Patent ID: 6606748
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
An information providing method for use with an information providing system having an information providing apparatus, at least one information receiving apparatus, and means for transferring data between the information providing apparatus and information receiving apparatus, the method comprising:at said information providing apparatus, editing and separating original information which is to be provided into first data and second data, storing the first data and second data as respectively separate data categories, and subsequently reading out and transmitting the first data and second data to the information receiving apparatus with respectively different values of time interval between successive transmissions of said first data and between successive transmissions of said second data, and wherein the method further includes storing a data dispatch record in data dispatching storage section each time said first or second data is transmitted to the receiver apparatus and searching the data dispatch records in said data dispatching storage section prior to the transmission of said or first or second data to the receiver apparatus at said information receiving apparatus, receiving the transmitted first data and second data and storing the received first data and second data respectively separately, and subsequently responding to a request for output of a part of said original information by reading out and combining respectively parts of said stored first data and second data, to reconstitute said part of the original information; detecting an interval between successive updating occurrences of said original information or detecting the amount of charge which results from updating of said original information whereby said first data are obtained from said original information as a part of said original information which satisfies a selection condition that that the interval between successive updating occurrences is longer than a predetermined duration, or that the amount of change which results from updating of said original information is less than a predetermined amount, and whereby said second data are obtained from said original information as a part of said original information which does not satisfy said selection condition, wherein said original information consists of program broadcast schedule information in which data items identify a specific program and convey attribute information relating to the broadcast of said program, storing said data items in said information providing apparatus as program data records expressing broadcast information for respective programs.