| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus in the form of a TV and video conference connection device having a telephone jack, a mother board, operating system, and adapter cards including a high speed modem such as fiber or ADSL, provides audio-visual communication between a consumer and a vendor of goods and services for interactive completion of application forms in order to complete transactions such as banking, insurance, securities, product sales, service contracts and the like. Optional I/O devices may be attached to the connection device in order to print an application or contract and allow personal computing. The transaction is initiated by the consumer who causes the connection device to obtain the vendor's communication number from a network directory or a personal directory stored in the connection device. As the desired vendor scrolls into a highlighted area on the TV screen, the consumer presses a button on a hand held remote which causes the connection device to make a video conference connection. If the vendor facility is found to be busy, a temporary return may be taken to a previously active function such as TV or personal computing in order that consumer satisfaction be retained while the number is re-dialed to reach the selected vendor. When the connection is made, the temporary return is terminated and a ring back signal is sent to the consumer telephone in order to allow the consumer to conveniently converse with the vendor's representative.</p> |
