Telephone/Transaction Entry Device and System for Entering Transaction Data into Databases

Abstract

A data transaction processing system in which transaction data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a template which is tailored to each user application. The template and entered data are accumulated into data transactions which are immediately transmitted upon completion to an external database server for processing and storage. The data transactions are not locally stored for processing, and no conventional operating system is necessary. No local processing needs to be provided, and the only local storage is a flash PROM which stored the control firmware, a flash memory which stores the data streams making up the forms and menus, and a small RAM which operates as an input/output transaction buffer for storing the data streams of the template and the user replies to the prompts during assembly of a data transaction. The data transaction is received via standard protocols at a database server which, depending upon the application, stores the entire data transaction, explodes the data transaction to produce ancillary records which are then stored, and/or forwards the data transaction or some or all of the ancillary records to other database servers for updating other databases associated with those database servers. Also, in response to requests from the transaction entry device, the database server may return data streams for use in completing the fields in the data transaction or in presenting a menu on the display which was read in from the database server or a remote phone mail system. The transaction entry device is integrated with a telephone and is accessed via a touch screen, an optional keyboard, a magnetic card reader, voice entry, a modem, and the like.

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving data indicative of a form from a remote server;    entering data that defines fields of the form;    linking fields of the form to a specified server that is to receive data from the form, said linking being based on information associated with the form; and    sending the information from the form to the specified server, based on said linking.    
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein there are multiple servers, and different fields on the form are linked to different servers.  
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said form data is received on a portable telephone, and said data is entered from said portable telephone.  
     
     
         4 . A method comprising: 
 on a portable phone, producing information indicative of a form that is used to produce transaction information;    receiving data that defines fields of the form;    linking fields of the form to a specified server that is to receive data from the form, said linking being based on information associated with the form; and    using the mobile phone to send the information from the form to the specified server, based on said linking    
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein there are multiple servers, and different fields on the form are linked to different servers.  
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein said form data is received on a portable telephone, and said data is entered from said portable telephone.  
     
     
         7 . A method comprising: 
 on a terminal, producing information indicative of a form that is used to produce transaction information;    receiving data by data entry to populate fields of the form;    linking each of the fields of the form to a specified server that is to receive data from the field, said linking being based on information associated with the form; and    sending the information from the form to the specified server, based on said linking.    
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein there are multiple servers, and different fields on the form are linked to different servers.  
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein said form data is received on a portable telephone, and said data is entered from said portable telephone.  
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising returning information from the server to at least one other field of the form.  
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising: 
 initiating a data transaction from a terminal by receiving information from a user via said terminal;    receiving information from an externally provided device which stores electronic data, into said terminal;    based on information from both said user and said externally provided device, sending data transaction information over a channel to a server that processes the data transaction information and returns information.    
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said externally provided card includes personal information  
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said externally provided card includes medical information.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said information is sent to multiple servers.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said terminal is a portable telephone.  
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein said externally provided device stores information magnetically.  
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising: 
 initiating a data transaction from a portable telephone by allowing a user to enter information on to the portable telephone;    obtaining additional information for the data transaction from an externally provided device which stores electronic data, into said terminal;    using both said entered information and said information from the device, to create data transaction information;    sending said data transaction information over a channel to a server that processes the data transaction information and returns information based thereon.    
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said externally provided card includes personal information  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said externally provided card includes medical information.  
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said information is sent to multiple servers.  
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said externally provided device stores information magnetically.