Patent US4768087A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4768087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Education utility
Assignee: NATIONAL INFORMATION AND EDUCATION UTILITIES Corp
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Filing: 1983-10-07
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2003-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools simultaneously transmits the information via a satellite (15) to FM stations (18) which retransmit to schools having receivers for receiving the information and a main computer (101) for storing the information. Access to the information is subsequently provided to a plurality of students via classroom computers (111) and individual terminals (121). Usage and performance data is automatically stored in the main computer (101) and sent to the sender by dial-up modem (105) to keep track of usage and to permit billing usage and royalty charges.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack R. Taub
- 👤 Michael T. Hills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/28; G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/08; G09B5/12; H04N; H04N7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and storing said information; (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information by a plurality of students; and (d) keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and storing said information; (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information by a plurality of students; and (d) keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said information comprises computer software and computer-aided instructional material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising: (a) transmitting said material to a satellite; (b) transmitting the material from said satellite to a plurality of FM stations; and (c) retransmitting the information from said FM stations on an Subsidiary Channel Authorization (SCA) band to schools.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 3 and further including: (a) assigning to each school an address; (b) including address information with each group of material transmitted; and decoding said address information at each individual school so that only schools to which said information is directed will receive access to said information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 4 comprising using both group and individual addresses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of providing access by a plurality of students includes: (a) storing said information in a main computer storage device in each school; (b) transferring information from said main computer storage device to a classroom computer storage device; and (c) transferring the information from the classroom computer storage device to each of a plurality of individual student terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 1 and further including: (a) transmitting audio and video information; (b) receiving said audio and video information at a television receiver at each school; and (c) storing said audio and video information on a video storage medium and providing access to said video storage medium by individual classrooms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 7 comprising transmitting both audio and video information and digital information related to said audio and video information so as to permit interactive viewing of said audio and video information by students.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said transmission of audio and video information includes: (a) transmitting said audio and video information to a satellite; (b) retransmitting the audio and video information from said satellite; (c) simultaneously receiving said audio and video information at a plurality of television stations; and (d) retransmitting said audio and video information to the television receivers at each of said plurality of schools.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 and further including printing selected portions of the information stored at said schools to provide textual material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 comprising continually and periodically updating material.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and means for storing said information; (c) means for subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information by a plurality of student terminals; and (d) means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and means for storing said information; (c) means for subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information by a plurality of student terminals; and (d) means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said information comprises computer software and computer-aided instructional material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said means for transmitting includes: (a) a satellite to which information is sent for retransmission, (b) a plurality of FM stations receiving signals from said satellite and retransmitting the information on an Subsidiary Channel Authorization (SCA) band to said schools.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 12 and wherein said digital information includes address information and means for decoding said address information at each individual school so that only schools to which said information is directed will receive access to said information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said means for storing comprises a main computer and main computer storage device and said means for providing access by a plurality of students includes: (a) a classroom computer, storage device and teachers console receiving information from said main computer; and (b) a plurality of individual student terminals, simultaneously receiving information from said classroom computer storage device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein each terminal has its own address whereby electronic mail may be sent to an individual student.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 12 and further including: (a) means for transmitting audio and video information; (b) means for receiving said audio and video information at a television receiver at each school; and (c) means for automatically storing said audio and video information on a video storage medium and for providing access to said video storage medium by individual classrooms without manual intervention.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 18 and further including: means for advising the central location the number of times the video information is played for royalties purposes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein said means for transmitting audio and video information includes: (a) means for transmitting said audio and video information to a satellite; (b) means for retransmitting the audio and video information from said satellite; (c) means for simultaneously receiving said audio and video information at a plurality of television stations; and (d) means for retransmitting said audio and video information to the television receivers at each of said plurality of schools.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 12 and further including means for printing selected portions of the information stored at said main computer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and storing said information at a central storage area in each school; and (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information at a plurality of individual student terminals.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of schools and storing said information at a central storage area in each school; and (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information at a plurality of individual student terminals.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 22 and further including keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein said information comprises computer software and computer-aided instructional material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 22 wherein said step of providing access at a plurality of individual student terminals includes: (a) storing said information in a main computer storage device in each school; (b) transferring information from said main computer storage device to a classroom computer storage device; and (c) transferring the information from the classroom computer storage device to each of a plurality of individual student terminals.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and storing said information in a storage area at each site; and (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information upon request by one or more user terminals.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and storing said information in a storage area at each site; and (c) subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information upon request by one or more user terminals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 26 and further including keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein said information comprises computer software.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein said step of providing access by a plurality of individual user terminals includes: (a) storing said information in a main computer storage device at each site; (b) transferring information from said main computer storage device to a further computer storage device; and (c) transferring the information from the further computer storage device to each of a plurality of individual user terminals.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of distributing information in digital form to a plurality of remote sites comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and storing said information; (c) subsequently accessing said information at said site; (d) keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of distributing information in digital form to a plurality of remote sites comprising: (a) transmitting the information from a central location; (b) simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and storing said information; (c) subsequently accessing said information at said site; (d) keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 30 wherein said information comprises computer software.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and means for storing said information; (c) means for requesting access to said information; and (d) means for responding to said means for requesting access by subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information at a plurality of terminals.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
74 words
A system for distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and means for storing said information; (c) means for requesting access to said information; and (d) means for responding to said means for requesting access by subsequently providing simultaneous access to said information at a plurality of terminals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 32 wherein said information is educational information and said terminals are individual student terminals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 33 and further including means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 32 and further including means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 32 wherein said information comprises computer software.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 33 wherein said means for storing comprises a main computer and main computer storage device and said means for providing access at a plurality of student terminals including: (a) a classroom computer, storage device and teachers console receiving information from said main computer; and (b) a plurality of individual student terminals, simultaneously receiving information from said classroom computer storage device.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and means for storing said information; (c) means for subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information at a plurality of terminals; and (d) means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for distributing information in digital form to a plurality of sites comprising: (a) means for transmitting said information from a central location; (b) means for simultaneously receiving said information at a plurality of sites and means for storing said information; (c) means for subsequently providing simultaneous access to said stored information at a plurality of terminals; and (d) means for keeping track of usage of said information and reporting back to the sender the level of usage to permit charging usage and royalty fees.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 38 wherein said information comprises computer software and computer-aided instructional material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |