United States Patent [19]
`Bullock et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US005351186A
`5,351,186
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`[75]
`
`[54] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`INFORMATION CONCERNING A PRODUCT
`ORA SERVICE
`Inventors: Wayne J. Bullock, Paoli; Kenneth S.
`Fertner, Richboro; Eugene Klein,
`Philadelphia, all of Pa.
`[73] Assignee: Bulleck Communications, Inc.,
`Malvern, Pa.
`[21] Appl. No.: 642,257
`Jan. 16, 1991
`[22] Filed:
`[51] Int. a.s .............................................. G06F 15/21
`[52] U.S. a ..................................... 364/401; 364/400;
`371/62; 371/63; 371/64; 371/65
`[58] Field of Search .................. 364/401, 400; 371/62,
`371/63, 64, 65, 66;235/375
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,304,416 2/1967 Wolf ...................................... 235/92
`4,002,886 1/1977 Sundelin ........................ 235/61.7 R
`4,500,880 2/1985 Gomersall et al. ............ 340/825.35
`4,645,036 2/1987 Nestler .................................. 186/55
`4,674,041 6/1987 Lemon et al ........................ 364/401
`4,766,295 8/1988 Davis et al. .. ....................... 235/383
`4,825,045 4/1989 Humble ............................... 235/383
`
`[56]
`
`4,833,308 5/1989 Humble ............................... 235/383
`4,905,094 2/1990 Pocock et al ....................... 358/342
`4,973,952 11/1990 Malec et al .................... 340/825.35
`
`Primary Examiner-Roy N. Envall, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner-Ari M. Bai
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Panitch Schwarze Jacobs &
`Nadel
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A system and method for obtaining information con(cid:173)
`cerning a product or service to a user which includes a
`remotely located source of computer-based information
`for generating and transmitting encoded data, including
`encoded audio data, pertaining to a plurality of prod(cid:173)
`ucts or services. An on-site computer in communication
`with the remote information source is employed for
`receiving and storing the data from the remote informa(cid:173)
`tion source. The on-site computer source is in communi(cid:173)
`cation with the plurality of user units located within the
`facility, each unit being associated with a particular
`product or service. Each unit receives and stores prod(cid:173)
`uct or service data from the on-site computer, recalls
`the data and provides the data in an audible form to the
`user upon activation of the unit by the user.
`
`15 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`12 "\
`\
`
`I
`
`MODEM
`
`I
`I
`L ____ _
`1~COMU ICATIONS
`LINK
`
`SPEECH
`ENCODER
`
`CPU
`
`40
`
`____ .,.
`
`RAM
`
`28
`\
`1 -~QI
`I I
`1
`32 I I
`11 I
`ROM
`:=U I
`L_
`I
`36. =i_::-1
`,,~ENCODER
`\17
`I
`L..- - - - i - - ' 'f
`39 ..... ,.r--_L_-, I I
`l TRANSMITTERL.J
`~------~
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 1 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`r'2
`ION
`RE MOTE
`....__...;;;.C.=.;OMMUNICAT
`COMPUTER
`LINK
`
`/'4
`
`10 I
`
`Fl G. 1
`
`12'\
`\
`
`... i-16
`
`ON SITE
`COMPUTER
`
`\ r (22
`t•e
`fo
`
`USER
`UNIT
`
`USER
`UNIT
`
`I
`
`I ' I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`I I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`25
`
`SPEECH
`ENCODER
`24 _ _ _ _ _ _
`
`CPU
`
`i
`I
`
`RAM
`
`40
`
`28
`\
`_.-,c.;;;...q11
`I I
`32 I I
`11 I
`ROM
`L_L ___ =:::U I
`PRINTER 3~,!_Nco~!!.J 17 I
`38"'~-.....L_--, I I
`l TRANSMITTERL.1
`~---~_J
`
`MODEM
`
`L _ _ _
`
`I
`I
`1~COMU ICATI ONS
`LINK
`
`Fl G. 2
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 2 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`17
`52
`\~ECEIVERL-J
`
`-r:.:.:.J --54
`
`roECODER 11
`L-.-:.J44
`
`CPU
`
`56
`
`58
`
`L-MODEM
`ENCODER
`I
`so
`COMMUNICATIONS I
`TRANSMITTER
`1~LINK
`L _______ _
`FIG.3
`
`.,...18
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - I
`
`/
`
`RECEIVER ..__ _ _ _
`
`. I
`I
`
`50
`
`8
`
`84
`
`PRINTER
`
`LOWMTTERY
`INDICATOR
`
`L
`
`ROM
`
`74
`
`76
`
`SPEECH
`PROCESSOR
`
`78
`
`86
`
`USER
`CONTROLLER
`- - ~
`
`FIG.4
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`°'
`
`QC
`I-(cid:173)
`,..
