US6021119A — Multiple site interactive response system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 152 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through at least one wireless communication link; each of said response units including a microphone, a user input device and a control, said response units communicate audio signals entered through said microphone over said wireless communication link to said base unit and over said communication network to said host system, said control communicating any inputs entered on said input device over said wireless communication link to said base unit.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 152 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through at least one wireless communication link; each of said response units including a microphone, a user input device and a control, said response units communicate audio signals entered through said microphone over said wireless communication link to said base unit and over said communication network to said host system, said control communicating any inputs entered on said input device over said wireless communication link to said base unit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 81 words

The interactive response system in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication link includes a wireless data channel and a wireless audio channel, wherein each of said response units issues a talk request to request an audio connection with the host system and said base unit issues a talk command to cause a response unit to communicate said audio signals, said talk requests and said talk commands being communicated over said data channel, said audio signals being communicated over said audio channel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The interactive response system in claim 2 wherein said audio channel includes an audio receiver in said base unit and an audio transmitter in each of said response unit which becomes active upon receipt of said talk command by that response unit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 88 words

The interactive response system in claim 2 wherein said data channel includes a first transmitter in said base unit and a first receiver in each response unit for communicating data signals including any talk commands from said base unit to said response units, and wherein said data channel includes a second transmitter in each of said response units and a second receiver in said base unit for communicating any inputs entered on each said input device, including said talk request from said response units to said base unit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The interactive response system in claim 2 including a talk indicator on each of said response units, said talk indicator being activated in response to a talk command.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The interactive response system in claim 5 including a display on said host system having at least one call list for displaying response units sending said talk request.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

The interactive response system in claim 6 including a wait indicator on each of said response units wherein said base unit sends a wait command to each response unit on said call list and said wait indicator is activated in response to said wait command.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 77 words

The interactive response system in claim 6 wherein each of said response units includes a sleep mode during which power consumption is reduced and wherein each of said response units is inhibited from said sleep mode while on said call list and further wherein said host system monitors the length of time each of said response units is on said at least one call list and takes action after said length of time exceeds a particular value.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 8 wherein said action includes one of providing an indication to an instruction and terminating the request for said audio connection.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 61 words

The interactive response system in claim 9 wherein said action includes providing said indication to the instructor after a first predetermined length of time and deleting each of said response units from the at least one call list after a second predetermined length of time, wherein said second predetermined length of time is greater than said first predetermined length of time.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 185 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network, said remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units; each of said response units includes a microphone and a wireless audio transmitter which is responsive to a talk command from the base unit to transmit audio signals received in said microphone to an audio receiver, each of said response units further including a first wireless data transmitter to transmit a call request and a first data receiver; and said base unit including said audio receiver for receiving an audio signal from one of said response units, a second data receiver to receive call requests from said response units and a second data transmitter for transmitting a talk command to a selectable one of said response units.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 185 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network, said remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units; each of said response units includes a microphone and a wireless audio transmitter which is responsive to a talk command from the base unit to transmit audio signals received in said microphone to an audio receiver, each of said response units further including a first wireless data transmitter to transmit a call request and a first data receiver; and said base unit including said audio receiver for receiving an audio signal from one of said response units, a second data receiver to receive call requests from said response units and a second data transmitter for transmitting a talk command to a selectable one of said response units.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 256 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response unit including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes said audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer defining a roster database of individuals including at least one characteristic of each individual, said computer generating at least one call list displayed on said display and receiving a selection of characteristics of individuals entered by said instructor selection device for inclusion on said at least one call list, wherein said computer retrieves individuals from said roster database who have entered a call request and also match the at least one characteristic entered by the instructor and displays the retrieved individuals on the at least one call list.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 256 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response unit including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes said audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer defining a roster database of individuals including at least one characteristic of each individual, said computer generating at least one call list displayed on said display and receiving a selection of characteristics of individuals entered by said instructor selection device for inclusion on said at least one call list, wherein said computer retrieves individuals from said roster database who have entered a call request and also match the at least one characteristic entered by the instructor and displays the retrieved individuals on the at least one call list.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The interactive response system in claim 12 wherein said at least one call list comprises a plurality of call lists and wherein said computer receives said selection of characteristics of individuals independently for each of said call lists.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The interactive response system in claim 12 wherein said computer provides a status indicator on said display for said at least one call list.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 87 words

The interactive response system in claim 14 wherein said status indicator produces a first indication if individuals listed on said at least one call list are fewer than a first level, a second indication if the individuals listed on said at least one call list are more than said first level and fewer than a second level and a third indication if the individuals listed on said at least one call list are more than said second level, said second level being greater than said first level.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 38 words

The interactive response system in claim 12 wherein said computer monitors the length of time each individual is listed on said at least one call list and takes action after said length of time exceeds a particular value.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 16 wherein said action includes one of providing an indication to the instructor and terminating the request for said audio connection.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 61 words

