment, which is controlled exclusively within the order exchange management unit on the private network 21 within the exchange unit, nor the network protocol private; and

the network software interface 38 does not control the launching of the services, but is only informed of their use (only the set of execution of applications 37 controls the services). The network interface 38, the unit 39 for managing exchanges on a private network and the applications interface exchange the following information: data relating to the payment method introduced (card insertion; card withdrawal, nature of the card , remaining credit, card validity, ...); and

- end of service orders for various reasons related to cards, network, ....

The terminal interface 40 uses the resources of the network software to: - initialize the network interface software when it is launched;

- close the network interface software application by freeing up its resources; - request cost information: depending on the service selected, the network software asks the private network for the corresponding cost, which is retransmitted to the terminal interface;

- request authorization to use a service; and - indicate the end of use of a service.

Several methods of communication between the network software interfaces and applications can be envisaged in both directions. In the preferred embodiment, the network interface 38 communicates with the applications interface 40 using a library structure known by the English term "dynamic linked library" (DLL), which allows functions to be exported.

During a data transfer from the set of application execution 37 to the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network, direct calls to procedures are made. These procedures are exported by the files in DLL format of the applications interface 40. During a data transfer from the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network to the set 37 for executing applications, a unique procedure (called recall) is called. In accordance with this procedure, a byte string is provided indicating the command to be executed. A pointer to this procedure is supplied to the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network during its initialization.

The exchanges of messages which pass through the two will now be described in more detail. software interfaces 38 and 40 and which intervene when the terminal 2 is used.

At the level of communications from the set of application execution 37 to the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network, the main messages are as follows: launching of the network interface program. This procedure is called by the terminal application when it starts up. The functions consist on the one hand in transmitting to the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network the pointer to the recall procedure, in order to allow the latter to send messages to the execution set 37 of applications. On the other hand, this procedure makes it possible to initialize the unit 39 for managing the exchanges on the private network and to verify that the latter is correctly initialized. This initialization and this verification also apply to the peripheral cards piloted by the exchange management unit 39 (card reader 14, ISDN card). In response, the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network stores the pointer provided by the set of applications execution 37. This pointer thus makes the procedure accessible to the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the network. private;

- closing of the network interface program. The set of applications execution 37 then requests the unit 39 for managing the exchanges on the private network to close and release the resources (hardware and software) used. In response, this unit 39 frees the allocated memory, as well as the connection CAPI corresponding to the English expression "Common ISDN Application Programming Interface" and to the card reader 14; - request for the cost of the service. This function is called when the application execution set 37 requests from the exchange management unit on the private network the cost of the service indicated in parameter. The unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network knows the cost of each service, this information being stored locally or, possibly, transmitted by the connection unit 22 as described in the variant below. The cost of the service is transmitted to the application execution set 37 in the form of a string of characters which can be displayed;

- request to launch a service. The set 37 of application execution in this case requests the unit 39 for managing the exchanges on the private network the authorization to connect to the network and, more generally, the authorization to execute a service. In response, this unit 39 authorizes the launch of the service as soon as it detects the presence of a valid means of payment with sufficient credit (or possibly free service); indication of end of connection to a service. The set 37 of application execution then indicates to the management unit of the exchanges on the private network the end of use of a service. In response, the network interface 38 performs the necessary operations with the private network 21, namely the indication of an end of communication with the card reader 14 and the adequate management of its display.

At the level of communications in the direction of unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network to the set 37 for executing applications, any command passing through the applications interface 40 sent to the set 37 for executing applications is provided in the form of a pointer to a structure composed of the following fields:

- length (1 byte) which indicates the number of bytes which follow, - application code (1 byte) which indicates the calling application,

- an order code which indicates the message sent, and

- an array of bytes specific to each message. The messages transmitted by the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network to the set 37 for executing applications are as follows:

- end of service order. The unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network orders the service to be terminated on withdrawal of card, insufficient credit or insufficient credit, or on network outage. Other end of service orders include the detection of an invalid card, the closing of the application on the private network 21, or possibly the end of connection to the service requested by the user (the latter case is identified during a dialogue in the direction from terminal interface to network interface). In response, the terminal 2 informs the user via the monitor 6 of the reason for closing the service and closes this service;

