Data distribution network and method of use

• US 6,615,179 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred E. Bearden III, John D. Mcnicol
• Original Assignee: Fred E. Bearden III, John D. Mcnicol
• Inventors: McNicol, John D., Bearden, Fred E. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tesfamariam, Mussie
• Application Number:
  US09/481,778
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/5, 705/6, 705/7, 705/8, 705/9, 705/10, 705/14, 705/26, 705/27, 235/376, 235/375, 235/383, 235/385, 235/472, 379/68, 379/67, 709/204, 709/203, 340/988, 340/905, 340/995, 186/61, 702/83, 702/33, 364/403, 364/705.06, 395/800
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

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. In a preferred embodiment, such a data distribution network can function completely automatically, in real time, and without any effort or expertise on the part of the consumer or traveler. Such a 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.

Claims

1. A method for interacting with, exchanging data with, and rewarding a consumer to encourage the consumer to remain loyal to a commercial location, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a central computer having a central microprocessor operably connected to a central means for storing data, the central data storing means including a commercial directory;

b) providing a hand-held computer having a display screen, a means for data entry, a hand-held data transfer mechanism, and a hand-held means for storing data operatively connected to a hand-held microprocessor;

c) providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes having a means for inputting data into the central data storing means and a node data transfer mechanism;

d) installing each of the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations within or in proximity to the commercial location;

e) operably connecting each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;

f) delivering the hand-held computer to the consumer;

g) operatively connecting the hand-held data transfer mechanism of the hand-held computer with the node data transfer mechanism of the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes;

h) transmitting a data request to the central computer from the hand-held data transfer mechanism through the node data transfer mechanism of the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes; and

i) transmitting at least a portion of the commercial directory through the node data transfer mechanism and the hand-held data transfer mechanism to the hand-held data storing means.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of data distribution nodes include a docking station adapted to receive one of the plurality of hand-held computers;

wherein the node data transfer mechanism is a first electrical contact connector;

wherein the hand-held data transfer mechanism is a second electrical contact connector; and

wherein the hand-held data transfer mechanism is operatively connected to the data distribution node by inserting one of the plurality of hand-held computers is into the docking station, thereby connecting the first electrical contact connector with the second electrical contact connector, and thereby allowing the data distribution node to transmit data between the hand-held computer and the central computer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the hand-held data transfer mechanism is a first transmitter/receiver electronically connected to the hand-held computer;

wherein the node data transfer mechanism is a second transmitter/receiver electronically connected to the data distribution node; and

wherein the operative connection between the first and second transmitter/receivers enables electronic communication between each of the plurality of hand-held computers and the central computer.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of:

f′

) transmitting an identification signal, at least periodically, from the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, alerting any of the plurality of hand-held computers that are within range of the transmission that they are within range.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

f″

) providing each of the plurality of hand-held computers with a means for automatically transmitting the data request to the nearest data distribution node once the hand-held computer receives the identification signal.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

f″

) providing each of the plurality of hand-held computers with a smart label that reflects the identification signal to form a reflected signal that is unique to each of the hand-held computers, the receipt of the reflected signal by the data distribution node being reported to a report database of the central computer.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

g) using the first transmitter/receiver of the hand-held computer to transmit an electronic request to the central computer through the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, the electronic request containing a first electronic signature that identifies the hand-held computer that is transmitting the electronic request;

h) delivering the electronic request to the central computer with a second electronic signature, the second electronic signature identifying the location of the data distribution node that delivered the electronic request;

i) processing the electronic request by the central microprocessor and preparing an electronic response;

j) delivering the electronic response from the central computer to the data distribution node identified in the second electronic signature;

k) transmitting the electronic response from the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, the transmission being routed to the hand-held computer that sent the electronic request as directed by the first electronic signature;

l) storing the electronic response in the hand-held data storing means; and

m) displaying the electronic response on the display screen.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the central data storing means further includes a consumer database that associates a description of products purchased and a plurality of electronic points with an identity of each consumer;