The interactive response system in claim 16 wherein said action includes providing said indication to the instructor after a first predetermined length of time and deleting each of said response units from the at least one call list after a second predetermined length of time, wherein said second predetermined length of time is greater than said first predetermined length of time.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

The interactive response system in claim 12 wherein said instructor selection device provides for the selection of at least one individual on said at least one call list and wherein said host system provides said talk instruction to the one of said response units associated with a selected individual, whereby said audio connection is established between the one of said response units associated with the selected individual and the host system.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 57 words

The interactive response system in claim 19 wherein said instructor selection device provides for the selection of a plurality of individuals on said at least one call list and wherein said host system provides a talk instruction to the response unit associated with each of the selected individuals, whereby the plurality of selected individuals are conferenced together.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 59 words

The interactive response system in claim 19 including an echo suppression system for suppressing an audio signal from said host system when an audio signal from the response unit of the selected individual is present and for suppressing said audio signal from the response unit of the selected individual when said audio signal from the host system is present.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

The interactive response system in claim 21 wherein said instructor selection device provides an override for said echo suppression system to suppress said audio signal from the response unit of the selected individual.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 256 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response units including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes an audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; and said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer generating a list displayed on said display of individuals who have entered a call request and including a status indicator on said display which produces a first indication if individuals listed on said list are fewer than a first level, a second indication if individuals listed on said list are more than said first level and fewer than a second level and a third indication if the individuals listed on said list are more than a second level, said second level being greater than said first level.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 256 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response units including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes an audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; and said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer generating a list displayed on said display of individuals who have entered a call request and including a status indicator on said display which produces a first indication if individuals listed on said list are fewer than a first level, a second indication if individuals listed on said list are more than said first level and fewer than a second level and a third indication if the individuals listed on said list are more than a second level, said second level being greater than said first level.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 23 wherein said first indication is green colored, said second indication is yellow colored and said third indication is red colored.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

The interactive response system in claim 23 wherein each of said first and second levels are selectable by the instructor.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 336 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response unit including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes said audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer generating at least one call list displayed on said display of individuals who have entered a call request and said selection device provides for the selection of at least one individual on said at least one call list, wherein said host system provides a talk instruction to the one of said response units associated with the selected individual in order to establish said audio connection between the one of said response units associated with the selected individual and the host system; and an echo suppression system which suppresses an audio signal from said host system when an audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual is present and suppresses said audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual when said audio signal from the host system is present, said echo suppression system including a manual override for the instructor to suppress said audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 336 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system and at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and interconnected with said host system through a communication network; said at least one remote system including a base unit and a plurality of response units coupled with said base unit through a communication link, each said response unit including a microphone and a user input device wherein a user enters a call request for an audio connection with said host system using said user input device and said base unit establishes said audio connection between said microphone of one of said response units and said host system in response to a talk instruction from said host system; said host system including a computer, an instructor selection device and a display, said computer generating at least one call list displayed on said display of individuals who have entered a call request and said selection device provides for the selection of at least one individual on said at least one call list, wherein said host system provides a talk instruction to the one of said response units associated with the selected individual in order to establish said audio connection between the one of said response units associated with the selected individual and the host system; and an echo suppression system which suppresses an audio signal from said host system when an audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual is present and suppresses said audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual when said audio signal from the host system is present, said echo suppression system including a manual override for the instructor to suppress said audio signal from the one of said response units associated with the selected individual.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 60 words

