Abstract:
A public telephone for managing and paying services in situ, the public telephone consists of a microphone and auricular, at least one input device for input of selective information for services management function and for general functioning of telephone calls, at least one output device for displaying selective information on the service management function and on the general telephone calls function, at least one communication interface faciliting the general telephone calls function, at least one communication interface with at least one services provider for faciliting the services management function; and at least one device for reception of payment of charges due to the service management function or the general telephone calls function. Operation methods for the public telephone as per the invention are described.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is related in general to public telephones with fixed or wireless lines. In particular, but not limited, it refers to a public telephone for managing and paying services in situ and that may count on communication interfaces with at least one service provider. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    At present, public telephones are used to establish local, national or international calls through prepay or postpay in situ of the total cost of the call. Public telephones generally count on means to realize phone calls, for example, a communication line with the fixed network or with the mobile network; and with means for charging and payment reception, for example, coin collectors, card payment readers, and prepay and postpay charging systems. 
         [0003]    Additionally, the current public telephones allow to be controlled and supervised remotely from a supervision central in order to customize its operation mode, for example, performing maintenance of the telephone (alarms control, repairs, etc.), configuring the operation parameters (tariffs, numbering plan, etc.), statistic information management of the phone (number and type of calls, uses of payment means, collection, etc.), generation of reports, and teleloading of application programs. 
         [0004]    The current public telephone limits the user and/or its owner to use it alone under the mode of telephone call as prepay or postpay of said phone, therefore the user and/or owner cannot use said public telephone as an interface with service providers that allows to manage the services offered by said providers, for example, purchase of airtime for mobile telephones, purchase of TV-programming, purchase of and unloading tones, purchase of and unloading music, purchase of and unloading videos, paying public services (electricity, water, drainage, CATV, Internet, etc.), paying banking services (credit cards), validation of credit cards, validation of electronic money, and control of product stocks. 
         [0005]    As a result from the former, it is necessary to offer a public telephone that allows its users and/or owners to manage services in real time, establishing a communication interface with service providers and the payment in situ of related costs of said services. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is the objective of the present invention to provide a public telephone for managing and paying services in situ, the public telephone consists of a microphone and receiver, at least one input device for selective information input in order to manage the services and for the generic function of telephone calls, at least one output device to show the selective information of the management function of the services and the generic function of telephone calls, at least one communication interface to allow the generic function of telephone calls, at least one communication interface with at least one services provider to allow the function of services management, and at least one device for reception of payment of charges for the function of services management, or the generic function of telephone calls. 
         [0007]    It is also the objective of this invention to offer a method for managing and paying services in situ through a public telephone, the method includes the steps of offering the user a selection option to realize the generic function of telephone calls or the function of services management; showing the user on an output device the selective information of at least one service that may be manager under the selection of the option of the function of services management; allowing the user to enter the selective information for the selected service to be managed on an input device; requiring the user payment of the corresponding amount for the service to be managed; receiving on a device the payment reception of the amount corresponding to the service to be managed; determining that the device of payment reception has received the total amount for the service to be managed; connecting, through the communicating interface, with a services provider of the service to be managed under the determination that the total predefined amount has been received for the service to be managed; sending the services provider at least a management message with the information selected by the user; determining if the service management has been accepted and performed by the services provider; and assuring the received amount on the payment reception device under the determination that the service management has been accepted and performed by the service provider. 
         [0008]    It is the objective of this invention to offer a method for managing and paying services in situ through a public telephone, the method includes the steps of offering to the user a selection option to realize the generic function of telephone calls or the function of services management; showing to the user on an output device the selective information of at least one service that may be managed under the optional selection of the function of services management; connecting through a communication interface with a services provider of the service to be managed; allowing the user, on an input device, to enter the selective information for the selected service to be managed; interacting with the services provider to send at least one management message to the services provider with the user selected information; applying to the user for the payment of the corresponding amount for the service to be managed; receiving on a device the payment reception of the amount corresponding to the service to be managed; determining if the device of payment reception received the total amount for the service to be managed; determining if the service management has been accepted and performed by the service provider; and assuring the received amount on the payment reception device under the determination that the service management has been accepted and performed by the service provider. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]    The characteristic details of the present invention are described in the following paragraphs, together with the figures related to it, in order to define the invention, but not limiting the scope of it. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates the public telephone to manage and pay for service in situ according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a communication system with public telephones according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  illustrate a block diagram of the embodiment of an operating method of the public telephone to manage and pay for service in situ according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    According to  FIGS. 1 and 2  is illustrated a public telephone  10  where in its exterior there is one or more input devices  20 , a microphone and auricular  30 , one or various payment reception devices payment  40 , one or more output devices  50 , and alternatively at least one local communication port  60  towards an external device (not shown); whereas in the interior there is a processing unit and at least one programmable memory in the form of one or various printed circuit boards (not shown) that regulate the operation of the public telephone and one of various printed circuit boards (not shown) that serve as the communication interface of voice and data towards at least one communication network  70  of fixed telephone line  80  or wireless telephone  85 , towards at least a services provider  90  and towards a supervision centre  95 . 
