United States Patent (19)
`Martino
`
`54) TELEPHONE/TRANSACTION ENTRY
`DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR ENTERING
`TRANSACTION DATA INTO DATABASES
`
`75 Inventor: Rocco L. Martino, Villanova, Pa.
`73 Assignee: CyberFone Technologies, Inc., Wayne,
`Pa.
`
`*
`
`Notice:
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`USOO5987103A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,987,103
`*Nov. 16, 1999
`
`5,351,076 9/1994 Hata et al. ................................ 348/14
`5,365,577 11/1994 Davis et al. ...
`... 379/96
`5,416,831
`5/1995 Chewning et al. ....................... 379/96
`5,572,421 11/1996 Altman et al. .......................... 395/203
`5,802,526 9/1998 Fawett et al. ........................... 707/104
`
`Primary Examiner-Curtis A. Kuntz
`ASSistant Examiner Melur Ramakrisnaah
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Woodcock, Washburn Kurtz
`Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
`
`57
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/909,408
`1-1.
`22 Filed:
`Aug. 11, 1997
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`63 Continuation of application No. 08/446,546, May 19, 1995,
`Pat. No. 5,805,676.
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................................... H04M 11/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ..................................... 379/93.17; 379/93.25;
`379/93.01
`58 Field of Search .............................. 379.9317,9325,
`379/93.01, 88.18: 395/200.31, 200.33; 364/400;
`348/13, 14; 381/110
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`
`A data transaction processing System in which transaction
`data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a
`template which is tailored to each user application. The
`template and entered data are accumulated into data trans
`actions which are immediately transmitted upon completion
`to an external database Server for processing and Storage.
`The data transactions are not locally Stored for processing,
`and no conventional operating System is necessary. No local
`processing needs to be provided, and the only local Storage
`is a flash PROM which stored the control firmware, a flash
`memory which Stores the data Streams making up the forms
`and menus, and a Small RAM which operates as an input/
`output transaction buffer for Storing the data Streams of the
`template and the user replies to the prompts during assembly
`of a data transaction. The data transaction is received via
`Standard protocols at a database Server which, depending
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`upon the application, stores the entire data transaction,
`4.591,662 5/1986 Legros et al. ......................... 1702 pp
`explodes the data transaction to produce ancillary records
`4,598,171
`7/1986 Hanscom et al. .
`... 381/110
`which are then Stored, and/or forwards the data transaction
`4,689,478 8/1987 Hale et al. ................................ 379/96
`or Some or all of the ancillary records to other database
`4,779,016 10/1988 Hansen ..............
`... 381/110
`servers for updating other databases associated with those
`4,835,372 5/1989 Gombrich et al............ 37993
`SC s
`RET."- - - - -
`r 3.8 database SCWCS. Also, in response to requests from the
`4,860,342 8/1989 Danner ...................................... 379/96
`transactOn entry device, the database server may return data
`4,972,462 11/1990 Shibata ...................................... 379/89
`Streams for use in completing the fields in the data transac
`4,984,155
`1/1991 Geier et al. ...
`... 364/401
`tion or in presenting a menu on the display which was read
`4,991,199 2/1991 Perekh et al. ............................. 379/97
`in from the database Server or a remote phone mail System.
`5,008,927 4/1991 Weiss et al. .............................. 379/98
`The transaction entry device is integrated with a telephone
`5,189.632 2/1993 Paajanen et al. .....
`... 364/705.05
`and is accessed via a touch Screen, an optional keyboard, a
`s: 3.0 tgrger et al. ................. 32. magnetic card reader, voice entry, a modem, and the like.
`5,301,105
`4/1994 Cummings, Jr. ..
`... 364/401
`5,333,266
`7/1994 Boaz et al. ................................ 379/89
`
`53 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`28
`
`30
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`Transaction A
`(Form A
`
`Files 10-113
`
`data Base
`11
`
`Transaction B
`Forms
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`Transaction A
`redundant
`
`38
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`Page 1 of 29
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 1 of 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 2 of 12
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`FIG.2
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`42
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`46
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`Data Transaction Form A
`Transaction type length, etc
`Prompt 1: Field 1
`Prompt 2: Field 2
`Prompt 3: Field 3
`Prompt 4: Field 4
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`Prompt 5: Field 5
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`Pronot 6: Field 6
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`Prompt 7: Field 7
`Prompt 8: Field 8
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`50
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`5,987,103
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`FIG.4
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`Transaction A
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`Page 9 of 29
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 10 of 12
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`5,987,103
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 16, 1999
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`5,987,103
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`1
`TELEPHONE/TRANSACTION ENTRY
`DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR ENTERING
`TRANSACTION DATA INTO DATABASES
`
`5,987,103
`
`15
`
`2
`decrease the cost of Such a device. However, to date, this has
`not been possible because the operating System is needed to
`run the application programs which control the data com
`munications and together handle discrete parts of the Sys
`tem. Unfortunately, Such application programs require Sub
`Stantial amounts of local memory and Substantial processing
`power for performing the desired functions. Also, the oper
`ating Systems themselves tend to be quite costly to purchase
`and maintain.