`1--
`(JI
`(H
`,..
`(JI
`
`Q
`t,-1,
`
`s,
`CH
`~
`g'
`00
`
`.,::..
`\0
`\0
`t,-1,
`..........
`~
`~
`n>
`00
`
`~ a ti) a
`
`•
`00
`•
`c:::
`
`N
`
`~
`
`I
`
`FIG.7
`
`STOP
`
`LOG MENU
`
`FILES MENU
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`MENU
`
`SPOT MENU
`
`FIG.5
`
`LOG MENU
`
`FILES MENU
`
`N
`
`OPENING MENJ
`
`COMMUNk::ATIONS
`
`MENU
`
`y
`
`SPOT MENU
`
`OPENING MENU
`
`START
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 4 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.27, 1994
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`START
`.1!4-----------------------4.A
`
`DISPLAY SPOT
`LOG ON SCF£EN
`
`PRINT SPOT
`LOG OOTON PAPER
`
`>N~-----------------a-tA
`
`STOP
`
`FIG.6
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 5 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.27, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`®~~-----------®
`
`N
`
`,.N;..;.._ _ _ _ _ _ --a-\ B
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`CREATE VISUALS
`FOR SPOT
`
`SAVE THE
`SPOT
`
`N
`
`y
`REVIEWtlESSAGES
`RECEIVED
`
`RENAME A SPOT
`
`BACKUPTHE
`SPOT DATABASE
`
`BACKUP THE
`MESSAGE [).\"'8ASE
`
`N
`
`B
`
`B
`
`B
`
`B
`
`FIG. 6a
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 6 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`y
`
`BACKUP
`THE LOG
`
`FIG. 6b
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 7 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`START
`
`CREATE AUDIO
`FOR SPOT
`
`AUDITION
`SPOT AUDIO
`
`-------------------1A
`
`DISPL
`ON SCREEN
`
`N
`
`STOP
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 8 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`@~~----------®
`
`N
`
`CREATE VISU\l..S
`FOR SPOT
`
`CREATE A BACK-
`ROUND FILE
`
`SAVE THE
`SPOT
`
`SE~H
`
`s
`
`A
`
`y
`
`tflViW
`
`S GES
`RECEIVED
`
`y
`MODIFY SITE
`DATABASE
`
`RENAME
`A SPOT
`
`BACKl.P THE SPOT
`DATABASE
`
`SITE
`DATABASE
`
`N
`
`?
`
`y
`
`AGE
`ON SCREEN
`
`PRINT NESSME LOO
`OUTONB\FER
`
`B
`
`B
`
`®~---------~--®
`FIG.Sa
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 9 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`8'-----------------------.
`
`BACK Tt£tJESS(l£
`DATABASE
`
`BACKUP
`THE LOG
`
`y
`
`FIG.Sb
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 10 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 1994
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,351,186
`
`N
`
`N
`
`DECODE
`ADDRESS
`
`DECODE
`MESSAGE
`
`DISPLAY
`VISUALS
`
`START
`TURN OFF
`SYSTEM 1-..---~
`
`T~ON
`SYSTEM
`
`INCREMENT
`USER COUNT
`
`N
`
`DISPLAY
`ERROR
`-MESSAGE
`
`SPEAK
`MESSAGE
`
`y
`BLANK OUT
`DISPLAY
`
`Fl G. 9
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 11 of 16
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,351,186
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`INFORMATION CONCERNING A PRODUCT OR A
`SERVICE
`
`2
`mation to a user within a facility upon user request. The
`system includes a source of computer-based information
`at a remote location for generating an~ transmitting
`encoded data, including encoded audio data pertaining
`5 to a plurality of products and services, to a second,
`on-site computer located within the facility. The on-site
`computer receives and stores the data from the remote
`information source. The on-site computer also transmits
`the data to a plurality of user units within the facility.