The interactive response system in claim 26 wherein said instructor selection device provides for the selection of a plurality of individuals on said at least one call list and wherein said host system provides a talk instruction to the one of said response units associated with each of the selected individuals, whereby the plurality of selected individuals are conferenced together.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 357 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system including an instructor console adapted to producing instructions for establishing audio connections; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and including a base unit, a plurality of response units and a wireless communication link between said base unit and said response units, each of said response units including a user input selection device and a microphone; said wireless communication link including a data communication channel for communicating data signals between said base unit and said response units and an audio communication channel for communicating audio signals between said base unit and said microphone of each of said response units; and a data link and an audio link between said host system and said base unit; wherein said base unit selectively communicates over said data communication channel to said response units an instruction for activating the microphone of one of said response units and said one of said response units responds to said instruction for activating the microphone of that response unit by opening said audio communication channel between the microphone of that response unit and said base station, and wherein each of said response units communicates over said data communication channel to said base unit any user input selection entered with said user input selection device of a request for an audio connection with said host system; wherein said base unit communicates over said data link to said host system any requests for said audio connection with said host system, said host system communicates over said data link to said base unit an instruction for establishing an audio connection between said host system and any response unit and said base unit responds to said instruction for establishing said audio connection by activating the microphone of one of said response units and by opening said audio connection between said audio communication channel and said host system over said audio link.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 357 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system including an instructor console adapted to producing instructions for establishing audio connections; at least one wireless remote system geographically separated from said host system and including a base unit, a plurality of response units and a wireless communication link between said base unit and said response units, each of said response units including a user input selection device and a microphone; said wireless communication link including a data communication channel for communicating data signals between said base unit and said response units and an audio communication channel for communicating audio signals between said base unit and said microphone of each of said response units; and a data link and an audio link between said host system and said base unit; wherein said base unit selectively communicates over said data communication channel to said response units an instruction for activating the microphone of one of said response units and said one of said response units responds to said instruction for activating the microphone of that response unit by opening said audio communication channel between the microphone of that response unit and said base station, and wherein each of said response units communicates over said data communication channel to said base unit any user input selection entered with said user input selection device of a request for an audio connection with said host system; wherein said base unit communicates over said data link to said host system any requests for said audio connection with said host system, said host system communicates over said data link to said base unit an instruction for establishing an audio connection between said host system and any response unit and said base unit responds to said instruction for establishing said audio connection by activating the microphone of one of said response units and by opening said audio connection between said audio communication channel and said host system over said audio link.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said base unit communicates an instruction for activating the microphone of one of said response units by sending a base data packet including a selectable data bit specific to that response unit.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 40 words

The interactive response system in claim 29 wherein each of said response units communicates a response data packet in response to a base data packet, said response data packet including any request for said audio connection with said host system.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 29 words

The interactive response system in claim 30 wherein said response data packet includes user responses entered with said user input selection device to inquiries originating from said host system.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 22 words

The interactive response system in claim 30 wherein said response data packet includes user identification entered with said user input selection device.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 30 words

The interactive response system in claim 29 wherein said base data packet includes an acknowledge character indicative of whether a valid response was previously received from a particular response unit.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 31 words

The interactive response system in claim 29 wherein said base data packet includes a correctness character indicative of whether a previously received response matches a correct answer in an answer key.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

The interactive response system in claim 34 wherein each response unit displays the value of the correctness character pertaining to that particular response unit.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 45 words

The interactive response system in claim 29 wherein said remote response units are divided into groups and wherein said base data packet includes a designation of a particular group of response units to respond to the base data packet by communicating a response data packet.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 40 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 including a combination audio and video feed from said host system to said base unit and a monitor at said geographically separated site for displaying audio and video information provided by the instructor.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 15 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said audio link is a POTS service.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 38 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said data link is selected from a group consisting of a wide area network, a local area network, a packet network, an Internet network, and an asynchronous transfer mode network.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said audio and data links are combined in a digital simultaneous voice and data transmission over a POTS line.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 19 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said audio and data links are combined in an ISDN transmission.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 26 words

The interactive response system in claim 28 wherein said display console is further adapted to display information identifying individuals requesting audio connection with said host system.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 38 words

The interactive response system in claim 42 wherein said information identifying individuals is derived from a roster of individuals each identified by name and an identifying number and from identifying numbers entered by users in said response units.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 58 words

The interactive response system in claim 30 wherein each of said response units must continue to communicate a response data packet including any request for an audio connection with said host system in response to each base data packet until said base unit communicates to that response unit an instruction for activating the microphone of that response unit.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 46 words

The interactive response system in claim 44 wherein said host system monitors the length of time since initiation of each request for an audio connection with the host system and takes action after the length of time since initiation of a request exceeds a particular value.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 45 wherein said action includes one of providing an indication to the instructor and terminating the request for an audio connection.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 65 words

