Other

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Stephen R Sweet

David Joseph Wunderlin

Renee Bedros

George Heinz Quentin

Charles P Bloom

Arch W Butler

Brian A Isle

David Spoor

Ralph J Kloepping

Francis M Campos

A stand-alone, interactive, self-service kiosk for initializing and copying computer hard drives and methods for the operation of the kiosk are disclosed. The kiosk, which includes a microprocessor, data storage and printer, is programmed to conduct a dialogue with a customer instructing them to connect their original and replacement hard drives to the kiosk. Once the hard drives are connected, the microprocessor automatically identifies the original and replacement hard drives, configures the replacement hard drive and copies all programs and data from the original hard drive to the replacement hard drive. When the copying process is complete, a printed report is generated with further instructions on installation of the hard drive and detailed information about any errors that may have occurred during the process. In a second embodiment, the kiosk includes a device to accept a payment card from the customer, and a telephone modem to connect to a central office for verification of funds. In a third embodiment the kiosk includes a removable media storage device with which the customer can make a backup of their hard drive. In a fourth embodiment the kiosk includes software for the optimization of the location of the programs and data on the replacement hard drive. In a fifth embodiment the kiosk includes a database of known computer viruses and software for the detection and removal of those viruses. In a sixth embodiment a database of video advertisements is stored in the kiosk which can be presented to the customer through multimedia devices. In a seventh embodiment a database of software titles is stored in the kiosk which the customer can choose to purchase and install automatically to their replacement hard drive.

Interactive self-service hard drive copying system

A multimedia interface presents information and receives user commands and data for a computer system. The multimedia interface operates in parallel with another application software module, such as an expert system. To add multimedia features to the application software module, the module is modified so as to generate multimedia commands at the same time as it displays text on a text monitor. The multimedia commands, which are held in a queue, provide additional information in the form of video images and generated speech corresponding to the displayed text. In addition, the multimedia commands are split into at least two sets: one set which is dispatched to the user substantially immediately after displaying the corresponding text, and one set which is dispatched upon request by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the multimedia interface presents information to the user through text, graphics, video, sound, speech production, and printed output. User inputs are made through a keyboard and voice recognition. In one preferred embodiment two data processing units are used: one for an expert system module and one for a video output processing module. Each module includes its own flat VGA display. The video module includes a digital video controller which enables it to display drawings, photographs, still and animated graphics, video stills, full-motion video and motion video with graphic overlays. An optional satellite station facilitates use of the system in environments where it is inconvenient or impossible to bring the complete system.

Multimedia interface and method for computer system

Growing community of inventors

Sonoma, CA, United States of America

Stephen R Sweet