         [0014]    Input device  20  is used as a means for the input of selective information that may be selected by the user in order to operate the telephone to serve as services management or for the generic function of telephone calls. Among the input devices  20  that may be used, there are, for example, a keyboard with or without keys for a specific function, a tactile screen, and combinations thereof. 
         [0015]    Output device  50  shows the user the status or current function that the telephone is operating in, as well as the selective information as a menu or messages of the services to be managed, and of the generic function of telephone calls. Among the output devices  50  that may be used, there are, for example, a crystal liquid display or inclusive the microphone and auricular themselves  30 . 
         [0016]    The payment reception devices  40  may be formed by, for example, coins input and output devices, notes input and output devices, card readers&#39; devices, prepay and postpay devices, and combinations thereof that represent the payment reception means of public telephone  10 , as well of the charges for the generic function of calls or the managed services. 
         [0017]    The input and output devices of coins and notes allow the user to realize payment of the telephone call or the managed service, through coins, cards, tokens and notes that are validated in the interior of the public telephone  10  and that once the service has been provided are assured, that is, form part of the collection box or those that exceed the amount charged are returned through the output device of coins of notes. 
         [0018]    The card reading devices with a technology widely known in public telephony, allow the user to pay for the service of telephone calls or services management through the different types of cards, for example, telephone cards, cards with points, or credit or debit cards from the bank. 
         [0019]    The programmable memory (not shown) is used as a means to store information related to the generic function of calls, as well as to the services to be managed. Stored information may be predefined or updated in real time. It should be mentioned that in case the services management function is performed with a services provider  90  that uses some device of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to perform the interaction with the user through the public telephone  10 , then it is not necessary to store any information. 
         [0020]    Among the services that may be managed with services providers  90  through the public telephone  10  we find, for example, purchase of airtime for wireless phones, purchase of TV programming, purchase and downloading of tones, purchase and downloading of music, purchase and downloading of videos, purchase and downloading of information, payment of public services, payment of banking services, and combinations thereof. 
         [0021]    The communication interface of the public telephone  10 , with access to services providers  90  can be voice technology or data packages that are used on the fixed telephone lines or wireless networks, for example, Double Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), ISDN Digital Subscriber Line (IDSL), High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), Single High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (SHDSL), Very High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UTMS), Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access (FOMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), and combinations thereof. 
         [0022]    The public telephone  10  sends and receives management messages according to a communication protocol established with the services providers  90  in order to manage the required service. These management messages are sent or received through the communication interface with the service provider and are structured in codified messages in DTMF, communication messages of fixed and wireless telephony, for example, text messages, messages of Instant Message (IM), messages from Short Message Service (SMS), messages from the Multimedia Message System (MMS), messages from the Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD), messages in XML or HTTP format, and combinations thereof that may be sent or received through the communication interface of data of the public telephone  10 . 
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment, the local communication port  60  has a least one external device (not shown), for example, a portable memory, a terminal, etc. that may be a wired or wireless interface, for example, a USB port, an RS-232 port, an RS-485 port, an Ethernet port, a parallel LPT port, a TCP-IP interface port, a Firewire interface, a Bluetooth port, an infrared Direct Access (IrDA) interface, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFiD) interface, a Hiperlan-2 interface, a HomeRF interface, an X.10 interface, a PS-2 interface, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) interface, an IEEE 802.11b interface, an IEEE 802.11 interface, an IEEE 802 interface with normalized protocols or communication proprietary, and combinations thereof. 
