Remote limit-setting information distribution system

摘要

A remotely-configurable information distribution system selectively filters inbound information in response to selection and limit parameters provided by a remotely-connected processing device. The selection and limit parameters are assembled as a data packet at the device and the packet is uploaded to the host computer over a limited-bandwidth, communications network. Remote software modules resident in the device facilitate both entry of the parameters by an authorized user and the subsequent transfer of those parameters to the host computer. A communications system of the host computer receives the data packet and transfers the packet to a host-based "filtering" software subsystem, where selected portions of the inbound information are extracted in response to the parameters of the data packet. Upon completion of this latter process, the extracted information is transferred is to the remote processing device over the network in accordance with a non-interactive, asynchronous transfer protocol.