`Accordingly, a data entry System is desired which does
`not have the inherent limitations of conventional point-of
`entry Systems Such as the requirement of a Standard oper
`ating System for communication with a remote Service
`bureau or file Server. A data entry device and associated
`System is desired which performs a minimal amount of
`processing at the data entry device So that the data entry
`device may be as Simple and inexpensive as possible,
`thereby bringing the cost of Such a device into a range
`Suitable for most commercial and private uses. It is also
`preferable that Such a data entry device provide a wide range
`of functionality without requiring a local operating System
`program and a plurality of applications programs for imple
`menting each function. The present invention has been
`designed to meet these needs.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The system which meets the above-mentioned needs in
`the art includes a transaction entry device that permits the
`user to organize and control all aspects of his or her personal
`transactions as well as any transactions that may occur in an
`office Setting. In its simplest terms, the transaction entry
`device formats input data into a data transaction having
`content which is dependent upon the type of application to
`which the associated data pertains. These data transactions
`are then transferred to a local or remote database Server
`which "explodes' each data transaction into its component
`parts for updating all databases containing data to which the
`data in the component parts pertain. In this “transaction
`entry mode” the transaction entry device of the invention
`functions as a multi-purpose workStation. However, Since
`the data transactions are created without the use of an
`operating System or application programs, the transaction
`entry device is quite simple and inexpensive and may be
`readily integrated with the customer's desktop telephone or
`portable telephone.
`The present invention combines computer technology and
`telephone technology to allow transaction data to be cap
`tured at the point of initiation of the transaction. The
`transaction entry device is integrated into a conventional
`telephone which acts as either a normal telephone in a
`telephone mode or as a transaction entry device in a trans
`action entry mode. When in telephone mode, the telephone
`operates in a conventional manner. However, when in trans
`action entry mode, the transaction entry device is driven by
`a microprocessor which is, in turn, driven by an operating
`System independent transaction assembly (or application)
`server (TAS) comprised of data streams stored in a flash
`PROM. The TAS is absolutely self-contained in its relation
`ship to the hardware of the transaction entry device and in
`general performs the two basic functions of (1) generating a
`template or form from a data stream and (2) developing a
`data transaction as the user inputs data in response to
`prompts in the template or form. The template is a Series of
`data Streams read from a local flash memory or transmitted
`directly from an external Source Such as a database file
`SCWC.
`During operation, the data entered by the user in response
`to prompts in the template are accumulated into data trans
`
`25
`
`This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 08/446,
`546, filed May 19, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,676 the
`disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a System for automati
`cally capturing data at the point of transaction and Storing
`that data in the appropriate database(s), and more
`particularly, to a data transaction processing System includ
`ing a transaction entry device which can Selectively operate
`in a telephone mode and a transaction entry mode. In the
`telephone mode, the transaction entry device operates as a
`conventional telephone. However, in the transaction entry
`mode, menus are used to navigate the user to forms which
`facilitate the entry of data. The entered data and forms
`together form data transactions which are transmitted to one
`or more databases for processing and Storage. The database
`(S) also “explodes' the data transactions into their compo
`nent parts and transmits those component parts to Still other
`databases for processing and Storage So that the data in the
`data transactions automatically updates all current database
`items affected by Such data.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`The telephone has become an increasingly versatile
`instrument. The functionality of telephones has been
`expanded by incorporating the functions of answering
`machines, facsimile machines, and the like. Point-of-entry
`Systems have also been developed which incorporate com
`puter processing capabilities into conventional telephones.
`35
`For example, a computer/telephone apparatus is described in
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,195,130, 5,008,927, and 4,991,199 which
`configures a telephone as a programmable microcomputer
`which is operated through the Standard telephone 12-key
`keypad. A programmable gate array is reconfigured to
`accommodate various types of Software which require dif
`ferent hardware configurations but without actually recon
`figuring the hardware. The reconfiguration data is received
`from a network host computer and is used by the program
`mable microcomputer to emulate the hardware of any of a
`plurality of Service bureaus which communicate with the
`network host computer. In this manner, the telephone/
`computer is configured to communicate data to/from any of
`a number of different service bureaus via conventional
`telephone lines.
