Smart internet information delivery system

Abstract

A smart delivery system is provided for transmitting video, audio, hyper-text and web documents to end users via the internet over telephone lines, fiber optics, satellite links, or other direct communications on a non-realtime discontinuous basis in which the server providing the information periodically ascertains whether the end user terminal is busy. If so, the transmission to the end user is terminated and the information is stored until such time as the “busy” indication is terminated. In one embodiment, the indication for the end user of incoming information is in the form of an icon generated on-screen on which the user can click to obtain the sought-after information.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for transmitting video, audio, hypertext and web documents over the internet from a server under the control of an information provider to an end user having a terminal coupled by the associated CPU to the internet, comprising; 
 means at said server for transmitting said video, audio, hypertext or web document to said end user only when the CPU at said terminal is not busy whereby said transmission is non-realtime.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said means at said server for transmitting said video, audio, hypertext or web documents includes means for detecting internet occupation and for inhibiting said transmission until such time as the network bandwidth can accommodate said transmission regardless of a non-busy CPU at said terminal.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said CPU generates a signal indicating that said CPU is not busy and further including means for coupling said signal to said server over said internet to permit said means for transmitting said video, audio, hypertext or web document to said end user when said CPU is not busy.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  and further including means coupled to said CPU for storing the video, audio, hypertext, or web document sent by said server, and means under the control of said server and said CPU for generating an on-screen icon at said terminal when said server has successfully transmitted said video, audio, hypertext br web document to said end user and is stored at said CPU.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  and further including means at said terminal for selecting said icon and for presenting said video, audio, hypertext or web document to said end user responsive thereto.