Information distribution system with self-contained programmable automatic interface unit
First Claim
1. An automatic self contained interface unit for unattended control and connection of an information and retrieval system to an information receiver comprising:
- means for connecting a telephone line to the information receiver;
means for receiving telephonic signals from the connected telephone line;
means for transmitting telephonic signaling tones on the connected telephone line;
means for placing the connected telephone line on hold;
a controller connected to the connecting means, receiving means,transmitting means and hold means, said controller including;
means for activating the controller at a predetermined time;
means for transferring a predetermined set of commands to the transmitting means for transmission as signaling tones for dialing the information and retrieval means on the telephone line and, upon answer, an information data string to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection and transmission of specific information;
means for interactively interpreting signals received by the receiving means;
means responsive to a first signal from the interpreting means for activating the hold means;
means for transferring a command to the transmitting means for transmission to the information receiver; and
means responsive to a second signal from the interpreting means for deactivating the hold means thereby interconnecting the information receiver with the information and retrieval system.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The information distribution system is a self-contained automatic interface unit for connecting an information receiver such as a FAX machine to an information and retrieval system on a predetermined schedule to obtain a predetermined set of information selected by the user. Programming of the interface unit by the user allows selection of schedule and information desired from an updated database source such as a stock quotation reporting system. Alteration of the selected times and desired information by the user through reprogramming of the interface unit allows the user to obtain only the desired information and allows autonomous operation of the information distribution system.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. An automatic self contained interface unit for unattended control and connection of an information and retrieval system to an information receiver comprising:
-
means for connecting a telephone line to the information receiver; means for receiving telephonic signals from the connected telephone line; means for transmitting telephonic signaling tones on the connected telephone line; means for placing the connected telephone line on hold; a controller connected to the connecting means, receiving means, transmitting means and hold means, said controller including; means for activating the controller at a predetermined time; means for transferring a predetermined set of commands to the transmitting means for transmission as signaling tones for dialing the information and retrieval means on the telephone line and, upon answer, an information data string to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection and transmission of specific information; means for interactively interpreting signals received by the receiving means; means responsive to a first signal from the interpreting means for activating the hold means; means for transferring a command to the transmitting means for transmission to the information receiver; and means responsive to a second signal from the interpreting means for deactivating the hold means thereby interconnecting the information receiver with the information and retrieval system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for connecting an information and retrieval system to an information receiver employing an interface unit having telephone signal receiving capability and signaling tone transmission capability, said methods comprising the steps of:
-
activating the interface unit at a predetermined time;
determining if the information receiver is busy;resetting the predetermined time for activation if the receiver is busy; deactivating the interface unit until the new predetermined time; dialing a predetermined number for the information and retrieval system; transmitting a predetermined set of commands to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection of information to be retrieved; receiving an activation cue from the information and retrieval system; placing the telephone line on hold;
ringing the information receiver;receiving a confirmation tone from the information receiver; and taking the telephone line off hold to allow communication between the information retrieval system and information receiver. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
-
-
8. An information distribution system comprising:
-
an information receiver having ring response capability; an information and retrieval system having dial-in response capability and storing a plurality of data elements separately retrievable by a call-in user; and a self-contained interface unit having; means for dial-in connection to the information and retrieval system; means for designating information to be retrieved from the plurality of data elements stored in the information retrieval system; means for ringing the information receiver; and means for interconnecting the information and retrieval system to the information receiver. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
Specification