wherein the data input means is a cash register electronically connected to each of the data distribution nodes; and

wherein the method further comprising the steps of;

j) selecting the products that the consumer would like to purchase

k) inputting through the cash register a description of products purchased into the consumer database;

l) operably connecting the hand-held computer with the data distribution node;

m) transmitting the identity of the consumer making the purchase;

n) comparing the identity of the consumer with the consumer database;

o) associating the description of products purchased with the identity of the consumer in the consumer database;

p) awarding a plurality of electronic points to the consumer in proportion to the value of the products purchased;

q) adding the plurality of electronic points awarded to any other electronic points already earned;

r) recording the sum of all of the plurality of electronic points in the consumer database;

s) downloading to the hand-held computer the value of the accumulated electronic points;

t) providing a reward in exchange for the accumulated electronic points, the reward acting as an incentive for the consumer to accumulate the electronic points.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the central data storing means further includes a coupon database containing a plurality of coupons;

and wherein the method further comprising the steps of;

u) operably connecting the hand-held computer with the data distribution node;

v) transmitting the identity of the consumer with a request for coupons;

w) locating the identity of the consumer and the associated description of products purchased;

x) comparing the description of products purchased with the plurality of coupons available in the coupon database; and

y) downloading the coupons that are determined to be similar to the description of products purchased.

10. A method for distributing flight data to a traveler, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a central computer having a central microprocessor operably connected to a central means for storing data;

b) programming into the central data storing means a flight database and a traveler database, the flight database containing a plurality of aircraft arrival places and times and a plurality of aircraft departure places and times, and the traveler database containing a plurality of identities of travelers;

c) preparing an airplane ticket for the traveler, the airplane ticket being associated with one of the plurality of aircraft departure places and times and one of the plurality of aircraft arrival places and times;

d) associating the identity of the traveler in the traveler database with the aircraft departure time and the aircraft arrival time associated with the airline ticket purchased by the traveler;

e) providing a hand-held computer having a display screen, a keypad, a means for requesting data, and a hand-held means for storing data operatively connected to a hand-held microprocessor;

f) providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes having a means for downloading data from the central data storing means to the handheld computer in response to the hand-held data transfer mechanism;

g) installing each of the data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations within an airport;

h) operably connecting each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;

i) delivering the hand-held computer to the traveler;

j) updating the flight data stored in the flight database on a regular basis;

k) operatively connecting the hand-held microprocessor with the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes when the traveler is ready to travel;

l) using the hand-held data transfer mechanism to transmit the identity of the traveler to the central computer through the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes; and

m) transmitting, from the central computer to the to the hand-held data storing means, the current aircraft departure time and the current aircraft arrival time associated with the identity of the traveler.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the hand-held data transfer mechanism is a first transmitter/receiver electronically connected to the hand-held computer;

wherein the node data transfer mechanism is a second transmitter/receiver electronically connected to the data distribution node; and

wherein the operative connection between the first and second transmitter/receivers enables electronic communication between each of the plurality of hand-held computers and the central computer through the closest of the data distribution nodes.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

f′

) transmitting a identification signal, at least periodically, from the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, alerting any of the plurality of hand-held computers that are within range of the transmission that they are within range.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

f″

) providing each of the plurality of hand-held computers with a means for automatically transmitting the data request to the nearest data distribution node once the hand-held computer receives the identification signal; and

f′

″

) transmitting the data request to the central computer upon receipt of the identification signal by one of the plurality of hand-held computers.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

f′

′

″

) inputting an identification number uniquely associated with each of the plurality of hand-held computers;

f′

″

″

) transmitting the identification number upon receipt of the identification signal;

f″

″

″

) comparing the identity of the traveler with the associated flight arrival places and times and the flight departure places and times; and

