System and method for distributing content to portable computing devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An information distribution system, comprising:
- a processor;
a transceiver system connected to the processor; and
a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory includes;
a first module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beam interrogation signal using a first communication protocol supported by one or more portable computing devices located within a transmission range of the transceiver system, (2) detect a beam response signal generated, in response to the beam interrogation signal, by one of the portable computing devices, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the beam response signal, a download signal using the first communication protocol to said portable computing device, the download signal incorporating a client application;
a second module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beacon using a second communication protocol supported by the client application, (2) detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the client application on said portable computing device, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating information received from a structuring system, the broadcast is transmitted using the second communication protocol, wherein the first module is further configured to (4) determine an operating system of said portable computing device based on information incorporated in the beam response, and (5) select the client application from a collection of client applications, the client application being appropriate for the operating system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a portable computing device comprises receiving broadcast information including a data repository and formatting information. Creation of a search query is facilitated, and a search result is retrieved from the data repository based upon the search query. The search result is transformed in accordance with the formatting information to produce formatted content.
77 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An information distribution system, comprising:
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a processor; a transceiver system connected to the processor; and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory includes; a first module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beam interrogation signal using a first communication protocol supported by one or more portable computing devices located within a transmission range of the transceiver system, (2) detect a beam response signal generated, in response to the beam interrogation signal, by one of the portable computing devices, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the beam response signal, a download signal using the first communication protocol to said portable computing device, the download signal incorporating a client application; a second module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beacon using a second communication protocol supported by the client application, (2) detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the client application on said portable computing device, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating information received from a structuring system, the broadcast is transmitted using the second communication protocol, wherein the first module is further configured to (4) determine an operating system of said portable computing device based on information incorporated in the beam response, and (5) select the client application from a collection of client applications, the client application being appropriate for the operating system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating an information distribution system, the method comprising:
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receiving information from a structuring system via a system communication network; wirelessly transmitting a beam interrogation signal using a first communication protocol supported by one or more portable computing devices located within a transmission range of the information distribution system; detecting a beam response signal sent, in response to the beam interrogation signal, by one of the portable computing devices; wirelessly transmitting, in response to detecting the beam response signal, a download signal using the first communication protocol to said portable computing device, the download signal incorporating a client application; wirelessly transmitting, in response to receiving the information from the structuring system, a beacon to the portable computing devices using a second communication protocol supported by the client application; detecting an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the client application on said portable computing device; and wirelessly transmitting, in response to detecting the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating the information received from the structuring system to the portable computing devices using the second communication protocol, wherein detecting the beam response signal further comprises; determining an operating system of said portable computing device based on information incorporated in the beam response signal; and selecting the client application from a collection of client applications, the client application being appropriate for the operating system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions recorded thereon for operating an information distribution system, the computer program instruction comprising instructions for:
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receiving information from a structuring system via a system communication network; wirelessly transmitting a beam interrogation signal using a first communication protocol supported by one or more portable computing devices located within a transmission range of the information distribution system; detecting a beam response signal sent, in response to the beam interrogation signal, by one of the portable computing devices; wirelessly transmitting, in response to detecting the beam response signal, a download signal using the first communication protocol to said portable computing device, the download signal incorporating a client application; wirelessly transmitting, in response to receiving the information from the structuring system, a beacon to the portable computing devices using a second communication protocol supported by the client application; detecting an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the client application on said portable computing device; and wirelessly transmitting, in response to detecting the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating the information received from the structuring system to the portable computing devices using the second communication protocol, wherein detecting the beam response signal further comprises;
determining an operating system of said portable computing device based on information incorporated in the beam response; and
selecting the client application from a collection of client applications, the client application being appropriate for the operating system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification