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Interactive terminal for the access of remote database information

DC
  • US 5,379,421 A
  • Filed: 05/06/1994
  • Issued: 01/03/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of accessing information from a remote computerized database by a telecommunications device coupled to said database via a communications exchange, wherein said telecommunications device is also coupled to a television display and to a telephone having a keypad means for generating selective output signals;

  • said telecommunications device including a control means, a local interface means, a modem means, a processing means, a video signal memory means, and a video generation means;

    wherein the method comprises the following steps;

    generating said selective output signals by activating said keypad means, wherein said local interface means is coupled to said keypad means and to said communications exchange, the interface means responsive to receiving output signals generated by the keypad means for selectively uncoupling the keypad means from the communication exchange to allow a user to locally manipulate said information after it has been retrieved from said database;

    converting said selective output signals into digital command signals by said telecommunications device for controlling the operation of said telecommunications device and for establishing communication with said database;

    establishing communication between said telecommunications device and said database over said communications exchange via said modem means, for transmitting and retrieving said information;

    retrieving said information from said database over said communications exchange, wherein said information is in the form of carrier based signals corresponding to said information;

    converting said carrier based signals into digitally encoded data signals by said modem means;

    storing said digitally encoded data in said memory means;

    converting said digitally encoded data into corresponding video data signals by said video generation means;

    transmitting said video data signals to said television display for displaying said information; and

    interactively manipulating the display of said information via said keypad means by generating said selective output signals to effect different control commands.

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