Information distribution system

Claim 1

An automatic self contained interface unit for unattended control and connection of an information and retrieval system to an information receiver comprising: means for connecting a telephone line to the information receiver; means for receiving telephonic signals from the connected telephone line; means for transmitting telephonic signaling tones on the connected telephone line; means for placing the connected telephone line on hold; a controller connected to the connecting means, receiving means, transmitting means and hold means, said controller including: means for activating the controller at a predetermined time; means for transferring a predetermined set of commands to the transmitting means for transmission as signaling tones for dialing the information and retrieval means on the telephone line and, upon answer, an information data string to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection and transmission of specific information; means for interactively interpreting signals received by the receiving means; means responsive to a first signal from the interpreting means for activating the hold means; means for transferring a command to the transmitting means for transmission to the information receiver; and means responsive to a second signal from the interpreting means for deactivating the hold means thereby interconnecting the information receiver with the information and retrieval system; a broadcast receiver having a controllable station tuner; means for selecting the station to which the tuner is set; a clock for designating current date and current time; manual input means for issuing a store command; a memory; a second controller responsive to the selecting means, the clock, and the manual input means for storing in the memory data representative of the station to which the tuner is set, the current date, and the current time when a store command is issued; and means for interfacing the second controller to the controller whereby station date and time data are stored as a portion of the predetermined set of commands.

Claim 3

A method for connecting an information and retrieval system to an information receiver employing an interface unit having telephone signal receiving capability and signaling tone transmission capability, the interface unit including a system for inputting selected predetermined commands for the information and retrieval system, the input system including a broadcast receiver, said method comprising the steps of: selecting information desired from the information and retrieval system, said selecting step including the steps of: tuning the broadcast receiver to a station; activating a control input when additional information regarding the broadcast on the station is desired; storing time, date and station information; translating the time, date and station information into a predetermined set of commands; and transfer the predetermined command to the interface unit; entering commands on the input system corresponding to the information desired; entering a predetermined time for activation of the interface unit; initiating operation of the interface unit; activating the interface unit at a predetermined time; determining if the information receiver is busy; resetting the predetermined time for activation if the receiver is busy; deactivating the interface unit until the new predetermined time; dialing a predetermined number for the information and retrieval system; transmitting the predetermined set of commands to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection of information to be retrieved; receiving an activation cue from the information and retrieval system; placing the telephone line on hold; ringing the information receiver; receiving a confirmation tone from the information receiver; and taking the telephone line off hold to allow communication between the information retrieval system and the information receiver.

Claim 4

A method for connecting an information and retrieval system to an information receiver employing an interface unit having telephone signal receiving capability and signaling tone transmission capability, the interface unit including a system for inputting selected predetermined commands for the information and retrieval system, the input system including a broadcast receiver, said method comprising the steps of: selecting information desired from the information and retrieval system, said selecting step including the steps of: tuning the broadcast receiver to a station; activating a control input when additional information regarding the broadcast on the station is desired; storing time, date and station information; translating the time, date and station information into a predetermined set of commands; and transfer the predetermined command to the interface unit; entering commands on the input system corresponding to the information desired; entering a predetermined time for activation of the interface unit; initiating operation of the interface unit; activating the interface unit at a predetermined time; determining if the information receiver is busy; resetting the predetermined time for activation if the receiver is busy; deactivating the interface unit until the new predetermined time; dialing a predetermined number for the information and retrieval system; transmitting the predetermined set of commands to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection of information to be retrieved; receiving an activation cue from the information and retrieval system; placing the telephone line on hold; ringing the information receiver; receiving a confirmation tone from the information receiver; and taking the telephone line off hold to allow communication between the information retrieval system and the information receiver.