Network and communication access systems

Abstract

System for using a telephone or other such audio device to interact with various remote systems. The present invention provides systems which combine the power, flexibility, and access to information and communications of the Internet with the simplicity, reliability and wide avail ability of the existing telephone system. Using conventional phone technology, users of the systems of the invention can browse, search, store, and create information stored on, for example, the Internet in Hypertext Transport Protocol (http) format, communicate using Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) and Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) email formats, and to manage attempts by others to contact them through the telephone system. Additional devices for interacting with these systems are also described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for navigating content residing on a server using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one audible navigation signal and means for receiving at least one audible content signal;    (c) a server including a database for storing content; and    (d) processing means in communication with the database on the server and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving from the communication network the at least one audible navigation signal;  
 (ii) in accordance with the navigation signal, accessing the database for storing content on the server;  
 (iii) generating at least one audible content signal corresponding to the accessed content; and  
 (iv) transmitting over the communication network the at least one audible content signal to the receiving means of the telephone.  
   
     
     
         2 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the communication network supports the HTTP protocol.  
     
     
         3 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content is textual content.  
     
     
         4 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content is a hypertext document.  
     
     
         5 . The system of    claim 3   , wherein the generating step further comprises converting the textual content to speech.  
     
     
         6 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content further comprises hyperlinks to additional content and wherein the processing means further comprises a means which, upon receipt of a selected at least one audible navigation signal, generates at least one audible hyperlink signal corresponding to a hyperlink to additional content.  
     
     
         7 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the at least one audible navigation signal corresponds to a request to replay the content, and wherein the system comprises means for retransmitting the at least one audible content signal over the communication network to the receiving means of the telephone.  
     
     
         8 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the at least one audible navigation signal corresponds to a request to skip the content, and wherein the system comprises means for halting the transmission over the communication network of the at least one audible content signal to the receiving means of the telephone.  
     
     
         9 . The system of    claim 8   , wherein the system further comprises means for resuming the transmission over the communication network of a subsequent portion of the at least one audible content signal to the receiving means of the telephone.  
     
     
         10 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content corresponds to a plurality of user-selectable actions.  
     
     
         11 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the at least one audible navigation signal is a DTMF tone.  
     
     
         12 . The system of    claim 11   , wherein the telephone further comprises at least one key which corresponds to a selected navigation command.  
     
     
         13 . The system of    claim 12   , wherein the telephone further comprises means for generating an audible navigation signal corresponding to the presence of the at least one key.  
     
     
         14 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content on the server further comprises user designated information.  
     
     
         15 . The system of    claim 14   , wherein the system further comprises: 
 (e) a database for storing records corresponding to the user designated information; and    (f) means for retrieving a record from the database and, based upon the retrieved record, generating at least one signal corresponding to the retrieved user designated information.    
     
     
         16 . The system of    claim 14   , wherein the user designated information corresponds to the location of additional content.  
     
     
         17 . The system of    claim 14   , wherein the user designated information corresponds to the navigation commands.  
     
     
         18 . The system of    claim 14   , wherein the telephone further comprises at least one key which corresponds to a selected navigation command and the system further comprises: 
 (e) a visually perceptible display having at least one display portion associated with each of the at least one keys; and    (f) means for displaying, on the visually perceptible display, selected text and/or images corresponding to the user designated information.    
     
     
         19 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the at least one audible navigation signal is generated by a device comprising a switch in communication with a means for generating an audible navigation signal, whereby actuation of the switch causes the generation of the selected audible navigation signal.  
     
     
         20 . The system of    claim 19   , wherein the selected audible navigation signal is a DTMF tone.  
     
     
         21 . The system of    claim 19   , wherein the audible navigation signal corresponds to a command to navigate through the content in a continuous fashion, a stepped fashion, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the processing means further comprises means for determining whether the at least one audible navigation signal exceeds a predetermined volume level and, if so, forwarding the at least one audible navigation signal to the accessing means.  
     
     
         23 . A system for navigating content residing on a server using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone for comprises means for transmitting an audible signal to the communication network and means for receiving an audible signal from the communication network;    (c) a server including a database for storing content;    (d) a navigation device for generating a plurality of DTMF tones in communication with the telephone, the navigation device comprising: 
 (i) one or more keys corresponding to navigation commands;  
 (ii) a database for storing a unique plurality of DTMF tones corresponding to each of the one or more keys;  
 (iii) processing means for, upon operation of a selected one of the one or more keys by a user, performing the steps of: 
 1) accessing the database; and  
 2) generating audible navigation signals corresponding to the unique plurality of DTMF tones corresponding to the selected key; and  
 
 (iv) means for transmitting the audible navigation signals over the communication network by transmitting the audible navigation signals to the telephone; and  
   (e) processing means in communication with the database on the server and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving from the communication network the audible navigation signals;  
 (ii) in accordance with the navigation signals, accessing the database for storing content on the server;  
 (iii) generating at least one audible content signal corresponding to the content; and  
 (iv) transmitting over the communication network the at least one audible content signal to the telephone.  
   
     
     
         24 . The device of    claim 23   , wherein the communication network supports the HTTP protocol.  
     
     
         25 . The device of    claim 23   , further comprising means for generating a unique plurality of DTMF tones corresponding to the presence of the device and wherein the processing means further comprises means for receiving the DTMF tones corresponding to the presence of the device and means for modifying the database of the navigation device.  
     
     
         26 . The device of    claim 23   , wherein the navigation commands correspond to instructions for accessing the content on the server.  
     
     
         27 . A system for verifying the identity of an entity whose authentication information is stored on an unknown remote computer, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) receiving means, in communication with the communication network, for receiving a entity's identity information;    (c) means, in communication with the communication network, for sending the entity's identity information, via the communication network, to the receiving means; and    (d) at least one verification system in communication with the communication network and the receiving means, wherein the at least one verification system comprises processing means for performing the steps of 
 (i) querying each of the at least one verification systems for the existence of the entity's identity information thereon; and  
 (ii) upon finding a selected verification system having the entity's identity information thereon, verifying the identity of the entity and generating a signal corresponding to the verification.  
   
     
     
         28 . The system of    claim 27   , wherein the system operates in real time.  
     
     
         29 . The system of    claim 27   , wherein each of the at least one verification system further comprises a database for storing information about the entity.  
     
     
         30 . The system of    claim 27   , wherein the sending and receiving means are operable upon audible signals.  
     
     
         31 . The system of    claim 30   , wherein the audible signals are DTMF tones.  
     
     
         32 . The system of    claim 27   , wherein the sending means is actuated upon receipt of a predetermined actuation signal.  
     
     
         33 . The system of    claim 32   , wherein the actuation signal corresponds to the initiation of a telephonic connection.  
     
     
         34 . The system of    claim 32   , wherein the receiving means further comprises means for generating a success signal based on the receipt of the predetermined actuation signal and wherein the sending means further comprises means for determining whether the success signal has been received thereon, and means for, in the absence of the success signal, generating a signal corresponding to an error condition associated with the sending means.  
     
     
         35 . The system of    claim 27   , wherein the system further comprises: 
 (e) means for encrypting the information prior to sending the entity identity information over the communication network to the receiving means; and    (f) means for decrypting the entity identity information from the communication network prior to receiving the information at the receiving means.    
     
     
         36 . The system of    claim 27   , further comprising a device capable of storing a verification system identity signal corresponding to the system capable of verifying the information, wherein the sending means further comprises means for transmitting the system identity signal to the receiving means and wherein the at least one verification system corresponds to the system matching the verification system identity signal.  
     
     
         37 . The system of    claim 36   , wherein the device is portable.  
     
     
         38 . The system of    claim 37   , wherein the portable device is a key.  
     
     
         39 . The system of    claim 38   , wherein the sending means further comprises means for accepting the key.  
     
     
         40 . The system of    claim 39   , wherein the system further comprises means for detecting the insertion of the key and wherein the sending means is operable in response to the detecting means.  
     
     
         41 . A system for conducting electronic mail transactions using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) an electronic mail server on the communication network, wherein the electronic mail server comprises a database of electronic mail messages residing on the server;    (c) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one audible electronic mail manipulation signal over the communication network; and    (d) processing means in communication with the electronic mail server and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving the at least one audible electronic mail manipulation signal from the communication network;  
 (ii) in accordance with the electronic mail manipulation signal, accessing the database of electronic mail messages;  
 (iii) generating at least one audible electronic mail message signal corresponding to the accessed electronic mail message from the database; and  
 (iv) transmitting the at least one audible electronic mail message signal to the telephone over the communication network.  
   
     
     
         42 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the at least one audible electronic mail manipulation signal is a DTMF tone or a voice signal.  
     
     
         43 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the electronic mail server is operable using the SMTP and POP 3  protocols.  
     
     
         44 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the database of electronic mail messages comprise electronic mails records comprising: 
 (e) a subject portion; and    (f) a body portion,    wherein at least one of the subject or body portion comprises a digital recording of audio information and wherein the system further comprises means for transmitting the digital recording to the telephone.    
     
