INFORMATION SYSTEM

摘要

An interactive information delivery terminal 10 comprises an information display unit 14, retrieval means 15 for generating control commands for transmission to an information store 7 over a first communications link 6, for the retrieval of information therefrom, and a user interface 13 for receiving control commands from a user device 2 over a second communications link 4 for controlling the retrieval means 15. The terminal 10 is connected to the Internet 6 and a short range radio (piconet) interface (13), for example a "Bluetooth' interface. The terminal 10 is located in a position where it is not vulnerable to damage from influences such as the weather, or accidental or malicaious damage from members of the public, but where it is nevertheless visible, for example in a shop window display, visible through and protected by the window (3) itself. The radio interface 13 is located in such a position that it can make radio contact over a connection 4 with interface units (1) fitted to suitably equipped user handsets (2) in the publicly accessible region on the other side of the window (3). Through the internet 6 the terminal 10 may be connected to any other internet site, and in particular to a media server 7, operating as a client of that server. The user handset 2 can transmit control signals over the piconet to control the information displayed on the screen 14. Information not suitable for display on the screen 14, such as credit card details or audio data, may be transmitted over the piconet connection 4 or a cellular connection 5 to the handset.