Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can deliver a stream of digital data comprising at least a first and a second audio program. If a user selects the first audio program, the receiver applies a first bit rate decompression to generate a stream of decompressed digital data. If the user selects the second audio program, the receiver applies a second bit rate decompression to generate a different stream of decompressed digital data. A digital to analog converter can be used to generate the corresponding analog signals.

Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can deliver a stream of digital data comprising at least a first and a second set of audio data. In a first time interval, a memory is used to store either the first or the second set of audio data. In a subsequent time interval, the demodulator system delivers another stream of digital data. A user can select either the stored audio data or the another stream of digital data. The selected data is converted to analog audio signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing digital data receives a first set of digital data that has a plurality of subsets of digital data. The apparatus contains memory to store the digital data. The apparatus receives a second set of digital data that has a first set of displayable data, a linkage reference and a second set of displayable data. The second set of digital data is used to indicate a presence of the linkage reference. The linkage reference is associated with one of the subsets of digital data. The apparatus determines whether there is error in the subsets of digital data. The apparatus causes a display device to display the second set of displayable data in a first way to indicate that the first linkage reference is active if there is no error and a second way to indicate that the first linkage reference is not active when there is error.

Abstract: A sending device exchanges handshake signals with a recording device prior to the delivery of voice messages. The sending and recording device are remotely connected using a data network. In one embodiment of the present invention, the data network provides different levels of quality of services (QOS). The voice message can be sent using a low QOS level that permits long delays between voice-based data packets. On the other hand, the handshaking negotiation (e.g., the status request and acknowledgment packets) is carried out using a higher QOS level that permits shorter delays. By knowing the status of the recording device before recording, a user will not waste time to record the voice message.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a sender and a plurality of processing units. The sender delivers a set of digital data, without receiving a request signal, to the plurality of processor units. The 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 a database. The database contains additional information. The associated linking reference is used by the database to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: A receiver contains a demodulator system that can derive an analog audio signal and compressed digital data from radio frequency signal. The receiver also contains a decompressor that can decompress the compressed digital data into uncompressed form. A digital to analog converter is used to convert the uncompressed digital data into another analog signal. Control logic is used to allow a user to select either the demodulated analog audio signal or the converted analog signal. The selected signal is delivered to an output device, such as a loudspeaker.

Abstract: A method for delivering computer code to a plurality of processing units is disclosed. A first set of digital data is distributed to the plurality of processing units. The first set of digital data is unencrypted and comprises a first set of computer code and an identification label. The first set of code is executable by the plurality of processing units. At least one of the processing units sends the identification label to a remote station. The remote station then encrypts a second set of computer code and delivers the encrypted code to the requesting processing unit. The requesting processing unit can decrypt the encrypted computer code.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a sender and a plurality of processing units. The sender delivers a set of digital date without receiving a request signal, to the plurality of processor units. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbols 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 a database. The database contains additional information. The associated linking reference is used by the database to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: A method for delivering computer code to a plurality of processing units is disclosed. A first set of digital data is distributed to the plurality of processing units. The first set of digital data is unencrypted and comprises a content portion and an identification label. At least one of the processing units sends the identification label to a remote station. The remote station then encrypts a second set of digital data and delivers the encrypted code to the requesting processing unit. The requesting processing unit can decrypt the encrypted second set of digital data.

Abstract: A broadcast station transmits radio frequency signals containing on-demand, main program, and index materials to a plurality of receivers. The receivers contain means for separating the index material from the other materials. The receivers contain a signal switch for selecting one of the materials. A user can decide to listen to any of these materials by pressing a button. The receivers contain control logic that can direct the signal switch to select the desired material. After the on-demand material is played, the signal switch automatically switches back to the main program material.

Abstract: Digital information is separated into two portions. The first portion is a clear portion and the second portion is encrypted. The clear portion and an identification label are distributed to a plurality of processing units. Some of the processing units send the identification label to a remote station and receive the encrypted portion. They decrypt the received encrypted portion and combine the decrypted data with the clear portion to generate a graphic image. In another embodiment, the first portion can also be encrypted at a different level of security as the second portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a plurality of processing units. The remote site contains a first set of digital data and one or more communication channel for receiving a request from the processing units. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the processing units. In one embodiment of the present invention, some of the processing units contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. In another embodiment, the communication channel is wireless. 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.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system has a broadcast channel for delivering a first set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. In one embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast channel uses a satellite to broadcast the data. In another embodiment of the invention, the bi-directional channel is a telephone system. At predetermined locations of the first set of digital data, linking references are embedded. If desired, the user can select a linking reference and send a request to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The 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, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The 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, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a central site, a transmitter and a receiving device. The central site contains a first set of digital data. The transmitter 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. In another embodiment, the transmitter transmits an alert signal indicating a transmission of the second set of digital data. 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 central site.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The 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, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.