Abstract:
An information access kiosk includes a computer assembly, including a wireless internet connection and an energy storage assembly, capable of powering the computer. Also, a protective assembly is adapted to permit the kiosk to withstand the attack of earthly elements when placed outside and a computer program, resident on the computer, is adapted to facilitate use of the computer to permit at least one anticipated use by a user.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/927,164, filed May 1, 2007, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Information can be a very valuable, and sometimes difficult to obtain, resource. Many who dwell in underprivileged areas do not have the financial resources to pay for Internet service, or to purchase a personal computer. This is unfortunate, because this is exactly the group that has the most need of accessing the Internet to obtain social services information. Many government offices are open only from 9 AM to 5 PM, potentially putting great stress on the working poor, who may have difficulty obtaining transportation to government facilities and being able to get time off from work to attend to tasks requiring contact with government agencies. Also, the lack of access to information also puts a stress on government agencies. They must spend more employee time on answering telephone calls to field questions that the caller could have found answers to on the Internet, if only the caller had Internet access. 
         [0003]    When a disaster strikes, however, even those who normally have Internet access can be deprived of this resource, due to an electric power outage, just at the moment when the need for information regarding the availability of resources may be at its greatest. Although great efforts may be launched to get food, water and shelter to these people, the need for information, for example, on the location and condition of loved ones, could be the greatest perceived need that person has. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of an information access kiosk including a computer assembly that provides a wireless internet connection and an energy storage assembly, capable of powering the computer. Also, a protective assembly is adapted to permit the kiosk to withstand attack of earthly elements when placed outside and a computer program, resident on the computer, is adapted to facilitate use of the computer to permit at least one anticipated use by a user. 
         [0005]    In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of providing social service information to the public, comprising providing a free-of-charge Internet terminal providing access to a select group of social service websites. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an information access point (IAP) kiosk according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the power and electrical systems of the kiosk of  FIG. 1   
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the kiosk of  FIG. 1 , with a clam shell panel opened to reveal interior elements. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a detail view of a closure element of the kiosk of  FIG. 3 , the location of which is indicated by circle  3 A of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a detail view of the battery tray of the kiosk of  FIG. 3 , the location of which is indicated by circle  3 B of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  is a detail sectional view of the roof of the kiosk of  FIG. 3 , taken along line  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the kiosk of  FIG. 1 , with the electrical cabinet cover removed, revealing interior electrical elements. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a downwardly looking sectional view of the kiosk of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a detail view of a portion of the kiosk of  FIG. 4 , the location of which is indicated by circle  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced attachments. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In a preferred embodiment, an Information Access Point (IAP) kiosk  10  includes a main body  12 , containing a power assembly  14 . A middle portion  20  includes an internet terminal computer  22  including a weatherproof keyboard  24  that includes a trackball, and a display monitor  26 , which together with two side display monitors  28  are all held in place by a set of oblique rail pairs  29 . All monitors  26  and  28  are protected by a sheet of transparent protective material, such as Plexiglas. An electrical and control assembly  30  ( FIG. 4 ) is protected by a canister  32 . Oblique rails  29  also support a roof  34  that supports a set of solar panels  36 . 
         [0017]    Kiosk  10  may be broken up into component pieces, none of which has a mass of more than 59 Kg (weight of 130 lbs). Accordingly kiosk  10  can be shipped to a destination in a set of boxes (with each packed box having a mass of only about a Kg more than the weight of the packed component), so that it could be handled by a person equipped with a hand truck. Once at the desired location, it can be assembled and put into service by a pair of reasonably strong people in about an hour. Once assembled, it is self powered by a small, lightweight propane powered electrical generator  40  (supplied by a propane tank  41 ), eight batteries comprising a battery pack  42  (on a wheeled tray  43 ), and one solar panel  36 . Accordingly, the only external input is sunlight, used to slow the draining of the propane tank  41  and battery pack  42 . The fact that off-grid operation is possible (indeed generally the preferred mode), greatly expands the possible application of kiosk  10 . This is of particular benefit when kiosk  10  is used to facilitate disaster relief operations, as electrical power is frequently unavailable in an area that has been stricken with a disaster. In a preferred embodiment a power plug is provided to plug kiosk  10  into the electrical grid, where it is available. In an additional preferred embodiment kiosk  10  is always self-powered. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, kiosk  10  meets the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 4× standard for an enclosure that is watertight, dust tight and corrosion-resistant, for indoor and outdoor use. This standard is available on request from NEMA. Because of these design qualities, kiosk  10  may generally be left outside without damage to its internal components. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a solar panel  36 , drives a charge controller  44  that produces a voltage appropriate for charging the battery pack  42 . An inverter  46  converts the power into standard 110 V, 60 Hz AC power, so that standard components can be used. An electrical monitoring unit  48  (in one preferred embodiment the model monitoring unit used is available from Bogart Engineering [www.bogartengineering.com] under the trademark “PentaMetric”) monitors the charge of the batteries and turns the generator on and off as needed, using a generator autostart component  50 . As well as monitoring charge of batteries, the monitoring unit  48  also monitors and reports data on the inverter  46 , the charge controller  44  and a tank level monitor  52 , which monitors the propane fuel tank  41 . A propane leakage monitor  56  prompts computer  22  to send an Email to maintenance personnel so that the kiosk can be serviced. An auditory alarm may sound under these circumstances to ward would-be users away from kiosk  10 . 