`Each user unit receives and stores data concerning a
`particular product or service with which the unit is
`associated. The user unit provides audible information
`pertaining to the particular product or service upon
`activation by the user.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to a system
`and a method for obtaining information concerning a
`product or service at the product or service location
`and, more particularly, to such a system and a method 10
`which employs an existing transmission medium for the
`delivery of the information to the product or service
`location, whereby the information is delivered to a user
`by audio means.
`When a consumer is at a retail establishment, for 15
`example, and is attempting to ascertain information
`concerning a particular product for potential purchase,
`the consumer often is unable to obtain information be(cid:173)
`yond that which can be directly observed by examining
`the product. Store representatives are not always 20
`knowledgeable about the products and, often, simply
`cannot be located, resulting in the customer being un(cid:173)
`able to obtain the desired information.
`In the past, methods have been developed for display(cid:173)
`ing pricing and other information of a more general 25
`nature on shelf display tags. The most common prior art
`method involves the transmission of an optical signal
`from an electronic transmitter which includes an ad(cid:173)
`dress code, to a display tag which accepts the pricing
`information from the optical transmitter and displays 30
`the received information on the particular display tag.
`With such existing electronic pricing display systems,
`the display tag automatically displays whatever infor(cid:173)
`mation is received without any decision by the con(cid:173)
`sumer as to whether the information is desired.
`A need has developed for a system with which the
`consumer can obtain detailed audible information con(cid:173)
`cerning a product or service beyond the mere price of
`the product or service. Such a system is particularly
`desirable in retail establishments where more in-depth 40
`information concerning a potential purchase is often
`desired. For example, when a consumer is shopping for
`major purchases, such as appliances, the consumer often
`desires to have specialized information concerning the
`product, such as warranties, service requirements, etc. 45
`that the store salesman is unable to provide.
`The present invention comprises a system and a
`method for providing information concerning a product
`or service at the location of the product or service. The
`information is provided over a computer-based system 50
`in which the information may be entered in audio form
`at a first or remote location and is encoded and transmit(cid:173)
`ted to the retail establishment. The information trans(cid:173)
`mitted from the first location may be received and mod(cid:173)
`ified, if desirable, by a computer located at a second or 55
`on-site location within the facility. With the system and
`method of the present invention, all of the information
`is preferably transmitted over a standard telephone data
`line. At the receiver location, the transmitted informa(cid:173)
`tion is stored in a computer-based memory device for 60
`selective transmission to individual user activated units
`at desired locations within the facility, where the infor(cid:173)
`mation can be obtained upon activation by the con(cid:173)
`sumer as desired.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a sys(cid:173)
`tem and method for providing product or service infor-
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The foregoing summary, as well as the following
`detailed description of a presently preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention, will be better understand when
`read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For
`the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown
`in the drawings an embodiment which is presently pre(cid:173)
`ferred. It should be understood, however, that the pres(cid:173)
`ent invention is not limited to the particular arrange(cid:173)
`ment and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a general schematic block diagram of a
`system for providing product or service information to
`a user in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of
`the remote computer portion of the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of
`the on-site computer of the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of
`a user unit of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is a top level flow chart illustrating the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the on-site computer portion of the system of
`FIG.1.
`FIG. 6 (a-c) is a more detailed flow chart illustrating
`the operation of the on-site computer portion of the
`system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 7 is top level flow chart illustrating the opera(cid:173)
`tion of the remote computer portion of the system of
`FIG.1.
`FIG. 8 (a-c) is a more detailed flow chart illustrating
`the operation of the remote computer portion of the
`system of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a
`user unit of the system of FIG. 1.
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The presently preferred embodiment of the invention
`described below relates to a system and a method for
`obtaining audible information regarding a particular
`product or service at or near a location in which the
`product or service is being marketed or sold.