`However, telephone/computer Systems of the type
`described in the afore-mentioned patents are typically quite
`complicated and expensive and are limited by the types of
`operating Software which can be downloaded from the
`network host computer. Also, Such telephone/computer Sys
`tems are relatively slow Since the microcomputer must be
`reconfigured before it will permit communication with the
`requested Service bureau. Because of these characteristic
`features, Such telephone/computer Systems are typically
`used in public locations and are not efficient for creating
`point-of-entry transactions in typical commercial or private
`Settings. A point-of-entry transaction System is desired
`which does not have Such limitations and which is operating
`System independent.
`Elimination of the requirement of a conventional operat
`ing System and the associated application programs for the
`microcomputer of a data entry device would greatly
`
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`3
`actions which are immediately transmitted to an external
`database Server. Unlike typical prior art Systems, the data
`transactions are not locally Stored for processing by the local
`microprocessor once the data transaction has been com
`pleted. On the contrary, the only required Storage in the
`transaction entry device is a flash PROM for storing the TAS
`firmware, a flash memory for Storing the data Streams used
`by the TAS firmware to complete a form and the modem
`numbers for the remote database servers, and a small RAM
`which operates as an input/output transaction buffer for
`Storing the data Streams of the template and the user replies
`to the prompts in the template during assembly of a data
`transaction. The transaction buffer(s) only needs to be as
`large as the largest data transaction Since it only Stores the
`form until the entire data transaction is completed. In this
`Sense, the transaction entry device Serves as an assembly
`point for Specific transactions until they are ready for
`transmission to an external database Server for processing
`and Storage.
`The data transaction formed by the transaction entry
`device is transmitted via modem to a local or remote
`database Server for processing and Storage. The data trans
`action is received via Standard protocols at the database
`Server which, depending upon the application, Stores the
`entire data transaction, explodes the data transaction to
`produce ancillary records which are then Stored, and/or
`forwards the data transaction or Some or all of the ancillary
`records to other database Servers for updating other data
`bases associated with those database Servers. Also, in
`response to requests from the transaction entry device, any
`of the database Servers may send data Streams back to the
`transaction entry device for use in completing the fields in
`the data transaction or in displaying new forms or menus for
`Selection.
`Thus, the data transaction System of the invention com
`35
`prises at least three tiers: a first tier for capturing the data
`transaction from the user, where the data transaction has a
`one-to-many relationship to file Structures, a Second tier for
`exploding the data transaction into its component parts on a
`System-Specific basis So that each component part has a
`one-to-one correspondence with a file; and a third tier for
`providing additional explosions of the data transactions on
`an application-specific basis So that each application has its
`own Set of data transactions.
`A preferred embodiment of the transaction entry device of
`the invention resembles a conventional telephone except that
`it includes a touch Screen and an optional keyboard for data
`entry in addition to the conventional numeric and function
`keypad inputs. A telephone handset or headset is optional
`and may be replaced by a microphone and Speaker. The
`transaction entry device of the invention also includes
`RS-232 and other input/output ports for accommodating
`other options Such as a wireless (RF) receiver, a magnetic
`card and/or Smart card reader, a Video camera and Video
`display, infrared controllers, and the like. The telephone
`preferably has normal touch-tone functions as well as
`mobile and cellular options.
`Preferably, the transaction entry device contains a micro
`processor Such as an Intel 80386SX or higher, one megabyte
`of flash memory for dynamically Storing the data Streams for
`the templates, one megabyte of flash PROM for storing the
`TAS firmware, and a 128 kB RAM which functions as a
`transaction buffer for Storing the data Streams of the tem
`plates and the user responses until completion of the data
`transaction. A graphics display Screen is also provided for
`displaying the templates to the user for the entry of the data
`which will form the data transactions. Preferably, the graph
`
`4
`ics display Screen is on the order of 24 lines by 40 characters
`for a desktop unit and 12 lines by 40 characters for a cellular
`unit.
`The transaction assembly (application) server (TAS)
`guides the user to the desired template via menu Selections,
`where the menus and templates are Stored in flash memory
`as data streams and are called up by the TAS firmware when
`Selected by the user. Generally, the menus are treated as a
`Special type of template or form. The templates Stored in the
`flash memory may be updated at any time to handle par
`ticular applications by reading in a new data Set which has
`been created off-line and downloaded via modem or direct
`connection to the flash memory of the transaction entry
`device. Alternatively, the data may be downloaded to an
`RS-232 input. The same connections may be used to provide
`an automatic read from a remote database or an automatic
`write to a remote database. New applications may be added
`Simply by adding additional flash memory elements con
`taining the necessary templates for the new application.