     
         45 . The system of    claim 44   , wherein the at least one audible electronic mail manipulation signal is a voice and the processing means further comprises means for recognizing the voice and accessing the database of electronic mail messages in accordance with the recognized electronic mail signal, whereby a recognized electronic mail manipulation signal is generated.  
     
     
         46 . The system of    claim 44   , wherein the system further comprises means for digitally recording a voice and storing the digitally recorded voice in the subject or body portion of an electronic mail message residing on the server.  
     
     
         47 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the system further comprises means for notifying a receiving party upon receipt of an electronic mail message by the server.  
     
     
         48 . The system of    claim 47   , wherein the notifying means comprises a pager.  
     
     
         49 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the processing means is operable only when the user of the system is identified.  
     
     
         50 . The system of    claim 41   , wherein the telephone is associated with a selected telephone number and wherein the system further comprises means for determining the telephone number of the telephone and determining whether the telephone number is authorized and wherein the processing means is operable only when telephone number is authorized.  
     
     
         51 . A system for processing a contact attempt by a contacting party to contact a user, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a database for storing a list of users and a list of rules for allowing contact with the users;    (c) means for sending contact initiation signals over the communication network, wherein the contact initiation signals comprise signals corresponding to the identity of the user being contacted; and    (d) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving the contact initiation signals;  
 (ii) in accordance with the contact initiation signals, searching the user list of the database;  
 (iii) upon finding the user in the database, determining whether contact should be initiated in accordance with the list of rules for allowing contact with the user being contacted; and  
 (iv) in accordance with the determination, generating a signal corresponding to whether the contact attempt should be permitted.  
   
     
     
         52 . The system of    claim 51   , wherein the processing means further comprises means for, upon not finding the user in the database, generating a signal corresponding to denial of the contact attempt.  
     
     
         53 . The system of    claim 52   , wherein the processing means further comprises means for querying the contacting party for additional contact initiation signals and wherein the means for determining further comprises means for determining whether contact should be initiated in accordance with the additional contact initiation signals.  
     
     
         54 . The system of    claim 51   , wherein each of the list of rules for each selected user correspond to the states of routing the contact request to the contacted party, terminating the contact request, or processing the next available rule in the list of rules for the selected user.  
     
     
         55 . The system of    claim 51   , wherein the rules comprises logic responsive to the date, time, identity of the contacting party, location of the contacting party, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         56 . The system of    claim 51   , wherein the contacting party is a computer system whose contact attempt is based upon a predetermined schedule.  
     
     
         57 . A system for restricting access to a communications device to entities possessing the proper access code for operation of the device, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a device in communication with the communication network, wherein the device further comprises means for enabling or disabling operation of the device;    (c) means, in communication with the communication network, for generating signals corresponding to an access code for operation of the device;    (d) means for receiving one or more access code signals from the communication network wherein the access code signals correspond to access codes for operation of the device;    (e) a database for storing valid access codes for operation of the device; and    (f) processing means in communication with the receiving means, the database, and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving over the communication network the signal corresponding to the access code for operating the device;  
 (i) querying the database for the valid access code for operation of the device; and  
 (iii) based upon the result of the database querying, comparing the valid access code with the received access code and operating the enabling or disabling means to thereby permit or deny operation of the communications device over the communication network.  
   
     
     
         58 . The system of    claim 57   , wherein the processing means further comprises means for, based upon the result of the database querying, transmitting a signal corresponding to an error condition to the entity over the communication network.  
     
     
         59 . The system of    claim 58   , wherein the access code signals are DTMF tones and the error condition signals are voice signals.  
     
     
         60 . The system of    claim 57   , further comprising means for examining the error condition signal and, in the event of the existence of a selected error condition signal, for actuating the means for enabling or disabling the device, to thereby disable the device.  
     
     
         61 . The system of    claim 57   , further comprising means for initiating contact with a system on the communication network having the proper access code and means for determining the failure of the contact initiation and, in the event of the failure of the contact initiation, for actuating the means for enabling or disabling the device, to thereby disable the device.  
     
     
         62 . A system for caching content residing on a server using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one audible content request signal;    (c) a server including a database for storing: 
 (i) textual content; and  
 (ii) a digitized synthesized vocal reproduction of the textual content;  
   (d) processing means in communication with the server and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving the at least one audible content request signal from the communication network;  
 (ii) in accordance with the content request signal, querying the database on the server for the requested the textual content;  
 (iii) upon finding the requested textual content in the database, generating at least one audible voice content signal corresponding to the digitized synthesized vocal reproduction of the textual content; and  
 (iv) transmitting the at least one audible content signal to the telephone using the communication network.  
   
