Patent CA-2274206-A1 (CA)
Title: Wireless system for broadcasting, receiving and selectively printing packets of information
Inventor: MARSHALL ROBERT
IPC: H04H20/72
Filed: 1999-06-11
Abstract: A system is provided for dispatching one or more packets of information selected from the group consisting of redeemable coupons, messages, appointment reminders, confirmations, tickets, warnings and written packets to potential recipients of said packets at a remote location. The steps included in such a system are: (1) developing a subscriber directory containing unique identification information for each of said potential recipients; (2) creating a packet to be dispatched to at least one of said recipients; (3) identifying the potential recipients for a particular packet; (4) transmitting said packet through a pager network to all of said potential recipients; and (5) receiving and selectively processing and printing only those packets intended to be processed and printed by said appliance. A printer appliance is provided for use in receiving and printing packets of information transmitted by wireless means. The appliance includes means for receiving said packets of information; means for analyzing said packets to determine whether said packets are intended to be processed and printed by said appliance; and means for printing said packets of information. A secure system is also provided for generating and distributing over the Internet packets of information, including redeemable coupons and/or rebate forms to individuals who select such offers. The system includes means for displaying on an Internet web site a list of the available coupons. The consumer may then visit or log onto the web site, view the list of available coupons and make their selection. In a first embodiment of the invention, the selected coupons are transmitted to the consumer either through a pager network that interacts with a receiver/printer in the home or, alternatively, through the individual's computer equipped with a customized printer for printing hard copies of said coupons incorporating certain anti-fraud features. In an alternative embodiment, coupons are displayed on an Internet web site and selected from such site by the individual consumer. Rather than transmitting the coupon, a validation code or codes are transmitted to a validator, likely contained in a retail establishment, which can then generate a coupon either in printed form or electronically. The transmission is either directly through the individual consumers' computer or, alternatively, through a pager network that broadcasts directly to the validator. The system includes a means for creating said packets of information in a digital format and a means for transmitting said packets of information to said locations via either the wireless network or global computer network. A network of receivers is provided at select locations, each of the receivers being adapted to selectively receive, process and store the transmitted packets of information and download said packets of information onto a programmable media. In the preferred embodiment, the programmable media consists of an electronic smart card. The system may also generate a printed and or electronic list of all packets of information, as well as print individual packets of information.