Systems and methods for distributing information to a diverse plurality of devices

Abstract

The present invention allows a customer to use any of a number of a plurality of devices to access data and make transactions using an institution's computers and databases from many different locations throughout the world. As an example, a banking customer may use either a telephone, a palm computer or a television to determine his checking account balance while vacationing in a foreign country. The present invention operates by connecting the customer to the desired computer and database using universal protocol so that location becomes irrelevant. Another feature of the present invention is the efficient use of different networks with varying transmission speeds.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A method for rerouting a communication path comprising: 
 establishing a communication path to a first server via a first network;    receiving input data from a source;    determining if the input data correlates to data associated with the first server;    broadcasting a query that includes portions of the input data from the first server over a second network;    receiving the query at a second server;    determining if the broadcast portions of the input data correlate to data associated with the second server;    issuing an instruction from the second server to the first server via the second network indicating that the source of the input data should be coupled to the second server; and    acting upon those instructions at the first server and within the second network to couple the source of the input data to the second server.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the second network contains routers that are used to couple the source of the input data to the second server.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the data formats of the input data and the query are different.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first network has a greater capability to carry data than the second network.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the greater capability is measured in bandwidth.  
   
   
       12 - 17 . (canceled)