Interactive information method and system

Abstract

Methods of providing information using an interactive information device ( 2 ) are provided. A first method comprises displaying on a display ( 3 ) of an interactive information device ( 2 ) information selected from information for display stored in a memory of or accessible to the interactive information device ( 2 ), establishing a communications connection between the interactive information device ( 2 ) and a mobile communications device ( 20 ), and transmitting data to the interactive information device ( 2 ) from the mobile communications device ( 20 ) and/or from the interactive information device ( 2 ) to the mobile communications device ( 20 ). A further method comprises a tag device detecting the presence of a mobile communications device ( 20 ), transmitting data stored in the tag device to the mobile communications device ( 20 ) or an information device ( 2 ) in response to the detection, preferably transmitting at least some of the data, received from the tag device, from the mobile communications device ( 20 ) to an information device ( 2 ), and displaying on a display ( 3 ) of the information device ( 2 ) information relating to the transmitted data received from the mobile communications device ( 20 ). One or more systems and/or means for carrying out the methods are provided.

1 . A method of effecting a transaction using an information device, the method comprising:
 detecting the presence of a mobile communications device by the information device;   displaying on a display of the information device at least one of a service and a product available for purchase;   establishing a communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device; and   wirelessly receiving a signal from the mobile communications device for effecting the transaction, wherein the transaction includes a purchase of the at least one service and product.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information device comprises one of a plasma screen display and an LCD display. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information device comprises touch-sensitive input means associated with the display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of wirelessly receiving a signal from the mobile communications device comprises wirelessly receiving a NFC signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing a communication connection comprises establishing a short-range wireless connection between the information device and the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information device is an interactive information device having a touch screen display. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 
       the information device comprises:
 a memory accessible for storing information selectable for display; 
 means for establishing a communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device; and 
 means for transmitting data between the mobile communications device and the information device. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing a user to select information for display on the display of the information device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting from the information device to the mobile communications device data relating to information to be displayed by a display of the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising configuring data for compatibility with a display of the mobile communications device prior to transmitting data from the information device to the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitted data comprises data identifying information displayed on the display of the information device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying and retrieving data by a second information device in response to receiving data from the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically displaying a previous screen the user viewed on a second information device when the mobile communications device comes within a communications range of the second information device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 establishing a transaction communication between the mobile communications device and a second information device; and   performing a transaction associated with information displayed on a display of the second information device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting data, by a second information device, relating to an interaction with a user to at least one other information device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the following steps by a second information device:
 determining at least one of user information and preference data in response to interactions between the mobile communications device and the information device; and   using at least one of the user information and preference data as control parameters for modifying information prior to its display.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting from a further information device at least some stored data therein to at least one of the mobile communications device within a communication range, and a second information device having a display.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the following steps by a second information device:
 detecting the presence of the mobile communications device; and   transmitting data to at least one of the detected mobile communications device and another information device in response to such detection.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the data that is stored and transmitted by the further information device is associated with at least one of a product and a service with which the further information device is associated. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the means for establishing a communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device comprises:
 means for establishing a communications connection between the mobile communications device and an intermediate device; and   means for establishing a communications connection between the intermediate device and the information device.   
     
     
         22 . A system for effecting a transaction using an information device, the system comprising:
 the information device;   means for detecting the presence of a mobile communications device;   means for establishing a communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device and means for wirelessly receiving a signal from the mobile communications device for effecting the transaction, wherein the transaction includes a purchase of at least one of a service and product;   wherein the information device includes a display for displaying the at least one of the service and the product available for purchase.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the mobile communications device comprises a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the information device comprises one of a plasma screen display and an LCD display. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the information device comprises touch-sensitive input means associated with the display. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the signal is a NFC signal. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the means for establishing a communication connection comprises means for establishing a short-range wireless connection between the information device and the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the information device is an interactive information device having a touch screen display. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein 
       the information device further comprises:
 a memory accessible for storing information selectable for display; 
 the means for establishing the communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device; and 
 means for transmitting data between the mobile communications device and the information device. 
 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the information device further comprises means for allowing a user to select information for display on the display of the information device. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the information device further comprises means for transmitting to the mobile communications device data relating to information to be displayed. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the information device further comprises means for configuring data for compatibility with a display of the mobile communications device prior to transmitting data from the information device to the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the transmitted data comprises data identifying information displayed on the display of the information device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second information device comprising means for identifying and retrieving data in response to receiving data from the mobile communications device. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second information device comprising means for automatically displaying a previous screen the user viewed on the second information device when the mobile communications device comes within a communications range of the second information device. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the means for establishing a communications connection comprises:
 means for establishing a transaction communication between the mobile communications device and a second information device; and   means for performing a transaction associated with information displayed on a display of the second information device.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second information device comprising means for transmitting data relating to an interaction with a user to at least one other information device. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second information device comprising:
 means for determining at least one of user information and preference data in response to interactions between the mobile communications device and the information device; and   means for using at least one of the user information and preference data as control parameters for modifying information prior to its display.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one further information device comprising:
 means for transmitting at least some stored data therein to at least one of the mobile communications device within a communication range, and a second information device having a display.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a second information device comprising:
 means for detecting the presence of the mobile communications device; and   means for transmitting data to at least one of the detected mobile communications device and another information device in response to such detection.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the data that is stored and transmitted by the further information device is associated with at least one of a product and a service with which the at least one further information device is associated. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the means for establishing a communications connection between the information device and the mobile communications device comprises:
 means for establishing a communications connection between the mobile communications device and an intermediate device; and   means for establishing a communications connection between the intermediate device and the information device.