Content creation, distribution, interaction, and monitoring system

Abstract

A system for managing an end-user's (Seeker 999 ) request for information and entertainment. This information can be retrieve using a kiosk with a computer, using software over the Internet with a hardwired computer-like device, or using software with a wireless handheld device (TO-Us 200 ). Applications ( 1086 ) include any areas including commercial, industrial, and government where groups of people congregate such as trade shows, retail stores, restaurants, offices, manufacturing plants, and governmental buildings. The system ( 200 ) provides both audio and text information and entertainment from a plurality of sources. These sources include information and entertainment from the local environment or ‘on-site’ information, and from a remote environment. These locations can also retrieve information from the end-user (Seeker 999 ). This information can be product feedback, customer service opinions, product information requests, or the like.

1 . A system for providing information to a user comprising: 
 a first database;    means for generating a first predetermined content for storage in said first database;    a second database;    means for generating a second predetermined content for storage in said second database;    server means;    means for interconnecting said first and second databases to said server means;    a plurality of transceivers;    means providing access by each of said transceivers to said server means; and    selector means on each said transceiver for selectively accessing said first and second content.    
     
     
         2 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second predetermined content is determined by a local environment.  
     
     
         3 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for interconnecting said first database to said server means includes the World Wide Web.  
     
     
         4 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said transceivers are hand held devices.  
     
     
         5 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first and second content includes both audio information and textual information.  
     
     
         6 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for providing access by each of said transceivers includes a wireless link.  
     
     
         7 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said server means and said second database are disposed in a local commercial environment.  
     
     
         8 . A system as defined in  claim 7  wherein each of said transceivers further includes means for determining the location thereof in said local commercial environment.  
     
     
         9 . A system as defined in  claim 8  wherein said second database includes information specific to said local commercial environment.  
     
     
         10 . A system as defined in  claim 9  wherein said transceivers are hand held devices and said selector means are activation devices carried by said hand held devices.  
     
     
         11 . A system as defined in  claim 2  which further includes means for providing access to said second database by a local content provider to input second content information.  
     
     
         12 . A system as defined in  claim 11  wherein said transceivers are handheld devices.  
     
     
         13 . A system as defined in  claim 12  wherein each of said transceivers further includes means for tracking said transceiver within said local environment.  
     
     
         14 . A system as defined in  claim 13  wherein said tracking information is provided to said local content provider.  
     
     
         15 . A system as defined in  claim 12  wherein said handheld devices each include means for scrolling through selected content.  
     
     
         16 . A system as defined in  claim 15  wherein said content includes both audio information and textual information.  
     
     
         17 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said server means includes a first server coupled to said first database and a second server coupled to said second database.  
     
     
         18 . A system as defined in  claim 17  wherein said first server is coupled to said second server.  
     
     
         19 . A system as defined in  claim 18  which further includes a third party database coupled to said first and second servers.  
     
     
         20 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for generating said first predetermined content includes central office product ion and processing means.  
     
     
         21 . A system as defined in  claim 20  wherein said means for generating a first predetermined content includes pre-recorded materials or live materials.  
     
     
         22 . A system as defined in  claim 2  wherein said selector means further includes means for enabling said user to access information relevant to the users location within said local environment.  
     
     
         23 . A system as defined in  claim 22  wherein said relevant information is regional information within a network grid.  
     
     
         24 . A system as defined in  claim 23  wherein said network grid is determined by a plurality of coordinates within said local environment.  
     
     
         25 . A system as defined in  claim 22  which further includes means for providing information to send user based on said user's past history within said local environment.  
     
     
         26 . A system as defined in  claim 22  which further includes means for said user to request assistance from a local environment provider relevant to a specific issue.  
     
     
         27 . A system as defined in  claim 26  which further includes means for said local environment provider to assign one or more helpers to assist said user and to assess the performance of said one or more helpers.  
     
     
         28 . A system as defined in  claim 27  wherein said means to request assistance further includes means for said user to specify the expertise required to provide the desired assistance.  
     
     
         29 . A system as defined in  claim 28  which further includes means for said local environment provider to acknowledge said request for assistance and to inform said user when a helper will be available.  
     
     
         30 . A system as defined in  claim 29  wherein said means for acknowledging said request for assistance further includes means for providing to said user the identification of the helper or helpers that will provide the assistance.  
     
     
         31 . A system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first predetermined content is determined by a remote environment.  
     
     
         32 . A system as defined in  claim 31  which further includes a control office production and processing means for creating, collecting, aggregating, and distributing said first predetermined content.  
     
     
         33 . A system as defined in  claim 32  which further includes means for providing access to said second database by a local content provider to input second content information.  
     
     
         34 . A system as defined in  claim 33  wherein said transceivers are handheld devices.  
     
     
         35 . A system as defined in  claim 34  wherein each of said transceivers further includes means for tracking said transceiver within said local environment.  
     
     
         36 . A system as defined in  claim 35  wherein said tracking information is provided to said local content provider.  
     
     
         37 . A system as defined in  claim 34  wherein said handheld devices each include means for scrolling through selected content.  
     
     
         38 . A system as defined in  claim 37  wherein said content includes both audio information and textual information.  
     
     
         39 . A system as defined in  claim 34  wherein said server means includes a first server coupled to said first database and a second server coupled to said second database.  
     
     
         40 . A system as defined in  claim 39  wherein said first server is coupled to said second server.  
     
     
         41 . A system as defined in  claim 40  which further includes a third party database coupled to said first and second servers.