`The telephone/transaction entry device and the SSociated
`System for Storing transaction data in accordance ith the
`invention is unique in that it separates the user from the
`database and provides a simple, user friendly way to enter
`transaction data without requiring a local operating System
`to run various application programs. Since all data is entered
`as data transactions determined by templates tailored to
`particular applications, the user applications may be gener
`alized So that no unique user application programs need to
`be written when a new application is added. However, if
`code is needed, or if a multimedia element is to be included
`in a data transaction, it can be appended to a data transaction
`as an additional parameter Stream in the Stream of data
`forming the data transaction. Also, Since the nature of the
`data in the respective fields of the templates for particular
`applications is known in advance, the interface to a database
`Server to permit Storage of the data transactions and their
`component parts in the appropriate databases in the appro
`priate formats for each database becomes trivial.
`In an alternative implementation of the invention, a pro
`ceSS may be Selected from the menu of the transaction entry
`device which creates a “visible' menu corresponding to a
`Voice mail menu of a remote phone mail System. When Such
`a proceSS is Selected, the telephone or modem interface
`makes a telephone connection to the remote phone mail
`System, and, once the connection is made, the data transac
`tion assembler Sends a data request for a visual representa
`tion of the phone mail menu of the remote phone mail
`System via the telephone connection to the remote phone
`mail System. A data Stream containing the Visual represen
`tation of the phone mail menu from the remote phone mail
`System is then returned via the telephone connection and
`Stored in a memory of the transaction entry device for
`presentation to the display Screen of the transaction entry
`device 12. When the desired phone mail menu option is
`Selected from the “visible' voice mail menu, the data
`transaction assembler creates a data transaction indicating
`hich menu item was Selected and Sends the data transaction
`to the remote phone mail System via the telephone connec
`tion. Based on the menu Selection, the remote phone mail
`System then returns a data Stream containing a visual rep
`resentation of the next phone mail menu via the telephone
`connection for Storage and display. This proceSS is repeated
`until the calling party is required to leave a message or the
`called party is reached.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The above-mentioned characteristic features of the inven
`tion will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in
`view of the following detailed description of the invention,
`of which:
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`5,987,103
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`S
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of a System for entering
`data transactions into databases in accordance with the
`invention.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a generic template for use in creating a
`data transaction in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an “exploded” data transaction in which
`the component parts of a data transaction are Stored in
`database-specific and file-specific locations.
`FIG. 4 illustrates the “exploded” transaction of FIG. 3 in
`the context of the system illustrated in FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) together illustrate a preferred embodi
`ment of a transaction entry device in accordance with the
`invention.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electronics of the
`transaction entry device illustrated in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a menu driven transaction
`assembly (application) server (TAS) in accordance with the
`invention.
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a technique for
`processing a form used to form a data transaction in accor
`dance with the invention.
`FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) together illustrate a flow diagram of
`a technique for completing and editing a data transaction in
`accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating how the TAS
`validates the fields of each data transaction.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`A System and method which meets the above-mentioned
`objects and provides other beneficial features in accordance
`with the presently preferred exemplary embodiment of the
`invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
`1-10. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
`description given herein with respect to those figures is for
`explanatory purposes only and is not intended in any way to
`limit the Scope of the invention. For example, those skilled
`in the art will appreciate that the telephone/transaction entry
`device and System for entering data transactions into remote
`databases in accordance with the invention may be used in
`numerous Settings in numerous applications. Accordingly,
`all questions regarding the Scope of the invention should be
`resolved by referring to the claims.
`A. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
`
`1. Overview
`The system of the invention provides for the automatic
`capture and computerization of data associated with data
`transactions as they occur. AS used herein, a data transaction
`is the combination of a form or template or a Series of forms
`or templates containing data entry prompts and the data
`entered in response to those prompts. Throughout the
`remainder of this specification, the words “form” and “tem
`plate” will be used interchangeably.
`The data transactions are generated by a transaction entry
`device through an interactive process between the user and
`the form. The data transaction is assembled in a transaction
`buffer in the data transaction entry device and then trans
`mitted to an external database for Storage. No local Storage
`for data transactions is available. The data transaction is
`defined externally by the database in that all applications
`consist of a Series of customized forms and prompts for
`Soliciting entry of the data needed to update the databases
`containing data related to the particular application.
`
`6
`Generally, the data transaction will have a one-to-many
`relationship to the file Structures of the database containing
`data for that application.