- management of the means of payment. This function allows the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network to inform the set 37 of application execution of the state of the card reader 14 (means of payment present or absent) as well as the nature of the present card. The byte array has two bytes. A first byte informs of the type of card inserted in the reader 14 (T1G, T2G, France Telecom, banking card, etc.) and a second byte informs of the validity or not of means of payment. This byte also includes messages relating to the use of the reader 14 and an imminent termination of the communication. In the example, these messages are as follows: payment method not inserted, valid payment method, exhausted credit, insufficient credit, invalid card, expiration date reached, message "wait", entry of PIN code (personal code) to be performed, sequence of service refused, exhaustion of the time allocated for entering the code, cancellation of the entry of the secret code, warning of the imminent cut in communication, refusal of the means of payment, anomaly caused by reading the card, and unusable means of payment;

- card credit management. This function allows the unit 39 for managing the exchanges on the private network to inform the assembly 37 of execution of applications of the credits (remaining and consumed) of the card 16. The message includes a byte which expresses the payment unit used: prepaid card units, Francs, Euros, or other currencies and accounting units. Respective groups of bytes indicate, in terms of payment units used, the remaining credit and the credit consumed. These bytes are decoded by the terminal interface and the information is displayed on the screen 6 of terminal 2.

It is noted that a specificity of the private network 21 connected to a digital network such as Numéris, with the use of the D channel to implement the terminal 2, is the need to use a particular identifier of access point to the service. (This identifier is better known by the acronym "SAPI" corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon expression "Service Access Point Identifier". A SAPI identifier is expressed by a byte of level 2 of the LAPD protocol corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon expression " Link Access Protocol channel D ", which defines the application to which we are addressing. There are standardized SAPI identifiers, for example the identifier SAPI 0 which relates to all ordinary signaling, and the identifier SAPI 16 to communicate in mode X25. For the realization of terminal 2 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a particular SAPI identifier is designated to establish a protocol therein. This choice of SAPI identifier is arbitrary and the number 4 is thus assigned. 4 thus fixes the message exchange protocol between the terminal 2 and its connection unit 22 by means of specific frames, other than those for signaling, management or packets. These messages are generally short and do not require a high speed .

The ISDN interface card for network interface 38 must be able to accept this new SAPI identifier 4. However, the drivers for ISDN interface cards rarely allow the application of a new SAPI identifier. not planned at the time of their conception. However, the ISDN interface card of the company Oxus, 704 avenue Salengro 92370 Chaville, France, marketed under the name "ActiveFire" accepts to use a specific SAPI identifier, and in particular the SAPI fixed for the implementation of terminal 2 This card is therefore suitable for terminal 2. It is then possible to produce the entire terminal 2 with sub-assemblies already commercially available. There is also an identifier for addressing the terminals connected to the same physical access, better known by the acronym "TEI" corresponding to the Anglo-Saxon expression "Terminal End point Identifier". Another problem to be taken into account when producing the terminal 2 intended to connect to a private network 21, such as the Publiphone network, is the uniqueness of the above-mentioned TEIs. Indeed, the concomitant operation of the network interface 38 and of the assembly 37 for executing applications in the terminal 2 gives rise to two applications in progress. In this case, some existing ISDN interface cards assign two different TEIs for these two applications. This dual allocation of TEI is perceived by the private network 21 - and in particular the Publiphone network - as an attempt at fraud. In fact, the network deduces in this case that there is a connection of two devices on the same line, which is not tolerated. It is therefore necessary that the card only assigns one TEI to terminal 2 for the two aforementioned applications. The aforementioned "ActiveFire" ISDN interface card complies with this requirement by effectively assigning only one TEI for these two applications. There will now be described an example of operation of the terminal 2 in an application where it is used as an access terminal to the private network 21 Publiphone, to allow access in particular to the internet. After initial commissioning (preparation, installation and electrical supply), terminal 2 is in a standby state. In this mode, the monitor 6 can either be put on standby or be commanded to display terminal presentation messages or advertisements. The terminal is automatically switched to active mode by the insertion of a payment card 16 in the reader 14.

In response, monitor 6 displays the services offered (for example access to an internet server such as Wanadoo from France Telecom), as well as the cost of this service. service, and asks the user if they want to continue. The cost display can be established intelligently depending on the type of payment card: if it is detected by the network interface 38 that the card is prepaid, the credit being debited in units, the cost is displayed in terms of units; in the case of a bank card, the cost is displayed in monetary value, possibly given in the currency of the country which manages the card. After confirmation by the user to continue

(for example by designating an icon corresponding to this choice), the terminal 2 initiates a validation process of the means of payment by an exchange between the card reader 14 and the connection unit 22, the latter possibly communicating with a call center. authorization as described with reference to Figure 2.

Once the payment has been validated, the connection unit transmits line opening commands to the exchange management unit 39. In response, the terminal calls the access provider according to a number stored in the memory of the computer 4, and therefore initiates the communication.

Terminal 2 then operates like any computer connected by a telephone line to an internet service provider. However, the monitor 6 (or possibly another display device associated with the terminal) permanently or regularly displays the payment already withdrawn. The remaining credit is also displayed in the case of payment by a pre-payment card.

Payment is checked at the connection unit 22, which periodically transmits a charging command to the terminal. This command is interpreted by the unit 39 for managing exchanges on the private network in order to deduct, by means of the card reader 14, one (or more) unit (s) from a pre-payment card, or to update a total payment which will be debited from a bank card at the end of communication. At the end of use of the terminal 2, the network interface 38 initiates a hang-up function. As regards a connection on the Publiphone network, two hang-ups can be carried out: partial and final. At the user's request, the terminal issues an invoice indicating the cost of the connection service.

The hang-up can be initiated at the terminal by several means, and in particular by simply withdrawing the payment card 16 or by entering an order for this purpose. Whatever the means used to cause hanging up from the terminal, the latter transmits a specific message to the connection unit 22. In response, the latter transmits to the interface 38 a line cutoff confirmation. At the connection unit 22, a hang-up can be initiated in the event of a credit shortage or for technical reasons. A hang-up is also initiated by the connection unit at the end of a predetermined period of use of the terminal 2. This period is fixed for example at 60 minutes. The connection unit 22 also transmits in this case a line cut command to the interface 38.

The connection unit 22 also transmits commands and messages intended for the configuration and maintenance of the terminal 2. To this end, the network carries out scans in which the terminal is interrogated in order to know the configuration parameters thereof. If the terminal is not configured properly for the network, for example due to a failure or an evolution in the network, this last sending to the terminal of the adapted configuration orders. The network then verifies by a new scan that the configuration is then correct.

In the foregoing, the payment commands are transmitted by the connection unit 22 in response to charging signals from the general network. In other words, the connection unit sends a tax collection command to the terminal 2 each time the general network charging signals are detected. These charging signals are intended for voice communications and take account of parameters, such as the call distance, which are not necessarily adapted to the management of the services that terminal 2 can offer.

According to a variant of the invention, the connection unit 22 establishes the direct debit orders not by relying solely on the charging signals emanating from the general network, but as a function of a tariff grid contained in a memory located in the service processing module (MTΞ) of this unit. Such an arrangement makes it possible to provide a mode of payment for the services which is completely independent with regard to the management of the general network.

It is thus possible to provide a range of services from the terminal, each subject to a specific rate which will be managed by the connection unit 22. For example, the services which may be subject to '' a specific rate managed by the connection unit can be:

- remote, ie from a server: access to paid databases, video games, purchase by downloading software or other recordable products (music, films, published works, etc.), use of software ( word processor, spreadsheet, drawing, etc.) on server, stock market transactions, purchases of goods sold through the private network 21, etc. ; premises, ie supplied by the terminal: use of peripherals (printer 9, scanner 11, CD-ROM or DVD support reader and / or burner, floppy disk, "webcam" type camera, fax, etc., use of software stored at the level from terminal computer 4.

Local services can be made available only by specific commands transmitted by the private network, so as to prevent fraud attempts.

For the management of the payment of the services provided at the remote or local level, the terminal 2 informs the connection unit 22 of the service (s) selected by the user by messages specific to the SAPI protocol 4. In response , the connection unit consults the corresponding tariffs and transmits the charging commands to the terminal according to these tariffs.

The various remote (and possibly local) services made available are presented to the user by means of messages managed and transmitted to the terminal by the connection unit. These messages are then stored in the memory of terminal 2 and read to allow a display of services on the monitor. This display can be programmed to appear for example at an initial stage of terminal use, or as an advertisement outside of the terminal service by a user. Updates of these messages by the connection unit are then scheduled according to the evolution of services or prices.