         [0020]    The resulting information feeds into the computer  22 , which is executing tracking software and which maintains a log of system activity. This enables internal components of kiosk  10  to be controlled and monitored via a remote network connection. Fans  57  located throughout the unit keep the equipment in the unit cool. A climate control device  58  is optional and is warranted if the kiosk  10  is to be placed in a hot location. Lights  70  are controlled by a proximity sensor  72  which recognizes when a person approaches the kiosk  10  and activates the lights in response. Additionally, the kiosk  10  includes a video camera  74 , controlled by the unit interface software and which allows users to create and send pictures or videos to family and friends. 
         [0021]    Internet connectivity to the unit is provided through a card  76  that connects to the internet through a cellular telephone system. Such systems are widely available, and in a preferred embodiment an account is prearranged with a cellular telephone provider to provide unlimited access to an Internet service provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week anywhere within range of a cellular phone tower. In one preferred embodiment the card used for Internet connectivity is available through Sierra Wireless (Internet address www.sierrawireless.com) under the trademark “aircard.” 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment monitor  26  of computer  22  is used for viewing the Internet and the two side monitors  28  are used to display sponsor banner advertisements. In an alternative preferred embodiment two additional keyboards are provided and all. three monitors  26  and  28  are used for the Internet. 
         [0023]    The kiosk  10  user interface is programmed to default to a custom website, which is designed for a specific purpose. For survey taking applications, the website is configured to prompt user responses, whereas for a social services application, the website is configured to make those social services that are anticipated to be in demand in the deployment area readily and easily available. For a disaster relief application, the custom website would include a link to the most likely to be needed part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a website designed to match together separated persons. In a preferred embodiment user access is restricted to approved community interest and/or social services information websites, for example the FEMA website or the Social Security website. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the kiosk  10  would serve as a guide to local businesses. In another preferred embodiment the kiosk  10  would provide a listing of local events and sell tickets to these events. 
         [0024]    The kiosk  10  is made as secure as possible against vandalism. Towards this end, to gain physical access to the interior of the main body  12  of the kiosk  10  it is necessary to unfasten a number of special threaded fasteners  110  holding a top plate  112  in place. Threaded fasteners  110  can only be unfastened using a proprietary screw driver that is not generally available to the public. Once top plate  112  is removed, an aperture  114  provides access to a deadbolt lock  115  and lock bar  116  (shown removed) that is threaded through a locking hinge  118 , which keeps a pair of clam shell sides  130  of the kiosk main body  12  fastened together. Removing the lock bar  116  permits the clam shell sides  130  to be separated at locking hinge  118  and opened up. The back of the kiosk  10  has a secure door that houses fuel tank  41 . 
         [0025]    In an alternative preferred embodiment, a kiosk is provided that does not include the generator  40  and propane tank  41 , but relies entirely on solar panels  36  and batteries  42  for its supply of power. The principal reason for this is that propane is flammable and may not be permitted in unattended form in some areas. Also, there are some restrictions on the shipment of propane as a flammable substance. Accordingly, if it was desired to send a kiosk  10  to a third world country to provide Internet connectivity to a village, the shipment of the propane might present a significant obstacle. The wheels on battery pack  42  provide a substantial advantage in the case where there is no propane generator, as it makes it easier to replace drained batteries. In one preferred embodiment, kiosks  10  are kept in a state of readiness and deployed after a disaster, such as hurricane or earthquake strikes to enable victims to contact social services agencies more easily. In a preferred embodiment a government agency deploys the kiosks  10 , but in another preferred embodiment a nongovernmental organization, such as the Red Cross, deploys the kiosks  10 . In another preferred embodiment a for-profit sponsor would provide the kiosks  10  and use this as an advertising opportunity. In a preferred embodiment the terminals are decorated with advertising imagery and the side monitors are used for advertising display. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the main monitor is used to display the advertising of the IAP sponsor. In another preferred embodiment, the IAP is an internet terminal that is provided in a structure, to protect it from the weather. The IAP may also take the form of a standard personal computer, having a wireless Internet connection and being powered by a transportable generator. In yet another preferred embodiment, a wireless system is deployed in the disaster stricken area, prior to the deployment of the IAPs. 
         [0026]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the IAPs are deployed in areas in which many people do not have Internet terminals, to facilitate access to social service agencies, and other websites that would be beneficial to people who do not have Internet access from their homes. In a preferred embodiment, terminals are placed in lower socioeconomic status areas, where the need to make contact with and gain information about social welfare programs is the greatest. These terminals could include television camera surveillance, to prevent vandalism and to safeguard users. The availability of these terminals could also reduce telephone and office meeting time required from social service agencies, as the social service users could gain information over the Internet, rather than by telephoning the social service agency, or traveling to it. 
         [0027]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.