`In general, in the disclosed embodiment, the informa(cid:173)
`tion to eventually be provided to a user is initially
`placed in a first computer or an information source at a
`location remote from the location where the informa-
`tion is provided to the user. From the remote location,
`the information is transmitted to a second or on-site
`computer, preferably located within the same facility at
`65 which the product or service information is provided to
`the user. After the information is received by the on-site
`computer, it is stored and subsequently transmitted to
`individual user units within the facility, each user unit
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 12 of 16
`
`

`

`5,351,186
`
`3
`rece1vmg and storing information related to the one
`particular product or service with which the particular
`user unit is associated. Upon activation by of the user
`unit by a user, the stored information is converted into
`an audible form which is understandable to the user.
`Thus, with the present embodiment, a user who is
`examining a particular product or service and wishes to
`obtain additional information to assist in making a deci(cid:173)
`sion regarding purchase or use of the product or ser(cid:173)
`vice, may activate a controller at the user unit, and the 10
`information sought by the user is heard by the user at
`the same location as the product or service. The system
`thus allows the user to simultaneously examine the
`product or service, while receiving additional audible
`information regarding that particular product or ser- 15
`vice. Different types of information, such as pricing,
`warranties,
`installation
`instructions, servicing, etc.
`could be transmitted and received with the system, and
`the use of the remote computer allows the information
`to be updated or otherwise changed and the changes in 20
`the information to be provided to the user on an imme(cid:173)
`diate basis.
`Hence, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
`art that while the present description pertains to a pre(cid:173)
`ferred system and method for the transmission of data to 25
`a facility where it can be used for assisting the consumer
`in a potential purchase of a product or service, the sys(cid:173)
`tem could be employed for the transmission of informa(cid:173)
`tion other than product or service information, such as
`warranties, pricing information, advertising, or any 30
`other information which may be desirable to supply to
`a user upon user request, and where the information
`sent may be changed or modified on a regular basis. For
`example, a retail establishment may change the mer(cid:173)
`chandise at the establishment on a change of seasons, at 35
`which time information alongside the product or ser(cid:173)
`vice would become useless when the merchandise is
`changed. Similarly, pricing information may change
`due to sales, markdowns, etc. With the present system,
`the information need only be modified at the remote 40
`computer and then retransmitted to the on-site com(cid:173)
`puter for eventual transmission to the user unit at the
`product or service location. Alternatively, the informa(cid:173)
`tion may be modified at the on-site computer which
`may also generate additional information. In addition, it 45
`should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that
`such information could be transmitted utilizing different
`transmission systems, such as radio broadcast, a tele(cid:173)
`phone line, infrared transmission, etc.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the 50
`primary components of a preferred embodiment of the
`system, hereinafter referred to as the system, 10. The
`principal components of the system 10 are: a remotely
`located source of computer-based information or first
`computer 12, an on-site or second computer 16 located 55
`within a facility remote from the first computer 12, a
`plurality of user units 18 and 20 ( only two illustrated)
`located within the same facility as the on-site computer
`16, a communications link 14 between the first com(cid:173)
`puter 12 and the on-site computer 16, and a communica- 60
`tions link 22 between the on-site computer 16 and the
`user units 18 and 20.
`It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
`that the primary purpose of the remotely located com(cid:173)
`puter-based information source or first computer 12 is 65
`to generate and transmit encoded data relating to a
`plurality of particular products or services to the on-site
`computer 16 over the communications link 14. The
`
`4
`on-site computer 16 receives and stores the data from
`the first computer 12, and subsequently transmits the
`data over communications link 22 to the user units 18
`and 20, each user unit receiving data which pertains to
`5 a particular product or service with which the user unit
`is associated. The data received by each of the user units
`18, 20 is stored and when a user unit is activated by a
`user, the data is retrieved, converted into an appropriate
`form, and provided to the user, preferably in an audio
`form, or some other form which can be understood by
`the user.
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic block diagram
`illustrating the structure of the presently preferred em(cid:173)
`bodiment of the remotely located source of computer(cid:173)
`based information or first computer 12. The operation
`of the first computer 12 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8
`(a-c). The first computer 12 preferably comprises a
`commercially available computer of an AT or similar
`type, preferably containing either an 8286 or an 8386
`CPU or processor 24, with a memory module 28, in(cid:173)
`cluding a minimum of one megabyte of main or random
`access memory (RAM) 30, an input/output device 26
`including a keyboard, 80 megabytes of memory in a
`hard disk drive, at least one high density floppy disk
`drive and a VGA or other type video display device.