The interactive response system in claim 46 wherein said action includes providing an indication to the instructor after a first particular value of length of time since initiation of a request and terminating the request for an audio link after a second particular value of length of time since initiation of a request, wherein said second particular value is greater than said first particular value.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 354 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and including a base unit, a plurality of response units and a communication link between said base unit and said response units, each of said response units including a user input selection device and a microphone; said communication link for communicating data signals between said base unit and said response units and for communicating audio signals between said base unit and said microphone of each of said response units; a data link and an audio link between said host system and said base unit; wherein each of said response units communicates to said base unit any user input selection entered with said user input selection device of a request for an audio connection with said host system and wherein said base unit communicates over said data link to said host system any requests for said audio connection with said host system, said host system communicates over said data link to said base unit an instruction for establishing said audio connection between said host system and any response unit and said base unit responds to said instruction for establishing said audio connection by activating the microphone of one of said response units and by opening said audio connection between said audio communication channel and said host system over said audio link; wherein said host system includes a display which displays at least one call list to said instructor and a computer which receives said instructor's selection of a characteristic of individuals for inclusion on said at least one call list, defines a roster of individual files and at least one characteristic of each individual in that individual's file and retrieves from said roster and display on said at least one call list only individuals requesting said audio connection with said host system who have the selected characteristic in their roster file.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 354 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a central control host system; at least one remote system geographically separated from said host system and including a base unit, a plurality of response units and a communication link between said base unit and said response units, each of said response units including a user input selection device and a microphone; said communication link for communicating data signals between said base unit and said response units and for communicating audio signals between said base unit and said microphone of each of said response units; a data link and an audio link between said host system and said base unit; wherein each of said response units communicates to said base unit any user input selection entered with said user input selection device of a request for an audio connection with said host system and wherein said base unit communicates over said data link to said host system any requests for said audio connection with said host system, said host system communicates over said data link to said base unit an instruction for establishing said audio connection between said host system and any response unit and said base unit responds to said instruction for establishing said audio connection by activating the microphone of one of said response units and by opening said audio connection between said audio communication channel and said host system over said audio link; wherein said host system includes a display which displays at least one call list to said instructor and a computer which receives said instructor's selection of a characteristic of individuals for inclusion on said at least one call list, defines a roster of individual files and at least one characteristic of each individual in that individual's file and retrieves from said roster and display on said at least one call list only individuals requesting said audio connection with said host system who have the selected characteristic in their roster file.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 54 words

The interactive response system in claim 48 wherein said computer receives said instructor's selection of at least one individual displayed on said at least one call list and communicates over said data link to said base unit said instruction for establishing said audio connection between said host system and said at least one individual.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 54 words

The interactive response system in claim 49 wherein said computer receives an instructor's selection of a plurality of individuals displayed on said at least one call list and said computer communicates instructions for establishing said audio connection between said host system and said plurality of individuals, whereby said plurality of individuals are conferenced together.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 38 words

The interactive response system in claim 48 wherein said display includes at least one status indicator which indicates to said instructor if the number of individuals listed on said at least one call list exceeds a predetermined level.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 95 words

The interactive response system in claim 51 wherein said status indicator produces a first indication to said instructor if individuals listed on said at least one call list are fewer than a first level, a second indication to said instructor if individuals listed on said at least one call list are more than said first level and fewer than a second level and a third indication to said instructor if the individuals listed on said at least one call list are more than said second level, said second level being greater than said first level.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 27 words

The interactive response system in claim 52 wherein said first indication is green colored, said second indication is yellow colored and said third indication is red colored.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 21 words

The interactive response system in claim 52 wherein each of said first, second and third levels is selectable by an instructor.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 75 words

The interactive response system in claim 48 wherein said at least one call list comprises a plurality of call lists, said computer receives said instructor's selection of said characteristic of individuals for inclusion on each of said call lists and retrieves from said roster and displays on each of said call lists only individuals requesting said audio connection with said host system who have the selected characteristic for that call list in their roster file.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 144 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a plurality of response units, each response unit having a microphone, a response input, a display, a controller and at least a first wireless transceiver; a base unit having a controller, at least a second wireless transceiver and a telephone interface port; and an instructor unit located geographically distant from said base unit; wherein said at least a first transceiver transfers responses entered by a user with said response input and an audio signal from said microphone wirelessly to said at least a second wireless transceiver and said telephone interface port transfers said audio signal to an instructor at said instructor unit over a telephone link.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 144 words

An interactive response system for retrieving at a central location responses from a plurality of users located at at least one geographically separated site and providing interaction between an instructor at the central location and said users, comprising: a plurality of response units, each response unit having a microphone, a response input, a display, a controller and at least a first wireless transceiver; a base unit having a controller, at least a second wireless transceiver and a telephone interface port; and an instructor unit located geographically distant from said base unit; wherein said at least a first transceiver transfers responses entered by a user with said response input and an audio signal from said microphone wirelessly to said at least a second wireless transceiver and said telephone interface port transfers said audio signal to an instructor at said instructor unit over a telephone link.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 78 words

The interactive response system in claim 56 wherein said at least a first wireless transceiver further includes a third wireless transceiver and said at least a second wireless transceiver further includes a fourth wireless transceiver and wherein said responses entered by a user with said response input are transferred by said first wireless transceiver to said second wireless transceiver and said audio signal from said microphone is transferred from said third wireless transceiver to said fourth wireless transceiver.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 18 words

The interactive response system in claim 57 wherein said first and second wireless transceivers comprise an RF link.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 18 words

The interactive response system in claim 57 wherein said third and fourth wireless transceivers comprise an RF link.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 30 words

The interactive response system in claim 56 wherein said microphone is active to produce said audio signal only in response to a command from an instructor at said instructor's unit.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-01-31	2003-08-02	2004-02-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-01-31	2007-08-02	2008-02-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-01-31	2011-08-02	2012-02-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Multiple site interactive response system

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