         [0024]    Alternatively, the current public telephone  10  may be controlled and supervised remotely from a least one remote centre  95 , in order to customize its operation mode, for example, performing maintenance of the telephone (alarms control, repairs, etc.), configuring its operation parameters (tariffs, numbering plan, etc.), statistic information management of the phone (number and type of calls, uses of payment means, collection, etc.), generation of reports and teleloading of application programs. 
         [0025]    In an alternative embodiment, the public telephone  10  can have on a printer to issue a payment receipt to the user for the managed service. 
         [0026]    Turn now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , an embodiment is shown of an operating method of the public telephone according to the present invention. The method initiates in step  100  where the public telephone, in its state on hold, shows the selection menu through its output device, for example, the screen, indicating the function modes of the public telephone that may be selected by the user through the input device, for example, and one or some particular keys of the keyboard. The available function modes for this embodiment are the generic function of telephone calls or the services management function. 
         [0027]    In step  110 , the public telephone detects the function mode option that was selected by the user. In case the user selects the option of the generic function of telephone calls or the auricular is detected to be off hold, the public telephone proceeds to operate according to the generic function of calls, known really in step  120 . On the other hand, that is, the public telephone detects that the option of the services management function mode was selected by the user, then, step  130 , shows on the output device (display) selective information on the different services options that may be managed through the public telephone, for example, purchase of airtime for mobile phones, purchase of TV programming, purchase and downloading of tones, purchase and downloading of music, purchase and downloading of videos, purchase and downloading of information, purchase of public services, purchase of banking services. 
         [0028]    Once the selective information of the different services options that may be managed through the public telephone is shown, step  140  proceeds to detect the selected service option by the user through the input device, for example, when the user selects purchase of airtime. In step  150  it is determined that if the user selected option corresponds to an option which selective information to form the management information with the services provider is predefined in the programmable memory of the public telephone, that is, the user can only select selective information out of a menu of predefined options on the public telephone; or if the selected service option requires interaction with the services provider to form the management information, that is, the server of the services provider interacts with the user providing selective information of the service to be managed through the public telephone. 
         [0029]    In case the selected service to be managed corresponds to a service which selected information to form the information is predefined in the programmable memory of the public telephone, step  160  proceeds to extract from the programmable memory the selective information corresponding to the selected service, which, in step  170  is shown to the user through the output device so that the user may select it through the input device, for example, the user selects from the menu the telephone company menu from which he/she wants to purchase airtime and the amount of airtime to be purchased. In step  180 , the information selected by the user is temporarily stored on a programmable memory to be used as management information from the services provider. Next, in step  190 , the public telephone determines if the information selected by the user was completed to proceed to step  200 , or if any information is missing that should be selected so that returning to step  170  is required, or if time for selection of information has finished so that the management function is terminated, returning to the initial status. 
         [0030]    In step  200  the user is prompted to pay the required amount for the service showing a message therefore through the output device, the information on the amount to be paid is extracted from the programmable memory. Next, in step  210 , the user is indicated to select the type of payment, for example, cash, by telephone card, by points, or with a credit or debit card. In step  220  the option of the type of payment selected by the user is detected through the input device. In case the user selects the option of paying in cash, then in step  230 , the public telephone proceeds to receive the amount to be paid for the service through the input and output device of coins or notes. Later in step  240 , the public telephone determines if the input of the total amount of payment on behalf of the user was completed to proceed to step  270 , or if any amount for payment is missing so that it returns to step  230 , or if the time has finished for the input of the total payment amount so that is proceeded, in step  250 , to inform the user on such situation, and later to proceed to return to the user, in step  260 , the total amount of money that has been collected in step  230 , therefore proceeding to terminate the management function, and returning to the initial status. 
         [0031]    Once the total amount for payment has been received in step  270 , the public telephone proceeds to connect with the services provider suited for the option of the service selected by the user, the connection is realized through the communication interface with the services provider and according to the communication protocol established between the services provider and the public telephone. Then, in step  280 , it is determined if the connection was established, but if not so, in step  250 , the user is informed on such situation, and later, in step  260 , the total amount of money that had been collected in step  230  is returned to the user, then it is proceeded to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0032]    In step  290 , in case the connection with the services provider was established, the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, containing the management information selected by the user and that was stored in the programmable memory in step  180 , the construction and sending of the management message or messages is performed according to the communication protocol established by the services provider and the public telephone, and they are sent in communication messages as described above. 
