Patent ID: 7010508

Claim:
An automated multimedia system for data processing which comprises: a computerized installation including a database, means for entering data into said database, and a program means for storing, processing, updating, and retrieving data items in response to coded requests from stations in communication with said installation; at least one station including a general purpose computer and a program applicable to said computer for sending said requests to said installation; means for communicating data back and forth between said installation and said station; said station further including: a mass memory and means associated therewith for storing and retrieving textual and graphical data; a video display and means associated therewith for displaying textual and graphical data; means for entering information into said computer; means for programming sequences of inquiring messages on said video display in accordance with preset routines and in response to said information; said sequences including instructions to an operator of said station for operating said station; and means for selectively and interactively presenting to said operator interrelated textual and graphical data describing a plurality of transaction options, and for selectively retrieving data from said mass memory; means for storing information, inquiries, and orders for transactions entered by said operator via said means for entering information; means for transmitting said inquiries and orders to said installation via said means for communicating; means for receiving data comprising operator-selected information and orders from said installation via said means for communicating; and means for interactively directing the operation of said computer, video display, data receiving and transmitting means, and mass memory comprising means for holding an operational sequencing list, means for processing said operator-entered information, inquiries, and orders according to backward-chaining and forward-chaining sequences, and means responsive to the status of said computer, display, mass memory, and data receiving and transmitting means for controlling their operation; said means for processing including means for analyzing said operator-entered information and means, responsive to said means for analyzing, for presenting additional inquiries in response to said operator-entered information; said computerized installation further including: means responsive to items received from said station for immediately transmitting selected data retrieved from said database to said station; means responsive to an order received from said station for updating data in said database including means for correlating to a particular set of data received from said station; whereby said system can be used by a plurality of entities, each using one of said stations, to exchange data, and to respond to inquiries and orders instantaneously or over a period of time.