Patent · US Expired

Electronic book selection and delivery system

US5986690A · kind A · utility

220Cited by
118References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1994
Grant dateNov 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/426
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem performs the functions of connecting to a video distribution system, menu selecting text, storing text, and transacting through phone or cable communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewing device is used for viewing the textual material delivered. The billing and collection system perf…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.