Abstract: Apparatus provides information to a mobile user. The apparatus includes a mobile communications system having a fixed part and one or more mobile parts for communicating with the fixed part. The fixed part is adapted to receive one or more requests for user-specific information from the mobile part, and to provide the user with information relating to the or each request. Preferably the mobile user has access to permanent user-specific information and/or non-permanent user-specific information, and the mobile part is adapted to send said permanent user-specific information and/or non-permanent user-specific information to the fixed part.

Abstract: An interactive information delivery system server delivering text or other visual data to a display unit is accessed by a user by means of his own telephone, through an interface unit. The interface unit interprets key pad presses and/or voice commands, and in response to these it controls the server. This allows the expensive and vulnerable hardware (which may be a conventional PC and modem) to be positioned in a secure location, but still be usable by members of the public. As the location of the display unit (which may be a conventional PC and modem) may make audio output impractical, the interface unit may pass an audio channel from the server to the user's telephone. In response to appropriate commands from the telephone, it can also divert the call to a predefined call centre.

Abstract: An interactive information delivery system server 2, delivering text or other visual data to a display unit 3 is accessed by a user by means of his own telephone 6, through an interface unit 1.

Abstract: An audience participation system is disclosed, in which the users are invited to initiate a voting process by dialling a predetermined number using one of the conventional short code memory keys on a DECT cordless telephone 1, or specialized equipment incorporating DECT technology, are connected to a Computer/Telephony Interface (CTI) unit 4 via a wireless Private Branch Exchange (WPBX) 2. The Computer/Telephony Interface Unit can use calling line identity to identify any attempted callers who are not eligible to vote, e.g. calling from remote lines. Some remote lines may be authorised to allow votes to be contributed from authorized parties elsewhere than in the local auditorium. To vote, the users transmit DTMF tones using the keys of their telephone handsets, or speak into their handsets if voice prompts are to be used. A separate channel is provided between the Computer/Telephony Interface unit 4 and each cordless telephone or remote user.

Abstract: A navigation information system includes a communications system having a fixed part and at least one mobile part, the fixed part including data storage and a processor identifying the location of a mobile unit, generating guidance information appropriate to that location and transmitting it to the mobile unit. By locating most of the complexity with the service provider, in particular the navigation computer and geographical database, the system can be readily updated and the capital cost of the in-vehicle system, which in its simplest form may be a standard cellular telephone, can be minimized. The user makes a request for guidance information, and the system, having determined the user's present location, then transmits instructions to the user. The user's present location can be determined by a Satellite Positioning System or the like.

Abstract: A navigation information system includes a communications system having a fixed part and at least one mobile part, the fixed part including data storage and processing for identifying the location of a mobile unit, generating guidance information appropriate to that location and transmitting it to the mobile unit. By locating most of the complexity with the service provider, in particular the navigation computer and geographical database, the system can be readily updated and the capital cost of the in-vehicle system, which in its simplest form may be a standard cellular telephone, can be minimized. The user makes a request for guidance information, and the system, having determined the user's present location, then transmits instructions to the user. The user's present location can be determined by a Satellite Positioning System.