     
     
         63 . The system of    claim 62   , further comprising a database for storing user identities and user languages and wherein the processing means further comprises means for determining the selected language of the user by querying the database, and wherein the digitized synthesized vocal reproduction is in the selected language.  
     
     
         64 . A system for adaptively presenting options to a user and determining the option chosen using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one user response signal over the communication network;    (c) a database for storing: 
 (i) the identity of the user; and  
 (ii) a list of actions available to the user;  
   (d) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) retrieving from the database the list of actions available to the user;  
 (ii) sorting the list of actions;  
 (iii) generating, in order, audible option signals corresponding to each of the items in the list of actions; and  
 (iv) transmitting the audible option signals to the telephone over the communication network; and  
   (e) means for receiving the user response signal from the telephone indicating the user has selected one of the list of actions corresponding to a user choice.    
     
     
         65 . The system of    claim 64   , further comprising means for storing the user choices in a historical database and wherein the determining means is responsive to the stored user choices.  
     
     
         66 . The system of    claim 65   , further comprising means for storing the times of the user choices in the historical database and wherein the determining means is further responsive to the stored times.  
     
     
         67 . The system of    claim 64   , wherein the determining means is further responsive to a signal generated by the user corresponding to a modification of the ordered options.  
     
     
         68 . The system of    claim 64   , further comprising means for storing the user choices of a plurality of users in a historical database and wherein the determining means is responsive to the combined user choices of the plurality of users.  
     
     
         69 . The system of    claim 68   , wherein the determining means is further responsive to the absence from the database of a selected choice by the user.  
     
     
         70 . The system of    claim 64   , further comprising means for storing expert user choices in a historical database and wherein the determining means is responsive to the stored expert user choices.  
     
     
         71 . The system of    claim 64   , wherein the database further comprises additional information corresponding to the user, such information selected from the group consisting of the day of user interaction, date of user interaction, time of day of user interaction, location from which the user interaction occurred, means by which the user has interacted with the system, and demographic information about the user, and wherein the querying and determining means are further responsive to the additional information.  
     
     
         72 . A system for adaptively presenting information to a user using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network;    (c) a database for storing: 
 (i) the identity of the user; and  
 (ii) a list of the types of information to be presented to the user; and  
   (d) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) retrieving from the database the list of the types of information to be presented to the user;  
 (ii) sorting the list of the types of information;  
   (iii) generating audible sorted information signals corresponding to sorted information; and 
 (iv) transmitting the audible sorted information signals to the telephone over the communication network.  
   
     
     
         73 . The system of    claim 72   , wherein the information is textual and the determining means is responsive to the words contained in the information.  
     
     
         74 . A system for intermittently searching information and presenting the results of the search to a user using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one user search signal over the communication network;    (c) a database for storing: 
 (i) the identity of the user; and  
 (ii) data about the search the user requested; and  
   (d) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) at predetermined intervals, querying the database on the server for the data about the search the user requested;  
 (ii) based upon the search the user requested, searching at least one additional database for information responsive to the search the user requested;  
 (iii) generating signals corresponding to search results; and  
 (iv) transmitting the search result signals to a signal processing means.  
   
     
     
         75 . The system of    claim 74   , wherein the database further comprises information about the previous results of the search request and wherein the determining means is responsive to the information about the previous results.  
     
     
         76 . The system of    claim 74   , wherein the data about the search the user requested further comprises a duration for conducting the search.  
     
     
         77 . The system of    claim 75   , wherein the signal processing means comprises means for generating an electronic mail message and sending the message to the user over the communication network.  
     
     
         78 . The system of    claim 76   , wherein the signal processing means comprises means for generating an electronic mail message and sending the message over the communication network to the user containing the signals corresponding to the search results.  
     
     
         79 . A system for storing the location of content, a copy of content, or a combination thereof residing on a server using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network supporting the HTTP protocol;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one audible storage signal o-ver the communication network;    (c) a database for storing the location of the content, a copy of the content, or a combination thereof; and    (d) processing means in communication with the database and the communication network for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving the at least one audible storage signal from the communication network; and  
 (ii) in accordance with the storage signal, storing the location of the content, a copy of the content, or a combination thereof in the database.  
   
     
     
         80 . The system of    claim 79   , wherein the audible storage signal is a DTMF tone.  
     
