Patent ID: 6452947
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G10L,H04H,H04M

Abstract:
An information retrieval system comprising an information terminal and an information station, the information terminal selecting information to be retrieved among information stored in the information station and outputting the retrieved information, comprising:broadcasting media to broadcast menu information from the information station to the information terminal; data transmission media to transmit the selected information content, said data transmission media is formed on demand between the information terminal and the information station; and menu information indicating transmittable information by the information station broadcasted from the information station to the information terminal via the broadcasting media; wherein the information station comprises: a broadcasting transmitter to broadcast menu information necessary to select information at the information terminal; a communication receiver to receive communication including data corresponding to selected information from the information terminal; and an information transmitter to transmit the selected information based on the data received by the communication receiver; wherein the information terminal comprises: a broadcast receiver to receive broadcasting transmitted by the broadcasting transmitter; an information selector to allow a user to select information to be obtained by using the menu information included in the broadcasting; a communicator to communicate data corresponding to the selected information to the information station; an information receiver to receive the information transmitted by the information transmitter; and a speech output unit to output the information received by the information receiver as speech; wherein the information content selected by a user of the information terminal by referencing the menu information is retrieved and transmitted from the information station to the information terminal via the data transmission media formed on demand between the information station and the information terminal; and wherein the broadcast transmitter transmits the information including an identifier representing each information, character string information to display contents of each information on a menu, and character string information of an initial part of each information.