Information distribution and processing system
An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a receiving apparatus. The remote site contains a first set of digital data. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site. The associated linking reference is used by the remote site to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.
1. An information distribution system for distributing information to a plurality of receiving devices in a plurality of locations, at least one of said receiving devices being connected to a display, said system comprising:
a first remote site containing at least a first set of digital data;
a second remote site containing at least a second set of digital data;
said first remote site adapted to transmit a signal encoded with at least said first set of digital data to said at least one of said receiving devices, said first set of digital data comprising:
a first set of displayable data and a second set of displayable data adapted to appear on said display, said second set of displayable data having an appearance on said display distinct from the appearance of said first set of displayable data on said display for facilitating a user to select said second set of displayable data;
indicating data for distinguishing the appearance of said second set of displayable data from the appearance of said first set of displayable data, said indicating data not being displayed to the user; and
at least a first linkage reference, said first linkage reference being associated with said second set of displayable data and at least one portion of said second set of digital data, said first linkage reference not being displayed to the user;
said at least one of said receiving devices being configured to transmit said first linkage reference to said second remote site upon the user's selection of said second set of displayable data on said display.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data includes multimedia data.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data includes video data.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears highlighted on said display.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears on said display in a different color than said first set of displayable data.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said receiving devices is adapted to cause said at least one portion of said second set of digital data to be displayed on said display.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said indicating data includes data for indicating a presence of said first linkage reference, said data for indicating the presence of said first linkage reference not being displayed to the user.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second remote site includes a third set of digital data and said second set of digital data includes at least a second linkage reference associated with said third set of digital data.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data is encrypted.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second set of digital data is encrypted.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second remote sites is in wireless communication with said at least one of said receiving devices.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second remote sites is in wired communication with said at least one of said receiving devices.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second set of digital data is stored in a database located at said second remote site.
14. An information distribution system for distributing information to a plurality of receiving devices in a plurality of locations, at least one of said receiving devices being connected to a display, said system comprising:
a first remote site containing at least a first set of digital data;
a second remote site containing at least a second set of digital data;
said first remote site adapted to transmit a signal encoded with at least said first set of digital data to said at least one of said receiving devices, said first set of digital data comprising:
a first set of displayable data and a second set of displayable data adapted to appear on said display, said second set of displayable data having an appearance on said display distinct from the appearance of said first set of displayable data on said display for facilitating a user to select said second set of displayable data;
indicating data for distinguishing the appearance of said second set of displayable data from the appearance of said first set of displayable data; and
at least a first linkage reference, said first linkage reference being associated with said second set of displayable data and at least one portion of said second set of digital data;
said at least one of said receiving devices being configured to transmit
said first linkage reference to said second remote site upon the user's selection of said second set of displayable data on said display.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein said first set of digital data includes multimedia data.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein said first set of digital data includes video data.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears on said display in a different color than said first set of displayable data.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one of said first and second remote sites is in wireless communication with said at least one of said receiving devices.