US5524141A — System and method for providing directory informa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 210 words

A system for providing directory information to users over a network and comprising: a directory service unit, said directory service unit including a memory for storing directory information and information menus and interface means for receiving requests for directory information from users and for generating an alerting signal, and a plurality of user interface units connectable through the network to said directory service unit, each of said user interface unit being associated with a telephone and a TV monitor of a user and including means for detecting an alerting signal from said directory service unit, said alerting signal indicating to said each of said user interface units the type of information to be received thereafter, and for converting information thereafter received from said directory service unit into a form for video display at the user's TV monitor, means for receiving user inputs and converting said user inputs to a string of characters, memory means for storing a character mapping table which maps said string of characters to signalling information to be received by said directory service unit and a character processor for retrieving from said memory means said signalling information mapping to said string of characters and for transmitting said signalling information to said directory service unit through the network.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 210 words

A system for providing directory information to users over a network and comprising: a directory service unit, said directory service unit including a memory for storing directory information and information menus and interface means for receiving requests for directory information from users and for generating an alerting signal, and a plurality of user interface units connectable through the network to said directory service unit, each of said user interface unit being associated with a telephone and a TV monitor of a user and including means for detecting an alerting signal from said directory service unit, said alerting signal indicating to said each of said user interface units the type of information to be received thereafter, and for converting information thereafter received from said directory service unit into a form for video display at the user's TV monitor, means for receiving user inputs and converting said user inputs to a string of characters, memory means for storing a character mapping table which maps said string of characters to signalling information to be received by said directory service unit and a character processor for retrieving from said memory means said signalling information mapping to said string of characters and for transmitting said signalling information to said directory service unit through the network.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system of claim 1, wherein each of said user interface units further includes interface means for transmitting audio signals, which include audible directory information, from said directory service unit to telephone equipment of said user and means, in the presence of said alerting signal, for transmitting signals from said directory service unit to a video input of said TV monitor of said user.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 65 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said means, for detecting said alerting signal and for converting information thereafter received into a form for display includes a format processor comprising a control processor, a plurality of storage means defining memory screens for receiving information from said control processor, and brightness generator means connected to said storage means for controlling the display at said user's TV monitor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The system of claim 1, wherein the network is a telephony network.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 4, wherein said telephony network employs the Analog Display Service Interface (ADSI) protocol.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 219 words

A method for providing video input signals for display at a user's TV monitor based on information signals received over a network, said method comprising the steps of: storing screens of information based on said information signals received over the network, wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 219 words

A method for providing video input signals for display at a user's TV monitor based on information signals received over a network, said method comprising the steps of: storing screens of information based on said information signals received over the network, wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of detecting an alerting signal prior to receiving said information signals over the network, said alerting signal indicating that the subsequent information signal is data representing video information.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of, in the absence of receipt of said alerting signal, transmitting information signals, which include audible directory information, received over the network to an audio input of the user's TV monitor.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 354 words

A system for providing information over a telephony network in the ADSI protocol to a user's TV monitor, said system comprising: a service unit including a memory for storing information, means for transmitting information signals over the telephony network to users, including audio and data signals, based on information stored in said memory, and interface means for receiving information from users and for transmitting an alerting signal to users, and a plurality of user interface units connectable through the telephony network to said service unit, said alerting signal indicating to said user interface unit the type of information to be received thereafter, each of said interface units being associated with a TV monitor of a user and including means for detecting said alerting signal from said service unit and means for converting said data signals received from said service unit and preceded by said alerting signal into video input signals for a user's TV monitor, said converting means including means for storing screens of information based on said information signals wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, means for comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, means for generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and means for controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 354 words

A system for providing information over a telephony network in the ADSI protocol to a user's TV monitor, said system comprising: a service unit including a memory for storing information, means for transmitting information signals over the telephony network to users, including audio and data signals, based on information stored in said memory, and interface means for receiving information from users and for transmitting an alerting signal to users, and a plurality of user interface units connectable through the telephony network to said service unit, said alerting signal indicating to said user interface unit the type of information to be received thereafter, each of said interface units being associated with a TV monitor of a user and including means for detecting said alerting signal from said service unit and means for converting said data signals received from said service unit and preceded by said alerting signal into video input signals for a user's TV monitor, said converting means including means for storing screens of information based on said information signals wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, means for comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, means for generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and means for controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 9 further comprising means for detecting an alerting signal and, absent the detection of said alerted signal, for handling information signals subsequently received over the telephone network as including audible directory information.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 223 words

An arrangement for converting data signals received from a directory service unit over a network into video signals for a user's TV monitor, comprising: means for storing screens of information based on said information signals received over the network, wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, means for comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, means for generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and means for controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 223 words

An arrangement for converting data signals received from a directory service unit over a network into video signals for a user's TV monitor, comprising: means for storing screens of information based on said information signals received over the network, wherein a first set of information signals forms a first screen of information, a second set of information signals forms a second screen of information and an Nth set of information signals forms an Nth screen of information, wherein N is an integer, and wherein each of said screens of information is characterized by a matrix of blocks, each of said blocks having an associated bit in an "ON" or "OFF" state, means for comparing the states of bits of corresponding blocks of said first through said Nth screens, means for generating brightness information including a "HIGH" state or a "DIM" state, for each of said corresponding blocks of said screens by assigning a "HIGH" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step meets a set of predetermined comparison requirements and by assigning a "DIM" state to said corresponding blocks wherein results of said comparing step do not meet said set of predetermined comparison requirements, and means for controlling a video drive circuit based on said brightness information to produce the video input signals for display at the user's TV monitor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-06-04	1999-12-04	2000-06-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-06-04	2003-12-04	2004-06-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-06-04	2007-12-04	2008-06-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method for providing directory information over a telephony network using ADSI

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