Patent US6249809B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6249809B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated and interactive telecommunications system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-03-04
•
Granted: 2001-06-19
•
Expires: 2018-03-04
Abstract
Abstract An automated and interactive system that allows a physician, counselor, teacher, employer or trainer to produce and send information, messages and/or questions to, or to elicit responses or information from, a client, patient, employee or student. The system consists of a client database and a client program that includes for each client individual information. The database and program are operated by a central computer that has the capability to, at preselected or delayed time periods, send messages, information and/or questions to the client through the use of a variety of transmission means. The client is provided a message retrieval system having a visual indication that a message is waiting to be retrieved. The client's telecommunication system also has an automatic dialer, such as a one-button dialer, which will automatically connect the client to the central computer, to make it extremely simple for the client to communicate to the central computer via telecommunications to listen and interact with the message, information or questions. The message retrieval system may be connected through the client's telephone, television, computer or any other telecommunications system, and the message may be in an audio, video or text mode.
Inventors
- 👤 William L. Bro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M11/00; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5158; G; G16; G16H; G16H80/00; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M3/42221
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An automated and interactive informational system comprising: a) means for creating and retrieving a client database; b) means for creating and retrieving a client program that includes for each client either specific messages, information or questions; c) computer means for accessing said client database and said client program, said computer producing in sequence, a telecommunication address, a digital client validation request signal and one of either a digital message, question or information that are only sent if the client validation request signal is responded to by the client with a valid response signal; d) means for converting the digital signals produced by said computer to telecommunication signals that are sent to a client's telecommunications interface in response to the client's validation response signal; e) means for converting the telecommunication signals originating at the client's telecommunications interface, to digital signals for application and processing by said computer; f) means comprising a light ar illuminated icon associated with said client's telecommunications interface to visually indicate that a message is waiting or information is available.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An automated and interactive informational system comprising: a) means for creating and retrieving a client database; b) means for creating and retrieving a client program that includes for each client either specific messages, information or questions; c) computer means for accessing said client database and said client program, said computer producing in sequence, a telecommunication address, a digital client validation request signal and one of either a digital message, question or information that are only sent if the client validation request signal is responded to by the client with a valid response signal; d) means for converting the digital signals produced by said computer to telecommunication signals that are sent to a client's telecommunications interface in response to the client's validation response signal; e) means for converting the telecommunication signals originating at the client's telecommunications interface, to digital signals for application and processing by said computer; f) means comprising a light ar illuminated icon associated with said client's telecommunications interface to visually indicate that a message is waiting or information is available.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means associated with the client telecommunication interface to automatically access said computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 in which said means to automatically access said computer is a one-button dialer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for recording all outgoing and incoming client communications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising interactive voice response means providing selection from a menu of choices, which activate a remote host server computer to interconnect said client to either of a physician, nurse, manager or teacher who responds in live or recorded manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to access databases other than said remote computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an audio message-waiting signal in addition to the visual signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising interface means for monitoring of medical conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a smart card reader associated with said message-waiting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising processor means, associated with said message-waiting means, for storage and processing information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising automatic upload/download means for transmitting information in either direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising infrared sensor means, associated with said message-waiting means, for communication with infrared sensor devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 in which said automatic dialing means comprises a one-button dialer connected to a telephone line, television remote control device, mouse or television set-top box.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 in which said message-waiting means is a visual message on the client's television set or an E-mail message on the client's computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 in which said message-waiting means is a visual indicator on the client's telephone, one-button dialer, television remote control, television set-top box, television screen, or screen-telephone screen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising voice recognition means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising paging means to notify the client of a message waiting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for video monitoring of said client.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 in which said means to automatically access said remote computer is an icon on the personal computer, television or screen-phone screen interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to provide the visual message-waiting indicator with intelligent beeps or colors to indicate the urgency of the message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means to connect the client to a live operator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for the client to record a message.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for the client to use a wallet-sized card containing an identification number and a personal voice-mail telephone number, E-mail or web site address.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
185 words
An automated and interactive informational system comprising: a) means for creating and retrieving a client database; b) means for creating and retrieving a client program that includes for each client either specific messages, information or questions; c) computer means for accessing said client database and said client program, said computer producing in sequence, a telecommunication address, a digital client validation request signal and one of either a digital message, question or information that are only sent if the client validation request signal is responded to by the client with a valid response signal; d) means for converting the digital signals produced by said computer to telecommunication signals that are sent to a client's telecommunications interface in response to the client's validation response signal; e) means for converting the telecommunication signals originating at the client's telecommunications interface, to digital signals for application and processing by said computer; f) means comprising a light or illuminated icon associated with said client's telecommunications interface to visually indicate that a message is waiting or information is available; g) means associated with the client telecommunications interface to automatically access said computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
185 words
An automated and interactive informational system comprising: a) means for creating and retrieving a client database; b) means for creating and retrieving a client program that includes for each client either specific messages, information or questions; c) computer means for accessing said client database and said client program, said computer producing in sequence, a telecommunication address, a digital client validation request signal and one of either a digital message, question or information that are only sent if the client validation request signal is responded to by the client with a valid response signal; d) means for converting the digital signals produced by said computer to telecommunication signals that are sent to a client's telecommunications interface in response to the client's validation response signal; e) means for converting the telecommunication signals originating at the client's telecommunications interface, to digital signals for application and processing by said computer; f) means comprising a light or illuminated icon associated with said client's telecommunications interface to visually indicate that a message is waiting or information is available; g) means associated with the client telecommunications interface to automatically access said computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising means for the client to use a wallet-sized card containing an identification number and a personal voice-mail telephone number, E-mail or web site address.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 24 in which said means to automatically access said computer is a one-button dialer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising an audio message-waiting signal in addition to the visual signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 26 in which said one-button dialer is connected to a telephone line, television remote control device, mouse or television set-top box.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 24 in which said message-waiting means is a visual message on the client's television set or an E-mail message on the client's computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 24 in which said message-waiting means is a visual indicator on the client's telephone, one-button dialer, television remote control, television set-top box, television screen, or screen-telephone screen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 24 in which said means to automatically access said remote computer is an icon on the personal computer, television or screen-phone screen interface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 24 in which the client's telecommunications interface provides access to on-line magazines, services and browsers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising means to automatically download information, messages or questions, in non real-time, to a client's telecommunications system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-18 | 2004-12-18 | 2005-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-18 | 2008-12-18 | 2009-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-18 | 2012-12-18 | 2013-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |