Trans-modal animated information processing with selective engagement

• US 6,292,828 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1994
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David L. Williams
• Original Assignee: David L. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US08/200,739
• Time in Patent Office: 2,764 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/218, 709/224, 709/227, 709/240, 709/250, 340/825.06, 340/825.08, 340/825.1, 340/825.11, 340/825.13
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/328 Computer systems status display G06F11/327 takes precedence

Abstract

Broadcast and/or dedicated signals are generated and transmitted to one or more wired or wireless receiving stations. Signal receptions are qualified according to embedded code or compared to other predetermined specifications, and respectively forwarded as necessary to other circuits and devices, whether on-site or remote. Critical oversight of information and processes is executed by polled or polling devices or users, which interact with a predetermined array of intelligently-evolving queries or responses. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more devices are polled as necessary for intelligence inputs and possible intervention in system processes. Users input responses or directives into a three-button device integrated into the side of a telephone handset: the three buttons corresponding ergonomically with the three middle fingers of the user'"'"'s favored hand. The user is thereby enabled to articulate an interface with a polled or polling device, with a minimal degree of distraction from events in the surrounding environment. Users or proxy monitoring devices are allotted the option of more or less immediate involvement in the system'"'"'s oversight and management, depending on developing events or lack thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the three aforementioned buttons, or “triggers”, correspond to electronically-activated analog or digital switches which detected signals encoded in the program intelligence. These triggers may report the following options in terms of the user/device availability or intention of impending intervention: (1) deferred or delayed interaction, (2) limited, qualified, or intermediate interaction, or (3) full or formulative interaction.

Claims

1. A system for detection and reporting of conditions of devices and/or components in circuits or networks, comprising transmission or reception of signal indications, said indications comprising relative degrees of readiness or ability of one or more devices or components to communicate and/or intercede in system processes.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for detection of conditions includes means for detection and reporting of relative degree of availability of devices or users for proposed monitoring or interaction.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said relative degree of availability of devices or users is reported in one or more quick-response formats comprising one or more of the following:

(1) full or formulative response or interaction,

(2) partial, limited, or qualified response or interaction, or

(3) deferred or delayed response or interaction.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for automated system processing of events or conditions, wherein said detected events or conditions are presented to one or more general-purpose memory units in one or more programmable logic devices at one or more component locations.

5. A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said general-purpose memory units in said programmable logic devices are subjected to operation by one or more input/output devices which utilize binary computer software code.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for said detected conditions of one or more users or devices to be subjected to internal or external analog or digital processing, whereby attributes of the processed intelligence are derived for utilization as comparator components.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for indication of said detected conditions to be forwarded to or from integral input/output device, by appropriate bus device or direct interconnection, to or from circuits comprising one or more of the following types:

(1) transducer circuits,

(2) detector circuits,

(3) amplifier circuits,

(4) oscillator circuits,

(5) modulation or demodulation circuits,

(6) relay circuits,

(7) filter circuits,

(8) buffer circuits,

(9) volatile or non-volatile memory circuits, or

(10)) programmable logic circuits.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detected conditions of devices or users are reported in one or more of the following:

(1) preliminary,

(2) concurrent, or

(3) subsequent

in relation to other signal(s) comprising primary communications traffic between devices.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said preliminary, concurrent, or subsequent conditions reports are encoded within one or more primary traffic frequency or sub-carrier frequency in communications transfers between devices.

10. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said preliminary, concurrent, or subsequent conditions reports are transmitted in one or more signal frequencies which are separate and distinct from one or more primary traffic frequencies or sub-carrier frequencies.

11. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the detection of the presence of one or more unmodulated carrier bandwidth within one or more predetermined frequency ranges comprises the detection of conditions.

12. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the detection of the presence of one or more predetermined modulations and/or other signal characteristics of one or more frequencies comprises the detection of conditions.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for detection of conditions comprises:

(1) means for monitoring of real-time or recorded programs or sub-units thereof,

(2) means for generation of dedicated or broadcast digital and/or analog signals and conditions, and

(3) means for distribution of said programs or sub-units in accordance with predetermined or developing allocation of priorities.

14. A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for detection of conditions includes at least one broadcast or dedicated signal generation facility in conjunction with such relay equipment as necessary to transmit said digital and/or analog signals and conditions to at least one home station and/or at least one remote station.

15. A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for detection of conditions includes at least one broadcast or dedicated signal generation facility in conjunction with such relay equipment as necessary to transmit and receive digital and/or analog signals and conditions to and from at least one home station and/or at least one remote station.

16. A system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for detection of conditions includes at least one home station and/or at least one remote station which monitors broadcast or dedicated signal transmissions from digital or analog signal generation circuits.

17. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal processing includes multiple independent wired or wireless modes which enable communication between one or more home stations and/or one or more remote stations, whereby users or stations are insured performance by means of alternate and divisible communication modes and devices.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17, comprising means for alternate or complementary application of one or more wireless devices for use as wired devices supported by at least one wired network, and wherein said wired network recognizes device address and/or other states or attributes of said wireless device or its components.

19. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein one or more circuits monitor power supply to system or non-system components or devices, whereby said monitoring circuits trigger predetermined actions and/or reports to devices or users.

20. A system as set forth in claim 1, including means for multiple data processors within or in attachment to at least one home station and/or at least one remote station.

21. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detection of conditions is interpreted according to alternating modes of translation which are appointed by one or more predetermined programmable logic device(s) or by user override through one or more input/output device(s).

22. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein signal processes are logged in a general-purpose memory unit of a programmable logic device having access to a database of historical and/or hypothetical events, whereby subsequent events are anticipated by projection or calculation.

23. A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein current signal processes are given precedence over historical or projected events, whereby control of system functions are dictated by user system-designated override device in accordance with priority schedules as designated by system or user.

24. A system as set forth in claim 1, comprising means for at least one transmitting station to forward to at least one receiving station at least one notification of a proposed event, said event comprising the production of an array of acceptable responses to at least one receiving station.

25. A system as set forth in claim 24, wherein a transmitting station user, input/output device, and/or programmable logic device performs the function of formulating said array of acceptable responses.

26. A system as set forth in claim 24, wherein a receiving station user, input/output device, and/or programmable logic device performs the function of formulating said array of acceptable responses.

27. A system as set forth in claim 24, wherein at least one other predetermined device is designated as a supervisory station, whereby other proposed or ongoing transmitting and receiving stations processes are thereby engaged by one or more relatively unburdened alternate system components.

28. A system as set forth in claim 1, comprising means for detection of conditions which deviate from a predetermined array of acceptable conditions to trigger at least one alarm status condition, whereby at least one alternate program or event is activated.

29. A system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for at least one predetermined device or user or to intercede in system processes in accordance with interpretation of conditions by said device or user.

30. A system for critical signal processing and timely formulation of communications flow between components in circuits or networks, comprising means for continuous, interval, and/or events-driven detection of conditions of one or more devices or users in said circuits or networks, said means for detection of conditions of one or more devices or users including one or more wired or wireless input/output devices, said means including means for comparing input or output signals for determination of adherence to or deviation from predetermined specifications of one or more acceptable values.

31. A system for timely formulation and communication of critical signal processing, comprising:

(A) at least one home station including

(1) means to detect one or more conditions,

(2) means to automatically forward one or more signals in accordance with said detected conditions, and

(3) means for qualifying said forwarded signals according to detected availability of one or more remote stations; and

(B) at least one remote station including;

(1) means to receive one or more signal(s),

(2) means to evaluate one or more signal(s),

(3) means to determine availability of one or more said home stations or remote stations, and

(4) means to communicate with one or more said home stations or remote stations in accordance with one or more detected conditions.