Method and apparatus for routing confidential information

Patent 5689799 Issued on November 18, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

April 26, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Interactive multimedia presentation and communications system
Patent #: 5191410
Issued on: 03/02/1993
Inventor: McCalley, et al.

Method of providing video on demand with VCR like functions
Patent #: 5357276
Issued on: 10/18/1994
Inventor: Banker, et al.

Interactive satellite broadcast network Patent #: 5392353
Issued on: 02/21/1995
Inventor: Morales

Inventors

Assignee

Wink Communications, Inc.

Application

No. 429109 filed on 04/26/1995

US Classes:

455/2.01AUDIENCE SURVEY OR PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION USE ACCOUNTING

Examiners

Primary: Peng, John K.
Assistant: Flynn, Nathan J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Fenwick & West LLP

Foreign Patent References

A10583196 EP 02/13/1994

International Class

H04N 007/173

Abstract

A method and apparatus routes user information including confidential information and other information to a vendor in a secure manner without requiring the user to transmit information in a secure manner. The user provides a user identifier and information including confidential information to a response collector, who relates the user identifier to the user information. The response collector may verify the information to protect against fraud. An information provider provides an application identifier and vendor routing information to a response collector, who relates the vendor routing information to the application identifier. The application identifier corresponding to the vendor is broadcast to the user via an interactive information system application, and the interactive information system sends the application identifier, a user identifier and other response information to a response collector as directed by the user and the interactive information system application. The response collector may then route the user's information and other response information to the vendor according to the vendor routing information. The user may send anonymous responses in the same manner without sending the user identifier to the response collector.

Other References

S. Ramanathan, et al., "Towards Personalized Multimedia Dial Up Services," Computer Networks and ISDN Systems, pp. 1305-1322, vol. 2, No. 10 (Jul. 1, 1994)
"Teleworking by Students Via a Cable TV Network," Symposium Record Cable Sessions, 18th International Symposium and Technical Exhibition, Jun. 10-15, Montreux, Switzerland pp. 673-677 (Jun. 11, 1993