Method and apparatus for providing a virtual tour of a dormitory or other institution to a prospective resident

• US 20020116297A1
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sharl B. Olefson
• Original Assignee: Sharl B. Olefson
• Inventors: Olefson, Sharl B.
• Application Number:
  US10/062,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116297A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/30 Profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The subject invention provides a prospective resident of a dormitory, or other new environment, with an interactive system for use by a virtual community in which the website is adapted to assist a member of the virtual community in the transition to living on a college campus or other new living environment. The website provides a member with a virtual tour of the college campus and a plurality of interactive features that are adapted to make the transition to living in the new environment more enjoyable.

Claims

1. An interactive system for use by a member of a virtual community, said interactive system allowing the member to access a website having a plurality of interactive features adapted to ease said member'"'"'s transition to living in a new environment, said interactive features comprising:

a virtual reality viewing system for providing a virtual tour of the environment;

an interactive checklist, said interactive checklist including;

a first predetermined list of things a member should do during the transition; and

a second predetermined list of things said member may want to do during the transition in combination with said first predetermined list;

a member menu enabling a member to be selectively linked to one of a plurality of interactive resources; and

at least one link to a merchant website where members can e-shop for at least one item.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the interactive features include a “

give back”

feature whereby members are encouraged to provide support to a desired college or institution through donations, scholarships, or community participation.

3. An interactive system for use by a virtual community comprising college bound and college students, family and friends of students, merchants, and colleges, said interactive system being adapted to assist a member of the virtual community in the transition to living on a college campus, said interactive system being further adapted to allow a member to access a website having a plurality of interactive features adapted to ease a member'"'"'s transition, said interactive features comprising:

a virtual reality viewing system for providing a virtual tour of said college campus;

an interactive checklist, said interactive checklist including;

a predetermined list of things a member should do during the transition period; and

line items of things the member may want to do during the transition;

a member menu enabling a member to be selectively linked to one of a plurality of interactive resources; and

at least one link to a merchant website where members can e-shop for at least one item.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the personalized checklist includes a member “

registration”

line item whereby initial visitors of the website can register to become members.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive checklist includes a “

voter registration”

line item.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive checklist includes a “

change of address”

line item.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the “

change of address”

line item is adapted to allow the member to attach said wish list to the change of address.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the “

change of address”

can be e-mailed to others.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive checklist includes a “

shop for necessities”

line item.

10. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive features further include a “

brag card”

feature that allows members to create, e-mail, and print brag cards about the college campus.

11. The system of claim 3 wherein the “

brag card”

feature is adapted to allow the member to attach said wish list.

12. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive features further include a “

Dormstore”

feature that allows the member to electronically shop for necessary items.

13. The system of claim 3 wherein the website further includes a “

newsflash”

section that allows authorized institutions to post information about specific events relative to the college campus.

14. The system of claim 3 wherein the merchants advertise products and services on the website.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the merchants are provided an authorization to update advertisements on the website as desired.

16. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive features includes a “

shipping”

feature that allows the member to make arrangements to have items shipped to/from the college campus.

17. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive features include at least one contest to win prizes.

18. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive checklist includes a “

pick a dorm”

line item.

19. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive checklist includes a “

make a wish list”

line item.

20. The system of claim 3 wherein the virtual tour includes a virtual tour of at least one college dorm.

21. The system of claim 3 wherein the virtual community includes at least one administrator.

22. The system website of claim 3 wherein the at least one administrator is provided an authorization to manipulate, modify and perform maintenance on the website.

23. The system of claim 3 wherein said college is provided an authorization to update college information on the website.

24. The system of claim 3 wherein the interactive features include a “

give back”

feature whereby members are encouraged to provide support to a desired college or institution through donations, scholarships, or community participation.

25. The system of claim 3 wherein the member menu includes an events calendar that allows the member to schedule upcoming events.

26. The system of claim 3 wherein the member menu includes a flea market listing whereby the member can list items for sale or rent.

27. The system of claim 3 wherein the member menu includes a wish list feature whereby the member can make a list of items he/she wishes to have purchased for them.

28. The system of claim 3 wherein the member menu includes a transition tips listing whereby the member can create a list of personal tips for transitioning that is accessible by another member.

29. The system of claim 3 wherein the member menu includes a countdown clock that alerts the member to upcoming events.

30. A method of providing a prospective resident of a new environment with an interactive system adapted to assist said resident in transitioning to living in the new environment by allowing a member to interact with a virtual reality tour of the new environment and a plurality of interactive features made accessible at an internet website, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the member with a computer system adapted to access an interactive internet website;

providing an interactive website adapted to be accessed by a computer system connected to the internet;

including a virtual tour of a prospective new environment at the interactive website;

providing the member with access to the virtual tour;

including a plurality of interactive features at the website adapted to assist the member in transitioning to the new environment; and

providing at least one link at the interactive website that directs the member to a merchant website where the member can e-shop for at least one item.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of including a plurality of interactive features further includes providing the member with a predetermined list of things that need to be done during transitioning.