Prior art — US Patent 6289319

Based on my analysis of the patent's file wrapper and cited references, here is the most relevant prior art for US patent 6,289,319. The analysis focuses on which claims are potentially anticipated under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Cited Prior Art Analysis

The following references were cited by the USPTO examiner during the prosecution of US patent 6,289,319.

1. US Patent 4,359,631 A (Lockwood)

Full Citation: US Patent 4,359,631 A, "Self-service terminal," invented by Lawrence B. Lockwood (the same inventor as the '319 patent).
Publication Date: November 16, 1982
Brief Description: This patent describes a self-service terminal designed to be more user-friendly by using a video display that presents a pre-recorded image of a person to guide the user through a transaction. It details the use of a videodisc player to store and play back audio-visual sequences, a keyboard for user input, and a processor to control the terminal's operations. The primary focus is on the terminal's human interface.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference is highly relevant to the terminal-specific elements described in the '319 patent.
- Claims 1, 3, 4, 5, 6: The '631 patent arguably discloses many components of the terminal described in Claim 1, including the data processor, video screen (Claim 1), means for holding operational data (a videodisc, as covered by Claim 6), means for manual entry, and means for outputting informing and inquiring sequences using a video persona with synchronized audible messages (Claims 3, 4, 5). However, the '631 patent focuses almost exclusively on the standalone terminal. It does not appear to describe the complete system architecture of Claim 1, specifically the remote linking of the terminal to a separate central processor that is programmed to receive and process orders, store the information, and transmit data back to the terminal to complete the transaction loop. Therefore, while it anticipates many of the terminal features, it likely does not anticipate the entire system claimed in Claim 1.

2. Washington Post Article: "Computer firm to help buyer, shop for loan"

Full Citation: Young, G., "Computer firm to help buyer, shop for loan," Washington Post, Real Estate Section, April 9, 1984.
Publication Date: April 9, 1984
Brief Description: This newspaper article, published before the patent's 1984 priority date, describes a computerized loan-shopping service. These systems allowed potential borrowers to use a terminal to enter their financial information. The system would then process this information and search for available mortgage loans from various lenders, presenting the user with potential options.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This printed publication is arguably the most relevant prior art for the broadest claims of the '319 patent.
- Claim 1: The service described in the article appears to embody the core elements of Claim 1. It involves a terminal at a remote site (at least one terminal at each of said remote sites), a user manually entering information (means for manually entering information), a connection to a central computer that processes the inquiry (a central processor programmed and connected to process a variety of inquiries), and the transmission of data back and forth. The process of guiding a user to enter financial data constitutes "informing and inquiring sequences." The system's function of finding loans and processing the user's data represents the processing of "business and financial transactions." If the article provides sufficient detail on the system's architecture (i.e., a central processor storing and receiving data from multiple remote terminals), it could be argued to anticipate the entirety of Claim 1.
- Claim 2: To the extent that the system described by Young determines loan eligibility or options based on the user's entered data, it could anticipate Claim 2, which claims a "means for generating a personal qualification report."

3. US Patent 4,333,152 A (Best)

Full Citation: US Patent 4,333,152 A, "TV Movies that talk back," invented by Best Robert M.
Publication Date: June 1, 1982
Brief Description: This patent details an interactive video system where a user at a remote terminal can make choices that affect the narrative of a video program stored on a central computer. The system facilitates a branching video sequence based on user input, transmitted over communication lines like telephone or cable.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 1: The Best patent discloses a system with a central processor, remote terminals with video screens and manual input, and a remote communication link. It also describes the use of "informing and inquiring sequences" to guide a user's experience. However, the system's purpose is entertainment and education, not conducting "business and financial transactions" or processing "orders" that would update stored data on the central processor in a commercial context. Therefore, it likely fails to anticipate the business and financial transaction elements central to Claim 1.

4. US Patent 5,146,404 A (Westinghouse)

Full Citation: US Patent 5,146,404 A, "Electronic maintenance support work station," assigned to Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
Publication Date: September 8, 1992
Brief Description: This patent describes an expert system designed to assist technicians with maintenance tasks. A workstation provides interactive, step-by-step graphical and textual instructions to guide the technician. The workstation can also connect to a central database to download technical manuals and other relevant data.
Potential Anticipation of Claims:
- Claim 1: This system includes an interactive terminal connected to a central data source, and it uses "informing and inquiring sequences" to guide a user through a process. However, similar to the Best '152 patent, its application is for technical maintenance, not for processing "business and financial transactions" or "orders" in a commercial sense. The interaction is focused on executing a pre-defined technical procedure rather than conducting a dynamic financial transaction. For this reason, it would likely not anticipate the core subject matter of Claim 1.