f′

″

″

″

) alerting the traveler if there have been any changes to the associated flight arrival places and times and the flight departure places and times.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

f″

) providing each of the plurality of hand-held computers with a smart label that reflects the identification signal to form a reflected signal that is unique to each of the hand-held computers, the receipt of the reflected signal by the data distribution node being reported to a report database of the central computer.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

n) using the first transmitter/receiver of the hand-held computer to transmit an electronic request to the central computer through the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, the electronic request containing a first electronic signature that identifies the hand-held computer that is transmitting the electronic request;

o) delivering the electronic request to the central computer with a second electronic signature, the second electronic signature identifying the location of the data distribution node that delivered the electronic request;

p) processing the electronic request by the central microprocessor and preparing an electronic response;

q) delivering the electronic response from the central computer to the data distribution node identified in the second electronic signature;

r) transmitting the electronic response from the second transmitter/receiver of the data distribution node, the transmission being routed to the hand-held computer that sent the electronic request as directed by the first electronic signature;

s) storing the electronic response in the hand-held data storing means; and

t) displaying the electronic response on the display screen.

17. A method for providing an electronic concierge service to at least one hotel guest, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a central computer having a central microprocessor operably connected to a central means for storing data;

b) programming into the central data storing means an entertainment database;

c) checking the at least one hotel guest into a hotel;

d) providing the at least one hotel guest with a hand-held computer having a display screen, a keypad, a means for requesting data, and a hand-held means for storing data operatively connected to a hand-held microprocessor.

e) providing at least one data distribution nodes having a means for downloading data from the central data storing means to the hand-held computer in response to the hand-held data transfer mechanism;

f) installing the at least one data distribution nodes in publicly accessible locations around the hotel;

g) operably connecting each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;

h) inputting into the entertainment database, on a regular basis, entertainment information of interest to the at least one hotel guest;

i) operatively connecting the hand-held microprocessor with the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes;

j) using the hand-held data transfer mechanism to request information from the entertainment database; and

k) transmitting information from the entertainment database from the central computer to the hand-held data storing means.

18. A method for distributing data from a travel agency to a traveler, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a central computer having a central microprocessor operably connected to a central means for storing data;

b) programming into the central data storing means a traveler database, a flight database, and an entertainment database;

c) programming into the flight database a plurality of aircraft arrival places and times, a plurality of aircraft departure places and times, and a plurality of baggage claim carousel numbers;

d) programming into the entertainment database entertainment information of interest to the traveler;

e) programming into the traveler database an identity of the traveler who will be using the services of the travel agency;

f) preparing an airplane ticket for the at least one traveler;

g) associating the identity of the traveler in the traveler database with the aircraft departure time, the aircraft arrival time, and the baggage claim carousel number of the flight database;

h) associating information of interest to the traveler in the entertainment database with the identity of the traveler;

i) providing the traveler with a hand-held computer having a display screen, a keypad, a means for requesting data, and a hand-held means for storing data operatively connected to a hand-held microprocessor;

j) providing a plurality of data distribution nodes, each of the data distribution nodes having a means for downloading data from the central data storing means to the hand-held computer in response to the hand-held data transfer mechanism;

k) installing each of the data distribution nodes in locations that will be accessible to the traveler during the trip;

l) operably connecting each of the data distribution nodes to the central computer;

m) updating the information stored in the flight database and entertainment database on a regular basis;

n) operatively connecting the hand-held microprocessor with the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes;

o) using the hand-held data transfer mechanism to transmit the identity of the traveler to the central computer through the closest of the plurality of data distribution nodes;

p) transmitting, from the central computer to the hand-held data storing means, the one of the plurality of aircraft departure places and times, the one of the plurality of aircraft arrival places and times, and the one of the plurality of baggage claim carousel numbers that are associated with the identity of the traveler; and

q) transmitting, from the central computer to the hand-held data storing means, the information of interest associated with the identity of the traveler.