         [0033]    Once the management messages are built and sent, the public telephone, in step  300  proceeds to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider in order to proceed later on, in step  310 , in assuring the total collected amount in step  230 , indicating the user that the management service was successful; however, on the other hand, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, in step  250 , it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, later proceeding to return to the user, in step  260 , the total amount of money that had been collected in step  230 , therefore proceeding to terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0034]    Returning to step  220 , in case the user is detected to have selected the type of payment through a telephone card or points, in step  320 , the user is prompted to insert a card. Next, in step  330 , the public telephone proceeds to detect if the user inserted a card in the card reading device, on the other hand, the public telephone proceeds to inform the user on such situation, in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0035]    If a card was inserted, then the card is validated in step  350 . In case the card is invalidated, the user is informed on such situation in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. But in case the card is validated, then, in step  360 , the public telephone proceeds to check if the card inserted has sufficient credit or points to collect the amount to be paid for the service. In case a card was inserted that does not have sufficient credit or points, the user is informed on such situation in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0036]    Once it is established that the card counts on sufficient credit or points for payment of the service, in step  370 , the public telephone proceeds to connect with the services provider suited for the option of the service selected by the user, the connection is realized through the communication interface with the services provider and according to the communication protocol established between the services provider and the public telephone. Later, in step  380  it is determined if the connection was established, but otherwise, it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation in step  340 , next to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0037]    In step  390 , in case the connection with the services provider was established, the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, containing the management information selected by the user and that was stored in the programmable memory in step  180 , the construction and sending of the management message or messages is performed according to the communication protocol established by the services provider and the public telephone, and they are sent in communication messages as described above. 
         [0038]    Once the management messages are built and sent, the public telephone, in step  400  proceeds to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider in order to proceed later on, in step  410 , in assuring the payment diminishing the payment amount from the credit or points of the card, indicating the user that the management service was successful; otherwise, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, in step  340 , later proceeding to terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0039]    Returning to step  220 , in case the user is detected to have selected the type of payment through a telephone card or points, in step  420 , the user is prompted to insert a card. Next, in step  430 , the public telephone proceeds to detect if the user inserted a card in the card reading device, otherwise, the public telephone proceeds to inform the user on such situation, in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0040]    If a card was inserted, then the public telephone proceeds to connect to a banking services provider to validate the card in step  440 . In case the card is invalidated, the user is informed on such situation in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. But in case the card is valid, then, in step  460 , the public telephone proceeds to check as determined by the banking services provider if the card inserted has sufficient credit to collect the amount to be paid for the service. In case the card does not have sufficient credit or points, the user is informed on such situation in step  340 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0041]    Once it is checked and determined that the card counts on sufficient credit for payment of the service, in step  470 , the public telephone proceeds to connect with the server of the services provider suited for the option of the service selected by the user, the connection is realized through the communication interface with the services provider and according to the communication protocol established between the services provider and the public telephone. Later, in step  480  it is determined if the connection was established, but otherwise, it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation in step  340 , and next to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0042]    In step  490 , in case the connection with the services provider was established, the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, containing the management information selected by the user and that was stored in the programmable memory in step  180 , the construction and sending of the management message or messages is performed according to the communication protocol established between the services provider and the public telephone, and they are sent in communication messages as described above. 
         [0043]    Once the management messages are built and sent, the public telephone, in step  500  proceeds to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider in order to proceed later on, in step  510 , in assuring the payment indicating the banking services provider that a charge be made on account of the credit card, indicating the user that the management service was successful and alternatively printing a receipt for the service; otherwise, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, then it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, in step  340 , later proceeding to terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0044]    Returning to step  150 , in case the selected service option requires interaction with the services provider to form the management information, that is, the server of the services provider interacts with the user providing selective information on the service to be managed through the public telephone, in step  510  it is proceeded to connect with the services provider suited for the option of the selected service by the user, the connection is performed through the communication interface with the services provider and according to the communication protocol established between the services provider and the public telephone. Later, in step  520  it is determined if the connection was established, but otherwise, it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation in step  530 , and next to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status. 
