Systems and apparatus for electronic communication and storage of time encoded information
First Claim
1. An electronic personal library apparatus for use in a system for providing, on an accountable basis, user requested library information for display, the system including a transportable data storage medium, a centralized computer having a central information storage bank in which may be entered and stored various selectable items of library information, in electronic form, and a localized book bank unit communicatively coupled to said centralized computer, the book bank unit including a book bank memory for receiving and storing selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer, an interface adapted to engage the data storage medium and to communicate thereto user requested library information from the selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer to the book bank unit, the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium being time encoded, and a processor for controlling such communication of the requested library information to the book bank unit and the exchange of accountability data with the centralized computer, said electronic personal library apparatus comprising:
- a display,an interface adapted to engage the user'"'"'s data storage medium,a keypad input unit, anda microprocessor, said microprocessor programmed to limit access to the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium in accordance with the time encoded information transmitted with the information,said electronic personal library apparatus operable to display, in response to data entered by a user at said keypad input unit, desired library information from the library information communicated to the data storage medium.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic personal library apparatus comprises a control unit, programmable memory modules selectively communicated with the control unit to supply programmed information to the control unit, programmable compact cylinders, and a compact cylinder reader that communicates electronically with the control unit. The compact cylinders are encoded with information and the cylinder reader accesses the information and provides the information to the control unit. The control unit stores portions of the information received from the cylinders in the memory modules communicating with the control unit, or displays sequential displays of the information encoded on the compact cylinders. The information network interfaces with the personal library apparatus and includes a central information storage facility that communicates with several separate book bank facilities, each at different geographic locations. The central information storage facility provides text of books, periodicals, magazines, etc. encoded on laser readable disks to the book bank facilities. The book bank facilities transfer the information encoded on the disks to the compact cylinders or memory modules. The electronic duplication of information at the point of purchase of the information, the book bank, provides the text of books, periodicals, magazines, etc. in a machine readable form that may be visually displayed by the electronic personal library apparatus.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electronic personal library apparatus for use in a system for providing, on an accountable basis, user requested library information for display, the system including a transportable data storage medium, a centralized computer having a central information storage bank in which may be entered and stored various selectable items of library information, in electronic form, and a localized book bank unit communicatively coupled to said centralized computer, the book bank unit including a book bank memory for receiving and storing selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer, an interface adapted to engage the data storage medium and to communicate thereto user requested library information from the selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer to the book bank unit, the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium being time encoded, and a processor for controlling such communication of the requested library information to the book bank unit and the exchange of accountability data with the centralized computer, said electronic personal library apparatus comprising:
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a display, an interface adapted to engage the user'"'"'s data storage medium, a keypad input unit, and a microprocessor, said microprocessor programmed to limit access to the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium in accordance with the time encoded information transmitted with the information, said electronic personal library apparatus operable to display, in response to data entered by a user at said keypad input unit, desired library information from the library information communicated to the data storage medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic personal library apparatus for use in a system for providing, on an accountable basis, user requested library information for display, such system including a transportable data storage medium, a centralized computer having a central information storage bank in which may be entered and stored various selectable items of library information, in electronic form, and a localized book bank unit communicatively coupled to said centralized computer, the book bank unit including a book bank memory for receiving and storing selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer, an interface adapted to engage the data storage medium and to communicate thereto user requested library information from the selected library information provided from the central information storage bank of the centralized computer to the book bank unit, the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium being time encoded, and a processor for controlling such communication of the requested library information to the book bank unit and the exchange of accountability data with the centralized computer, said electronic personal library apparatus comprising:
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a display, an interface adapted to engage the user'"'"'s data storage medium, a keypad input unit, and a microprocessor, said microprocessor programmed to limit access to the user requested library information communicated from the book bank unit to the data storage medium in accordance with the time encoded information transmitted with the information, said electronic personal library apparatus operable to display, in response to data entered by a user at said keypad input unit, desired library information from the library information communicated to the data storage medium by the book bank unit, and wherein the user'"'"'s data storage medium is adapted to include thereon a machine readable code associated with the user and said apparatus is operable to display information stored on the user'"'"'s data storage medium only if the code is an authorized code. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for providing library information, on an accountable basis, from a centralized source to a user having an electronic personal library apparatus that includes a removable, transportable data storage medium and a display for displaying information stored on such data storage medium, said system comprising:
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a centralized computer including a central information storage bank in which may be entered and stored various selectable items of library information, in electronic form, and a localized book bank unit communicatively coupled to said centralized computer, said book bank unit including a book bank memory for receiving and storing selected library information provided from said central information storage bank of said centralized computer, an interface adapted to engage the user'"'"'s data storage medium and to communicate thereto user requested library information from the selected library information provided from said central information storage bank of said centralized computer to said book bank unit, and a processor for controlling such communication of the requested library information to said book bank unit and the exchange of accountability data with said centralized computer, said book bank unit configured to time encode the requested library information communicated to the user'"'"'s data storage medium so as to limit access thereto by the user to a limited time period. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for providing library information, on an accountable basis, from a centralized source to a user having an electronic personal library apparatus that includes a removable, transportable data storage medium and a display for displaying information stored on such data storage medium, said system comprising:
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a centralized computer including a central information storage bank in which may be entered and stored various selectable items of library information, in electronic form, and a localized book bank unit communicatively coupled to said centralized computer, said book bank unit including a book bank memory for receiving and storing selected library information provided from said central information storage bank of said centralized computer, an interface adapted to engage the user'"'"'s data storage medium and to communicate thereto user requested library information from the selected library information provided from said central information storage bank of said centralized computer to said book bank unit, and a processor for controlling such communication of the requested library information to said book bank unit and the exchange of accountability data with said centralized computer, and wherein the user'"'"'s data storage medium is adapted to include thereon a machine readable code associated with the user and wherein said book bank unit is operable to communicate the requested library information only to a user'"'"'s data storage medium including an authorization code, said book bank unit configured to time encode the requested library information communicated to the user'"'"'s data storage medium so as to limit access thereto by the user to a limited time period. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification