Information distribution system

An automatic self contained interface unit for unattended control and connection of an information and retrieval system to an information receiver comprising:

• means for connecting a telephone line to the information receiver;
• means for receiving telephonic signals from the connected telephone line;
• means for transmitting telephonic signaling tones on the connected telephone line;
• means for placing the connected telephone line on hold;
• a controller connected to the connecting means, receiving means, transmitting means and hold means, said controller including:
• means for activating the controller at a predetermined time;
• means for transferring a predetermined set of commands to the transmitting means for transmission as signaling tones for dialing the information and retrieval means on the telephone line and, upon answer, an information data string to the information and retrieval system for defining selective collection and transmission of specific information;
• means for interactively interpreting signals received by the receiving means;
• means responsive to a first signal from the interpreting means for activating the hold means;
• means for transferring a command to the transmitting means for transmission to the information receiver;
• and
• means responsive to a second signal from the interpreting means for deactivating the hold means thereby interconnecting the information receiver with the information and retrieval system;
• a broadcast receiver having a controllable station tuner;
• means for selecting the station to which the tuner is set;
• a clock for designating current date and current time;
• manual input means for issuing a store command;
• a memory;
• a second controller responsive to the selecting means, the clock, and the manual input means for storing in the memory data representative of the station to which the tuner is set, the current date, and the current time when a store command is issued;
• and
• means for interfacing the second controller to the controller whereby station date and time data are stored as a portion of the predetermined set of commands.