Data distribution network and method of use
First Claim
1. A method for interacting with, exchanging data with, and rewarding a consumer to encourage the consumer to remain loyal to a commercial location, comprising:
- providing a central computer comprising a central microprocessor operably coupled to a central data storage unit, the central data storage unit comprising a commercial directory;
providing a hand-held computer comprising a display screen, a data entry unit, a data transfer mechanism, a data storage unit, and a microprocessor coupled to the display screen, the data entry unit, the data transfer mechanism, and the data storage unit;
providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes having a data input unit configured for inputting data into the central data storage unit of the central computer and a node data transfer mechanism;
installing each of the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations within or in proximity to the commercial location;
operably coupling each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;
delivering the hand-held computer to the consumer;
operatively coupling the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer with the node data transfer mechanism of the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes; and
transmitting at least a portion of the commercial directory through the node data transfer mechanism and to the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data distribution network for distributing data stores up-to-date or even real-time data in a central computer and disseminates the data through a plurality of data distribution nodes to a plurality of hand-held computers. The data distribution network distributes current or even real-time data to consumers and travelers directly to the location where the consumers and travelers are likely to require the data. The data distribution network can function completely automatically, in real-time, and without any effort or expertise on the part of the consumer or traveler. The data distribution network enables several novel methods of attracting and retaining consumers to a specific commercial location and travelers to a specific hotel or travel agency.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for interacting with, exchanging data with, and rewarding a consumer to encourage the consumer to remain loyal to a commercial location, comprising:
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providing a central computer comprising a central microprocessor operably coupled to a central data storage unit, the central data storage unit comprising a commercial directory;
providing a hand-held computer comprising a display screen, a data entry unit, a data transfer mechanism, a data storage unit, and a microprocessor coupled to the display screen, the data entry unit, the data transfer mechanism, and the data storage unit;
providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes having a data input unit configured for inputting data into the central data storage unit of the central computer and a node data transfer mechanism;
installing each of the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations within or in proximity to the commercial location;
operably coupling each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;
delivering the hand-held computer to the consumer;
operatively coupling the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer with the node data transfer mechanism of the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes; and
transmitting at least a portion of the commercial directory through the node data transfer mechanism and to the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for distributing flight data to a traveler comprising:
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providing a central computer comprising a central microprocessor operably coupled to a central data storage unit;
programming into the central data storage unit a flight database comprising flight data;
providing a hand-held computer comprising a display screen, a keypad, a data storage unit, a data transfer mechanism, and a microprocessor operatively connected to the display screen, the keypad, the data transfer mechanism, and the data storage unit;
providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes comprising a data transfer unit configured to transfer data from the central data storage unit to the hand-held computer in response to the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer;
installing each of the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations within an airport;
operably coupling each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;
delivering the hand-held computer to the traveler;
updating the flight data stored in the flight database on a regular basis;
operatively coupling the hand-held computer with the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes when the traveler is ready to travel; and
transmitting from the central computer to the hand-held computer the flight data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for providing an electronic concierge service to a hotel guest comprising:
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providing a central computer comprising a central microprocessor operably coupled to a central data storage unit;
programming into the central data storage unit an entertainment database;
providing the hotel guest with a hand-held computer comprising a display screen, a keypad, a data storage unit, a data transfer mechanism, and a microprocessor coupled to the display screen, the keypad, the data storage unit, and the data transfer mechanism;
providing a plurality of data distribution nodes comprising a data transfer unit configured to download data from the central data storage unit to the hand-held computer in response to the data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer;
installing the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations around the hotel;
operably coupling the data distribution nodes to the central computer;
inputting into the entertainment database entertainment information of interest to the hotel guest;
operatively coupling the hand-held computer with the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes; and
transmitting information from the entertainment database from the central computer to the hand-held computer.
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19. A method for distributing data from a travel agency to a traveler comprising:
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providing a central computer comprising a central microprocessor operably coupled to a central data storage unit;
programming into the central data storage unit a traveler database, a flight database, and an entertainment database;
programming into the flight database a plurality of flight arrival places and times and a plurality of flight departure places and times;
programming into the entertainment database entertainment information of interest to the traveler;
programming into the traveler database an identity of the traveler who will be using the services of the travel agency;
associating the identity of the traveler in the traveler database with a flight departure time and a flight arrival time;
associating the identity of the traveler in the traveler database with entertainment information of interest to the traveler;
providing the traveler with a hand-held computer comprising a display screen, a keypad, a data storage unit, a data transfer mechanism, and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the data storage unit, the display screen, the keypad, and the data transfer mechanism; and
transmitting from the central computer to the hand-held computer the entertainment information, flight departure time, and flight arrival time associated with the identity of the traveler. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification