Abstract: The present invention provides a system for serving information data such as video data to one or more users, comprising: one or more storage medium units for storing data of said information data; one or more end devices for receipt of said information data by the user; managing means for managing distribution of said data to said end device, the managing means being capable of receiving demand data form said user and related to data selected by the user in the end device, and which managing means output distribution control data including channel information of the selected information data and routs information from the end device; and least one ATM switch for connecting the storage medium unit, the end device and the managing means, and for routing the data from the storage medium unit and the distribution control data from the managing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for serving information data such as video data to one or more users, comprising: one or more storage medium units for storing data of said information data; one or more end devices for receipt of said information data by the user; managing means for managing distribution of said data to said end device, the managing means being capable of receiving demand data form said user and related to data selected by the user in the end device, and which managing means output distribution control data including channel information of the selected information data and routs information from the end device; and least one ATM switch for connecting the storage medium unit, the end device and the managing means, and for routing the data from the storage medium unit and the distribution control data from the managing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage medium unit, comprising: storage means for storing information data; table means for memorizing data which represent a relation between routing information and said information data; memory means for storing program data for controlling the operation of the storage medium unit; control means for controlling the storage means, the table means and the memory means according to the program data; and at least one interface for transmitting the information data with the routing information for such information data in the form of a packet to routing means.

Abstract: A system for serving information comprises routing means for routing information to end devices and one or more storage units connected to the routing means. Managing means connected to the routing means manages distribution of the information data in response to identification data from an end device. Navigation means connected to the routing means provides information as to available information data and identification data thereof, wherein the navigation means provides data for navigating to an end device, and wherein at least one end device displays video information and outputs the identification data selected by a user.

Abstract: A system for serving information includes a router; archive storage medium units connected to the router for storing information data; delivere storage medium units connected to the router for partially storing information data from the archive storage medium units; end devices each having an input and a display connected to the router for outputting demand data requesting selected information data; and a controller connected to the router for managing distribution of the information data.

Abstract: A system for serving information is provided comprising a router, a storage medium unit connected to the router, a plurality of end devices connected to the router for reproducing of information, wherein the end devices output demand data requesting a selected portion of information data, and a managing unit connected to the router for managing distribution of the information data. The managing unit outputs distribution control data including channel information of the selected portion of the information data. The managing unit further outputs a predetermined software program to the storage medium unit and one of the plurality of end devices outputting the demand data to control subsequent operation of the storage medium unit and the one of said plurality of end devices, and the transmission of data therebetween. The storage medium unit outputs selected information data with routing information in the form of one or more packets according to the distribution control data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prepayment indoor telephone in which payment is performed by means of memory cards. In order to make the use of the telephone set (104) secure, a verification module (110) is connected to its telephone line (130) in the vicinity of the exchange (102). The verification module (110) and the telephone (104) periodically generate two respective versions of authentication information and these two versions are compared in the verification module (110). Authentication takes place only if the card reader (128) has delivered a signal indicating that the required telephone charge has been paid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for starting telephone charging in a pay phone.The starting device essentially comprises a scrambler circuit (42) which is inserted in the line (26) when the handset is taken off-hook and which is inhibited only when the user actuates a pushbutton (20), and a microphone inhibit circuit (40) which is inserted when the user dials the called number and which inhibits simultaneously with the circuit (42). Charging begins when the button (20) is actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for mutual authentication between a transmission line and a terminal, e.g. a prepayment telephone set.The telephone (2) is connected to the line (14) via a monitoring device (18). Electronic circuits (18) and (12) are associated with the monitoring device and with the telephone in order to generate authentication frequency signals throughout the call at inaudible frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for serving information data such as video data to one or more users, comprising: one or more storage medium units for storing data of said information data; one or more end devices for receipt of said information data by the user; managing means for managing distribution of said data to said end device, the managing means being capable of receiving demand data form said user and related to data selected by the user in the end device, and which managing means output distribution control data including channel information of the selected information data and routs information from the end device; and least one ATM switch for connecting the storage medium unit, the end device and the managing means, and for routing the data from the storage medium unit and the distribution control data from the managing means.