US6029142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic catalog system and method
Assignee: Charles E Hill and Assoc Inc
•
Filing: 1998-06-01
•
Granted: 2000-02-22
•
Expires: 2018-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for displaying product information data related to at least one product. The method includes the steps of transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer, transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to tie remote computer, transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer, and storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer. The method also includes the steps of integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product, and displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on a monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0623; G06Q30/0625; G06Q30/0641; G06Q30/0643; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
A method for displaying product information data related to at least one product on a monitor coupled to a remote computer using variable data and constant data related to the at least one product stored and maintained in a memory of a main computer and using constant data related to the at least one product stored in a memory of the remote computer, the constant data being a subset of the product information data related to the at least one product, the method comprising: transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer; transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to the remote computer, the display information indicating a format of the variable data and a display location of the constant data relative to the variable data; transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer if the constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer is different from the constant data stored in the memory of the main computer; storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer; integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product; and displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on the monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
258 words
A method for displaying product information data related to at least one product on a monitor coupled to a remote computer using variable data and constant data related to the at least one product stored and maintained in a memory of a main computer and using constant data related to the at least one product stored in a memory of the remote computer, the constant data being a subset of the product information data related to the at least one product, the method comprising: transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer; transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to the remote computer, the display information indicating a format of the variable data and a display location of the constant data relative to the variable data; transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer if the constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer is different from the constant data stored in the memory of the main computer; storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer; integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product; and displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on the monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a display size instruction for the text data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a font instruction for the text data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a justification instruction for the text data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a display color instruction for the text data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information includes scale information to indicate a display size for the constant data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the scale information is based on a screen size of a monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the constant data is a graphics file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information is a map file separate from the variable data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information provides an instruction for positioning indicates the variable data on the monitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information provides an instruction for positioning the constant data on the monitor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information provides a scale factor and a positional offset for the constant data and the variable data which are used to generate the product information data during the integrating step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically connecting the remote computer to the main computer prior to the step of transmitting the data request from the remote computer to the main computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of automatically disconnecting the remote computer from the main computer after the variable data, display information, and updated constant data are transmitted from the main computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer includes replacing constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the updated constant data received from the main computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the constant data is graphics data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising storing and maintaining a main revision status in the memory of the main computer, the main revision status indicating the last time the constant data stored in the main computer was revised, and storing a remote revision status in the memory of the remote computer, the remote revision status indicating the last time the constant data stored in the remote computer was revised.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the constant data includes a plurality of files and the remote revision status is a revision level that provides an indication of the constant data files stored in the memory of the remote computer that have been updated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer includes the step of comparing the remote revision status with the main revision status maintained in the main computer, transmitting the updated constant data stored in the main computer from the main computer to the remote computer, and replacing constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the updated constant data received from the main computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the display information is transmitted along with the variable data each time variable data is transmitted from the main computer to the remote computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
272 words
An electronic catalog apparatus for displaying product information data related to at least one product on a monitor coupled to a remote computer using variable data and constant data related to the at least one product stored and maintained in a memory of a main computer and using constant data related to the at least one product stored in a memory of the remote computer, the constant data being a subset of the product information data related to the at least one product, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer; means for transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to the remote computer, the display information indicating a format of the variable data and a display location of the constant data relative to the variable data; means for transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer if the constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer is different from the constant data stored in the memory of the main computer; means for storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer; means for integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product; and means for displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on the monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
272 words
An electronic catalog apparatus for displaying product information data related to at least one product on a monitor coupled to a remote computer using variable data and constant data related to the at least one product stored and maintained in a memory of a main computer and using constant data related to the at least one product stored in a memory of the remote computer, the constant data being a subset of the product information data related to the at least one product, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer; means for transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to the remote computer, the display information indicating a format of the variable data and a display location of the constant data relative to the variable data; means for transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer if the constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer is different from the constant data stored in the memory of the main computer; means for storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer; means for integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product; and means for displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on the monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a display size instruction for the text data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a font instruction for the text data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a justification instruction for the text data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the variable data includes text data and the display information includes a display color instruction for the text data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information includes scale information to indicate a display size for the constant data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the scale information is based on a screen size of a monitor coupled to the remote computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the constant data is a graphics file.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information is a map file separate from the variable data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information provides an instruction for positioning indicates the variable data on the monitor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information provides an instruction for positioning the constant data on the monitor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information provides a scale factor and a positional offset for the constant data and the variable data which are used by the integrating means to generate the product information data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for automatically connecting the remote computer to the main computer before the data request is transmitted from the remote computer to the main computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for automatically disconnecting the remote computer from the main computer after the variable data, display information, and updated constant data are transmitted from the main computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer comprises means for replacing constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the updated constant data received from the main computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the constant data is graphics data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for storing and maintaining a main revision status in the memory of the main computer, the main revision status indicating the last time the constant data stored in the main computer was revised, and means for storing a remote revision status in the memory of the remote computer, the remote revision status indicating the last time the constant data stored in the remote computer was revised.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the constant data includes a plurality of files and the remote revision status is a revision level that provides an indication of the constant data files stored in the memory of the remote computer that have been updated.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein means for transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer includes means for comparing the remote revision status with the main revision status maintained in the main computer, and means for replacing constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the updated constant data received from the main computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display information is transmitted along with the variable data each time variable data is transmitted from the main computer to the remote computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |