Telephonic communications – Telephone line or system combined with diverse electrical... – Having transmission of a digital message signal over a...
Patent
1996-02-02
1997-05-27
Chan, Wing F.
Telephonic communications
Telephone line or system combined with diverse electrical...
Having transmission of a digital message signal over a...
379 90, 379110, H04M 1100
Patent
active
056339186
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of distribution of updated database information to individual users or subscribers upon user request. More particularly, the invention provides a self-contained automatic interface unit for connecting an information receiver to an information and retrieval system on a predetermined schedule to obtain a predetermined set of information selected by the user. The interface unit is reprogrammable to allow alteration of the selected times and desired information and provides control capability for interfacing an information and retrieval system and information receiver, both of which require call in connection. The invention additionally provides a computer monitored radio receiver for identifying data selections offered by broadcasts received and forwarding such identification to the interface unit as desired information to be obtained from the information and retrieval system.
2. Prior Art
Delivery of current database information to individual requestors or subscribers has become a growing industry, particularly, in the field of financial information, stock quotations, commodities quotations and other rapidly changing data. The updated data are provided to users through numerous formats and equipment structures.
Electronic mail systems allow direct communication between personal computers for transfer of information between users, and voice messaging systems allow unattended call-in by interested subscribers to receive audible updates of various information.
Certain information systems allow a subscriber to dial in to an "E-mail" system, select information which is desired using the key pad of the telephone and transfer the call to a FAX machine to receive the data in hard copy format. These systems require direct user interaction to initiate the call, select the information desired and accomplish the transfer of the call to the FAX machine for transfer.
In commercial use, systems are offered wherein the user dials in to the information service, uses extension numbers or menu selections, provided verbally by the service, to select the desired information and then receives the information verbally from the system. An issue which arises with this type of information transfer is cost effective billing for the service by the provider. In some instances, advertisements are interspersed in the data to provide indirect income for the supplier, while the user is only directly charged for the local telephone call.
Alternate systems employ a "900 number" providing direct payment to the service provider for the service through telephone billings. These systems are simple in operation, however, the user must remain on the telephone to receive the information verbally, thereby preventing implementation of an unattended data recovery system.
Conventional telephone FAX services are available for subscribers paying a monthly fee. This service typically requires the user to presubscribe and to predesignate data selections. The equipment of the service provider then dials out to each subscriber's FAX machine transmitting data corresponding to the designated data selections at an interval determined by the service. Subscription fees for these services are relatively expensive and the service provider incurs substantial telephone charges which must be amortized in the subscription costs. This system provides unattended operation and employs current facsimile equipment. Designation of new data selections requires extensive administrative changes by both the subscriber and the service, and frequency of data distribution is often not customized to the subscriber or, if customized, requires the previously described administrative steps for altering the frequency of delivery.
Standard computer database services are offered by numerous companies wherein users presubscribe for a monthly fee to allow access to the database and, in addition, in some services, pay an on-line charge based on time spent in accessing the service. Typic
REFERENCES:
patent: 4340783 (1982-07-01), Sugiyama et al.
patent: 4602340 (1986-07-01), Appelberg
patent: 4805211 (1989-02-01), Brennan et al.
patent: 4905273 (1990-02-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 4935954 (1990-06-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 4994926 (1991-02-01), Gordon et al.
patent: 5262860 (1993-11-01), Fitzpatrick et al.
patent: 5369689 (1994-11-01), Kawamura
LandOfFree
Information distribution system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Information distribution system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Information distribution system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2334657