Wireless device local access system
First Claim
1. A wireless communication device comprising:
- a broadcast receiver that receives a broadcast signal that contains intermixed display information and sequentially-significant command information;
a user interface;
a broadcast receiver processing unit connected to the broadcast receiver, that separates display information from command information; and
a display controlled by the broadcast receiver processing unit to visually present display information in a menu format responsive to command information;
wherein the user interface permits selective navigation by the user of the menu format.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication system is disclosed for communicating via a broadcast signal and a dedicated telephone connection. A remote wireless device has a broadcast receiver for receiving a locally broadcast signal from a broadcast unit. The device can be a cellular telephone with a local access function. The continuously looping signal can be transmitted for local access only (e.g., within a building) and contains a start signal, display information, and command information for a plurality of for a plurality of related, hierarchical menus. A broadcast receiver processing unit of the device converts the signal into one or more text menus for display on the wireless device. The menus may be navigated using an input device, and various branches within the hierarchical menu structure can be used to enable wireless users to focus in on items of interest. One embodiment of the device permits use of the menu structure for assisting with commercial transaction; for example, individual menu entries may include transparent commands that cause the cellular telephone to format an electronic transaction request, to dial a specific telephone number, and to effectuate the transaction.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A wireless communication device comprising:
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a broadcast receiver that receives a broadcast signal that contains intermixed display information and sequentially-significant command information;
a user interface;
a broadcast receiver processing unit connected to the broadcast receiver, that separates display information from command information; and
a display controlled by the broadcast receiver processing unit to visually present display information in a menu format responsive to command information;
wherein the user interface permits selective navigation by the user of the menu format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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12. A method of broadcasting from a wireless broadcaster to a plurality of wireless devices, comprising:
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associating information with a plurality of hierarchical menus;
creating a signal containing the information, the signal having for at least one of the menus a menu start indicator, display information to be displayed on a wireless device, and command information that identifies menu structure; and
causing the broadcaster to broadcast the signal as a repeating loop.
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21. A method of broadcasting information to a plurality of wireless devices, comprising:
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receiving information regarding establishment preferences for broadcast;
formatting the information into a broadcast frame, where the broadcast frame includes at least one menu adapted for display on one or more wireless devices; and
periodically re-transmitting the broadcast frame;
wherein the broadcast frame includes at least one telephone number adapted to communicate with an establishment representative. - View Dependent Claims (22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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23. A wireless communications system, comprising:
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a broadcast unit that transmits a continuously looping signal containing information associated with a plurality of menus, which information may be received by a wireless device and displayed on the wireless device as part of a menu structure; and
a cellular telephone having a telephone mode and a local access mode, and having a display and a user interface, the cellular telephone receiving the continuously looping signal while in the local access mode and displaying a selective one of the plurality of menus in response to inputs from the user interface.
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24. A wireless communications broadcast system comprising:
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a broadcast unit that transmits a continuously looping signal containing information associated with a plurality of menus, which information may be received by a wireless device and displayed on the wireless device as part of a menu structure; and
a receiver for receiving an electronic transaction request via a telephone connection, the request being based on the information transmitted by the broadcast unit and being transmitted by the wireless device.
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Specification