Method and system for providing personalized online services and advertisements in public spaces

Abstract

A method and system for providing personalized and integrated online services for communications and commercial transactions both in private and public venues. The invention provides personalized information that is conveniently accessible through a network of public access stations (or terminals) which are enabled by a personal system access card (e.g., smart card). The invention also provides advertisers the opportunity to directly engage actual and potential user-consumers with selected advertising or marketing content based on each user's profile and usage history.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A system, comprising: 
 a plurality of terminals located in public spaces; and    a server operably connected with said plurality of terminals and having content;    wherein the system displays at least a portion of said content on each of said plurality of terminals based upon the physical location of said each of said plurality of terminals.    
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said content includes an advertisement.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said content includes a service.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein each of said terminals is accessible free of charge to users.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said network is a private network.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said network includes broadband communications.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said network includes wireless communications.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein said wireless communications include communication via satellite.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said server is operably coupled to said plurality of terminals by wireless and wired communications.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein said wireless communications include communication via satellite for downloading said content and said wired communications includes communication via telephone lines for uploading information from each of said plurality of terminals to said server.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 27 , further comprising an email program for allowing users to send and receive emails.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein each of said plurality of terminals includes cache memory for accessing said content.  
     
     
         39 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of terminals located in public spaces which are operably connected by a network;    maintaining advertisements and services; and    providing at least a portion of said advertisements and services to each of said plurality of terminals based upon the physical location of said each of said plurality of terminals.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein use of said plurality of terminals is provided access free of charge.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein sponsors provide for the expense of said plurality of terminals and the operating cost of said maintaining and said providing advertisements and services.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said public spaces include retail stores and restaurants.