     
         81 . The system of    claim 79   , wherein the telephone further comprises means for transmitting at least one audible access signal over the communication network and the processing means further comprises means for receiving from the communication network the at least one audible access signal and means for, in accordance with the at least one audible access signal, retrieving the content information from the database, generating signals corresponding to the retrieved content, and transmitting the signals to the telephone over the communication network.  
     
     
         82 . A system for storing the location of content, a copy of content, or a combination thereof, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a server including a database for storing content;    (c) a content database for storing the location of the content, a copy of the content, or a combination thereof;    (d) a rules database for storing user-defined rules corresponding to options for processing the content; and    (e) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) processing the user-defined rules for processing the content in the rules database; and  
 (ii) in accordance with the user-defined rules for the processing the content, storing the location of the content, a copy of the content, or a combination thereof in the content database.  
   
     
     
         83 . The system of    claim 82   , wherein the communication network supports the HTTP protocol.  
     
     
         84 . A system for creating content using a telephone, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network supporting the HTTP protocol;    (b) a telephone in communication with the communication network, wherein the telephone comprises means for transmitting at least one audible content creation signal over the communication network;    (c) a database for storing content; and    (d) processing means in communication with the communication network and the database for performing the steps of: 
 (i) receiving the at least one audible content creation signal from the communication network; and  
 (ii) in accordance with the content creation signal, creating content accessible to users on the communication network and storing the created content in the database.  
   
     
     
         85 . The system of    claim 84   , wherein the audible content creation signal is a DTMF tone.  
     
     
         86 . The system of    claim 84   , wherein the created content comprises digitized vocal information.  
     
     
         87 . The system of    claim 84   , wherein the telephone further comprises means for transmitting at least one audible content editing signal over the communication network and wherein the processing means further comprises means for receiving the at least one audible content editing signal from the communication network and for modifying the database.  
     
     
         88 . The system of    claim 1   , wherein the content further comprises at least one user notification portion and wherein the processing means further comprises means for generating at least one audible signal corresponding to the at least one user notification portion.  
     
     
         89 . The system of    claim 41   , adapted for allowing anonymous messaging between a contacting party and a plurality of contacted parties wherein the plurality of contacted parties are defined as members of a group, the system further comprising: 
 (e) a database for storing a list of group member for each of a plurality of groups;    (f) a database for storing a unique identifier corresponding to the identity of the contacting party; and    (g) processing means in communications with the electronic mail server, the group membership database, the identifier database, and the communications network, for performing the steps of: 
 (i) accessing the identifier database and retrieving a unique identifier corresponding to the identity of the contacting party;  
 (ii) accessing the membership database and retrieving a list of members for a selected group;  
 (iii) generating at least one electronic mail manipulations signal, wherein the at least one signal comprises a signal to send an electronic mail message to each of the list of members; and  
 (iv) transmitting the at least one send signal to the electronic mails server over the communications network,  
 whereby the members of the groups being contacted are unaware of the actual identity of the contacting party.  
   
     
     
         90 . A system for recording on a remote system actions taken by a user using a network browser, the system comprising: 
 (a) a communication network;    (b) a network browser in communication with the communication network, wherein the browser further comprises: 
 (i) means for generating at least one navigation signal;  
 (ii) means for transmitting the at least one navigation signal over the communication network;  
 (iii) means for generating a user identification signal; and  
 (iv) means for transmitting the user identification signal over the communication network;  
   (c) a database for storing: 
 (i) user identification signals; and  
 (ii) navigation signals; and  
   (d) at least one remote processing means in communication with the communication network, the database, and the browser, for performing the steps of; 
 (i) receiving a user identification signal from the browser via the communication network;  
 (ii) receiving at least one navigation signal from the browser via the communication network; and  
 (iii) storing in the database the user identification signal and the at least one navigation signal.  
   
     
     
         91 . The system of    claim 90   , wherein the communication network supports the HTTP protocol.  
     
     
         92 . The system of    claim 90   , wherein the browser further comprises means for generating and transmitting over the communication network a signal corresponding to the success or failure of the at least one navigation signal, and wherein the database further stores signals corresponding to the success for failure of the at least one navigation signal, and wherein the at least one processing means further comprises means for receiving the success or failure signal and storing the success or failure signal in the database.  
     
     
         93 . The system of    claim 90   , wherein the browser further comprises means for generating and transmitting over the communication network at least one signal corresponding to content being reviewed, and wherein the database further stores signals corresponding to content, and wherein the at least one processing means farther comprises means for receiving the content signals and storing the content signals in the database.