`Preferably, the first computer 12 also includes some
`form of non-volatile or read only memory (ROM) or
`programmable read only memory (PROM) 32, in com(cid:173)
`munication with the processor 24, either directly or
`along a standard memory bus. The read only memory
`32 includes a set of computer instructions for a program
`for controlling the operation of the first computer 12.
`The first computer 12 is also preferably equipped
`with a modem 34 to enable the encoded product or
`service data to be transmitted to the on-site computer
`16, preferably by telephone line, data line, or any other
`standard communication link 14. Alternatively, the first
`computer 12 may include an encoder 36 and a transmit(cid:173)
`ter 38, preferably a standard FM radio transmitter,
`which receives encoded data for direct radio transmis(cid:173)
`sion to the on-site computer 16.
`The first computer 12 also includes a speech encoder
`25 which is in communication with the processor 24.
`The speech encoder 25 includes a microphone or other
`direct audio input device (not shown) for receiving
`audio input signals (i.e., speech) and for converting the
`audio signals into electrical signals. A separate audio
`input (not shown) is also provided for receiving audio
`input signals which have already been converted to
`electrical signals to permit pre-recorded audio signals to
`be input to the speech encoder 25. The speech encoder
`25 receives the electrical audio signals and digitizes and
`encodes the received signals for storage at predeter(cid:173)
`mined locations within the memory of the first com(cid:173)
`puter 12.
`Finally, the first computer 12 contains a standard
`printer 40 so information generated or stored within the
`computer 12 can be recorded and saved to serve as a
`written record.
`The remotely located or first computer 12 serves as
`an operation and control center for the system 10 shown
`in FIG. 1, and is responsible for generating and supply(cid:173)
`ing information to the other parts of the system 10. The
`first computer 12 receives the information to be subse(cid:173)
`quently assembled or generated and transmitted to the
`rest of the system. The information is received by the
`speech encoder 25 and the keyboard or other input
`means 26, and upon receipt of the information the pro-
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 13 of 16
`
`

`

`5
`cessor 24 begins to perform one of several functions.
`Immediately, the received data information is placed
`into storage 30, so if there is a failure at one of the other
`system parts, the information is not lost. The processor
`26 also readies the data for transmission to the on-site 5
`computer 16 in FIG. 1. The first computer 12 may
`transmit encoded audio or speech data received from
`the speech encoder 25, either alone or in a data module,
`in combination with non-speech data such as pricing
`data. Because the audio data has been digitized, it can be 10
`manipulated and modified by the first computer 12 for
`transmission in whole or in part, in any desired order,
`and at any desired time. Preferably, the encoded audio
`data is stored in predetermined memory locations to
`facilitate recall and manipulation by the first computer 15
`12.
`In the preferred embodiment, once the data is gener(cid:173)
`ated· it is transmitted from the processor 24, through a
`modem 34 connected with a communications link 14,
`usually a telephone line, to the on-site computer 16. 20
`Alternatively, the information may be encoded and
`transmitted to the on-site computer 16 by the transmit(cid:173)
`ter 38.
`FIG. 3 is a more detailed functional schematic block
`diagram illustrating the structure of the on-site com- 25
`puter 16. The operation of the on-site computer is
`shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (a-c). The on-site computer
`16 shown in FIG. 3 is preferably a personal computer
`such as an IBM Model XT which includes a CPU or
`processor 44, a memory module 46 including both ran- 30
`dom access memory (RAM) 48, and some form of non(cid:173)
`volatile or read only memory (ROM) or programmable
`read only memory (PROM) 50, both of which are in
`communication with the processor 44, either directly or
`along a standard memory bus. The on-site computer 16 35
`further includes an input/output device 42 including a
`keyboard, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive and video
`display device, and a modem 56 communicating with
`communications link 14 for receiving data from the first
`computer 12 in the preferred embodiment over a tele- 40
`phone line. In an alternative embodiment, the on-site
`computer 16 also has a receiver, preferably an FM re(cid:173)
`ceiver 52 for receiving information generated by the
`first computer 12 and a decoder 54. As a third alterna(cid:173)
`tive, information from the remote computer 12 may be 45
`transferred or transmitted to the on-site computer 16 via
`one or more floppy disks (not shown). The on-site com(cid:173)
`puter 16 also includes a printer 62 for providing a hard
`copy of the stored data.