As a variant, the aforementioned messages can be transmitted by the connection unit systematically at each connection to the network. The centralized management of the pricing of services and the provision of remote services thus makes it possible to ensure that all of the terminals 2 of the private network 21 are harmonized in their services and pricing. In addition, it makes it possible to quickly and easily benefit from service developments at all terminals.

It is also possible to provide a server specific to the terminals for providing interactive services on screen 2. This server then accomplishes the tasks assigned to the connection module in the variant of the invention just described (management of user fees different services, transmission of messages concerning the services to the terminals, etc.). This server also provides software downloads for the network interfaces 38 and terminal 40. The connection unit can nevertheless keep its role of managing access to the line.

The present invention finds industrial applications to allow the operation of private networks, and in particular their centralized management possibilities, for new interactive services on screen.

Claims

1. Terminal (2) for providing at least one interactive service on screen, characterized in that it comprises means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) for connection to a private telecommunications network (21 ) whose access is governed by a one-off payment, said connection means comprising means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) for opening and cutting off said access which depend on commands from the private telecommunications network.

2. Terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) comprise software means performing an interface function between means of execution of the service (s) and said private network (21).

3. Terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) also manage the punctual payment according to orders received by the private network (21).

4. Terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the acknowledgment of the punctual payment is carried out in association with a card reader (14) intended to receive a card (16) for prepayment and / or banking.

5. Terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) are provided for paying the payment punctual according to commands from the private network (21) periodically during the communication.

6. Terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it also offers at least one local service accessible against punctual payment managed by the private network (21), the terminal comprising means (37, 38 , 39, 40, 42) for transmitting information to said network concerning a selected local service and means (38, 40, 42) for receiving back from the network payment acknowledgment commands for the service.

7. Terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) are configured to exchange data relating to costs of the service (s), in particular authorizing the display of these costs.

8. Terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) are configured to exchange with the private network (21) relative data to at least one service selected by the user.

9. Terminal according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the means (37, 38, 39, 40, 42) allowing access to a private network (21) are configured to exchange with the private network (21) of data relating to the punctual payment method (for example the type of card) in use and to display to the user relative data to the payment paid.

10. System for providing at least one interactive service on screen, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one terminal (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and

- a private network (21) comprising at least one connection unit (22) providing a connection between at least one aforementioned terminal (2) and a communication network (20), the connection unit comprising means (28) d 'establishment of commands for opening and cutting access to the communication network, these commands being transmitted to a terminal (2) for execution by the latter.

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the punctual payment is variable according to the services selected by the user.

12. System according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the pricing of the service (s) is managed by the private network (21).

13. System according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the terminal (2) comprises means (38, 40, 42) for selecting one or more service (s) and for informing the network of this selection , the network comprising means (22) for transmitting in response a payment acknowledgment command according to this selection and data relating to the costs of this or these service (s) so that these costs can be displayed by the terminal ( 2).

14. System according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that an interactive screen service is internet access.

15. System according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that at least one interactive service on screen is a service from:

- access to a game,

- access to a product purchasing server that can be downloaded, access to the use of software installed on a remote server,

- access to a database.

16. System according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the network comprises means (22) for transmitting to at least one terminal (2) data relating to the services offered, in particular the pricing, software and data related to terminal maintenance.

17. System according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that it comprises means (14, 22, 36, 37) for securing the payment by a specific protocol between the network and the terminal (2).

18. System according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that it comprises means (14, 22, 36, 37) for securing the payment by analysis of data contained in a payment card (16) inserted into a card reader (14) of the terminal (2).

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the analysis is carried out at the terminal (2).

20. System according to claim 18, characterized in that the analysis is carried out at the level of the private network (21).

21. System according to any one of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the management of at least one terminal (2) is carried out by at least one server of the network upstream of the connection unit (22), and in that the terminal (2) dialogues with the connection unit during exchanges relating to management.

22. System according to any one of claims 10 to 21, characterized in that at least one terminal (2) cooperates with means for securing the protocol at the network level, making it possible to authenticate the origin of a message so ensure that said message is actually sent by a terminal of said network.

23. System according to any one of claims 10 to 22, characterized in that the private network (21) is the France Telecom Publiphone network.