Patent ID: RE43368

Claim:
A method for providing a service, provided by an automated service apparatus, under remote user control using a first terminal device of the user that is connectable to a telecommunication network comprising an intelligent network including a control center having means for handling one of short messages and data calls, a second terminal device connectable to the telecommunication network and located in the automated service apparatus, a control unit located in the automated service apparatus and connected to the second terminal device and the automated service apparatus, means in the intelligent network for determining charge and location data and for producing voice messages, a first telecommunication connection establishable between the first terminal device and the telecommunication network, and a second telecommunication connection establishable between the telecommunication network and the second terminal device, said method comprising the steps of: establishing the first telecommunication connection by in response to user operation of the first terminal device to initiate a call from the first terminal device to a predetermined called subscriber number associated with the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus, the call initiated from the first terminal device being directed through the first telecommunication connection to the intelligent network of the telecommunication network; determining, in the intelligent network, charge data associated with the call; establishing, through the intelligent network in response to the establishing of the first telecommunication connection, the second telecommunication connection from the telecommunication network to the second terminal device; and controlling the automated service apparatus, by operation of the control unit in response to establishing of the second telecommunication connection and subject to a state of the automated service apparatus, to carry out the service to be provided by the automated service apparatus in response to user establishment of the first telecommunication connection from the first terminal device by user initiation of the call to the predetermined called subscriber number.