`After processing, the received data may be placed 50
`into the RAM storage 48, the ROM storage 50, on the
`hard disk or onto a floppy disk (not shown). When the
`data is to be transmitted to the user units 18, 20 in the
`preferred embodiment, the data is retrieved from stor(cid:173)
`age by the processor 44 and is sent to an encoder 58. 55
`Preferably the processor 44 or the encoder 58 adds an
`address to the data to facilitate transmission of the data
`to the particular user unit to which the data pertains.
`The data is encoded into a form suitable for transmis(cid:173)
`sion and is sent to a transmitter 60. Transmitter 60 in the 60
`preferred embodiment, is a low-power FM radio trans(cid:173)
`mitter with a limited range. Alternatively, the data may
`be transmitted to the user units 18, 20 by a low-power
`infrared transmission system or any other type of wire-
`less, limited range communication system.
`The advantage of having an on-site computer 16 is
`that it may be desired to check and/or modify or other(cid:173)
`wise arrange the data received from the remotely lo-
`
`65
`
`5,351,186
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`6
`cated first computer 12 utilizing the input/output de(cid:173)
`vice 42. In this manner, the on-site manager is given
`flexibility with respect to the information provided to a
`user. While, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the
`data input means is shown, it should be appreciated by
`those skilled in the art that the data input functions
`could be performed in several different ways. A com(cid:173)
`plete description of the structure and the operation of
`the input/output 42 is not necessary for an understand(cid:173)
`ing of the present invention.
`The on-site computer 16 receives all of the data per(cid:173)
`taining to all of the particular products or services from
`the computer 12. In the preferred embodiment, the
`information is received through the communications
`link 14 and modem 56 in order to make the received
`data compatible for the processor 44. After the proces(cid:173)
`sor 44 receives the information, it places the data into
`predetermined storage locations within either the RAM
`48 or the hard disk. When the particular data pertaining
`to a particular product or service is to be sent to a user
`unit in the preferred embodiment, it is recalled from
`storage by the processor 44 which subsequently sends
`the recalled data to the encoder 58 which provides an
`address to the data so when the data is sent to the user
`unit, it reaches the user unit associated with the particu(cid:173)
`lar data. Upon leaving the encoder 58, the information
`is sent to the transmitter 60, from which the information
`is transmitted to the user units.
`One of the user units 18, as indicated in FIG. 1, is
`shown in FIG. 4 in a more detailed functional schematic
`block diagram illustrating the structure of the preferred
`embodiment. The operation of a user unit 18 is shown in
`FIG. 9. The user unit 18 is representative of the user
`units placed at each product or service location within
`the facility and for which information is to be made
`available to a user. The user unit 18 is activated by the
`user with the user controller 86, which may be a push
`button switch, proximity switch or any other similar
`device adapted to either close or open a circuit for
`activation of the user unit 18.
`The user unit 18 includes a receiver 64 for receiving
`the data transmitted from the on-site computer 16
`shown in FIG. 3. In the presently preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the receiver 64 is a standard FM radio receiver
`for receiving the transmission from the low-power FM
`radio transmitter 60. Receivers of this type are commer(cid:173)
`cially available from numerous manufacturers. Com(cid:173)
`plete details of the structure and operation of the re(cid:173)
`ceiver 64 are not necessary for an understanding of the
`present invention.
`Additionally, the user unit 18 contains a microproces(cid:173)
`sor 68, and a memory module 70 containing both ran(cid:173)
`dom access memory (RAM) 72 and some form of non(cid:173)
`volatile or read only memory (ROM) or programmable
`read only memory (PROM) 74. In the presently pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment, the ROM memory 74 holds the
`computer program which is employed to control the
`operation of the processor 68. Both types of memory
`are in communication with the processor 68, either
`directly or along a standard memory bus.