`The data transactions are entered using the transaction
`entry device. Preferably, the transaction entry device is
`integrated with telephone electronics So that the resulting
`device may Selectively operate as a conventional telephone
`or as a data transaction entry device. The resulting transac
`tion entry device preferably includes a touch Screen and/or
`keyboard which provides input to a transaction assembly
`(application) server (TAS) which, in turn, presents Selection
`options via menus and forms for completion by the user.
`Menu and form Selection and form completion is made by
`touch, by key Selection from the keyboard, by moving a
`cursor to the appropriate Selection point and depressing a
`key, or even by voice command. Whenever data entry (other
`than mere selection) is desired, it is accomplished via a
`menu-driven Selection process and/or by direct entry of data
`using a keyboard, a keypad, a touch Screen, and the like. In
`the menu-driven case, a Set of options is presented to the
`display screen by the TAS firmware. If this set of options
`exceeds the capacity of the display Screen, then the list is
`Scrolled up or down through the use of Scroll keys on the
`device, by Voice command, or by touch at Scroll command
`points. Once the Selection is made, the data associated with
`that Selection is automatically entered into the form from a
`local or remote database, or the data is input by the user. In
`the event of keyboard entry, the TAS firmware may present
`a keyboard at the bottom of the display screen for touch
`entry; alternately, an optional keyboard located at the base of
`the transaction entry device may be used.
`When the data is entered independently of a selection
`process, Such data also may be entered using a Swipe card if
`the data resides on the Swipe card or the data may be
`transferred into the data transaction via modem from an
`external Source. The data read from the Swipe card can be
`used to fill out a form or may be transmitted to an external
`database or computer. Data returned from the external
`database or computer via modem may also be used to fill out
`the fields in the form. AS desired, the data in a data
`transaction may also be written to a Swipe card or memory
`card and the like.
`The TAS firmware of the invention stores the options as
`well as control programs (microcode) for the processor for
`use with the templates in creating the data transactions. The
`TAS firmware also includes a program allowing connection
`via modem to one or more external computers and data
`bases. Preferably, two modes of operation are available:
`transaction entry mode (with or without modem connection)
`and telephone mode. A Selection of either the transaction
`entry mode or the telephone mode is made through a Switch
`Selection on the transaction entry device.
`When the transaction entry device is placed in the trans
`action entry mode, the TAS firmware immediately presents
`a Selection menu for all of the options the System is
`programmed to handle. In the telephone mode, on the other
`hand, a dial tone is provided and the telephone keypad is
`enabled. In telephone mode, one or more lines may be
`connected So as to allow Simultaneous use of the transaction
`entry device without interfering with the modem connection.
`However, if a single telephone line is used, the telephone
`capability is available at all times or intermittently via
`modem as Specified by the particular application. In the
`intermittent mode, upon a “Save' the transaction entry
`device will control a dial up and transfer of data to a remote
`database server. On the other hand, if the telephone is used
`with an automatic dialer mechanism utilizing a phone list,
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`7
`the transaction entry device may automatically change from
`the telephone mode to the transaction entry mode. In this
`case, a display on the telephone may be used to present a
`name and telephone list from which a Selection can be made
`in accordance with the menu Selection techniques described
`below.
`
`2. Data Transaction System (FIGS. 1-4)
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 10 for entering
`data transactions into databases in accordance with the
`invention. As illustrated, system 10 comprises a first tier for
`capturing a data transaction having a one-to-many relation
`ship to file Structures, a Second tier for exploding the data
`transaction into component parts having a one-to-one rela
`tionship to file Structures, and a third tier for providing
`additional explosion of the data transactions for Specific
`applications.
`The first tier comprises a transaction entry device 12
`which captures the data transaction from the user in response
`to any of a plurality of inputs from the user. Transaction
`entry device 12 includes conventional telephone electronics
`14 and speaker 16 and a data transaction assembler 18 for
`creating a data transaction in accordance with the invention.
`A display Screen 20 is preferably associated with data
`transaction assembler 18 So that the user may monitor
`creation of each data transaction. Telephone electronicS 14
`are connected to a telephone Switching network 22 via a
`conventional voice connection 24 over the telephone lines,
`while data transaction assembler 18 is connected via tele
`phone lines 26 to one or more database servers 28. As
`illustrated in FIG. 1, telephone lines 24 and 26 may be
`Separate lines, thereby permitting Simultaneous use of the
`telephone and data entry functions, or the telephone elec
`tronicS 14 and data transaction assembler 18 may be con
`nected to a single line as illustrated in phantom in FIG.1. Of
`course, when the telephone electronicS 14 and data transac
`tion assembler 18 are connected to a single line, a mode
`Switch will enable their mutually exclusive operation, or
`alternatively, any of a number of conventional transmission
`Schemes may