Method of and means for accessing computerized data bases utilizing a touch-tone telephone instrument
US4649563A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S379/913
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A conventional Touch-Tone telephone instrument is rendered functional in the same manner and to the same extent as a computer terminal having alpha-numeric capability, as regards transmission of queries directed to computerized data bases. It is also rendered functional as a recipient of information transmitted from the data base through a telephone network to provide intelligence heretofore made available only on the video screen of the computer terminal, or through automatic printers. Disclosed is the substitution of the instrument for a computer terminal and its associated video screen or teleprinter, without requirement of modification of the instrument, so that a subscriber gains from the use of the telephone functions heretofore obtainable only by providing oneself with a computer terminal and its associated screen and/or automatic printer. The user spells out one or more words by depressing the conventional, alpha-numerically marked keys of a Touch-Tone telephone instrument. A computer to which the telephone is connected by a telephone network decodes the numeric sequence represented by depressing keys needed to spell out the selected word or words. The computer then provide…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.