`The microprocessor 68 is also in communication with
`both a battery unit or battery 80, which supplies power
`to the user unit 18, and a low battery indicator 82,
`which may be in the form of an indicator light, audio
`signal or the like. The microprocessor 68 periodically
`tests the battery 80 and activates the low battery indica(cid:173)
`tor 82 for indicating when the power level in the battery
`falls below a predetermined minimum power level.
`
`Ex.1050
`APPLE INC. / Page 14 of 16
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`5,351,186
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`5
`
`7
`Both the battery 80 and the low-battery indicator 82 are
`commercially available from numerous manufacturers,
`and details of the structure and operation of the battery
`80 and low battery indicator 82 are not necessary for an
`understanding of the present invention.
`The output of the microprocessor 68 in the preferred
`embodiment is also applied to a speech processor 76 for
`taking the digital output (encoded audio data) of the
`microprocessor 68 and converting it into an audio
`speech form. The processor 76 outputs the converted 10
`data into a speaker 78 for broadcasting the converted
`data into an audible form understandable by the user.
`Alternatively, a portion of the data from the micro(cid:173)
`processor 68 can be sent to a printer 84, from which the
`user can obtain a visual copy of the product or service 15
`information. As a further alternative, a portion of the
`data from the microprocessor can be sent to a display
`device such as a liquid crystal display 88 for display of
`some of the data to the user. The present invention also 20
`contemplates any combination of audio, visual and
`printed information being provided to the user.
`Product or service information is transmitted in the
`form of audio and other encoded data to the user unit 18
`from the on-site computer 16 depicted. The user unit 18 25
`receives the data through the receiver 64 which sends
`the received data to the decoder 66. In the preferred
`embodiment, the microprocessor 68 recognizes the ad(cid:173)
`dress portion of the encoded data and compares it to a
`predetermined internal address data code associated 30
`with each particular user unit 18, so only data pertaining
`to the particular product or service associated with the
`particular user unit is stored in the RAM 72. The data
`remains in storage until it is recalled by the processor
`68, or until it is replaced by more up-to-date data re- 35
`ceived from the on-site computer 16.
`Upon activation of the user unit 18 by the user
`through the use of the user controller 86, the processor
`68 responds and retrieves the stored data from RAM 72.
`Upon the recalling of the data, the processor 68 in the 40
`presently preferred embodiment sends the recalled data
`to the speech processor 76 which converts it into an
`audio form for broadcast by the speaker 78.
`Since the user unit 18 is only activated upon user
`request through the user controller 86, it is not desirable 45
`for the unit 18 to be a full power all the time. Keeping
`the user unit 18 at full power results in the continuous
`replacing of the battery 80 which causes unit down time
`serving only to aggravate the user. To remedy this
`problem, the low battery indicator 84 is in communica- 50
`tion with the microprocessor 68 which monitors the
`battery 80 and signals to the low battery indicator 82
`when the level of the battery 80 falls below a predeter-
`mined minimum power level.
`From the foregoing description, it can be seen that
`the present invention comprises a system and method
`for obtaining information concerning a product or ser(cid:173)
`vice at the location of the product or service. It will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and 60
`modifications may be made to the above-described em(cid:173)
`bodiment without departing from the inventive concept
`thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the present
`invention is not limited to the particular embodiment
`disclosed, but is intended to include all modifications 65
`and changes which are within the scope and spirit of the
`invention as defined by the appended claims.
`We claim:
`
`55
`
`8
`1. A system for providing product or service informa(cid:173)
`tion to a user within a facility upon an affirmative re(cid:173)
`quest by the user comprising in combination:
`a remotely located source of computer-based infor(cid:173)
`mation for generating and transmitting encoded
`data, including encoded audio data, pertaining to a
`plurality of particular products or services;
`an on-site computer within the facility and in commu(cid:173)
`nication with said remote information source for
`receiving and storing the data from said remote
`information source; and
`a plurality of user units within the facility, each unit
`being in communication with the on-site computer
`for receiving and storing data from said on-site
`computer which pertains to a single particular
`product or service, the unit being secured adjacent
`to and being exclusively associated with the single
`particular product or service, the unit adapted to
`provide audible product or service information for
`th