Patent ID: 7680802

Claim:
An information distribution system, comprising: a processor; a transceiver system connected to the processor; and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory includes: a first module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beam interrogation signal using a first communication protocol supported by one or more portable computing devices located within a transmission range of the transceiver system, (2) detect a beam response signal generated, in response to the beam interrogation signal, by one of the portable computing devices, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the beam response signal, a download signal using the first communication protocol to said portable computing device, the download signal incorporating a client application; a second module configured to direct the transceiver system to (1) generate and wirelessly transmit a beacon using a second communication protocol supported by the client application, (2) detect an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the beacon, by the client application on said portable computing device, and (3) generate and wirelessly transmit, in response to the detection of the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast incorporating information received from a structuring system, the broadcast is transmitted using the second communication protocol, wherein the first module is further configured to (4) determine an operating system of said portable computing device based on information incorporated in the beam response, and (5) select the client application from a collection of client applications, the client application being appropriate for the operating system.