Apparatus and method for communicating textual and image information between a host computer and a remote display terminal
US5235680A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2201/0015
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for storing, retrieving displaying, printing and otherwise manipulating color images stored in a central "host" computer from a realtor's remote data terminal includes a host computer which stores and maintains a database containing listings of real estate properties on the market. The host computer also optionally can store image information relating to specific properties. Images can be loaded from remote terminals over telephone lines to the host system on an interactive basis. Images can then be retrieved from the host system, also on an interactive basis, for display, printing, or storage on a storage medium associated with the remote display terminals. Images may also be deleted on an interactive basis from a remote terminal. A specific communications protocol conveys image data between the host computer and remote data terminals. This protocol includes specific "time-out" limitations, CRC error checking schemes, and a specific "handshaking" signalling sequence that must be observed before the host system will permit manipulation of image files.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.