         [0045]    In step  540 , in case the connection with the services provider was established, the public telephone proceeds to interact with the services provider according to the protocol established between both to show the user, in step  550 , the selective information corresponding to the selected service through the output device so that the user selects it through the input device. In step  560 , the information selected by the user is sent as management messages to the services provider. Next, in step  570 , the public telephone determines if the information selected by the user was completed to proceed to step  580 , or if any information is missing that should be selected so that returning to step  540  is required, or if time for selection of information has finished, then in step  580 , the user is informed on such situation, later to proceed to terminate so that the management function, returning to the initial status and close the connection with the services provider. 
         [0046]    In step  590  the user is prompted to pay the required amount for the service showing a message therefore through the output device, the information on the amount to be paid is received from the services provider. Next, in step  600 , the user is indicated to select the type of payment, for example, cash, by telephone card, by points, or with a credit or debit card. In step  610  the option of the type of payment selected by the user is detected through the input device. In case the user selects the option of paying in cash, then in step  620 , the public telephone proceeds to receive the amount to be paid for the service through the input and output device of coins or notes. Later in step  630 , the public telephone determines if the input of the total amount of payment on behalf of the user was completed to proceed to step  660 , or if any amount for payment is missing so that it returns to step  620 , or if the time has finished for the input of the total payment amount so that is proceeded, in step  640 , to inform the user on such situation, and later to proceed to return to the user, in step  650 , the total amount of money that has been collected in step  620 , therefore proceeding to terminate the management function, and returning to the initial status, and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0047]    Once the total amount of payment received, in step  660 , the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, indicating the services provider that payment was completed. Once, in step  670 , it is proceeded to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider, later to proceed, in step  680 , assuring the total collected amount in step  620 , indicating the user that the management service was successful; otherwise, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, in step  640 , it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, later proceeding to return to the user, in step  650 , the total amount of money that had been collected in step  620 , therefore proceeding to terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0048]    Returning to step  610 , in case the user is detected to have selected the type of payment through a telephone card or points, in step  690 , the user is prompted to insert a card. Next, in step  700 , the public telephone proceeds to detect if the user inserted a card in the card reading device, otherwise, the public telephone proceeds to inform the user on such situation, in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0049]    If a card was inserted, then the card is validated in step  720 . In case the card is invalidated, the user is informed on such situation in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. But in case the card is validated, then, in step  730 , the public telephone proceeds to check if the card inserted has sufficient credit or points to collect the amount to be paid for the service. In case the card does not have sufficient credit or points, the user is informed on such situation in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0050]    Once the total amount of payment received and determined that the card has sufficient credit or points for payment of the service, in step  740 , the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, indicating the services provider that payment was completed. Once, in step  750 , the public telephone proceeds to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider in order to proceed later on, in step  760 , in assuring the payment diminishing the payment amount from the credit or points of the card, indicating the user that the management service was successful; otherwise, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, in step  710 , later proceeding terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0051]    Returning to step  610 , in case the user is detected to have selected the type of payment through a telephone card or points, in step  770 , the user is prompted to insert a card. Next, in step  780 , the public telephone proceeds to detect if the user inserted a card in the card reading device, otherwise, the public telephone proceeds to inform the user on such situation, in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0052]    If a card was inserted, then the public telephone proceeds to connect to a banking services provider to validate the card in step  790 . In case the card is invalidated, the user is informed on such situation in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. But in case the card is valid, then, in step  800 , the public telephone proceeds to check as determined by the banking services provider if the card inserted has sufficient credit to collect the amount to be paid for the service. In case the card does not have sufficient credit or points, the user is informed on such situation in step  710 , later to proceed to terminate the management function, returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0053]    Once perceived and determined that the card has sufficient credit or points for payment of the service, in step  810 , the public telephone proceeds to build and send at least one management message to the services provider, indicating the services provider that payment was completed. Once the public telephone, in step  820  proceeds to determine if the service management was accepted and performed by the service provider in order to proceed later on, in step  830 , in assuring the payment indicating the banking services provider that a charge be made on account of the credit card, indicating the user that the management service was successful and alternatively printing a receipt for the service; otherwise, that is, if the service management was not accepted and performed by the services provider, then it is proceeded to inform the user on such situation, in step  710 , later proceeding to terminate the management function returning to the initial status and closing the connection with the services provider. 
         [0054]    Based on the embodiments described above, modifications to said embodiments are considered, as well as the alternative embodiments will be considered evident for an expert in the art of the technique under the present description. Therefore, it is considered that the claims cover said modifications and alternatives that are within the scope of the present invention or its equivalents.