Information distribution and processing system

Abstract

An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a receiving apparatus. The remote site contains a first set of digital data. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site. The associated linking reference is used by the remote site to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for distributing electronic mail to a plurality of computing devices in a plurality of locations, at least one of the computing devices being connected to a display, said method comprising:
 sending from a first remote site configured to transmit the electronic mail, at least one of the electronic mail encoded with at least a first set of digital data to the at least one of the computing devices, said first set of digital data comprising:
 a first set of displayable data and a second set of displayable data adapted to appear on the display, said second set of displayable data having an appearance on the display distinct from the appearance of said first set of displayable data on the display for facilitating a user to select said second set of displayable data; 
   indicating data for distinguishing the appearance of said second set of displayable data from the appearance of said first set of displayable data, said indicating data not for display to the user; and   at least a first linkage reference, said first linkage reference being associated with said second set of displayable data and at least one portion of a second set of digital data, said first linkage reference not for display to the user;   receiving, at a second remote site configured to receive said first linkage reference, at least a portion of said first linkage reference after the user's selection of said second set of displayable data on the display; and   sending, from the second remote site, the at least one portion of said second set of digital data stored at the second remote site to the at least one of the computing devices.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data includes multimedia data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data includes video data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears highlighted on the display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears on the display in a different color than said first set of displayable data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said indicating data includes data for indicating a presence of said first linkage reference, said data for indicating the presence of said first linkage reference not for display to the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second remote site includes a third set of digital data and said second set of digital data includes at least a second linkage reference associated with said third set of digital data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of digital data is encrypted. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second set of digital data is encrypted. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second remote site is in wireless communication with the at least one of the computing devices. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second remote sites is in wired communication with the at least one of the computing devices. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second set of digital data is stored in a database located at the second remote site. 
     
     
         13 . A method for distributing electronic mail to a plurality of computing devices in a plurality of locations, at least one of the computing devices being connected to a display, said method comprising:
 sending, from a first remote site configured to transmit the electronic mail, at least one electronic mail encoded with at least a first set of digital data to the at least one of the computing devices, said first set of digital data comprising:
 a first set of displayable data and a second set of displayable data adapted to appear on the display, said second set of displayable data having an appearance on the display distinct from the appearance of said first set of displayable data on the display for facilitating a user to select said second set of displayable data; 
 indicating data for distinguishing the appearance of said second set of displayable data from the appearance of said first set of displayable data; and 
 at least a first linkage reference, said first linkage reference being associated with said second set of displayable data and at least one portion of a second set of digital data; 
   receiving, at a second remote site configured to receive said first linkage reference, at least a portion of said first linkage reference after the user's selection of said second set of displayable data on the display; and   sending, from the second remote site, the at least one portion of said second set of digital data stored at the second remote site to the at least one of the computing devices.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said first set of digital data includes multimedia data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said first set of digital data includes video data. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said second set of displayable data appears on the display in a different color than said first set of displayable data. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second remote sites is in wireless communication with the at least one of the computing devices. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said second remote site includes a third set of digital data and said second set of digital data includes at least a second linkage reference associated with said third set of digital data.